OH/Steam Plant

[Still_learning]

Hi, Everyone. My wife and I fished around the steam plant today and caught around 20 or so. Mostly tilapia, but we also caught crappie, yellow bass, largemouth, and drum. 2 of the tilapia were 2.5 pounds... Not sure how big these things get, but after catching some smaller ones, those looked huge. Attached picture is of 1 of them, and then all that we kept. My wife caught all the keepers except 2...

I also hooked into something huge on my ultralight pole with 4# line. Fought it for almost an hour. It took me about 1/2 mile down river. It finally came unhooked. It didn't make any huge runs. It just kind of pulled straight down. I figure it was a big catfish.

[Alphahawk]

Congrats on your catches..... Nice looking fish!



Regards


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[txnative]

Fun times ! I plan to hit the GSP Sunday and was wondering about water clarity...thanks to your pic I have the info I needed, thanks...lol.

The tilapia are fun to catch and better to eat, glad to see that the larger ones are around the mouth as well. I thought my big tilapia days were done until I can get back to my honey hole after the barrier comes down, but thanks to your report, I will be rigging up the tilapia rod.


Chris Bryant

[Jdkxtreme]

Fun times ! I plan to hit the GSP Sunday and was wondering about water clarity...thanks to your pic I have the info I needed, thanks...lol.

The tilapia are fun to catch and better to eat, glad to see that the larger ones are around the mouth as well. I thought my big tilapia days were done until I can get back to my honey hole after the barrier comes down, but thanks to your report, I will be rigging up the tilapia rod.


Chris Bryant
What set up do you use for your Tilapia set up?

[Dakota]

Hi, Everyone. My wife and I fished around the steam plant today and caught around 20 or so. Mostly tilapia, but we also caught crappie, yellow bass, largemouth, and drum. 2 of the tilapia were 2.5 pounds... Not sure how big these things get, but after catching some smaller ones, those looked huge. Attached picture is of 1 of them, and then all that we kept. My wife caught all the keepers except 2...

I also hooked into something huge on my ultralight pole with 4# line. Fought it for almost an hour. It took me about 1/2 mile down river. It finally came unhooked. It didn't make any huge runs. It just kind of pulled straight down. I figure it was a big catfish.


So are you fishing right in front of the barriers. Don't they have barriers up in the creek channel?


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[txnative]

What set up do you use for your Tilapia set up?

6'- 6'6" med-light spinning rod, spinning reel with 4-6 lb mono. I have my best luck using mealworms threaded onto a sz 6 owner mosquito hook with 2 small splitshot about 12" above it. I use a slip float so that I can adjust the depth to keep the bait as close to bottom as possible.

I have also had success using the same rig with either a bison, mealworm, pink haze, or grasshopper colored trout magnet, but the live mealworms seem to provide more steady action.

The biggest trick is to fish S-L-O-W, as in "cast, set the rod down, wait till the bobber is completely gone, then reel and set."


Chris Bryant

[txnative]

So are you fishing right in front of the barriers. Don't they have barriers up in the creek channel?


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Yes, they do. There is a floating yellow barrier just before the red sign on the bank warning boaters to stay in their boats.


Chris Bryant

[Still_learning]

Didn't have any luck by the barrier. We caught most of them right at the mouth near the 'keep out' bouys. Went back today, but didn't have any luck on the tilapia. We caught a bunch of yellow bass, but that was about it. There were a lot of boats there today too.

[white95v6]

nice report and fish.

thought about going in the am. hmmm

[thehick176]

I'll be out there as well. I am curious about the water conditions though

[goreds.king]

Good reports. I'm thinking about taking the kayak out there tomorrow for the first time.

[XxthejuicexX]

I am planning on fishing the steam plant new years day. My grandfather wants to try and catch some sauger or tilapia so you boys keep fishing and giving me the reports because I have no idea what I am doing when it come to either of those fish.

[Still_learning]

The water conditions Friday were slightly muddy. The temperature in the main channel was about 51. The water temp coming out of the steam plant was about 66 at the mouth. The current in the channel is heavy. I believe they were running about 48,000 cfs at the dam yesterday, so it's tough to fish in the channel itself.

[XxthejuicexX]

OK, anyone been out to the steam plant since we last talked. I am going that way in the morning and any help would be appreciated, tips, baits. I was also going to put in at flippers and run to the steam plant but does anyone know of a closer ramp?

[agelesssone]

That's the closest ramp you can launch a boat from.

Chris can tell you if you can launch a boat from the ramp he puts his kayak in.

I'm not sure of the name......Cole's Ferry? At the end of Blair Rd. off of Cole's Ferry Rd.

Check it out on Google Earth. It's right across and a bit upstream of the discharge

[XxthejuicexX]

I noticed that but I was not sure if you could launch a boat from it. I am guessing that when you get to the plant boats will be scattered around and I need to look for fish on my sonar or do I just start banging the banks around the exit of the warm water?

[goreds.king]

Yep, you can put in at Coles Ferry. Not sure about a boat but definitely a kayak. I’m thinking about going tomorrow as well.

[XxthejuicexX]

Yep, you can put in at Coles Ferry. Not sure about a boat but definitely a kayak. I’m thinking about going tomorrow as well.

Ok, I will put in at flippers and run to the plant I thinks it's about 3 miles down or so. Unless someone tells me different.

[jad2t]

You can put a boat in at Coles Ferry, I've done it with my buddy's boat. Kayaks can launch even easier from there and it's a short paddle to the steam plant. That's where all the kayak vs stripers action has been lately.

[XxthejuicexX]

OK good. Being able to put in there will save me from having to burn 5 gallons of gas to run 3 miles...... It sounds like my trip tomorrow might be for about anything that swims. If they are catching stripe I will try for those too. So far on my list of fish it's tilapia, crappie, sauger, striper, and LM bass if all else fails. Sounds like I will have every rod I own with something tied on. Should be an interesting day.

[Jdkxtreme]

OK good. Being able to put in there will save me from having to burn 5 gallons of gas to run 3 miles...... It sounds like my trip tomorrow might be for about anything that swims. If they are catching stripe I will try for those too. So far on my list of fish it's tilapia, crappie, sauger, striper, and LM bass if all else fails. Sounds like I will have every rod I own with something tied on. Should be an interesting day.


5 gallons for 3 miles. Holy crap.

[XxthejuicexX]

LOL, I was being a bit extreme but my boat does like to guzzle the gas. I am more worried about hitting something on old hickory than the gas used. Last time I was out on that it was like I was slalom skiing to dodge all the crap floating around that lake.

[TNtransplant08]

Keep in mind that the Coles ferry ramp is small and parking is limited. If you're there early you should be fine.

[txnative]

Water was pretty stained on Sunday, and there was a ton of stuff floating in the river channel. Coles Ferry is small and there is no courtesy dock, so be prepared to have your boat on the bank. It gets crowded, and it seems like a lot of people will be there...that's going to make take-out a little tricky if you are trying to maneuver a truck/trailer in that small parking lot. Flipper's may be easier for you, IMO.


Chris Bryant

[XxthejuicexX]

Flippers it is and I will keep and eye out for floating debris while running. Man, I hope I catch some fish :)

[Reel Tune]

Keep an eye out for plastic floating debris, there are going to be a lot of them out there tomorrow.

[FLBasser]

Can you launch a kayak just up from the plant on Steam Plant Rd? Arial view looks like a nice little ramp.


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[Jdkxtreme]

Can you launch a kayak just up from the plant on Steam Plant Rd? Arial view looks like a nice little ramp.



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There is a ramp there. Not for sure how long of a paddle it is.

[FLBasser]

Thanks. Headed out now. First time to the steam plant. I think I'll go to Blair Rd across the river.


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[txnative]

Keep an eye out for plastic floating debris, there are going to be a lot of them out there tomorrow.

If I didn't know better, I'd say that was a derogatory comment. Good thing I know better... ;)


Chris Bryant

[Reel Tune]

Thanks. Headed out now. First time to the steam plant. I think I'll go to Blair Rd across the river.
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Yes, you can. It is a much longer paddle though. If the river is moving it would be that much more difficult.

If I didn't know better, I'd say that was a derogatory comment. Good thing I know better... ;)

Chris Bryant

I've been seeing pics of some good fish already, how about some of you guys post them here. I'm just jealous Chris.

[Alphahawk]

Am anticipating quite a few reports today from there......seems as if boaters and yakers alike are fishing there today.


Regards


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[MNfisher]

I got to cross off a goal...tilapia! And a good one at that! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/yquhytyj.jpg

[MNfisher]

Am anticipating quite a few reports today from there......seems as if boaters and yakers alike are fishing there today.


Regards


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Alpha, you would really enjoy the tilapia on the 2lb and ultralight. That big one was like catching a 14" gill!

[Alphahawk]

WOW.....nice fish!...any others and I assume you took that one home.



Regards


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[Saltwaterwalt]

Man, you guys are really getting me fired up about these tilapia. I probably buy tilapia filets at Publix twice a month. Sure be more fun to get them the old fashion way.

I'm crossing my fingers that these Old Hickory tilapia will breed in the wild!

[Alphahawk]

I think it is evident they are prolifically breeding at GSP. From what TWRA says and what I have read about them we don't really want them in our waters. I am assuming that the GSP is the only place they make it through the winter......but it appears there are a large number in there. Since there are no reports of large numbers being caught elsewhere in the lake they may very well be isolated to there. I have seen reports of a few being caught a ways away from there but only during warm weather.

Regards




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[Saltwaterwalt]

I understand they're non-native and invasive, but what problems does the TWRA say they'll cause? Unlike those dang jumping Asian carp that can break a nose flying out of the water, eat all our zooplankton, and not worth a hoot to eat ... I'm really thinking those tilapia might have some game potential?



I think it is evident they are prolifically breeding at GSP. From what TWRA says and what I have read about them we don't really want them in our waters. I am assuming that the GSP is the only place they make it through the winter......but it appears there are a large number in there. Since there are no reports of large numbers being caught elsewhere in the lake they may very well be isolated to there. I have seen reports of a few being caught a ways away from there but only during warm weather.

Regards




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[TroutFiend]

I bet those Tilapia are a blast to catch on UL tackle. Any particular depth they seem to be holding at?

Andy



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[thehick176]

They tend to hang around the same stuff that bluegill and crappie like. I caught my biggest one there on a #5 shadrap.

[XxthejuicexX]

We fished the steam plant today and caught around 50 tilapia, a few bluegill, one big white bass and something mixed between a bluegill and a crappie. That place was packed, between the kayaks and boats I bet there were 15 boats total. We were catching tilapia on every cast at one point. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/ysumaqyb.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/5aqesu9a.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/pu2a8eje.jpg


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[Alphahawk]

I understand they're non-native and invasive, but what problems does the TWRA say they'll cause? Unlike those dang jumping Asian carp that can break a nose flying out of the water, eat all our zooplankton, and not worth a hoot to eat ... I'm really thinking those tilapia might have some game potential?


They are such prolific breeders supposedly will overtake the waters. But unless they can adjust to cold water I don't see how they can survive the winter anywhere else in the lake. You would think if they were throughout the whole lake that crappie fisherman would be catching them everywhere. I guess time will tell.



Regards


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[Alphahawk]

Congrats to all who caught fish at GSP today.


Regards


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[MNfisher]

That there crappie/bluegill is a shellcracker.

I also caught several tilapia, but none others close to that size. They are definitely breeding. All different sizes. 5"ers and up.

[Alphahawk]

We fished the steam plant today and caught around 50 tilapia, a few bluegill, one big white bass and something mixed between a bluegill and a crappie. That place was packed, between the kayaks and boats I bet there were 15 boats total. We were catching tilapia on every cast at one point. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/ysumaqyb.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/5aqesu9a.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/pu2a8eje.jpg


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Congrats on your catch. If you ever get into any big shell cracker....12 inch fish are common.....you will have quite a battle on your hands.


Regards


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[XxthejuicexX]

Thanks for the info on the fish guys. I never knew what a shell cracker looked like. We had a blast today catching fish. They are definitely breeding, we caught tilapia of all sizes just nothing really big. We cleaned them all tonight and found out that they are harder to fillet than any other fish we catch. Unless you catch larger ones I am not sure if it's worth the effort of filleting them.

[txnative]

The GSP produced again today. I caught several small bluegill and tilapia, but not until I had finished having fun catching these guys.



Chris Bryant

[FLBasser]

Had a great first time at GSP. Met several members and saw a LOT of kayaks and boats. Caught several small tilapia, small whites and, I think some baby stripes. Most were caught on a TM I found on a branch. I've got to get me some of those! Stayed till dark.


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[txnative]

Photographic evidence that i have a FishingTN sticker on my kayak, to clear up any and all doubts :)

The sticker is between the "Moken 14" and "Hook 1" logos near the rear of the kayak.

Chris Bryant

[XxthejuicexX]

So from that picture it looks like you guys were out pretty early this morning catching the stripe, is that correct? I got out around 10 and fished till 3:30 or so. I caught one really nice whitebass or maybe a hybrid. From the looks of it the barrier is the happening place when it comes to catching fish.

[MNfisher]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/7ymy3ada.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/enu7udej.jpg

Caught my largest fish out of a kayak today! And proof of my FishingTN sticker! Haha

[Alphahawk]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/7ymy3ada.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/02/enu7udej.jpg

Caught my largest fish out of a kayak today! And proof of my FishingTN sticker! Haha


That tilapia is a toad! What did you catch it on?


Regards


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[txnative]

That tilapia is a toad! What did you catch it on?


Regards


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Mealworm color trout magnet with a gold jighead. I watched the fight from about 20 yds away...Mike had a time with that "swimmin' sammich" on 2 lb line.


Chris Bryant

[tkwalker]

Photographic evidence that i have a FishingTN sticker on my kayak, to clear up any and all doubts :)

The sticker is between the "Moken 14" and "Hook 1" logos near the rear of the kayak.

Chris Bryant

Chris, I never doubted you my friend ... Jeremy may have Some of the Yak/FTI decals left ... I gave those to him during his tourney series last year ... ... By the way I haven't seen that much artillery on one vessel since the Mekong Delta and River Gun Boats ... In the Parrot's Peak region in 1968 during the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam WOW ... !! .... You are totally armed for the scaly faces !! ... :)

[MNfisher]

Mealworm color trout magnet with a gold jighead. I watched the fight from about 20 yds away...Mike had a time with that "swimmin' sammich" on 2 lb line.


Chris Bryant

All right except black jighead, not gold :D

[txnative]

By the way I haven't seen that much artillery on one vessel since the Mekong Delta and River Gun Boats ... In the Parrot's Peak region in 1968 during the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam WOW ... !! .... You are totally armed for the scaly faces !! ... :)

Lol, yeah, I was ready for anything...never can tell what might show up at the GSP, so I bring gear for any situation. I do need to figure out a good way to fit a fly rod in that assortment of rods, though :)


Chris Bryant

[blink]

Looks like a lot of fun! I definitely need to go out there soon.

[eksfish]

I'm hate to show my ignorance but how long has Talipia been present in Old Hickory. Are they just in the GSP area? Is there any concern of becoming a problem invasive specie? Just curious. Thanks.

[jad2t]

They've been there for a few years that I know of and this time of year they'll only be at GSP, or dead, because they can't survive the cold water temperatures. They happen to be delicious by the way.

[olddognewtrick]

I'm hate to show my ignorance but how long has Talipia been present in Old Hickory. Are they just in the GSP area? Is there any concern of becoming a problem invasive specie? Just curious. Thanks.

They should never be a real problem in most Tennessee waters, as others have posted, because our waters get too cold for them in the winter, except near steam plants. Someone also asked why they might be considered invasive. They will clean out vegetation, for one, removing habitat and spawning areas of some bait fishes and other marine life which are important to the food chain which allows our native species to survive.

Edit - There's nothing to say they could not adapt to cooler water temps if they are proliferate in the steam plant areas. So, eat them! :)

[XxthejuicexX]

They've been there for a few years that I know of and this time of year they'll only be at GSP, or dead, because they can't survive the cold water temperatures. They happen to be delicious by the way.


Jimmy, We filleted all of ours from wednesday and it was a pain in the butt. Do you clean them another way?

[jad2t]

Jimmy, We filleted all of ours from wednesday and it was a pain in the butt. Do you clean them another way?

I just fillet them the same way I do bass or a crappie. Last time I fished GSP was over a year ago and I brought a couple Tilapia home. I don't remember having to do anything special with the fillet technique.

[XxthejuicexX]

We did not have to do anything special to fillet them it just seemed harder than any other fish. The skin is really tough on them and sticks to the fillets. We did fry some up and they are tasty. We kept around 50 so by the time we finished cleaning them we were tired of it. I am going out tomorrow to priest to see if I can find some crappie.

[Jim]

Question for all you fishing the stream plant recently. Were the shad and skipjack in their thick? Did anyone try castnetting shad for bait?

I haven't been this year, but may make it out soon and was wondering about the shad. If they are not there yet, I may try some of my other winter holes on Old Hickory and see what it happening there.

Thanks in advance,
Jim

[txnative]

Question for all you fishing the stream plant recently. Were the shad and skipjack in their thick? Did anyone try castnetting shad for bait?

I haven't been this year, but may make it out soon and was wondering about the shad. If they are not there yet, I may try some of my other winter holes on Old Hickory and see what it happening there.

Thanks in advance,
Jim

Shad, yes. The skippies are there, but catching them has been off and on. I'm sure finding bait won't be a problem for you.


Chris Bryant

[Dakota]

Yes I used my Castnet for threadfin they are good size right now. Went today caught some small striper tilapia Bluegill. Had about four big hits on threadfin with three way swivel but never took the bait completely.



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[Dakota]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/04/ty6uzyvu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/04/a2ara6er.jpg

Here's a few pictures of threadfin size


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[Jim]

Cool. Thanks for the shad info. I will be out tomorrow (Sat) in my old 16ft basstracker with big blue shad tank on the front deck. Stop and say hi if you see me.

Jim

[Jdkxtreme]

I'll be there also in a 17' Basstracker with a buddy of mine. I am going to try to use live bait and a balloon for the first time in the AM.

[Transplanted Sportsman]

We did not have to do anything special to fillet them it just seemed harder than any other fish. The skin is really tough on them and sticks to the fillets. We did fry some up and they are tasty. We kept around 50 so by the time we finished cleaning them we were tired of it. I am going out tomorrow to priest to see if I can find some crappie.

the best way to me is to deep fry it whole (if not too big), man they get crunchy and the skin is tasty and this is where the healthy stuff on a fish is or so they say!!

[Rover1966]

There is a ramp there. Not for sure how long of a paddle it is.


It's closer than Flippers I believe.


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[Jdkxtreme]

Cool. Thanks for the shad info. I will be out tomorrow (Sat) in my old 16ft basstracker with big blue shad tank on the front deck. Stop and say hi if you see me.

Jim

Saw you out there this morning. How did you make out with bait? We were there in a basstracker also. Could not buy a skipjack.

[txnative]

I just saw a picture from some guys fishing this morning that shows a bass boat pushed on top of the barrier in the midst of kayaks. I'm concerned because TVA may quit being so lenient if we anglers push the limits. I also heard that anglers in the same boat tangled lines with a kayaker who was fighting a fish. I hope that was not anyone from this forum. Courtesy towards others is an unwritten rule of fishing. I get the notion that we all want to catch fish, but if you were beaten to the spot...tough luck. Forcing yourself in is both rude and possibly dangerous. If you want the spot, be there first. We all deserve fair treatment on the water, and the photo I saw and reports I got are motive for this reminder of the necessity of courtesy for each other.


Chris Bryant

[agelesssone]

I totally agree with Chris. If you want the spot get your butt out of bed and get there first. Go pushing your way in might get you in a heap of trouble that only a surgeon can fix.

OR, how much will it cost to fix your outboard that has a coupla holes in it?

IS IT WORTH IT?

[Alphahawk]

I saw that pic. Even though as of the past month I haven't been fishing too much this happens all too much. As Merv says get up early and get your spot. That is one of the reasons I get up at 2:00 a.m. so I can get to my spots at the lakes I fish....but even doing that it can happen like what happened out there today. The last time down at Pickwick two boats came up into the slough where there were probably 15 people lining the bank casting to the wall The boats were spider rigging and just came through everyones line.....didn't matter to them. Thankfully they left after 2 passes. When stuff like this has happened before whether I am in the kayak or on the bank, I try to calmly explain to the offender he has breached etiquette. Doesn't seem to matter to most. Being in the kayak I certainly don't want to get into it with a bass boat. I don't know what the answer is other than try to educate folks.



Regards

[white95v6]

well I was out there and I think its being blown out of proportion. the BB could have moved over a touch. but then the other kayak that squeezed between it and the bank would not have been in the fish like he was.

I think I seen more kayak on kayak tangles lol.

ps I was not in that BB being talked about.

[Jdkxtreme]

I was not at the barrier nor in a kayak. Right or wrong when you motored past me with your big motor my bite shut off. While you had every right to do so I just have never used my big motor to troll past that many people already there fishing.

[thehick176]

Tension is building at the steam plant I see. Although I do fish it occasionally, I try to steer clear of it if at all possible. People have no respect for one another anymore

[white95v6]

I was not at the barrier nor in a kayak. Right or wrong when you motored past me with your big motor my bite shut off. While you had every right to do so I just have never used my big motor to troll past that many people already there fishing.

you are not talking about me.:)

[Dakota]

Cool. Thanks for the shad info. I will be out tomorrow (Sat) in my old 16ft basstracker with big blue shad tank on the front deck. Stop and say hi if you see me.



Jim


Jim just seen your post. I was out there on Saturday. I think I anchored in in front of you on the left looking towards the main channel. It was really windy I left after a couple hours had a few skipjack threadfin and gizzard shad. What's hoping for stripers but nothing. I was in a hurricane boat white with some black. I'll say hi next time if I see you out there. Actually I was out there on Friday too had better luck with some tilapia bluegill and small stripers.


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[Jim]

Jim just seen your post. I was out there on Saturday. I think I anchored in in front of you on the left looking towards the main channel. It was really windy I left after a couple hours had a few skipjack threadfin and gizzard shad. What's hoping for stripers but nothing. I was in a hurricane boat white with some black. I'll say hi next time if I see you out there. Actually I was out there on Friday too had better luck with some tilapia bluegill and small stripers.


_______

Dakota, I saw you there and wondered if it was you. Stop and say hi next time.

I started fishing where you were in the morning and didnt catch any. Then moved near the markers and got a half dozen stripers or so. When the wind picked up I moved in to the barrier but it was still super windy there. It used to be nice to be able to hide in the canal in bad weather. Now it is all pretty exposed.

[Reel Tune]

Man, I see I'm missing all the fun. I need to get out there soon while the tensions are high, this could be fun.;)

[Halli]

Yep I need to get out there myself.

Hey how come we never hear about Cumberland City Fishing?

Gallatin uses 976 mw where as Cumberland City puts out 2,386 mw
there should be a great fisheries going on during the winter at that area even though it pretty much dumps direct to the river, downstream of that area should be rocking.

[Fishbus]

Heat is waste ($) to TVA. Cumberland is newer, bigger and more efficient than Gallatin, so they may actually put less heat in the river there.

Also, they are also only allowed to raise the river temps a certain amount. Above that, they have to de-rate the units.

I've seen random guys fishing at the CUF discharge, but never crowds.

Billy

[white95v6]

one thing about Cumberland city is you can't take a boat into it. they have it blocked off. but you can fish from the bank. I didn't know this until last Saturday I heard it on Doug Ms talk show. but I am sure lots of ppl hit it and the other one in east tn.

[Alphahawk]

one thing about Cumberland city is you can't take a boat into it. they have it blocked off. but you can fish from the bank. I didn't know this until last Saturday I heard it on Doug Ms talk show. but I am sure lots of ppl hit it and the other one in east tn.

Bull Run steam plant...in East Tn...is great for musky in the winter. Wonder if any tilapia over there?



Regards

[Jdkxtreme]

Would anyone be willing to share ( in a PM ) what your catching the striper on? I'm looking for my first one. Thank you

[txnative]

A kayak :D

I'll shoot you a pm.


Chris Bryant

[agelesssone]

Would anyone be willing to share ( in a PM ) what your catching the striper on? I'm looking for my first one. Thank you

Pretty sure it was a hook. And where were they catching them? In the mouth....

[nomad60]

Would anyone be willing to share ( in a PM ) what your catching the striper on? I'm looking for my first one. Thank you

Ha, so I'm not the only one who hasn't caught a striper yet? I would say let's have a friendly wager on who gets theirs first but with my dubious track record, I know better. Good luck, hope you get one soon!

[Jdkxtreme]

Ha, so I'm not the only one who hasn't caught a striper yet? I would say let's have a friendly wager on who gets theirs first but with my dubious track record, I know better. Good luck, hope you get one soon!

I plan on giving it a go Friday evening again.

[txnative]

Pretty sure it was a hook. And where were they catching them? In the mouth....

Yep. The exception is skippies...I tend to catch them in the tail, in the sides, in the belly, etc. no species of fish shows up foul hooked on my lures more than the TN tarpon.


Chris Bryant

[Travis C.]

Yep. The exception is skippies...I tend to catch them in the tail, in the sides, in the belly, etc. no species of fish shows up foul hooked on my lures more than the TN tarpon.


Chris Bryant

The one I caught sunday was in his gill plate from the backside. :D Better him than me.

[Jim]

I'll bite :)

There is no big secret to good baits for striper. Bottom line - if it is or looks like a shad then it will probably work.

Live bait is an excellent choice. Live shad and skipjack are great but minnows, sunfish, tilipia or any small fish will work.

Cutbait - good also and again any fish works with shad and skipjack being the typical choice

For lures, any shad imitating lure in white or silver with a bit of chartreuse or red is great. I have never really needed any other colors, but I am sure other colors will work. Pick lures that are a size bigger than typical bass lures as they are easier to cast far and stripers like big baits.

Jigs- Hair or plastic usually 4 to 6 inches long. Can be curly-tailed or paddle tail as they both work. The old standard sassy shad is a great lure as are the newer swimbaits. Jigs work well because you can fish them shallow or deep and they cast a long way.

Surfacebaits - Big zara spooks and and wakebaits are really good. Rattletraps are killer sometimes.

Spoons - There are great for long casting and deep jigging. Various sizes and shapes to play with but most work.

The Alabama rig - It was originally a striper lure and still works today. Just use white or chartreuse jigs and it should be great.

As for catching stripers, dawn and dusk are great times, but they will feed all day and night some days if you are lucky. Try to be quiet and make long casts as they can spook pretty easily. If you see them busting bait on the surface almost any bait will get a hit if you are fast and get it in front of them.

When in doubt, a 4 to 7 inch live shad is almost a sure thing.

Med-heavy bass tackle is fine for most fishing. I catch plenty on 6lb test spinning rigs, but you may have to chase some of the bigger fish.

These recommendation are for the typical schoolie stripers (3 to 15 lbs) if you want to go for the giant fish, you will need to heavier tackle with bigger baits and some changes to your fishing patterns, but you may luck into a big fish with the above lures.

With all of that said, my number one lure for stiper fishing has to be a 1oz white and chartreuse hair jig with a 5 inch paddletail swimbait as a trailer. It works below dams in the summer and at the steam plant in the winter and in the more secret spring and fall hotspots.

Good luck,
Jim

[nomad60]

Honestly, I have never seen anything that looked like striper busting shad around here...maybe I need to fish below Cheatham dam where there's more current, I don't know.

Around here, I've seen folks catch LM & spotted bass, white bass, crappie, bluegill, drum, catfish, sauger, skipjack etc but never striper or hybrids.

Now having said that...about 4 weeks ago I was fishing the rock walls, throwing a blade-runner spintrix jighead with a 6" swimbait in about 20 feet of water and something took about half the line off my reel before breaking off. It felt like I had snagged a submarine so I figured I had either hooked into a large striper or a big catfish. Or, an actual submarine LOL.

[Travis C.]

Honestly, I have never seen anything that looked like striper busting shad around here..

You will definitely know once you see it and never forget. Imagine bowling balls falling into the water off in the distance and shad doing their best Jesus impersonation walking on water to get away. Some don't make it very far....:eek:

[nomad60]

I'm starting to wonder if they even make it down river this far. I have been told that every now and then folks will catch the smaller ones near shore but I've never seen it. Maybe I should get and learn how to use a cast net so I can catch some live shad, and then put one on a hook and just float along the river channel.

One of these days, Alice, one of these days!!!!

[Dakota]

Would anyone be willing to share ( in a PM ) what your catching the striper on? I'm looking for my first one. Thank you


Live skipjack are great catch with small Jigs or Trout and Crappie magnets. Sabiki rigs too. If you can catch bigger threadfin shad with the Castnet that's good too. Threadfin I like to use a three way swivel with a bell sinker and skipjack I like to use Carolina rig with about a half ounce weight both set up with circle hooks. Use larger hook for skipjack smaller for threadfin. Hook through nostrils. Make sure you check your bait to make sure it's always lively. Largest one that's been in my boat at steam plant is 36 pounds on a skipjack.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

[Jim]

I'm starting to wonder if they even make it down river this far. I have been told that every now and then folks will catch the smaller ones near shore but I've never seen it. Maybe I should get and learn how to use a cast net so I can catch some live shad, and then put one on a hook and just float along the river channel.

One of these days, Alice, one of these days!!!!

I have never fished down near Clarksville on the Cumberland River, but I just looked at a map and if I was looking for stripers I would focus under the HWY 13/48 Bridge on the bluff side and the bluffs near the mouth of the Red River. Use your depthfinder and go along the outside bend bluffs and look for rockpiles at the base of the bluffs near the deepest areas. You will probably see big hooks (fish) on your depthfinder in the bottom 1/3 of the water column and these could be striper, big cats, big carp, paddlefish or big gar. You have to fish them to figure it out, but if you get big cats then big stripers will be in those areas at some point during the year. If I was guessing I would say your area kind of looks like a fall spot, but that is a guess. Stripers are tough as the move a lot, but once you figure out when they are in the area, it is pretty easy to find the good spots.

It is really random to catch a striper if you focus your fishing effort on Largemouth bass. They are not really in the same areas or doing the same thing most of the time. If you focus on big cats, you are much more likely to run into stripers.

Hope that helps and good luck,
Jim

[MNfisher]

Now having said that...about 4 weeks ago I was fishing the rock walls, throwing a blade-runner spintrix jighead with a 6" swimbait in about 20 feet of water and something took about half the line off my reel before breaking off. It felt like I had snagged a submarine so I figured I had either hooked into a large striper or a big catfish. Or, an actual submarine LOL.

Sounds exactly like you hooked a big striper!

[jad2t]

I'm planning to go tomorrow morning and don't fish this area much so I need some advice from the more frequent visitors. I know we have some rain and wind coming tonight through very early tomorrow AM (before I'll be there I hope) and then it should clear up by 6am. Does this canal tend to get really muddy after a rain? I don't want to fish in water that looks like coffee with cream. And who puts cream in their coffee anyway? Man up and drink it black :D

[Reel Tune]

The canal doesn't muddy, but the flat does. You cannot fish the canal though unless you cross the barricade. The river will get swift, and a lot of debris could be in the channel. I've been out there a few times wondering if I would have the strength to paddle back up river to the takeout, so keep an eye on the river levels with all the rain and snow we've had. This all runs down from east Tennessee, and Virginia. So even if we haven't had a lot of rain here, rain in the plateau can affect the flows.

[XxthejuicexX]

who puts cream in their coffee anyway? Man up and drink it black :D

That's the only way to do it. If my grandfather does not fish with me in the morning and my wife does not throw a fit I will see you guys at the steam plant.

[txnative]

The water shouldn't be too bad. The stripers have been fairly consistent regardless of water clarity, but they will slow down a bit in murky water. I'm sure they are still there and feeding, but fishing suffers due to the lower visibility.


Chris Bryant

PS: I drink coffee with sugar AND cream...y'all can talk about my manliness from the couch while I slay stripers in weather that's kept everyone else at home :D

[jad2t]

The canal doesn't muddy, but the flat does. You cannot fish the canal though unless you cross the barricade. The river will get swift, and a lot of debris could be in the channel. I've been out there a few times wondering if I would have the strength to paddle back up river to the takeout, so keep an eye on the river levels with all the rain and snow we've had. This all runs down from east Tennessee, and Virginia. So even if we haven't had a lot of rain here, rain in the plateau can affect the flows.

Thanks for that. Is there any available data online to show flow so I can determine if it's safe? I'd be really disappointed to drive an hour out there and see fast moving, dirty water full of logs.

[SAMBOLIE]

The water shouldn't be too bad. The stripers have been fairly consistent regardless of water clarity, but they will slow down a bit in murky water. I'm sure they are still there and feeding, but fishing suffers due to the lower visibility.


Chris Bryant

PS: I drink coffee with sugar AND cream...y'all can talk about my manliness from the couch while I slay stripers in weather that's kept everyone else at home :D

If I wore panty hose and drank my wife's coffee I could probably slay stripers in cold weather also.:D:D

[txnative]

Thanks for that. Is there any available data online to show flow so I can determine if it's safe? I'd be really disappointed to drive an hour out there and see fast moving, dirty water full of logs.

With the exception of a pop-up flood, you'll be fine. I was out there Wednesday evening and a buddy was there this morning...no problems at all.


Chris Bryant

[txnative]

If I wore panty hose and drank my wife's coffee I could probably slay stripers in cold weather also.:D:D

Prove it. I just bought a new GoPro and would be happy to provide video evidence :D

Ironically, my wife drinks her coffee black...but I'll openly admit she's tougher than me, lol

Chris Bryant

[Still_learning]

Here is a link that shows the release amounts at Old Hickory Dam. http://www.tva.gov/lakes/ohh_r.htm. They've been pulling around 40,000 cfs for a while now, and that makes for strong current in the channel. I'm too lazy to kayak, but I would bet it would be tough to row upriver in that! Good luck to you.

[txnative]

I'm too lazy to kayak, but I would bet it would be tough to row upriver in that! Good luck to you.

It's not that bad, actually. The current moves a lot slower over the flats between the island and the bank, and the river channel is on the opposite side of the island.

From the boat ramp, paddle directly across the river channel until you are on the back side of the island, then head to the mouth of the GSP. Your return trip will follow the same path. The current is dramatically reduced and the shallow water means little to no boat traffic to worry about. The river's current does swirl and form a big eddy near the ramp, but it is not much bother to get thru it...you will feel your kayak being slightly pushed sideways for a few seconds, but that's it. If you maintain speed and momentum, even the slight push from the eddy is unnoticeable.


Chris Bryant

[Still_learning]

That's true. I didn't think about being able to go through the back side of the island. I don't think I could take my bass boat through there... You're right, the current in the flat area at the steam plant isn't bad.

[Travis C.]

That's true. I didn't think about being able to go through the back side of the island. I don't think I could take my bass boat through there... You're right, the current in the flat area at the steam plant isn't bad.

I am not quite sure you can.

I have had my bass boat in some of that is it's inches deep. Be careful if you try it have a push pole handy and pray the wind doesn't blow you further into the shallows.