Volunteer Division opens 2023 season Feb. 11 on Lake Chickamauga
DAYTON, Tenn. – Lake Chickamauga in East Tennessee will be the site of the first tournament on the 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Volunteer Division schedule. Due to unstable winter weather and fluctuating water levels and temperatures, this big-bass fishery will present some interesting puzzles for the field to solve come Feb. 11.
Tournament details
Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Volunteer Division
Lake Chickamauga
Dayton, Tenn.
Feb. 11, 2023
About the fishery
Chickamauga stretches from Watts Bar Dam to Chickamauga Dam, measuring a hearty 58.9 miles from dam to dam. It borders Rhea County, Meigs County, and Hamilton County, with 810 miles of shoreline, more than 36,000 surface acres, and two bridges crossing it at State Highway 60 and Highway 30. The 2000 introduction of Florida-strain largemouth bass into Chickamauga kickstarted the lake’s well-deserved reputation as a producer of big bass and an excellent tournament venue for all levels of competition.
Anglers tend to flock to the southern end of the lake near the nuclear plant for most early season tournaments, but fishing further up in the river end also produces quality bass for those who prefer to get away from the crowds. Most of the successful anglers fishing Chickamauga in February can expect to find bass on offshore structure and fish for them using various moving baits such as jerkbaits, crankbaits, lipless crankbaits and jigs.
What to expect
Bass Pro Tour pro and lifetime Chickamauga angler Michael Neal predicts that the unstable East Tennessee winter weather could make it a little more difficult to figure out a winning plan at the Volunteer Division opener, but expects plenty of big bass to be weighed in.
“I’m not really sure if the bass will be in a winter pattern, or in early prespawn,” Neal said. “The weather hasn’t been very stable this winter – we’ve had quite a bit of rain, and the water levels and temperature have been fluctuating – but if the weather stabilizes before the event, I think the bass will likely be in early prespawn.”
“Early prespawn” doesn’t automatically mean that Chickmauga’s bass will be super shallow on the banks. Quite the contrary, according to Neal.
“I believe you’ll need to be fishing offshore to do well,” Neal said. “Not necessarily deep, but more offshore than (on the bank). Either up in the river end where water is lower and confined to the main river channel, or on the lower, which is always popular due to the nuclear plant and slightly warmer water. The majority of anglers will fish on the lower end.”
That’s not to say that shallow water and fishing the bank won’t be viable options – they will, especially if East Tennessee sees more rain in February.
“If it stays stable, focus on the 10-foot depths,” Neal said. “But if it gets dirty – and this lake can get pretty dirty pretty quick with an inch or so of rain – then you may need to look shallower. Either way, points and channel swings are good places to start.”
Baits and techniques
Chickamauga is a top-notch fishery for anglers who like to throw moving baits, and Neal believes that trend will hold up for the Volunteer Division opener.
“Crankbaits, jerkbaits, Big Daddy’s Dayton Boat Dock rig, any type of lipless crankbaits and jerkbaits like a SPRO McStick 110 Plus – moving baits are usually the best,” Neal said. “You can catch them pitching a jig as well. I think this will be a ‘piece-together’ event; one fish here and there. But I’d expect the top five to weigh in at least 22 pounds per limit, with 26 to 28 pounds winning the tournament.”