Newbie here

[Farnjet]

Hello! I am a fairly inexperienced fisherman from Dalton, GA and I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction to catching some fish on Friday. I am not too particular in the species, I just haven't been fishing in 6 months and would love to reel in a few. In the past, I have fished primarily in the Wolftever area during the spring and summer for spots or largemouths. I figure that is prettly slow right now. I have been reading your posts about fishing below the Chickamauga Dam and wondered if you thought this would be good to try. If so, what should I throw and where should I put in?

My new year's resolution is to get some good use of the boat I am paying for that just sits in my garage. I am taking my brother-in-law on this trip and if he is not catching, he wants to leave. Please help me out so I don't have to listen to him whine. I'll be sure to let you guys know how we do!

Larry

 

[rsimms]

Welcome, if you're trying to keep the brother-in-law happy tie him on a tiny 1/16th oz. tube jig (yellow & white), tip it with a wax worm and tell him to fish it real slow across the bottom. Light line, 4 lb. or 6 lb., will be better. In the lake you should find some good-sized bluegill on steep rock bluffs. Expect bluegill to be 10-20 feet deep. Below the dam, around the wing walls, etc. The tiny tube jig may also root out a few crappie, especially around fallen trees.

 

[jim4596]

welcome aboard.

 

[DHaun]

Welcome Farnjet! What RSimms said, but wherever you go above or below the Dam I would also try drifting live shiners or jigging a spoon over wherever you can find fish. I have been locating a few fish on drop-offs from 18-25ft, but you have to hit them on the head with the lure to get them to bite. When they are scattered sometimes I just drive real slow and when the depth finder beeps with a few fish or shows some interesting structure I stop and throw a spoon behind the boat. I think this pattern holds true for both the lake and river, especially if there is a bit of structure around the drop. I have also caught a few here and there throwing a spoon into eddies created by river structure like bridge pilings. Or, if you like sitting still on the lake I would try to locate some brush in a deep water slough and throw minnows or jigs around it, maybe you'll find some crappie holding deep and tight around some structure. There is a ramp just above the Dam at the marina and one below the Dam at the RiverPark off Amnicola.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes!

 

[DirkV]

Welcome aboard Larry. I also live in Dalton - if you ever need a fishing partner, let me know. I am from Harrison, TN and have fished Chickamauga on and off for the last 15 years so I know a few spots. I also know a few private ponds in the Dalton area.

DirkV