This week on Chickamauga we have had a lot of water level changes. The water rose four feet in just a couple days after the heavy rains. And in the next 4 days it dropped four feet. So, this has spread the fish out. But the fishing is good! I lost touch with them for a day but I have relocated several patterns, the fish went shallow and started spawning, then the water level dropped rapidly! So, the moved.
I can still catch them flipping on laydowns in the pockets and on wood that is on channel banks. The main creek channels down stream of Dayton is where I’ve been catching them. The river bite has been tough for me.
The flipping bite has produced some good quality fish, if you like to flip and don’t mind covering a lot of water then you will have fun! The flipping bite, I’ve done best with a ZOOM Z craw in green pumpkin. I’m flipping a ½ ounce Pro Tungsten weight on 25lb Seaguar AbrazX fluorocarbon. A Lew’s Flipping stick and high speed reel. I have caught some fish on a baby brush hog and a tube. The jig bite just hasn’t been there for me.
The other pattern that’s working good for me is fishing channel banks in the creeks and bays. I’m using a ZOOM Z craw on this pattern also and the tube. Just position your boat in 8 to 15 feet of water depending on the channel bend. A lot of bites are coming in the 2-4foot range but later in the day I’ve caught some good fish by fishing it down the channel into 8-12foot depths. I’m fishing the Z craw on a ¼ ounce Pro Tungsten, you want this lighter weight so that the bait wont wedge as bad in the rocks. You have to fish slow but its catch fish.
The 3rd pattern is fishing the grass. In the bays where I’m seeing grass on my Lowrance. In the shallower bays is where you will see it. Just keep idling these bays and pockets till you find grass then use a swim bait. I love the ZOOM Swimmers swimbaits, the action is awesome plus in the nose of the swimbait it has more plastic built into to it. Therefor I can catch more fish with a single bait. If you like swim baits give the ZOOM swimmer a try!
For guide info on Chickamauga Lake contact me at
Cell-731-227-9499
My website is http://scottpattonfishing.com
Youtube: Scott Patton Fishing
Patton’s Guide Service
I guide full time on Chickamauga Lake and Lake Okeechobee, along with fishing the BASS Master Opens.
My sponsors are Phoenix Boats, ACS Marine, Pro Tungsten, Mercury, Lowrance, ZOOM, Lucky Craft, Kentucky Battery Outlet, Heritage Fence, Power Pole, Seaguar, Lews, TH Marine, Costa Sunglasses, Marbury Construction Co,Renewal by Andersen/ky