Question about Cheatham Dam

[nomad60]

Have any of you guys fished out of a boat below Cheatham dam? If so, is there a dock? From looking at Google maps, it doesn't look like there is one, which would make launching a boat by yourself rather challenging. And, can anyone tell me how the fishing is below the dam? I was reading the book "Two Dozen Fishin' Holes" by Vernon Summerlin and the author says you can catch big striper, white bass, sauger, and crappie right below the dam. It's not too far from where I live so I'd like to give it a try sometime this spring. Thanks for any inputs.

[commdd]

i have been there and have witnessed a decent crappie/white bass bite in the spring/fall from the shore. i have not launched there but it looks to be in a protected pocket. lots of the boaters fish the lock wall corners. like anywhere the water moves pretty good with a couple of generators so check the http://www.tva.gov/lakes/ceh_r.htm before you go. heres a video on how to lauch a boat by yourself, i use this technique and it works like a charm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH3DxLX5hJg

[nomad60]

Originally Posted by commdd

i have been there and have witnessed a decent crappie/white bass bite in the spring/fall from the shore. i have not launched there but it looks to be in a protected pocket. lots of the boaters fish the lock wall corners. like anywhere the water moves pretty good with a couple of generators so check the http://www.tva.gov/lakes/ceh_r.htm before you go. heres a video on how to lauch a boat by yourself, i use this technique and it works like a charm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH3DxLX5hJg

Thanks for the reply and links. I may just have to take a drive down there to see what it looks like. If it looks like I can drag the boat up and rest it on shore like in the video, I'll give it a try but if the shore has lots of rocks/rip rap, then no. I've tried that method before launching by myself during cold weather at the Clarksville marina but my boat barely cleared the trailer due to my rope being too short LOL

[GO-OKFISHIN]

Yes there is a ramp on Ashland City side. Cheatam Dam Road off of Highway 12. Pretty steep. Fishing with 1 generator is ideal. 2 or more is a lot of water. Good Bank access on other side but gets crowded in the spring. Still plenty of room though. There are other places downstream to access but you have to know the back roads. There used to be a ramp off of Old Ferry Road but you need 4 wheel drive. As far as fishing goes, you won't be disappointed if you hit it on the right day.

[MNfisher]

If you fish it in may/June/July, you will get your first striper!

[nomad60]

Originally Posted by GO-OKFISHIN

Yes there is a ramp on Ashland City side. Cheatam Dam Road off of Highway 12. Pretty steep. Fishing with 1 generator is ideal. 2 or more is a lot of water. Good Bank access on other side but gets crowded in the spring. Still plenty of room though. There are other places downstream to access but you have to know the back roads. There used to be a ramp off of Old Ferry Road but you need 4 wheel drive. As far as fishing goes, you won't be disappointed if you hit it on the right day.

It can't be much steeper than the ramps at the new Clarksville Marina! Those aren't only steep, but long, as well. I'd hate for my brakes to give out while backing a boat up on those LOL

[nomad60]

Originally Posted by MNfisher

If you fish it in may/June/July, you will get your first striper!

Can I hold you to that?

[MNfisher]

Originally Posted by nomad60

Can I hold you to that?

Yep!

[Halli]

Originally Posted by nomad60

It can't be much steeper than the ramps at the new Clarksville Marina!

It is about the same as Clkv and has a wee bit of silt bottom shore to the right side of the ramp but not sure how far up it goes.

As for fish It has a reputation better than below Old hickory for it's fisheries.

[GO-OKFISHIN]

Originally Posted by MNfisher

Yep!

X2. Just let me know and I will show you what I know. Used to drive there 5 days a week. It's over by 7.30-8 AM but it is usually worth it. Used to be some posts on here about it from me but that was maybe 8-9 years ago. Not sure if they are still around.

[SAMBOLIE]

Originally Posted by nomad60

It can't be much steeper than the ramps at the new Clarksville Marina! Those aren't only steep, but long, as well. I'd hate for my brakes to give out while backing a boat up on those LOL

Why are you backing a boat up the ramp?

[nomad60]

Originally Posted by SAMBOLIE

Why are you backing a boat up the ramp?

Because that's the way I roll Why do things the easy way and pull the boat up the ramp like everyone else when you can execute a tight 180 and back it up the ramp? That's why I'm such a chick magnet.

And yes, I should have said "while backing a boat down those."

[nomad60]

Originally Posted by GO-OKFISHIN

X2. Just let me know and I will show you what I know. Used to drive there 5 days a week. It's over by 7.30-8 AM but it is usually worth it. Used to be some posts on here about it from me but that was maybe 8-9 years ago. Not sure if they are still around.

Sounds like the fishing below the dam is a lot better than the fishing above. I fished Cheatham lake 2 times last year in open tournaments and both days, not too many keepers were caught. If I remember right, in the second open, 1 bass won it LOL

[SAMBOLIE]

Originally Posted by nomad60

Because that's the way I roll Why do things the easy way and pull the boat up the ramp like everyone else when you can execute a tight 180 and back it up the ramp? That's why I'm such a chick magnet.

And yes, I should have said "while backing a boat down those."

Nomad I know you are smarter than that. I am not so sure about Merv.

[agelesssone]

HEY! I was smart enough to find a fishing partner yesterday that knew where the fish were!