Chickamauga Giant 1-19-19

[Schleprock]

Put in at Dayton last Saturday in a monsoon, caught a few fish but found out this guy caught this 14.2 out of Dayton also same day, Chick is producing outstanding numbers of big bass, heard that was at least the 8th 10+ within the past year

Why not me? lol


https://i.imgur.com/YzrthlD.jpg

[TerryD]

What a tank! That's a fish of a million casts...keep at it. Lots of time on the water and tons of luck required to catch ONE of that caliber.....in a lifetime.
Congrats to him!

[Texas_Rig]

Goodness what a bass. I can't even imagine! Did the guy say what he caught it on? I'd bet a giod amount that it was on 1 of 3 lures. Alabama rig, jig, or a swimbait. And Alabama rig is the best guess I'd say.

[Texas_Rig]

I wish they would put that Florida strain bass in at least one lake here in middle Tn.

[bfish]

Rattle-L-Trap

https://newschannel9.com/sports/outdoors/how-to-catch-a-14-pound-bass

[Alphahawk]

I wish they would put that Florida strain bass in at least one lake here in middle Tn.

Blue Cat, Shell Cracker, and Goldeneye all 3 have them at The Williamsport Lakes outside of Columbia. My late friend caught 6 of these back in 2015.....one a day for 6 days. I think the smallest was 9 pounds. This one was caught using 2# test SOS line and he caught all of them off the bank. They have shocked them up there as big as 14 pounds...I think maybe even more. If I’m not mistaken The Williamsport Lakes were the first lakes in TN to get Florida strain.

Regards

[Schleprock]

I wish they would put that Florida strain bass in at least one lake here in middle Tn.

They put some in Nickajack this year if that's closer , heard it took 15 years before they started seeing the DNA in Chick so it could be a while


We went back today and I didn't get a bite, first time I got skunked at Chickamauga :(

And someone caught a 12 pounder today, didn't say what he caught it on , not sure how accurate but he claims there have been 10 double digit bass caught since Jan 1st

https://i.imgur.com/LVOyeoi.jpg

[Alphahawk]

They put some in Nickajack this year if that's closer , heard it took 15 years before they started seeing the DNA in Chick so it could be a while


We went back today and I didn't get a bite, first time I got skunked at Chickamauga :(

And someone caught a 12 pounder today

Nickajack was first stocked with them in 2015.

Regards

[Texas_Rig]

Blue Cat, Shell Cracker, and Goldeneye all 3 have them at The Williamsport Lakes outside of Columbia. My late friend caught 6 of these back in 2015.....one a day for 6 days. I think the smallest was 9 pounds. This one was caught using 2# test SOS line and he caught all of them off the bank. They have shocked them up there as big as 14 pounds...I think maybe even more. If I’m not mistaken The Williamsport Lakes were the first lakes in TN to get Florida strain.

Regards

Thank you sir! I need to make my way there. I've heard you talk about those lakes before. It just seems to fade away in my mind.

[Schleprock]

Nickajack was first stocked with them in 2015.

Regards


Oh ok, saw where TWRA was stocking them last season , I thought it was a new program , not sure why but some people are against stocking that strain, a TWRA officer that lives by me said it was unfortunate that they were stocking them in Watts Bar but didn't go into detail

[luckystratos]

Those fish are monsters. From what I hear they won’t stock priest or old hickory with Florida strain in they won’t survive our cold water. I call bs. If that’s case why are these 12 and 14 lb fish not belly up instead of hitting someone’s lure. I know that water is cold down there with these temperatures and high water flow. That’s my case and I’m sticking to it.

[Halli]

220,000 were stocked a few years back in Ky lake and more to come.

[bfish]

I don't know the complete history of FL strain in Chickamauga but do have some intel.

As the largemouth fishery on Chick was crashing in the mid '80's, due to increases in flow (although many mistakenly blame TVA spraying milfoil). A study by a PhD theorized that FL strain would survive (not necessary thrive) below a diagonal line from just north of Birmingham and Chattanooga but well south of Knoxville.

From my understand, Anders Myhr (RIP, then Region III chief), presented the idea to a local bass club to sponsor stocking of the FL strain to boost the population. Genetics were not a concern back then. I believe it was 300-500 fingerlings shipped from FL per year for the first several years.

Later on TN was able to overwinter FL brood fish and the stocking rates increased, however managers were not seeing any results. So around 2000 Kevin Hoffman performed some work and published his findings in 2002. Yes the FL stocking genes were moving into the general populations, but were still mostly confined to the original stocking embayments. Since then, with continual stocking and natural wandering, the genes have spread and you see some F1 hybrids being caught.

Now here comes the rub…..
F1 hybrids will eventually spawn with other F1, and you start to loose the hybrid vigor the F1 shows. FL strain have a less tolerant range of spawning temperatures than native and are less fecund (i.e. produce fewer eggs) than native. This can lead to missing years of spawning. Also F2 will not have the same growth rates as the pure and F1. Over time the population average size will decrease. Even if the entire lake was all F1 (with no native), the population numbers would be lessen, as pure FL and F1 hybrids don't support as dense populations as native. The further away you go from natural habitat of the FL strain the more pronounced negatives become.

[Texas_Rig]

I don't know the complete history of FL strain in Chickamauga but do have some intel.

As the largemouth fishery on Chick was crashing in the mid '80's, due to increases in flow (although many mistakenly blame TVA spraying milfoil). A study by a PhD theorized that FL strain would survive (not necessary thrive) below a diagonal line from just north of Birmingham and Chattanooga but well south of Knoxville.

From my understand, Anders Myhr (RIP, then Region III chief), presented the idea to a local bass club to sponsor stocking of the FL strain to boost the population. Genetics were not a concern back then. I believe it was 300-500 fingerlings shipped from FL per year for the first several years.

Later on TN was able to overwinter FL brood fish and the stocking rates increased, however managers were not seeing any results. So around 2000 Kevin Hoffman performed some work and published his findings in 2002. Yes the FL stocking genes were moving into the general populations, but were still mostly confined to the original stocking embayments. Since then, with continual stocking and natural wandering, the genes have spread and you see some F1 hybrids being caught.

Now here comes the rub…..
F1 hybrids will eventually spawn with other F1, and you start to loose the hybrid vigor the F1 shows. FL strain have a less tolerant range of spawning temperatures than native and are less fecund (i.e. produce fewer eggs) than native. This can lead to missing years of spawning. Also F2 will not have the same growth rates as the pure and F1. Over time the population average size will decrease. Even if the entire lake was all F1 (with no native), the population numbers would be lessen, as pure FL and F1 hybrids don't support as dense populations as native. The further away you go from natural habitat of the FL strain the more pronounced negatives become.

Thanks for the information.

[Texas_Rig]

Rattle-L-Trap

https://newschannel9.com/sports/outdoors/how-to-catch-a-14-pound-bass

I stand corrected.

[Schleprock]

I don't know the complete history of FL strain in Chickamauga but do have some intel.

As the largemouth fishery on Chick was crashing in the mid '80's, due to increases in flow (although many mistakenly blame TVA spraying milfoil). A study by a PhD theorized that FL strain would survive (not necessary thrive) below a diagonal line from just north of Birmingham and Chattanooga but well south of Knoxville.

From my understand, Anders Myhr (RIP, then Region III chief), presented the idea to a local bass club to sponsor stocking of the FL strain to boost the population. Genetics were not a concern back then. I believe it was 300-500 fingerlings shipped from FL per year for the first several years.

Later on TN was able to overwinter FL brood fish and the stocking rates increased, however managers were not seeing any results. So around 2000 Kevin Hoffman performed some work and published his findings in 2002. Yes the FL stocking genes were moving into the general populations, but were still mostly confined to the original stocking embayments. Since then, with continual stocking and natural wandering, the genes have spread and you see some F1 hybrids being caught.

Now here comes the rub…..
F1 hybrids will eventually spawn with other F1, and you start to loose the hybrid vigor the F1 shows. FL strain have a less tolerant range of spawning temperatures than native and are less fecund (i.e. produce fewer eggs) than native. This can lead to missing years of spawning. Also F2 will not have the same growth rates as the pure and F1. Over time the population average size will decrease. Even if the entire lake was all F1 (with no native), the population numbers would be lessen, as pure FL and F1 hybrids don't support as dense populations as native. The further away you go from natural habitat of the FL strain the more pronounced negatives become.


Very interesting, Thank you

[willbefreeway]

So. TWRA stocked everywhere in Tennessee with Florida Large Mouth Bass in vast amount except Middle TN. We can barely find a 5 lbs bass on J. Percy Priest Lake and Old Hickory Lake nowadays. Places like Chickamauga and Kentucky are already filled with big Large Mouth Bass in large amount got filled more with them every year. Places are so scant in both quantity and quality of bass like Middle TN got ignored !!! Which have more fishing pressures and fishermen ? Middle TN or other places ? TWRA is a joke !! Please put more Bass into J. Percy Priest and Old Hickory Lakes!!! Be fair !!

[XxthejuicexX]

So. TWRA stocked everywhere in Tennessee with Florida Large Mouth Bass in vast amount except Middle TN. We can barely find a 5 lbs bass on J. Percy Priest Lake and Old Hickory Lake nowadays. Places like Chickamauga and Kentucky are already filled with big Large Mouth Bass in large amount got filled more with them every year. Places are so scant in both quantity and quality of bass like Middle TN got ignored !!! Which have more fishing pressures and fishermen ? Middle TN or other places ? TWRA is a joke !! Please put more Bass into J. Percy Priest and Old Hickory Lakes!!! Be fair !!




JPP is loaded with Bass. Tournaments are producing heavier and heavier sacks every year. There was a time that 15 pounds would guarantee you a check now you may not even place. I don't know your fishing style but offshore if becoming the way to catch bigger and more fish.

[willbefreeway]

I truly believe JPP is loaded with shads, Gars, and Carps. We have too much food that Bass can eat and not enough Bass to eat them. We should have another 500 K to 1 mil more Bass to eat those Shads and better for fishermen. TWRA not doing their job. May have to stock the lake myself. You can go to CA Delta or Clear Lake and have 100 Bass in 6 hours VS maybe 10 Bass in 8 hours on JPP. That is sad.

[thehick176]

Slow down buddy. I wouldn't blame the lake or TWRA. Priest constantly produces big bags in tournaments. For the pressure that lake gets, it's actually pretty amazing.
Put some time in and find some good offshore spots. They are not always on the bank. That goes for Old Hickory as well.

[notorious]

JPP is one of the most prolific lakes in Middle Tennessee. My two largest Bass came from there, 7.5 SM and 9. LM, lost two larger than those in both categories. Numerous 50+ buck bass days and more crappie than I can possibly count.

[TroutFiend]

JPP is one of the most prolific lakes in Middle Tennessee. My two largest Bass came from there, 7.5 SM and 9. LM, lost two larger than those in both categories. Numerous 50+ buck bass days and more crappie than I can possibly count.



x2


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[tkwalker]

JPP is one of the most prolific lakes in Middle Tennessee. My two largest Bass came from there, 7.5 SM and 9. LM, lost two larger than those in both categories. Numerous 50+ buck bass days and more crappie than I can possibly count.

I first starting fishing Percy Priest in the early 70's, a few years after the Dam project was finished in 1968... Like any new reservoir when the impoundment is up in the foliage, grass, etc. Fishing was fantastic! Then as the lake gained popularity fishing pressure increased and at times it seemed, at least for me, That there were no fish to be found...

But do to the efforts of TWRA the fishing got better in reference to size, and species. Now this is not to say that the daily skunk factor is not still there like any other day on any fishery , Weather, time of year, water conditions, temp, etc... Plays an enormous role on whether you will catch old scaly face.

Another aspect of this equation is you have to remember that JPP is surrounded by three Counties, Davidson, Rutherford, and Wilson which gives it plenty of fishing pressure. Even with this said Priest is still very prolific ...

Here are a few pic's of my last outing with my wife with some of the fish we caught. We were primarily trolling for crappie. A week earlier in the same location was a skunk day LOL ! <'TK><:)

[willbefreeway]

So, as I said, TWRA not stocking JPP with Bass anymore for years. There is barely any trip I come out and have more than 20 bass in 4 hours. That is sad. I has fished Lake Fork, Callifornia Delta, Clear Lake, Lanier, Hartwell, and other lake in other states and never went home with less than 50 bass in 4 hours. So, as I said, I will make sure we have more bass in JPP. I will start growing Florida Bass on JPP this year. Hopefully in 5 years, we will be able to catch more than 100 bass in a 4 hours trip. I will happen and you are welcomed !!


Slow down buddy. I wouldn't blame the lake or TWRA. Priest constantly produces big bags in tournaments. For the pressure that lake gets, it's actually pretty amazing.
Put some time in and find some good offshore spots. They are not always on the bank. That goes for Old Hickory as well.

[TroutFiend]

So, as I said, TWRA not stocking JPP with Bass anymore for years. There is barely any trip I come out and have more than 20 bass in 4 hours. That is sad. I has fished Lake Fork, Callifornia Delta, Clear Lake, Lanier, Hartwell, and other lake in other states and never went home with less than 50 bass in 4 hours. So, as I said, I will make sure we have more bass in JPP. I will start growing Florida Bass on JPP this year. Hopefully in 5 years, we will be able to catch more than 100 bass in a 4 hours trip. I will happen and you are welcomed !!



Let me know how that works out for you.
😙


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[TerryD]

So, as I said, TWRA not stocking JPP with Bass anymore for years. There is barely any trip I come out and have more than 20 bass in 4 hours. That is sad. I has fished Lake Fork, Callifornia Delta, Clear Lake, Lanier, Hartwell, and other lake in other states and never went home with less than 50 bass in 4 hours. So, as I said, I will make sure we have more bass in JPP. I will start growing Florida Bass on JPP this year. Hopefully in 5 years, we will be able to catch more than 100 bass in a 4 hours trip. I will happen and you are welcomed !!

You might want to read up on Tennessee fishing rules and regulations before you start stocking our public waters. Could save you some coin...

[XxthejuicexX]

Took 21 pounds to win last Wednesday's tournament on JPP. JPP produces very well for how heavily fished it is.

[notorious]

willbefeeway,

It is illegal to do as you mentioned, maybe you should go back to California...seems that partaking in illegal activities is the norm there and you would be happier. Don't be surprised if TWRA shows up at your doorstep...you have displayed probable cause, hey and you're welcome also.

[Flatline]

So, as I said, TWRA not stocking JPP with Bass anymore for years. There is barely any trip I come out and have more than 20 bass in 4 hours. That is sad. I has fished Lake Fork, Callifornia Delta, Clear Lake, Lanier, Hartwell, and other lake in other states and never went home with less than 50 bass in 4 hours. So, as I said, I will make sure we have more bass in JPP. I will start growing Florida Bass on JPP this year. Hopefully in 5 years, we will be able to catch more than 100 bass in a 4 hours trip. I will happen and you are welcomed !!


Read what you just said... You remove 20+ bass from the lake everytime you go. Now imagine if even a fraction of the people do the same thing. How long before the lake is void of any type of fish ? You complainthat TRWA doesn't stock enough fish yet you don't practice remove more than your fair share. How is any lake going to be able to support that kind of pressure ?


To be honest I hear everyone fishes JPP and OH all the time.. I don't know how those lakes can withstand that kind of pressure and its getting worse every year. :(

[bfish]

...How long before the lake is void of any type of fish ? ... At a ultra conservative 50 adult bass per acre, and Priest is over 14,000 acres, with someone taking home 20 per trip. It would take over 35,000 trips within one year.

[Flatline]

At a ultra conservative 50 adult bass per acre, and Priest is over 14,000 acres, with someone taking home 20 per trip. It would take over 35,000 trips within one year.


Not sure where you got your numbers but I'll run with that... Understand that this conversation is speculative at this point because neither one of us have actual numbers.



Now given I lack the knowledge of how the fish is reintroduced after a tournament or how many fish die during the course before, during and after... I'm sure the fish is NOT relocated to where they were taken.


Then we have how many tournaments a yr ? Compounded by how many thousands of people fish that lake every year, some go repeatedly, several times a weeks.



If that isn't enough, lets look at natures natural selection... Fish eating each other with the occasional bird, turtle, water snake, ect...



I'm sorry, I don't buy they lake is void of fish stated by willbefreeway or that there is 50 adult bass per acre by you.



People are flooding into the area that are also fish and one final thing, tourism in the area is increasing annually. Hobby fishermen like myself are not a threat to the fish... however your pros and guide services that know where and how to get to the fish are.



So when I see someone that says I take home 20 + fish in one breath and then complain that there are no more fish to catch, fail to realize they are part of the problem. And those that are delusional and think a lake can more than recover from any amount of pressure is equally delusional. (I'm not trying to be insulting or offensive)



If I'm wrong, then why does the TWRA feel the need to stock ANY lake or river... not the introduction of a new specious, but what is supposed to be native to the state to begin with..?

[Heiny57]

There is some trolling going on here, and it’s not in the water. LOL

[ALANRAYG2]

I vaguely remember an article made by, I believe it was "In-Fisherman Magazine", in the 1980's on this very subject. Can a bass lake be fished out. In a nutshell and briefly as I can get the gist of the article across. Here is the story as best as I can remember.
A private lake about 100 acres was to be fished by some professional fishermen and selected others. The catch was they had to record everything about the fish and method used and tag every bass caught. Well they started this experiment in the spring. By mid summer they were catching a lot of bass with tags in them. As fall approached they started to catching a lot of bass without tags. The consensus was there was a population of bass that stayed deep all summer after the spawn. Only to be caught as the water cooled in the fall. The following year very few untagged bass were caught. The experiment concluded that yes a population of bass could be caught down to an unfishable population. This information supported the "catch and release" tournaments.
I might add that possession limits are for a reason and obeying them is good advice for the population and your wallet. TWRA loves to catch fishermen over the limit.

[skillet]

Where’s Tnpondmanager when you need him to get in on this!! 🤦*♂️ if you don’t like the fishing in Middle Tennessee, then go to Kentucky/Barkley lake and catch the Asian carp, put a dent in that population!!! PLEASE!!!


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[willbefreeway]

Hi friends. I am a sport fisherman as well as other people on the lake. I don't take any fish home for myself. Always catch and release even 1 or 20 fishes. I am definitely not a fish poacher !! All I am trying to say is we are spending thousands of dollars on buying boats. lures, rods, reels, and only have 1 or 2 days fishing a week. We want to make the best out of it. We put a lot of money into our hobby. WE CAN WASTE OUR TIME ON WATER !!!. It seems to me that TWRA is not doing their job. They are not stocking Florida Bass in to JPP because they favor other parts of Tennessee that Middle. This is a form of discrimination that TWRA is obviously practicing! I get it but I can stand someone who sucks at their job makes out time on water suffered. We are out there to catch fishes, not to run around and find fishes. If we have enough fish in the lake,m we don't have to run anywhere, just launch the boat and start catching them. That is my goal. Thank you for being understanding !

Not sure where you got your numbers but I'll run with that... Understand that this conversation is speculative at this point because neither one of us have actual numbers.



Now given I lack the knowledge of how the fish is reintroduced after a tournament or how many fish die during the course before, during and after... I'm sure the fish is NOT relocated to where they were taken.


Then we have how many tournaments a yr ? Compounded by how many thousands of people fish that lake every year, some go repeatedly, several times a weeks.



If that isn't enough, lets look at natures natural selection... Fish eating each other with the occasional bird, turtle, water snake, ect...



I'm sorry, I don't buy they lake is void of fish stated by willbefreeway or that there is 50 adult bass per acre by you.



People are flooding into the area that are also fish and one final thing, tourism in the area is increasing annually. Hobby fishermen like myself are not a threat to the fish... however your pros and guide services that know where and how to get to the fish are.



So when I see someone that says I take home 20 + fish in one breath and then complain that there are no more fish to catch, fail to realize they are part of the problem. And those that are delusional and think a lake can more than recover from any amount of pressure is equally delusional. (I'm not trying to be insulting or offensive)



If I'm wrong, then why does the TWRA feel the need to stock ANY lake or river... not the introduction of a new specious, but what is supposed to be native to the state to begin with..?

[SalmonDaze]

It seems you're really passionate about catching a lot of fish in close proximity to where you launch.

I guess my reaction is that if you find yourself that upset about a "wasted day on the water" you might think about that perspective.

Any time I can get out and enjoy any body of water -fish or skunk- I consider myself a lucky man.

[Schleprock]

So, as I said, TWRA not stocking JPP with Bass anymore for years. There is barely any trip I come out and have more than 20 bass in 4 hours. That is sad. I has fished Lake Fork, Callifornia Delta, Clear Lake, Lanier, Hartwell, and other lake in other states and never went home with less than 50 bass in 4 hours. So, as I said, I will make sure we have more bass in JPP. I will start growing Florida Bass on JPP this year. Hopefully in 5 years, we will be able to catch more than 100 bass in a 4 hours trip. I will happen and you are welcomed !!

i doubt you can attain the numbers of fish it would take to successfully introduce Florida Strain DNA into the population lol

[Fish Whisperer]

The TWRA isn’t perfect. But they aren’t the reason you’re not catching the amount of fish you think you should per trip either. Them stocking more bass won’t make you a better fisherman... IMHO

[Heiny57]

Hi friends. I am a sport fisherman as well as other people on the lake. I don't take any fish home for myself. Always catch and release even 1 or 20 fishes. I am definitely not a fish poacher !! All I am trying to say is we are spending thousands of dollars on buying boats. lures, rods, reels, and only have 1 or 2 days fishing a week. We want to make the best out of it. We put a lot of money into our hobby. WE CAN WASTE OUR TIME ON WATER !!!. It seems to me that TWRA is not doing their job. They are not stocking Florida Bass in to JPP because they favor other parts of Tennessee that Middle. This is a form of discrimination that TWRA is obviously practicing! I get it but I can stand someone who sucks at their job makes out time on water suffered. We are out there to catch fishes, not to run around and find fishes. If we have enough fish in the lake,m we don't have to run anywhere, just launch the boat and start catching them. That is my goal. Thank you for being understanding !

Some help for you, “ fish” is also plural. You must have never fished before because there is no place that you named that has that many fish consistently caught like you want. It doesn’t exist, and never will, period. But I for one would love to see you raise them somehow and teach the TWRA how to do their job. In the meantime I guess we are stuck with the shads, and carps.

[Texas_Rig]

I can't tell whether this guy is trolling us or if he's serious!

[skillet]

I’ve personally went out and caught 30-50 fish in a day on old hickory multiple times. You have to put in the work and find the areas that hold the fish. Put in the work and quit crying about being a shitty fisherman!! And Florida strain bass are not the answer to all problems. With the harsh winters we can have, they will not grow like they do in Florida. The reason you’re seeing these big fish in Chickamauga and pickwick, and guntersville is because of the vegetation. Old Hickory and JPP just don’t have it. Old hickory is on the rise, there’s more and more hydrilla and duckweed showing up every year for the last few years. Again, put in the work and time on the water and you WILL have successful days.


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[SAMBOLIE]

I’ve personally went out and caught 30-50 fish in a day on old hickory multiple times. You have to put in the work and find the areas that hold the fish. Put in the work and quit crying about being a shitty fisherman!! And Florida strain bass are not the answer to all problems. With the harsh winters we can have, they will not grow like they do in Florida. The reason you’re seeing these big fish in Chickamauga and pickwick, and guntersville is because of the vegetation. Old Hickory and JPP just don’t have it. Old hickory is on the rise, there’s more and more hydrilla and duckweed showing up every year for the last few years. Again, put in the work and time on the water and you WILL have successful days.


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I think he was talking about quality fish. :)

[skillet]

I think he was talking about quality fish. :)



Idc where you go, NO ONE goes out and catches 50 quality fish in a day. If they did, the new MLF Bass Pro Tour wouldn’t be averaging 1.4lbs per fish caught after fishing in Florida and Texas. Both home of giant bass. So go suck a fat mans foot!! You can choose mine or Tnbronzeback!! 😂😂


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