Don't always expect "fast and furious," but if you are a dedicated smallmouth addict who lives for the freight train thrill that only "brown fish" can provide, our guides will put you on 'em.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Most tailwater areas downstream from any Tennessee River dam are a haven for smallmouth bass. Chickamauga Dam in Chattanooga is no different.
There have been changes in the last several years. Biologists determined many years ago that anglers apparently transplanted Alabama spotted bass from lakes far to the south into the Tennessee River drainage. The result is that a high percentage of smallmouth have the genetics of both species due to widespread hybridization.
Taking a complete about-face from the previous trophy-management regulations, the creel limit now is that anglers can keep five smallmouth bass each day and there is no minimum length limit, except only one smallmouth or spotted bass can exceed 16 inches long.
While the genetics may have changed, the incredible fighting ability of Tennessee River smallmouth remain the same and Scenic City Fishing guides know how to catch them!
It is possible to catch smallmouth year-round, but cool weather months - October through May - are the best.
Of course, while pursuing smallmouth there is always a strong likelihood of catching other species including spotted bass, largemouth, crappie, white bass, yellow bass, catfish or even the occasional walleye.