Fishing Partner and recommendations

I am new to the Chattanooga area and looking for people to go fishing with. I have a boat and willing to take people out with me. Just trying to make connections and learn the area for fishing.

Is is there any reconditions of places to start for fishing on Chick or Nickajack or Watts Barr? Plan to check all three of these lakes out this spring.

Thanks
Allen

Welcome to the forum. Stay tuned, lots of knowledge amongst these folks. :cheers2

Best advice I can give right now: Water is high due to all the monsoons we've been having; when it gets back down to winter pool (guess I should say IF it does :banghead) pay close attention to channel markers. If you have good mapping software, pay attention closely. I mostly fish the Hiwassee and have seen my fair share of dudes knocking gearcases off + getting nearly ejected. Does NOT look like my idea of fun.

Also important: Be advised of local closures. For instance, a large part of the Hiwassee is strictly off-limits in the winter for migratory waterfowl refuge. I'm sure there are others. You don't want to hear the "ignorance of the law" speech from Mr. Green-jeans.

I haven't been in nearly a month now, and don't usually fish for crappie this time of the year. Some good action to be had with several species below the dams, especially in the winter. (But when it's raining 5" every 3 days, running 100,00CFS+ and spilling flood gates, makes it nearly impossible to fish in tail waters safely, imho) :(

Here in a bit, crappie will be headed shallow for their spawn. I'm typically chasing turkeys during that time but do enjoy getting the wife in the sloughs and drifting for a few fish in the spring.

Good luck,
M

:welcome Like Blue said, river keeps on rollin' this time of year, but when the water is below 50k cfs always a good place to search are the delta areas along the river.

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Originally Posted by M GO BLUE

Welcome to the forum. Stay tuned, lots of knowledge amongst these folks. :cheers2

Best advice I can give right now: Water is high due to all the monsoons we've been having; when it gets back down to winter pool (guess I should say IF it does :banghead) pay close attention to channel markers. If you have good mapping software, pay attention closely. I mostly fish the Hiwassee and have seen my fair share of dudes knocking gearcases off + getting nearly ejected. Does NOT look like my idea of fun.

Also important: Be advised of local closures. For instance, a large part of the Hiwassee is strictly off-limits in the winter for migratory waterfowl refuge. I'm sure there are others. You don't want to hear the "ignorance of the law" speech from Mr. Green-jeans.

I haven't been in nearly a month now, and don't usually fish for crappie this time of the year. Some good action to be had with several species below the dams, especially in the winter. (But when it's raining 5" every 3 days, running 100,00CFS+ and spilling flood gates, makes it nearly impossible to fish in tail waters safely, imho) :(

Here in a bit, crappie will be headed shallow for their spawn. I'm typically chasing turkeys during that time but do enjoy getting the wife in the sloughs and drifting for a few fish in the spring.

Good luck,
M

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Thank you for the response. I don’t have a map card for my fish finder but do use the navtronics app on my phone. Will have to check the river out as well.

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Originally Posted by Mr. S

:welcome Like Blue said, river keeps on rollin' this time of year, but when the water is below 50k cfs always a good place to search are the delta areas along the river.

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Can you explain what what you mean by a delta area. I assume your talking about where a creek or tributary comes in to the TN River. What is the best place to launch for the river?

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Originally Posted by Malcavilli

Can you explain what what you mean by a delta area. I assume your talking about where a creek or tributary comes in to the TN River. What is the best place to launch for the river?

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That is exactly what a Delta area is, any flats with creek channels running through them. As far as launching in the river, the river park or Lupton City ramp on the Hixson side of the river are about the only decent choices below the dam. I would suggest checking out Navionics ChartViewer

Welcome....
Drumking, he is your man to be more than willing to show you around an share a wealth of knowledge with you when it comes to Chickamauga Lake fishing!

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Originally Posted by CUonthelake

Welcome....
Drumking, he is your man to be more than willing to show you around an share a wealth of knowledge with you when it comes to Chickamauga Lake fishing!

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Yep, what she said.

Just remember as has been already said during winter pool there is a lot of skinny water out there.