Hello Everyone! Wheeler Lake 7/22

[shsimons]

Hi guys,

I'm Sam Simons, and I've been reading many of your posts and have been enjoying reading all of the info posted. I just recently moved from Indiana. I am really into catfishing and my brother in law and I used to adventure out onto the Ohio River for some nice blues and flatheads along with Stripers. I've had a lot of adventures this year involving walleye fishing on the Maumee River, Steelhead fishing on the Grand River in Ohio, and a trip to Canada and a few trips to Wheeler thrown in with Mike Mitchell. On July 22nd my girlfriend took me out fishing with Mike for my 23rd birthday, and I caught a 49 inch bluecat, weighing over 60 lbs! I don't own a boat yet, I'm fresh out of college and starting a new teaching job. Hopefully I can get a boat in the next year or 2 and come join the cat battle. So I'm pretty much restricted to bank fishing right now in Chattanooga. Do you guys know any good spots to bank fish from on Chickamauga? Good luck to everyone in the Cat Battle, as i look forward to some pictures.
Also,
Richard, I'm sure I'll give you a call up sometime to go fishing with you. I just can't decide what I'd want to go fishing for, so much of it sounds good. You sound like a great person to learn about fishing below the dam and on chickamauga for some big cats.

Take care everyone.

Sam

 

[jon the fisherman]

Welcome Sam, nice fish.

 

[DHaun]

Welcome - Great first post Sam and nice fish! You can always bank fish from the rocks just below Chickamauga or Nickajack Dam. Sometimes I think I did better from the bank below Nickajack before I had my boat...

 

[MrWiskers]

That may be the longest cat I have ever seen!!!!!!

 

[Davo]

Welcome Sam. Also, I don't think you will have a problem finding a ride in a boat if you want. Most of the guys on here are willing to take someone along if asked.

 

[fisherpal2k]

Welcome Sam! Thanks for the report and the pic. Glad you have decided to join in on the fun. Most of the folks on here are pretty nice folks and only need asked to have a chance to go fishing. Maybe you can hook up with someone before too long. Got to watch Rsimms tho. He is a cat getter from way back..emoLaugh

 

[minner]

Mike is a great guide and I am sure anyone on here will be more than willing to help you in anyway they can. Some will offer you tips and others might just offer you a back seat. Not too many tight lipped folks on here so ask away and I am sure you'll find an answer.

 

[shsimons]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the nice welcome and offering to take me out fishing sometime. If any of you are really dead in the water with not having a partner to go catfishing sometime, just let me know. I'd be happy to help out with expenses of gas, etc. I'm also hoping to make fishing friends, as I left my 2 best ones back in Indiana.
Do I have any chance of catching skipjack from the bank? That's definitely my favorite bait, followed by shad and bluegill heads. I was wondering if you guys had any tricks for catching them? I was throwing a cast net earlier today below chickamauga dam, and caught a few baby shad. I am having trouble with snagging from the bank when catfishing down there. Maybe I'm not using the right rig to get my bait down fast enough. I put 9 ounces of weight on my line and snagged up right away. Last time i was down with 2 ounces, and that was hopeless as well. Guess it will be a learning experience. I always enjoy learning about fishing in general.

Tear it up in the Cat Battle fellas, I fully expect a 50 lber out of you cat experts, no pressure or anything!

p.s. Minner, I saw those nice pics of your wife with those big cats. My girlfriend caught 2 cats on the same line, a 10 lb and 18 lb blue. Talk about a great day for my birthday, my favorite girl catching my favorite fish.

 

[craazyboutbass]

Welcome Sam!, that's a monster right there! That would be good for the battle!

 

[Bprice]

Welcome Sam... I saw your pics on Mike's page, and they are some great fish, what a birthday present. Its great to have another catfish, and to see another younger fella like me on here. Welcome, and hope you enjoy the site!

 

[MrWiskers]

shsimons - 8/5/2006 11:40 PM

Hey guys,

Thanks for the nice welcome and offering to take me out fishing sometime. If any of you are really dead in the water with not having a partner to go catfishing sometime, just let me know. I'd be happy to help out with expenses of gas, etc. I'm also hoping to make fishing friends, as I left my 2 best ones back in Indiana.
Do I have any chance of catching skipjack from the bank? That's definitely my favorite bait, followed by shad and bluegill heads. I was wondering if you guys had any tricks for catching them? I was throwing a cast net earlier today below chickamauga dam, and caught a few baby shad. I am having trouble with snagging from the bank when catfishing down there. Maybe I'm not using the right rig to get my bait down fast enough. I put 9 ounces of weight on my line and snagged up right away. Last time i was down with 2 ounces, and that was hopeless as well. Guess it will be a learning experience. I always enjoy learning about fishing in general.

Tear it up in the Cat Battle fellas, I fully expect a 50 lber out of you cat experts, no pressure or anything!

p.s. Minner, I saw those nice pics of your wife with those big cats. My girlfriend caught 2 cats on the same line, a 10 lb and 18 lb blue. Talk about a great day for my birthday, my favorite girl catching my favorite fish.

I caught most of my skipjack off the bank below Chickamauga dam. Just fish right beside the turbine closest to the bank with anything small and white (1" or smaller). As far as catfishing down there I would freeline some cut shad and let it drift with the current. Maybe go rock hopping down from the fishing pier.

 

[shsimons]

MrWhiskers,

Thanks for the info. I'll try some sabiki rigs down there sometime and see what happens. Thanks for the other tips as well. Have a good work week

 

[Guest]

welcome,
Try freelining smaller pieces of cut shad or cut bluegill up in the corner at Chic. dam. right in behind the discharge. There is a handrail on the bank there. Channel cats 2lbs and up can be caught in there pretty regular right now. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[foodsaver]

I dont catch a whole lot of fish but I try to go every thursday afternoon and am almost always fishing alone. You are more then welcome to join me if you like!

 

[polo-dog]

shsimmons, I'm with MrWhiskers about below the Chickamauga dam on the Amnicola Hwy side for skipjacks. Anything small and white will catch them if the flow is right. I used to throw a crappie sized tube jig 2-3feet below a float and just jerk and stop, jerk and stop and you can catch all you want. Throw just into the fast water there right next to the eddie next to and up current from the concrete pier there and you should be able to get some. Let us know how you do.