Hybrids below Chickamauga dam..

[Tight_Lines]

Just recently heard about catching hybrids below Tims Ford but was also told they could be caught below Chickamauga Dam also. i am now intrigued! Does anyone here ever fish for them? if so what are the best methods, lures, time periods, and locations below the dam to catch them? I hear they are a ton of fun to fight!! averaging 3 between 3lb - 7lbs! any help or answers would be awesome! I most likely will be fishing from the banks.
Good fishing to ALL!!

 

[rsimms]

In my decades of fishing below Chickamauga Dam I have only caught one hybrid there. I have caught some significant numbers in select years below Nickajack, but not Chickamauga.

Lot's of native stripe (white bass) and periodically a few true stripers (rockfish), but don't hold your breath for a hybrid. They're rare as hen's teeth.

 

[puddle jumper]

If you are wanting to specifically target Hybrids, jump in the truck and take a road trip down here to Carters lake, there are giant hybrids in this lake, the state record has been shocked up out of there a couple of times already , if it hasn't been broken by someone by now..
PJ

 

[fishinvol]

Yep , Carters has some giants ! I've caught 2 that were a hair over 13lbs myself . Fun fish to catch !

 

[Tight_Lines]

PJ, that sounds like a blast! have to put that on my bucket list for soon! what time of year or does it matter? and what baits do you use? thanks for the info!!

 

[Zhouni]

Anyone know if you can catch a lot of white bass down there now? I have been down there a couple time this year and never done any good

 

[Tight_Lines]

Zhouni,
i was down below the chick dam earlier this week, and nada. though i was off the bank in the afternoon heat. i have been told by a local if you are out in a boat they will bite in the current break in the evening hours 6p to 8p on small silver spoons (emphasis on smaller) i would assume that would be true for morning hours. i have not had luck with with them yet this fall, though this spring I catching almost every cast. I feel like its still pretty hot for them. hope this helps!
Good Fishing!

 

[rsimms]

Zhouni - 9/28/2017 9:04 AM

Anyone know if you can catch a lot of white bass down there now? I have been down there a couple time this year and never done any good

It is very seasonal and changes year-to-year. Last year there were tons of white bass from Spring through Summer months.

However this year, not so much. Apparently their population and habit of congregating below the Dam varies greatly and it is really difficult to know when they'll be "On" or when they'll be "Off." I've been fishing there regularly for decades and I've never been able figure out a predictable pattern to it. It's just a matter of going and hoping. If they're there, you'll know it.

 

[Zhouni]

That's why I want to check before I take a 45 miinutes drive
Thanks for the info.