Striper fishing below Chickamaga 10-25

[fishinvol]

Well I waited untill dark to head to the banks below Chickamauga dam this evening. When I got there I noticed the turbines were crankin good and the water was up good,but they didn't have the #1 turbine runing(the one closest to the bank) so that usaually means no stripe. Well I went a good hour without a single bite,so I tried something new,and walked down past the railroad bridge were the current breaks out away from the shore. After a few casts I noticed something under the water following my redfin(looked like a slow moving torpedo) well this fish did this for 3 more casts and never did bite?? But at least I knew something was out there that was intrested,well I finally got a stripe to take my redfin! He wasn't big probably 5 lbs or so. After I got the first fish off my hooks,I casted a couple more times with no bites at all so I changed my retreive. I cast out in the heaviest current and since I knew it was pretty shalow there I just let the current swim my baite and without reeling I just just worked it like a jerkbait,next thing I know my rod doubled and there was a huge splash( more like an explotion sp?) right on my lure!!! I had hooked my second fish and right away I new it was bigger,he took quite a bit of drag but I finally got him in. I ended up a little disapointed in the size of the stripe,but he had alot of fight in him so it was fun! He ended up being around 10lbs or so. After that they were gone again. I walked up and down that bank and never got another bite at all. They( stripers) have not been consistant at all so far this fall. I am not sure if the water isn't cool eneough yet or what,but this time last year I could go late afternoon(5ish) and stay until dark and wear them out on top water!! This year not much at all,and no topwater at all so far. There is nothing like watching those fish absolutely destroy a topwater lure!!

 

[fisherpal2k]

Sounds like a lot of fun fishinvol. I have seen people do like you did and just a small change in the retrieve can make a world of difference. I haven't got to go below the dam yet, but hoping to go a couple of times next week. The current should start being fairly regular now as they are taking some of the mountain lakes down for the winter.

 

[Biofisher I]

What size line and type of reel are you using. I would like to try that action with my son. I use to catch them on top on Weiss. My son has never caught one before. I want him to see them on top. I know he will love it.

 

[fishinvol]

I use a baitcast reel and a 7' m.h. rod with 14lb test. But I like the light line,that's just me. Most people use a bigger spinning combo with 25 lb test. As long as the drag works well,you should be able to land the fish. Last year I used a spinning combo with 8lb test and caught several 20 lb fish with no brake offs.

 

[jason]

That does it...I'm taking a pole to school with me! Do they seem to prefer one topwater over another? A particular color?

 

[fishinvol]

Well I can tell you lastnight they prephered nothing at all!! I got one bite all evening long,and he got pulled off. I was there from 5 till 10. It just needs to get cooler and if your fishing from the bank you need TVA to run the first turbine or it's just hit and miss.