Operating a boat on the TN River from the Chickamauga Dam to Lake Nickajack ?s

[Creedmoor]

Hello, First post on this great site!

I have been reading here for some time and finally registered so I could ask a few questions.

I recently bought a boat and want to get back into fishing.

While I feel comfortable on the lake, I would like to get some info from experienced boaters concerning operating on the river.

I grew up fishing and boating on lakes and rivers in eastern Arkansas and also on the lower Mississippi River.

There were no rocks to ruin your boat/motor/day!

I see fishing boats going up and down the river well outside the marked channel.

Is most of the river safe for boating as long as you don't get too close to the bank?

Also what about the Hiwassee River from the TN River to Charleston?

My boat is a G3 1860 aluminum boat with a tunnel hull so it runs fairly shallow but it has a standard prop motor not a jet.

I haven't been on the river yet and the thought hitting rocks has me a bit nervous.

I would appreciate any advice or information you are willing to give.

Thanks

 

[cast4bass]

Run up and down between the markers. There are some shallow spots. When you stop to fish pay attention to your graph.

 

[fishnaddiction]

My best advice is to stay in the marked channel while running on plane until you get to know the area.

 

[Creedmoor]

Thanks, I will stick to the channel for a while at least.

 

[HunterDuck25]

One of the best investments for a fishing boat IMO is a GPS with maps on your graph. Buy some maps for the local lakes and study them, especially if you plan on fishing the Hiwassee.

 

[Creedmoor]

HunterDuck25 - 4/3/2016 9:11 PM

One of the best investments for a fishing boat IMO is a GPS with maps on your graph. Buy some maps for the local lakes and study them, especially if you plan on fishing the Hiwassee.

I do want to get some type of GPS but haven't had time to research them yet.

Any recommendations on what to get?

 

[BASS MAN]

Call DJ marana

 

[lafae7]

Only advice I can give is just wear a life jacket and get any garmin GPS with updated maps. I was riding down the river yesterday and I almost nailed a queen size mattress that was almost competed submerged. Also remember that the maps may not adjust for the rise and fall of the lakes in the winter/summer pools. I have seen several boats hit that sand bar in chesterfrost park, which in the summer they are ok but in the winter it's emberassing to watch people hit then have to jump out of boat to push it.

 

[BRamsey]

Get you a Humminbird unit with gps and a Lakemaster map card. Learn how to use the "water level offset" feature for when the water is down to winter pool and color all water under 5' deep red and stay out of the red areas while on plane. Just about every time I see someone stuck in a shallow area I look to see what kind of unit they have and it's usually a Lowrance. I don't think Lowrance has the "water level offset" feature.

I don't even look at the depth when i'm running. I just watch the old Bird and stay out of the red!

 

[porthos33]

Lakemaster is the deal! You gotta have to run this river especially when the water is down! The ditches are narrow and with out my lake master my lower unit wouldn't stand a chance. Don't be like all the guys I have to pull off flats throughout the year. Ive seen Many lower units flying up in the air in 3 inches of water and a lot of times its on the hiwassee.

 

[HunterDuck25]

BASS MAN - 4/3/2016 11:07 PM

Call DJ marana

This! I personally like humminbirds lakemaster maps.

 

[lafae7]

Having good insurance is also a plus if somthing does happen.

 

[rsimms]

You could also hire a guide to take you out to show you the few danger spots, and the fishy spots.

I happen to know (be) one. emoBigsmile

 

[Creedmoor]

Thanks for all the advice, I do appreciate it.

 

[Creedmoor]

rsimms - 4/4/2016 4:50 AM

You could also hire a guide to take you out to show you the few danger spots, and the fishy spots.

I happen to know (be) one. emoBigsmile

I was thinking about doing just that. May give you a call.

 

[TubbyTN]

stay in channel and hammer down