ChooChooSnakeMan, Chickamauga, Bass, 7/22/17, Solo

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

Busy so just now posting about a short trip I managed to take on Saturday the 22nd of July. The plan was to get out early and fish for a few hours and then pick up the wife for some R & R on the water. Got to HBSP after stopping to fuel up around 7:00am and was happy to find that there was still a boat trailer parking space open (but only 2!). I launched the Skeeter with no idea where I would start. I'm still learning about the FX21 so I decided I would not stay in Harrison Bay / Wolftever like I normally do. I haven't fished up the lake in a long time so I made the short run to Soddy Creek and fished there. It got hot very quickly and the water temps started out at 88 degrees. I caught 4 bass (2 where spots) all on finesse worms from 4' to 15' deep. I had two more come off right at the boat. Nothing big but a fun morning. I headed back to HBSP to pick Connie up at 11:00 so I probably fished 3 1/2 hours or so. There were a lot of bass boats out with most people fishing main lake points and drop-offs. I went in a slough and fished wood and rock on steep banks. The Skeeter and 250 SHO impresses me more each time I get out. After picking up Connie we had lunch and went out to just relax. It was too hot to relax with a heat index around 100 degrees. The water was so warm it wasn't much relief and we decided to head in around 4:30 that evening. I don't know what the answer is but there is a real need for more parking at HBSP, I imagine the pleasure boating crowd is really frustrated when they show up to launch and all the boat trailer parking is taken up by fishermen emoBang . It's pretty frustrating for me since I'd rather not show up at 5:00am on my day off to beat the tournament guys. More parking and even another ramp is really needed with the popularity of the Chick these days emoParty .

 

[Dropshot]

Thanks James for the report!

 

[flyman]

another answer would be for them to repair and reopen Booker T , that was at one time a great ramp with plenty of parking. otherwise you would think they could add a ramp around the fishing pier area, there is a good area over there that could be converted for parking. just my opinion.

 

[Fshn Cpa]

I was out Saturday morning also. Almost got swamped by a pleasure boat pulling a tuber. Later the same guy pulled his tuber right in front of me as I was getting on plane. Maybe 20 yards. I just shut down and waited for him to past me. Stayed out a half hour too long. Saw a lot of fish. Couldn't catch them. One crappie in 20 fow on a lizard and one small bass.

 

[elwestb]

James I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying that Skeeter!

 

[BustinBass197]

There are a bunch of ramps u just have to know where they are at. Everyone might not be as big as Hbsp

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

BustinBass197 - 7/26/2017 12:45 AM

There are a bunch of ramps u just have to know where they are at. Everyone might not be as big as Hbsp

Agreed there are other ramps of course and if you have one of the smaller less used ramps close to you and it meets your needs then you are good to go. The problem for many people is that not all the small ramps have a good dock to tie off to, a restroom for the family or the parking lot is hard to maneuver or and this one is big for a lot of people the more isolated ramps also have crime problems that you don't have as much at the larger more public ramps. All you have to do is go to HBSP or any of the bigger more public ramp / dock areas on Saturday around mid day from spring to fall and they are full unless there is just bad weather so there is a need for more access / parking for boaters. Many are predicting that one day in the maybe not so distant future the Chick will decline as a fishery and the overcrowding will take care of itself. It will be sad to have our parking problems solved this way

 

[porthos33]

Yeah Harrison Bay could definitely use more parking. Problem with that is that there will be more boats on the water! hahaha