Nickajack Bass!

[PatrickH]

I have a co-worker that went to Nickajack last Tuesday and pulled in some HUGE bass just below the darn on the Guntersville side. Although I didn't see the pictures that he brought to work, one of my friends here said he saw them and there were several Largemouth between 5 and 9lbs. Not to mention a smallmouth that he said looked 6lb.+ range. Anyway, he was dipnetting threadfin shad and hooking them with a circle hook rigged "Carolina" style. According to the information I heard, he was fishing just adjacent to the wingwall and was simply vertical fishing the bottom which is 10-30ft. deep with stairstep drop-offs about every five feet or so. Let me reiterate that according to my information, only "threadfin shad" will bring you success. If anyone beats me to the punch and tries this, please post and describe your trip. Good luck and Good Fishing!!

 

[DHaun]

You know that has to be a good sign! If your co-worker has email, please ask him to post some pics to the site! I fished that same area last month, but only caught striper and drum. I also was using artificial and was NOT using threadfin. I just got some new daiichi bleeding circle hooks 1/0 for the threadfin and 3/0 for skipjack last week. I won't be able to try them out until after work next week or next weekend though... Anyone know where to purchase a good dipnet?

 

[PatrickH]

I think he was using a very unorthodox technique to catch his threadfin.......I will find out just what that technique was and follow up.....Stay Tuned!!!

 

[PatrickH]

Sorry for the delay guys, after speaking with my friend here at work, he did say they were catching their threadfin with a long dipnet. As for the fishing.....he said the generators need to be running, and you must fish smack dab against the wingwall. Carolina rig, 3 to 4 ft. leader, 3/4 oz. weight. Good luck!!

 

[PatrickH]

Here we go guys! Check out the size of the "Spots"!!!!!

 

[Guest]

Hi, I am the guy in the pics. The type of net you need is a 6'- 8' wire "smelt" net with @ a 3/8 inch wire mesh (We always make our own). The southern bank close to the dam is the best place to catch shad consistently. The shad are hard to catch. Be patient and dont fall in. Dont go close to the powerhouse (100 yds) if the generators are NOT running. If they turn one on and you are too close, be ready for a trip along the rocky bottom at 6 kts. There are a couple of people killed there each year.

 

[DHaun]

Welcome Capt! Those are some nice fish - looks like you know how it's done. Thanks for sharing that info.

Do you tie the boat downstream next to the rocks and walk up near the turbines to dip net? Are they visible next to the rocks. Is it possible to also catch them along the wingwall and lock wall?

 

[capt]

The shore (as you describe) is the most reliable. Watch the herons. They usually know where the bait is. But the shad are very unreliable. Use a 4/0 circle hook and hook the shad in the nostrils. Threadfin are very fragile. Dont keep too many or they will all die. You must have a really good livewell or an aerator on the bait bucket. I have to say that I really appreciate the forum. If we all catch and release one of us is going to get a WR smallmouth down there. I consider it to be the best trophy smallmouth water in TN.

Thanks

 

[polo-dog]

I think that catch and release is the only way to go also. The TN river is such a fertile body of water! I lived up north for the first half of my life and the lakes and rivers up there just don't have the potential that this river has. I would expect that there are lots of WR type fish swimming in there, we just have to figure out where they are and how to get them on the line and keep them there.