Come along on Lake Chickamauga as we explore a new lake and catch fish! Pay close attention as we refine a pattern and put it into action with no outside information. Chickamauga has almost 800 miles of shoreline but we’re able to build a pattern in minutes and start catching really nice bass! You can too!
Any time you’re on a new body of water (Matt has been to the lake once but never this end and Tim has not been here at all) it can be overwhelming. We’re thousands of miles from home with hundreds of miles of water to choose from where do you start? Matt and Tim chose to start with reaction. They focused on a spinnerbait, chatterbait, and lipless crankbait to cover water quickly. When that didn’t work they turned their attention to the back of a cove that looked promising on the map.
Once in the cove our attention again turned to covering water. Matt focused on a frog so he could quickly work around vegetation and Tim chose a senko to reach deep in the pockets under flooded trees. A pattern quickly emerged and we were able to dial in a combination of topwater, stick baits, and sight fishing. You can use this method of breaking down water on any lake in the nation. Cover water, get bit, and adapt until a pattern emerges.
Below is a breakdown of the equipment the we were using to find success. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We’ve also included links to the rods and reels we were using to consistently catch these fish.
Topwater…
Frog- Jackall Kaera (White): http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3
Popper- Damiki D Pop 70 (Phantom): http://bit.ly/2Pjvqo3
Soft Baits…
Stick Bait- Yamamoto 5″ Senko (Crushed Goby): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS
Senko Hook- Owner Jungle Wide Gap 3/0: http://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z
Creature- Big Bite Baits Flying Squirrel (Tilapia): http://bit.ly/2sn1FaT
Creature Hook- Gamakatsu EWG Superline 2/0: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG
Dropshot Weight- Swagger 1/4 oz Tungsten Tear Drop: http://bit.ly/2V2B63h
Reaction…
Spinnerbait- Megabass V-9 1/2 oz (Kohoku Reaction): http://bit.ly/2tOaVCt
Spinnerbait Trailer- Keitech 4.3″ Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Lipless Crank- Jackall TN-70 Crankbait (RT Scale Minnow): http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh
Chatterbait- Z Man JackHammer 1/2 oz (BHite Delight): http://bit.ly/2popvj6
Chatterbait Trailer- HogFarmer Spunk Shad (Ghost Minnow 4.5): http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7
Matt’s Senko/ Heavy Dropshot Combo…
Rod- Shimano Zodias 7’2″ Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9
Tim’s Popper Combo…
Rod- Shimano Zodias 6’10” Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB
Braid- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Budget Frog Combo…
Rod- Dobyns Fury 7’3″ Mag Heavy (736): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV
Reel- Shimano SLX 150 HG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel…
TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7
TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs
TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD
TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G
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What we wear…
Sun Mask: http://bit.ly/2JcA8xi
Sun Shirt w/ Hood: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G
Light Fishing Pants: http://bit.ly/2foDx10
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Equipment We Recommend…
Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej
Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Hot Foot Throttle Control: http://bit.ly/2ob4kgO
Loc-R-Bar Boat Security: http://bit.ly/2CMF1NP
Favorite Storage Box: http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2tfxFvw
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Wire Cutters: http://bit.ly/2soB34k
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite sunglasses: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero8 Camera: http://bit.ly/37hVTX4
ElectroSamson Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: http://bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#Chickamauga #bassfishing #topwater
The joy on both of their faces when they saw that big drop shot fish
I would LOVE to see your review of Lake Chickamauga now that you've been down there for a couple of years and have fished it significantly.
I'd also LOVE to see a video of Tennessee fishing vs California fishing in your opinions.
Food for thought.
Matt probably thought the sign read “Chimichangas” so he thought he’d have a little look see…
Can we just talk about what a beautiful cast that was @ 2:57. Not going to lie, I'd have got the tree 🤦♂️
Large mouth bass are fun to catch..but not good table fare
Love you're vid guy's keep up the sick work….. by the way guy's I left you photo of walk bait in Instagram that I can't locate in the website I gave it to my uncle in Mexico I can cant find it….. thanks 🤜🤛
Enjoyed the video. How far away from the camera do you usually get for your hero shots-they look great-The fish at Chickamauga are pristine.
Im in the house mennnn.. Thanks keep safe, God bless
Teamwork!
I want to fish with y'all so bad. Now that you're here I hope we can make that happen that would make me so happy. If you fist on the bank with me that would be cool, but I've never fished on a boat. I'd pay you if I had to. But my question is, do you even know about TVA dropping the water levels every year 4 winter and not raising them until April?
You guys sure looked happy filming this episode, now you're moving to this lake, hope you get to live your best lives with your families!
God bless brothers!
Water looks high they need to open the dam the fishin is better
I go there crappie fishing every spring from Indiana never have tried the bass I know it is good though
Aaaaand now we see why y'all are moving here. Awesome!!! 🎣🎣🎣
Man I gotta get this frog looks like the right size to get any size fish to commit
Awesome seeing y’all fishing Chickamauga that’s my home lake as well
Tim ducking on the hook set was priceless😂
I bank fish this lake everyday, right now they are hitting paddle spinnerbait
I've recently gotten back into bass fishing used to do it lot back in the late 90s got out of it for a while but now I'm back practiced for 3 or 4 months and entered a tournament with my dad in his Bass Club I've been watching your videos and paying attention and practicing recently purchased a Jon Boat anyway I placed 5th and won big fish .4.6 lb. thanks for your tips and videos thank you
Matt &Tim how can I get my hands on that TB hat tim is wearing in the video? That hat is sweet and I need to have one.
i’ve been fishing the chickamauga lake all my life and haven’t caught fish that big
What's up guys, that's one of a video ! great job . Can somebody tell me if Tactical Bassin did a video with some informations about how much Drag tension it takes for a bait caster? I'm listening each videos each weeks but never heard about it.. Maby I've missed one, there so much videos on the channel haha.. Thank you
What depths is top water good for?
Matt and Tim I love to see y’all in my neck of the woods great to see y’all out here take care
Do you also do sinko weight less Texas rig with bait caster ?? Or does I’m not matter ?? Real question idk ! Thanksn
More frog videos please.
Damn Matt, just jerk 'em straight in the boat. LOL.
Fishing this lake for the first time tomorrow while on a work trip! Great timeing with this video
We are fishing Kentucky lake tonight it would be an honor for y’all to fish with us
Fuckin shit I can’t catch anything and I live on there
Got my PB 8lb 14oz at chick this past winter, no excuse for me not fishing there more since I live an hour away but so many good bass lakes here in Tennessee
Come Jan-Feb
I hear a lot about creek arms. What do you do if you lake is basically a creek arm with a dam on it?
Really cool to see y’all do what y’all preach and make it work
Albeit a slow video on the water, it's a true representation of what can happen and certainly true for average anglers on a new body of water. The take away point is, finding some kind of pattern.
Surprised you two stayed in that creek pocket for as long as you did. Caught a good one out of it though.l
"It was a grinder, and we had to piece it together, but that's the fun part". So true.