Saturday, September 10, 2011

FISHING REPORT: CHICKAMAUGA, CORDELL HULL, DALE HOLLOW, NICKAJACK & WATTS BAR

September 10, 2011 Fishing Report

Chickamauga: The lake is at normal pool and the water temperature is in the mid 80's. The weather pattern or the fishing strategies for all species has remained unchanged for sometime. The tropical storm from the gulf could create some better or easier fishing if the Tennessee Valley don't get too much rain. Bass are being caught near grass beds along the main channel while using plastic worms or some type of topwater lure. Some ledge related fish are being caught in all areas of the lake. A few crappie are being caught. The easy community hole crappie are the bluffs situated on the river that provide some sort of current diversion or the few chosen docks that have a break located underneath or a dock with good water depth or lots of shad. Pull up to the dock and look for the darker water. Jigs and/or minnows are being used for bait. Those taking crappie angling to a higher level are trolling crankbaits or pushing jigs along ledges in large water areas. Bluegill are being caught near docks, rocks, ledges and humps more often in areas where the water is moving and in areas where the water offers a little depth. Catfish are being caught in the main channel while using all the normal baits generally associated with catching catfish. A few white and striped bass are being caught in the upper end of the lake and in the cooler water locations generally associated with springs or mountain runoffs.

Cordell Hull: Fishing is fair. Water temperature is in upper 70s; lake is fairly stable. Several bass are being caught on buzzbaits and soft plastics while fishing isolated cover on main lake flats. A few crappie are being caught while on small jigs in 2-to-5 feet of water around laydown trees below Granville.

Dale Hollow: Fishing is fair. Water temperature is 80 degrees. Lake is falling. A few bass are being caught on topwater baits early in the morning and late at night, while chasing shad. A few crappie are being caught near East Port while fishing minnows in laydown trees in 15 feet of water. Walleye fishing is fair with a few fish being caught trolling nightcrawlers in 34 feet of water.

Nickajack: The surface water temperature is in the mid 80's. Stagnant weather conditions has lead to unchanged patterns. Generally fishing for all species is exactly the way it has been for several weeks. The approaching storm could trigger a good bite for all species if the rain is not overdone. The topwater bass bite is good around grass beds in the lower end of the lake. Plastic worms are the number one used bait for bass in all areas of the lake. The plastic worm is very versatile and can be rigged in many different ways and fished at many different depths. Jigs and crankbaits are being used for bass in addition to the previously mentioned lures especially in the upper end of the lake. Some crappie are being caught around docks, bluffs and in the calm water in the tailwaters. Catfish are being caught by those drifting in the main channel. Shad, chicken parts and other baits that are generally associated with Labor Day cookouts are the more common baits fishermen are using to catch catfish. Bluegill are being caught near bluffs and docks.

Watts Bar: Water surface temperature is in the mid 80's and the lake is at normal pool. Fishing patterns for all species are the same as they have been for a few weeks. The stagnant weather pattern may be changing with the beginning being the storm moving in from the gulf. Currently bass fishing is slow. Only a few bass are being caught along areas near the main channel. Drops, humps, and rocky areas along the river where the current hits are target areas for the majority of anglers. Every angler will have some sort of worm rigged up on at least one rod. The other rods will probably have at least one crank bait and jig tied on. Crappie that are being caught are few. Those that are being caught are being caught most often in tailwater areas. Striped and white bass are being caught in all lake areas, but the greater number are being caught where the eye makes contact with the dam. Jigs, shad, and spoons would complete any arsenal capable of taming any tailwater stripers. Catfish are being caught on the baits that are normally used and those baits are chicken parts, soap (Ivory), wieners, bologna, shad,and worms. A few other creative baits so numerous that ink will not allow are also being used. Bluegill can be caught near rock walls located along the main channel in areas where there is current. Crickets and worms are being used more often than other baits. White bass normally are caught in large numbers in the mid lake area around humps and drops while using spinner-type lures. Most are caught 20 feet deep. This year those white bass have remained mostly untouched.