Dropshot, Chickamauga, Bass, 9/2/2018, Copyman

[Dropshot]

We decided to brave the million boats on the lake and try to fish a little before Saturday's CFF. Luckily, it started storming on the way to the lake, which chased of many of the boaters. By the time we got to CFP, the lot was probably half-empty, which also meant it was half full. After a few minutes of watching seven people try to load a pontoon boat, a very nice fellow let us go ahead an launch. We got in the water and on our first attempt out of the park were turned back by lightning in the distance. Stayed in the park for a few minutes when Dusty caught our first keeper, but the boat traffic was so bad it felt like I was in the middle of the lake. We waited a little longer then made a move. Finally got to our spot amidst the wake boats and in the next 2 hours caught 6 fish, 5 of which weighed between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds. Also caught one stripe in the two pound range on a crankbait. Fish were caught on worm, ned rig, dropshot, crankbait, and topwater in 4-12 FOW. Finally close to dark we started the slow move back to the ramp, and were able to load in 15 minutes or so. I was reminded at the end of the day why I normally dodge the holiday weekends.

 

[FirstLight]

Thanks for the report. I fished 2 days this weekend trying to figure something out for next weekend too; Saturday with a buddy and then Dad and I fished on Sunday. Saturday there was less boat traffic than Sunday for some reason. Sunday was brutal - boats of all kinds everywhere. had an idiot on a seadoo run full speed right next to us, between a bluff we were fishing and us, pretty scary, had a kid on the back with him, couldn't believe it..

Both days were slow for us. Saturday we fished from 7am to noon and only caught 5 bass. biggest 3.5 pounds and only 1 other keeper. Then on Sunday Dad and I fished from 7 until we got run off by incoming storm at about 3 and caught 8 bass. biggest was 3+ pounds. Managed 3 that were 15" or better but NO size. Mostly threw a shaky to try for numbers. Also threw big crank bait some, and did some early morning topwater. All i figured out for next weekend is that I am not on any kind of good bite right now lol.

I always have Ned Rigs and Drop Shots with me but never pull them out, I probably should.

 

[Nauticman]

Good reports, Patrick and Pete Jr.! I still can’t believe that idiot running between us and the bluff we were casting to about 40 or 50 ft. away, maybe less. Had a mile of lake to go around us. He could have run into our fishing lines and he or the kid could have gotten hookef.

 

[Smalliefan2]

Pete and Patrick, thanks for the reports. I tried Saturday morning, fishing slough's. Two very small keepers, in the drains, 8-10 fow, on a Normans crankbait. Boat traffic wasn't too bad for a holiday weekend. Had to get home for the Tennessee game.

 

[jb366]

FirstLight - 9/4/2018 10:33 AM

Thanks for the report. I fished 2 days this weekend trying to figure something out for next weekend too; Saturday with a buddy and then Dad and I fished on Sunday. Saturday there was less boat traffic than Sunday for some reason. Sunday was brutal - boats of all kinds everywhere. had an idiot on a seadoo run full speed right next to us, between a bluff we were fishing and us, pretty scary, had a kid on the back with him, couldn't believe it..

Both days were slow for us. Saturday we fished from 7am to noon and only caught 5 bass. biggest 3.5 pounds and only 1 other keeper. Then on Sunday Dad and I fished from 7 until we got run off by incoming storm at about 3 and caught 8 bass. biggest was 3+ pounds. Managed 3 that were 15" or better but NO size. Mostly threw a shaky to try for numbers. Also threw big crank bait some, and did some early morning topwater. All i figured out for next weekend is that I am not on any kind of good bite right now lol.

I always have Ned Rigs and Drop Shots with me but never pull them out, I probably should.

I fished Sunday and it was tough all around. Boated 12 but none were any size. I think we're in that lull between summer and fall patterns. It happened last year about this time I believe.