2022 08 13 Nickajack (TN River)

[coldfront]

took advantage of the full moon and got out really really early.  Sunrise was 6:30.  Moonset was 6:00 AM...  got out about 4:30 AM. No wind to speak of, Orion's belt was low and a little faint to the south.   the bright full moon was hanging low in the clear North western sky as I slipped away from the dock. Light enough to run 'relatively' safely the short distance I needed to go.


TVA had just shut down the Chickamauga (about 13,000 cfs) release but the Nickajack dam was still running pretty heavy (30,000+).  Water temps were warm (82.5°F) but still cooler than what I could find on Chickamauga.  Water clarity was normal:  around 1.5 -2.0 feet main river/

with current having slowed dramatically in the hour just ahead of getting on the water, activity was sparse.  no evidence of chasing.  no evidence of baitfish (bluegill) feeding in weed beds, on edges. 


Was on my way to a boat ramp to pick up a pal for a morning's worth of fishing but wanted to check the night bite.  Pulled up at a current break and worked a large plastic worm (purple) from the shoreline, through the milfoil and out to the deeper water.  second cast, got a bite... reeled down and set the hook.  the line just broke.  I should have retied.   floated off, set the Utlrex on point-lock and retied, this time opting for a plastic lizard for a bit more water displacement.   first cast back in, the fish absolutely smoked the weight...  I was patient, didn't set and gave it a little more time.... in about 15 seconds, she picked up the lizard and started moving off.

good fish.  probably 20 inch class.  didn't put her on the board or get a weight, but deep body, great condition.


sure would like to spend more time 'after dark' on these lakes, but the reality is that I'm not completely comfortable with the safety aspect.  finding better fish IS a bit of a stick and move game and running around lakes 'at speed' in the dark can be dicey.  Not just other boaters, but with river/dam releases and water 'flushes' it's not uncommon for floating logs to be out there.  tough to see at night.

after I picked up my friend, we headed upriver to some channel swings, current breaks and tossed small soft plastics just looking for some action.  Some small spotted bass (up to maybe 1.25 lbs) and a couple of bonus smallmouth were caught/released.

best spot of the day was around 18 inches... great river spot.   fish were pretty dialed in on green pumpkin/green pumpkin variations (keyed in, I think, on the YOY 'bream').  won't be until later this fall that they'll switch over to more shad colors and the 'smoke with red flake' will be a better choice..

[Mike Cork]

Always enjoyed night fishing but gave it up about 10 years ago. Two reasons really, safety the main reason, just can't see as well at night anymore. But the other is a half a night of fishing ruins me for the next day...

[Donald Garner]

CF, tks for sharing the trip notes and that picture with us.  Congrats on the catching also.