If you are brave enough to fish below the big river dams thats where the big cats are.The TN river seems to me to be a little better for catfish and the Cumberland seems to be better for big stripers.I have caught numerous big cats below Nickajack dam.The thing is the big cats start feeding good when the dam is generating and I dont know how you can fish the fast moving water in a yak.Maybe you can fish the slack water out of the main flow.If I'm fishing for big cats I go below one of the big river dams when the water is running but I wouldnt try it from a yak.Bedford lake is full of cats but most are 2-10 pounds but you can still get one bigger.The lake is a twra lake and has no gas motor rule.We fish the upper end and can fill a stringer in an afternoon.All good size eaters.I have used nightcrawlers,stinkbait,and raw shrimp with good luck.Big minnows are good to.The lake closes at dark and is over stocked with cats.