Need some advice and knowledge for this weekend

[Tcroft03]

Im planning to catch some trophy stripe and smallmouth at the chick dam on Friday. I'm thinking of using a swim bait. I'm also going to try and catch skipjack for my catfishing trip on Saturday. Problem is I have no idea where to look for catfish on the chick lake or nick lake. The only knowledge I know is to fish the deepest water I can find. Also I am fishing from a 12 foot Jon boat, so i want to fish somewhere where there is a low chance of a fast bass boat making waves and turning the boat over

 

[Fishheadspin]

Bass boats will be the least of your worries on chick!!!!

 

[porthos33]

Yep what he said! ^^^^^ Those trophy smallies are far and few between! And it's not the bass boats that will turn you over. It's all the other ones Good luck

 

[jackson]

Based on my limited experience your best bet for catfish may be below the dam rather than in the lake. But I've been out of state for awhile (recently moved back to TN though) and may be totally wrong. Maybe some local catfish experts could offer better advice but I've had good luck below the dam this time of year in the past.

 

[Tcroft03]

If I can get to the wall and fish. Is there a rig that you prefer when fishing close to the wall

 

[jackson]

I wouldn't try going all the way up to the dam in a 12 foot boat. You'd be better off drifting.

 

[jbh3]

jackson - 4/18/2016 1:46 PM

I wouldn't try going all the way up to the dam in a 12 foot boat. You'd be better off drifting.

PLEASE do NOT take a 12' boat anywhere near the dam. Find a sheltered pocket and stay in it. Be careful out there!

 

[cast4bass]

If there is no flow it will be a tough day below the dam

 

[jackson]

I've never fished below the dam when it wasn't flowing good but would you expect much luck catching catfish with the forecasted flow of 7,000 cfs? My nephew is coming down from Indiana Thursday and Friday to fish and we had hoped to catch some catfish in the river.

 

[porthos33]

just drift and if you have to use your trolling motor to make the drift better if there is a south wind