Dallas Bay, Lake Chickamauga questions for a newbie

[Rjw615]

Coming up from Pensacola, Fl, staying at a house on the lake for three days, just a quick weekend getaway. Dad and I are looking to catch some catfish. Do we just need to run out of Dallas Bay and get into the main channel on the river and fish with cut baits? Is there catfish to be caught in Dallas Bay, didnt appear to look all that deep from google maps. Def not looking for a honey hole, just catch enough to fry for supper each evening. Any tips ya'll can provide will be gracious. If anybody is heading to Pensacola, I can help with the bass fishing down here in the rivers and on the bays for speckled trout and redfish. emoToast

 

[churly]

Roll out to the river channel and head north to the cooling towers. Try out from the towers or any other main river channel drop. I would stay out of the back water stuff and concentrate on the main channel kedges for cats

 

[Rjw615]

Thanks man, are the main river channels marked? Do we just anchor up or drift along with the cut bait on the bottom?

 

[SpurHunter]

Channels are marked well. Go up river to the discharge for sure, you will see it right after you pass the power lines. Fish right in the "boil", you will see a slick spot of water, you really cant miss it. Use Chicken breast cut into 1" chunks. Good luck!

 

[Rjw615]

Awesome guys, I can see what you are talking about on google maps. Can I just anchor out there and fish on the bottom or do I just drift with the bait on the bottom or suspended?

 

[calveryc]

Just downstream of the sequoyah nuclear plant cooling towers you might see boils where they release water every so often, fish around there and you'll do well. I usually start just downstream of the plant just at the ledge of the channel. I drop some cut bait or whole shad down to within a foot or so of the bottom and then drift downstream using the trolling motor to keep me on the edge of the channel. You can catch a lot of nice cats there.

 

[churly]

Don't anchor just drift along the drops. Channels are clearly marked with buoys.

 

[Rjw615]

Wanted to give an update for today, fished about six hours at the plant today, boated three cats on cut shad, missed three other bites, slow going but a bunch of fun. Two weigh two pounds, other one weighs four. Going back in the morning if anyone wants to come show us how it's done, lot of boat traffic today.

 

[SpurHunter]

If it was that slow, you didn't find the fish. Catching 20-30 fish in that size range is common up there. If you anchor, keep loving around till you find a concentration of them.

 

[Liveliner]

Anywhere in the deeper channel in the river is a Honey Hole. Especially if you can find drop-offs and holes along the bottom.

 

[Rjw615]

You guys are awesome! Thank you for all your help, just wanted to give an update, fished this morning (07/5), now keep in mind, our fish finder isn't working for unknown reason, but we boated six this morn from 6-10 right below the plant, one will go at least 12-13 lbs we figure, another around 9-10 lbs, the others from 2-6 lbs. Going to get back after it this afternoon and see what happens once the traffic on the lake dies down. All caught on cut shad, on my phone now but will post pics when I get home Monday.

 

[SpurHunter]

Chicken breast will work outstanding a well. Take both if you can.