Rat fishing

[Thomn8r]

About 30 years ago I had the only experience I've ever had rat fishing(buzz bait or Foley spoon)on G'ville. It was a blast but I never did it again(bad priorities I guess). We cast Ambassadors with 17 mono,pinning any bites up against the mats, then going in on the tm that had a grass basket on it to retrieve the catch. Now,at 81, my bucket list has an attempt to try that once more, but on Chick. What's changed and how do you guys do it today? Is October a good time? Thanks for any tips emoScratch

 

[Davo]

October is usually great on Chickamauga, but will depend on how the grass grows. Forget mono, get some 65lb braid and tighten your drag all the way down. I use a 7'6 heavy rod but there are many different kinds that work. I just like to get the fish up out of the mat quickly. Tons of different frogs that will work. Spro, Booyah Pad Crashers are great regular type frogs but I also really like hollow bodied Top Toads, they can be fished more like a buzzbait, it just depends on what the fish are looking for.

 

[on fish]

I would be willing to take you and help you give it a try, I have all the equipment you need

 

[Tn bullet]

Darren better stay above 60 bridge

 

[FishingwithRusty]

rat/frog fishing is one of my FAVORITE techniques. as mentioned above, braided line is the way to go, it will help you with the hook set and getting the fish out of the mats. also as mentioned there are more mats above the 60 bridge. there are lots of modifications you can make to frogs but for simplicity i would recommend the ish's phat frog from snagproof in black, trim about 1" off the legs and go have fun. there is a lot more grass and mats on Gville which may make you efforts a bit easier if youre willing to drive over.

 

[davisjeremy1981]

Booyah Pad Crashers I my personal choice for frogging. Definitely need to go with braided line and a stiff rod and high speed reel. Another thing I like to do is throw a spro rat along the edge of the mat and make it V wake on the surface. I have gotten some extremely violent and brutal strikes doing that.

 

[Thomn8r]

Guys- thanks so very much for your responses-boy ! You just can't beat southern outdoors folks for their considerations! EV, special thumbs up to you- things are a little "iffy" around our place right now so if you don't mind things will be on the back burner for a few weeks. Thanks again