RHuff Posted April 19, 2022 Posted April 19, 2022 May get to hit Chickamauga this upcoming weekend (April 22-24).. Anyone been out there this week that would mind to share what's been working? Been there two other times onces in early March when water was being drawn down (fishing was hard) and once in late June when the offshore bite was good but the week after MLF cleaned it out) so both trips I haven't had much luck..... Thoughts on this weekend? Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted April 19, 2022 Global Moderator Posted April 19, 2022 Well the elites were just there this time haha. water temp should be around 60-65 Here’s your lake level 1 Quote
RHuff Posted April 19, 2022 Author Posted April 19, 2022 Care to share a pattern or two for this time of year?? I'm thinking starting at mouths of creeks and pockets and work my way in..... jerkbaits, chatterbaits, wacky rigs? Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted April 19, 2022 Super User Posted April 19, 2022 Depends on the size of the body of water, and other local factors, also this year's warming trends (I use the term loosely) have been atypical, at least near me. The best "pattern" (I don't believe there is such a thing) has been moving baits in breaks and transitions, and angry big bait bites at or near nesting sites, and jigs. 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted April 19, 2022 Global Moderator Posted April 19, 2022 3 hours ago, RHuff said: Care to share a pattern or two for this time of year?? I'm thinking starting at mouths of creeks and pockets and work my way in..... jerkbaits, chatterbaits, wacky rigs? I’ve never caught much down there, and haven’t been in several months. I usually fish the tailwaters below watts bar dam, 3 inch shad imitators christie won the elite even with chatterbait I think, lots of glide baits were also used 1 Quote
BassNJake Posted April 19, 2022 Posted April 19, 2022 9 hours ago, RHuff said: May get to hit Chickamauga this upcoming weekend (April 22-24).. Anyone been out there this week that would mind to share what's been working? Been there two other times onces in early March when water was being drawn down (fishing was hard) and once in late June when the offshore bite was good but the week after MLF cleaned it out) so both trips I haven't had much luck..... Thoughts on this weekend? It's calling for temps in the 80's You'll find fish on beds and I'll bet you'll see an early morning shad spawn You'll also see the an unbelievable amount of traffic because of the warm weather Wolftever creek, Chester Frost, Soddy and Sale creeks will be like merry go rounds 1 Quote
RHuff Posted April 19, 2022 Author Posted April 19, 2022 So go shallow? Wind blown banks? Throw shad-like baits? Quote
BassNJake Posted April 20, 2022 Posted April 20, 2022 Checked over at another forum and last 2 weeks guys were catching them on shakey heads. 1 Quote
RHuff Posted April 25, 2022 Author Posted April 25, 2022 Just got back home last night thought i’d give yall a recap of the trip… Got to Dayton Fri afternoon and checked into Econolodge and went to Dayton Ramp.. 200 tournament boats coming off the water so it was a little hectic.. Fished up river from Dayton a few miles then went down by the Hiawassee then down by the bridge.. Threw chatterbait, spinnerbait, and rattle trap.. and flipped a little no bites Friday… Drove to Chester Frost Park on Sat and put in 100 tournament boats plus pleasure boaters there (and the 200 in Dayton so over 300 tournament boats on Saturday) Went south down by the islands and finally got on some fish in 1-3 ft of water on a wacky rig berkley the general maxscent… went back up next to the mouth of chester frost and caught some on light line still wacky rigged then went back in to a pocket in the bay and caught one off a dock on the zman willow vibe swimbait.. Ended up catching 14 on Sat.. all were small biggest maybe 2-2.5lbs… Went up to Watts Bar on the way out and fished it for about 4 hours Sunday morning.. had two soft bites on a swimjig around lay downs.. that was it.. All in all a good trip.. Nice getaway with the wife.. had an enjoyable time but probably won’t go back unless i somehow end up in a tournament there.. Wayyyyyyy over fished and wayyyyyyy too much fishing pressure… it’s ruining the lake IMO but you can’t stop people from coming.. Cash Cow for the local economies I’m sure… Thanks everyone for your help 2 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted April 26, 2022 Global Moderator Posted April 26, 2022 2 hours ago, RHuff said: Just got back home last night thought i’d give yall a recap of the trip… Got to Dayton Fri afternoon and checked into Econolodge and went to Dayton Ramp.. 200 tournament boats coming off the water so it was a little hectic.. Fished up river from Dayton a few miles then went down by the Hiawassee then down by the bridge.. Threw chatterbait, spinnerbait, and rattle trap.. and flipped a little no bites Friday… Drove to Chester Frost Park on Sat and put in 100 tournament boats plus pleasure boaters there (and the 200 in Dayton so over 300 tournament boats on Saturday) Went south down by the islands and finally got on some fish in 1-3 ft of water on a wacky rig berkley the general maxscent… went back up next to the mouth of chester frost and caught some on light line still wacky rigged then went back in to a pocket in the bay and caught one off a dock on the zman willow vibe swimbait.. Ended up catching 14 on Sat.. all were small biggest maybe 2-2.5lbs… Went up to Watts Bar on the way out and fished it for about 4 hours Sunday morning.. had two soft bites on a swimjig around lay downs.. that was it.. All in all a good trip.. Nice getaway with the wife.. had an enjoyable time but probably won’t go back unless i somehow end up in a tournament there.. Wayyyyyyy over fished and wayyyyyyy too much fishing pressure… it’s ruining the lack IMO but you can’t stop people from coming.. Cash Cow for the local economies I’m sure… Thanks everyone for your help Thanks for the report! Yeah I don’t go there much for that very reason Quote
RHuff Posted April 26, 2022 Author Posted April 26, 2022 The launch by the Dam at Watts Bar was like a zoo in itself… if that place takes off next year like they say it will I hope there is better access that can handle the rush of people Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted April 26, 2022 Global Moderator Posted April 26, 2022 8 hours ago, RHuff said: The launch by the Dam at Watts Bar was like a zoo in itself… if that place takes off next year like they say it will I hope there is better access that can handle the rush of people Were you above watts bar dam or below it? I’ve only launched below it and that boat ramp is not so good, always piles of broken glass and when the current is swift, a tricky launch/load. It’s also got black vultures that pull all the window and door rubber stripping off your vehicle Quote
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