Summer Striper Fishing below Chickamauga Dam

[ALis]

Looking to get into some striped bass below the dam. I have read some older threads that have offered some great advice and was hoping someone here could offer some advice for this time of year.

I am restricted the the bank for now, and have been fishing around the river park/pier.

I am interested in fishing for them with both bait and artificials. I have had luck netting both threadfin and gizzard shad. I also have a surf rod for chucking big lures and such.

I would like to know where/when/how I should let baits drift in the water. Any advice on lure choice would be appreciated too. I've read that stripers are very dependent on the current created by the outflow. Is there a outflow rate that I should be looking for? I've also heard the bite is best in the early morning and at night, especially on top water. I honestly have a bunch of questions, so any info is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[SpurHunter]

Higher flow is better for the bite, but makes landing them very hard. Chick dam is terrible for bank fishing large fish, Nickajack is far more conducive. Large bucktail jigs or swim baits are your best lure choice.