Fishing Forum

Came down from north Alabama for the weekend. First time fishing Chickamauga, fished the north end. <br /><br />Caught 5 shorts, 2 keepers, and lost 2 BIG’Ns.<br /><br />Water level: rising to 679.1<br />Current: ~20k<br />Water temp: 52-61<br />Clarity: Super muddy-kinda muddy<br />Wind: 10-15 SSE<br /><br />Started out scanning some drops on the south side of Hiwassee island. Water was 52 degree chocolate milk in that area, wind 10-15 out of the south, partly cloudy. Didn’t see much on the graph so kept moving around to the east. Decided to get a line wet in the Zieger slough area because it was somewhat protected from the wind and 3 degrees warmer. Went into the cove slinging a red square bill to the bank and deflecting off wood on the way back to the boat. Got my first lm around 930, a 3.75# prespawner. Caught two other shorts in there throwing the square bill and a red trap before heading back to the cabin for lunch. Only three bites, but they all CHOKED the bait. <br /><br />Got back out around 1 headed south past the 60 bridge and pulled into a small creek on the east side. Water temp was 57. Sun was up high. Started out at the creek mouth throwing the square bill on the south bank. Nothing. Changed over to a 1/2oz dark jig and went to methodically picking the bank apart. SLOW. Caught a short on rock.. then broke that jig off a few casts later. Tied on another and went back through the area. <br /><br />Got that magical “thump” in 7 fow. Put a good hook set on her but she didn’t budge. Figuring I had hooked up with a big drum or catfish, I started horsing her toward the boat. After maybe 10 seconds I got her around to the back of the boat. She makes a surge toward the front and I get a good glimpse of that lateral streak. A for sure 8+, and new personal best was on the line. A couple more surges and I lead her back toward the transom (to get my net behind the seat). I grab the net and we’re heading back to the front. She’s beside the trolling motor now and I reach the net in for the kill. In that dirty water I couldn't see what I was doing ended up catching the line with the edge of the net while she proceeded to do that all too familiar head shake. POOF. She gone. The ol “quick release” minus a picture. Impatience left me with just another fish story. Really took the wind out of my sails for a while. <br /><br />An hour or so later caught another short on a trap. <br /><br />Got back on track around 4:00 and pulled back into the morning’s cove, thinking they'd be pushing in there with the warm rising water. Temp was 60. Caught a couple shorts on a trap and senko. Cast past a large stump and bounced the square bill off it on the way by.. Boom - big bite, line swimming right. I catch up and set the hook and she’s coming straight to the boat. With a good hook set and momentum on my side, I thought I’d just go ahead and boat flip her on the back deck. “Bold move, ya big dummy.” Lost her on the attempt. Probably a 6 pounder. <br /><br />Poor execution.. but I chalked it up as a good first day all in all.