Kayak/Canoe trip

[DHaun]

Nikie won a kayak last year at the Paddlefest raft race http://www.handfoundation.com/html/paddlefest_2005.html and we needed to get it on some flat water to try it out so I suggested Nickajack. I took my canoe and 2hp Honda and we put in by the Nickajack cave. It was pretty windy but I decided to at least troll a rattletrap or crappie jig behind the boat. I got one bite on the crappie jig and I figured that Honda was a little loud for the fish so I anchored for a couple of casts - too windy though. About that time the TWRA came up and checked my license. He was pretty cool with me and just asked that I hold it up for him since he did not want to swamp my canoe with his wake - pretty thoughtful huh... When he left me he took out his binoculars and moved towards another boat that had some swimmers on it. He boarded and appeared to send them back to the ramp for lack of life preservers from what I could tell.

I have a portable fish finder on the canoe so I decided just to scout around instead because it was too awkward trolling with a rod in one hand and a squirrelly canoe 2hp in the other fighting the wind. I noticed there are some good flats near deep water near the bridge and I was marking a good bit of fish suspended 10-14ft deep in water 20 ft deep in the current where the bridge meets the lake. I have never fished that area so I have no idea what they might have been. I was trolling a white/chartreuse twister tail behind the boat after I saw all the fish but nothing hit it..motor probably too loud and still way too windy.

We also saw a huge bird nest with some falcon-like birds about halfway up in a power line tower. They looked like birds of prey and I thought bald eagles at first since I saw so much white but when we got near them they looked like some kind of gull crossed with a hawk or something. Who knows, but they were definitely not happy with our presence so we scooted on...

Anyway the trip was intended more as a boating rather than fishing anyway. If anyone has any info on this area I am very interested in finding out more about what to fish for. It looked like some good deep water areas right next to the cave as well...(saw some bats too). I am kinda thinking about targeting some catfish next trip...good bait is nearby at the dam. I also noticed that the local tackle store was selling goldfish - anyone ever fished with them?

A few pics from a great day on the water:

 

[Guest]

It's probably worth your time to give it another try on a more calm day. The fishing is always good around that entire body of water. I think there are some big cats around the mouth of the cave (some nice bass too). Also, there is an old road (railroad?) bed running through some of the deeper water. I think it's about 10ft deep and 20ft on both sides. I am curious about the fishing in the main channel on the other side of the bridge. It looks like there are some nice sandbars just off of deep water around the rock piles. Has anyone fished that area? The birds you saw were osprey. I think we may see some littlun's here soon. I have also seen a golden eagle (I think) and bald eagles out there. The golden was laying waste to a group of coots. Where did you see the gold fish for sale? I too would like to hear how they do for bait.

 

[DHaun]

Thanks - That's some real good info. I definitely plan to go back when it is calmer and especially when I am armed with a bigger boat... I saw the gold fish at Leonard's Bait shop just up the hill in Bryant. He's a great guy - always friendly with good advice. I have directions if you need them.

 

[balloonist]

Dhaun -

I am in the process of moving to Chattanooga from Houston TX. I plan to do some canoe fishing as that is all I can afford right now. I would love to learn where the cave is and other fun fishing spots in the area. I just found this site and will keep an eye on the threads.

I look forward to learning about the area and it's local fishing. I am very much a novice at this sport and have a lot to learn. Any insight from any members would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[DHaun]

Welcome Balloonist! I am currently without a big boat myself, mostly because I am waiting on just the right one (sold mine last summer). Until then I am missing out on some good TN river fishing - It's hard being picky sometimes, but I'll get by.

I too am a novice at fishing many areas and look to those that are kind enough to share their experience to help out. I finally found my canoe in Marietta last year. Sometimes a canoe is better than than a trailered boat because you can throw them on the truck and launch them in places other boats can't go...We have some truly wonderful flat water rivers, creeks, stump covered lake sloughs, and back country private farm lakes just waiting to be fished via canoe. I also like using mine in the shallow flats of North Florida where stealth really matters. I hope to be going there this weekend if things work out. The Nickajack cave is fairly easy to find. It's about 20 miles from downtown Chattanooga.

Highlight, Copy, and then Paste the entire link below into your browser address bar and hit the "enter" key for directions - Let me know if you need any more info and good luck on your move:

http://maps.msn.com/(e0cgxlnelitquiqgsbouira3)/directions.aspx?&StartName=Chattanooga%2c+Tennessee%2c+United+States&StartLocation=35.04648%2c-85.30940&EndName=Mapleview+Rd%2c+Guild%2c+TN+37340&EndLocation=34.99379%2c-85.61598&DataSetLangID=USA&RouteType=Quickest&RouteUnit=Miles

 

[balloonist]

Thank you, appreciate the info. Not far at all. I will need to check it out, and soon.

Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend everyone.

 

[polo-dog]

I haven't fished back in the cave area for years but it is a great place to fish for bass. The best thing to do about to figure out where to fish in the cave area is to go to the TVA website and get the maps of the area. I think that there are two sets of maps of the Nickajack lake area. One that is really for navigation and the other set is the old black and white set that has much more detail, shows where all of the springs are and is much better to use even though it's black and white. I know that there are two sets of Chickamuaga but I'm not absolutely sure about Nickajack. The black and white maps also show where old homestead foundations, and other neat stuff like indian burial mounds. There is a bunch of history at the bottom of these lakes! Fishing in the cave area can be great. The cave itself is marked on the TVA map at this site: http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/opn/TNRiver/charts/63.jpg
The cave is there on the western side of the cave slough area. The whole bank on that side until you get way back into the slough is very steep but out from the bank there is a submerged roadbed or railroad that just about parallels the bank. It is a great place to fish, has a hard top and I think that parts used to have grass growing on it. Back in the back of the slough it is full of milfoil late in the season. There are usually patches of grass that you can't see that grow out a ways from the back of the slough and sometimes the fish are out on these patches. That whole area has lots of potential but you must be careful if you come in from the main lake to only go through the marked area because you may lose your lower unit on the old railroad tressel that runs out in the middle of the lake(see above map). I would expect that the canoe wouldn't have a problem but I figure that you would put that in there in the cave area somewhere. I just can't remember where the ramp is. Good luck.

 

[JC1]

I sure would be interested in those black and white maps that you spoke of. Where exactly did you find those maps so we can all get a copy Thanks! JC1

 

[polo-dog]

The TVA maps can be purchased by calling:800-MAPS-TVA (800-627-7882). The TVA map store used to be in the Haney building on Broad street until just a few years ago. I believe that you can still go and see the maps before you buy them somewhere in the TVA building. I heard that with the use of the internet that they were planning to phase out the store but I don't think that it has happened yet. If you call the number I would expect that they could tell you.

 

[nimrod777]

Man, reading threads like this make me realize just how much I do NOT know about fishing this area. Actually I know next to nothing about fishing big water period. I am in possession of a good wide trailered jonboat with a 25 horse Johnson Tracker motor. Perhaps when things slow down after the next week or two, I can trade someone a ride in exchange for some tutelage on how to read big waters.

Balloonist, be sure to drop me a line when you get up here. I'll be glad to meet with you over lunch or something and try to fill you in on the area!

 

[Guest]

Well, I am here now. Just got in, greeted by rain for the last three days. I am hopefull things clear up enough I can look for the cave this weekend or early next week. Sun is poking thru right now, but the sky is still clouded.

Thanks for the offer to meet up to learn about some fishing spots. Would welcome the info. Also thanks for the TVA info. Will need to find those maps.

Looking forward to fishing. BTW, where is the best place to get a TN fishing license. We used Academy Sports in TX. Are they here????

 

[JC1]

Welcome! The sporting goods dept. at any Walmart can fix you right up. Also most tackle shops around the lake(s). Good luck! JC1

 

[balloonist]

Well, finally made it. I went down to the Bat Cave on Nickajack. It was GREAT!!!! Fish were jumping all over the place, practically in to the boat. I did not have my TN fishing license at that trip, but will the next time. I got my license yesterday. Went down to Suck Creek for about 30 minutes. Did not get anything worth keeping, but had fun. Next time I will be fishing at the cave.

 

[DHaun]

Jumpin into the boat...That's always good to hear! I need to get back down that way myself. If you turn into the road to go to the Dam (a couple miles on down the road on the right) there are a couple good places on the right to launch a canoe (or maybe a small trailered jon boat) in the lake. I saw a few bass near the bank last time I was there....but it was hot and they were spookie, but one had some size to it. I bet they get hungry near dusk though...

Suck Creek is fairly close to me, did you put in your canoe at the ramp? I have been thinking about trying that area sometime myself ever since I "heard" of a good spot down there emoBigsmile

 

[Guest]

I just went to the old boat ramp accross from the convenience store/tanning salon. (the overgrown area with the "No overnight camping" signs) and fished off the ramp. I had about an hour window, so I did not prepair to have the canoe or appropriate clothing with me. I want to go back wtih the canoe however. I am aching to go back!!!