A New River Adventure

Exploring a river for the first time in upper East TN. I’ve fished all of the larger rivers in East TN over the years but there are some smaller ones I’ve yet to fish. The Clinch river comes from VA into TN and feeds into Norris lake. This is the section from Sneedville up to Kyles Ford.

[@melissasexton6092]

Nice video .. That was me on the porch !! Yes I was wondering when I saw your fishing boat .. don’t see many power boats on the Shoals !! Come back anytime .. Great fresh clean water when it’s clear ..My grandson catches, gives a kiss ,then he release’s back in the water !! No Better Place or People ..also Many species of mussels that are rare ..

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

😂 glad you watched it! Yeah you seemed a little surprised.

[@anthonylawson7073]

Man I love that lake that pic in my profile that smallmouth came from Henry.Its chocked full of smallmouth and greenfish.I fished it real hard last year had days of 18 fish with my son.You think you figured a pattern out but next day their somewhere else.Its a small lake you just gotta figure the movement patterns of the fish.

[@montewarren2873]

Ott, I grew up fishing for walleye and white (stripe) bass on the Clinch and Powell Rivers during the 70’s. Locals would walk the banks and catch “stringers” of walleye before the population decline. We camped below the Clinch River Market. Thank you for the memories and great footage.

[@fabfishing7422]

Looking forward to this Brother! Blessed my heart seeing the scripture at the beginning of your last video.. Keep Rockin buddy! God bless you and your family!

[@1999tlw]

Enjoyed the video Ott. Duck River down around Centersville would make a great show. Cant wait for the next "New River" video.

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

I’ll have to try it!

[@kejaymy2001]

Thanks for taking us along on an excellent adventure! I could have easily watched another hour of you exploring this river.

[@jaythorne5208]

Y

[@adammcintyre3826]

Yes please!!! More long format like this. I’m a river fisherman and just love to watch where you are targeting and presentations etc.

[@southoutmcknight3263]

Pretty cool breakdown and you explain everything well. I liked the split screen editing.

[@christianclair5159]

This is the best video you have put out so far. I would love to see new bodies of water/rivers dissected by a Classic champ. Also what you call a red-eye, we call an Ozark Bass.

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@PICAFUMO675]

Great adventure. Thanks for share. I've learned a lot about fishing, boats and shallow water.

[@vickiebishop9613]

The Clinch River is my husband's old fishing grounds. As a boy, he and his buddies made a float boat out of truck tire innertubes and a piece of plywood. They floated the river at night fishing for bass. Thank goodness for Johnny Morris. We bought his Bass Tracker Classic with a 50 h.p. Can't wait for spring fishing but looking to find fishable winter days.. your videos are teaching us so much Thanks

[@gpharned]

Always rooting for you! Keep up the great work.

[@mikdav6734]

Good videos Ott. I always enjoy watching you. Tournaments, hunt for monster bass show and here on you tube. Your interactions with Edwin Evers and Jacob wheeler make me laugh. Seems like a good group of guys. I really liked your talk with Edwin on how you got started. Interesting. There should be more stories like that from guys. Anyway Thank you.

[@cherokeelaketennessee7895]

I've floated this section many times. Great video!

[@frankienixon9367]

You are one of my favorites been following you for a while excited

[@jansenodineal4172]

Awesome videos, keep em coming. We live between chicamauga and dale hollow and would love to see some videos in our area. I have three boys and we love watching you fish, maybe one day we will have the chance to cross paths and get a line wet. 👍

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

There’s some good water over there!

[@bestwish86]

Adventure continues. That's awesome really enjoy your videos.

[@wadeford1180]

Ott I love watching your fishing tips but I love the most is how you bring God into every aspect of your life.

[@BrianParkerson]

I had just said to myself that I'd like to see a video of Ott fishing a river and this was the first video in my recommended video feed. These are the videos I want to see! In fact, I'd love to see an entire series of Ott Defoe fishing nothing but rivers. It was very entertaining to watch how you navigate through those tricky areas on the river especially with the overhead drone footage split screen with frontal view... fantastic!!! Unfortunately we don't have many areas here in Georgia for good smallmouth but I've implemented several tactics learned from you fishing Shoal Bass on the Flint River here in Georgia. I can sincerely say you are my favorite pro fisherman, probably because of your love for fishing rivers and just your humble disposition. You couldn't represent this sport any better! Looking forward to the next "RIVER ADVENTURE with OTT DEFOE"! 👍 👍

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Those shoal bass are so cool. Really enjoy catching them. They do act very similar to our small mouth.

[@adammcintyre3826]

Yes. These are awesome (and the FLOW) vids

[@billgowan9432]

Enjoyed the video Ott. If you ever run out of places up in Tennessee I would welcome a video of you fishing the Altamaha River here in southeast Georgia.

[@tylerrauch5962]

Loved love love all of them and I am 9

[@joeg1709]

Would love to see you hit something out of the ordinary like maybe Cordell Hull around Cookeville that nobody ever goes to. Or maybe pick some little country creek you've not done and do some wading to see what you find!

[@chaseshaw3913]

U make East Tennessee proud!!!!!

[@passionateoutdoors7217]

Awesome video Ott, I’m in West Virginia u should come out and we could go on the New River would absolutely love to go out n that tin rig

[@mikekenner9218]

That is one sweet Tracker! I don't like it more than my 2020 V-19 Targa Combo TE tho . Now, when it comes to your Nitro, not even a question! Tight Lines!!

[@toddcooper3599]

Happy New Year From The Cooper's Cleburne,Texas

[@codyhead737]

Cool video!

[@mikebailey2119]

Ott, I really enjoyed your trip on the Clinch river. Even if it wasn't packed with videos of you catching bass the beautiful nature God created was awesome. I grew up in Colorado and not only fished small lakes and ponds but fished rivers for trout. It was always so exciting on the rivers because you wanted to see what great places were around the next bend. At eighteen years of age we moved to California and that is where I found my dream of wanting to be a professional bass fisherman. I love in your video how I felt like I was with you seeing and exploring the Clinch river for the first time. Awesome job on the videoing. Did you get a chance to try the spray wax on your fishing pole yet. God bless you and the family Ott.🐟🎣🇺🇸

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

It was a fun day even without catching a ton.

[@knightjordan3]

You need to come to pikeville ky and fish the levisa fork of the big sandy. Great fishing and plenty of good fish.

[@blakeramsey7256]

Keitech Easy Shiner Soft Bait, grubs as well as flukes work great on the Clinch.. I grew up on the clinch in Sneedville.. Really enjoyed your video and you are right when the river is down and water is clear fishing is slot better.. I have only caught small mouth in the river I have never caught a large mouth.

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

That’s what I was guessing. Good to hear!

[@derrickhouse7063]

A good place to fish the Clinch is in a place called Dungannon. The name of the boat ramp is "Dungannon Boat Ramp" I really like fishing it right before the spawn. The way I time it is when the trees on the mountains gets that mist of green from the bud sprouts it time to hit the Clinch. I'll use a 4 inch weightless Senko green pumpkin t-rigged. I'll cast it out and let it go with the current. Use a high vis braid to floro leader and you will see you line take off. I've caught many many 3 to 4 pound smallies doing this. There are some deeper hole with a lot of over hanging trees on this stretch of the river that can hold some big smallies in the summer when it gets hot and the water level reduces.

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Is this in TN or VA

[@derrickhouse7063]

@@OttDeFoeFishing Virginia

[@wadeford1180]

I want to see you in person...right beside you in that boat or the one with the 250 on it. I would appreciate a fishing trip with you.. there you go... you ask and I answered lol. Love ya Ott

[@BrianParkerson]

Man, to fish my local river with Ott Defoe a couple of days would be a life changing experience for sure! He fishes exactly my style!

[@billkluczkowski5226]

Good video. Would love to see you bring that jet boat up here in pa on the middle Allegheny river. Football smallmouth!

[@glenedwards3038]

Followed you for a long time and will be retiring in a couple of years and using my new bass boat much more and will love going to fish lake Douglas myself it’s only about an hour and half me us... keep giving pointers for it Ott but we also want to fish the crappie too.

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

It’s a good one!

[@mrh6201]

Hey Ott know this is old video but just ran across this. One of the best baits on the Powell and clinch is a 3/16oz-1/4oz jig head with just a fat Albert grub fished like a swimbait. Brown or with the brown red flakes. It’s like crack to fish in the river. Caught every species on the river with it.

[@jasonreynolds0040]

Great video, I have driven up that way and the water was very clear. Would love to try that one day but wouldn't dare put my fiberglass boat in it. You might also try the lower clinch below Norris or even below Melton Hill

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

I’ll be trying it again.

[@jimmycleveland1373]

Great video Ott! I have that same boat. I would love to see a detailed walkthrough, especially the livewell. Thanks!

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

It’s shot and will be posted soon.

[@jimmycleveland1373]

@@OttDeFoeFishing Thank you Ott! Love your videos! Great to see a TN guy doing well.

[@hardworkingrobhwr8555]

Since you like fishing rivers come to southern South Carolina ! After tournament schedules are done the fishing gets really good down here!

[@steveroodvoets3182]

Great video, really nice to see you sharing your faith. Would love for you to come to mich. and let me take you out on my special rivers. You could make a awesome video. let me know, we can make it happen! Steve.

[@adammcintyre3826]

Ooooh. Tell me bout your rivers 😂😂

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

What part of the world are these rivers in?

[@adammcintyre3826]

OttDeFoe I think mich = Michigan. At least that’s why I was trying to get him to spill the beans cause that’s where I am. No matter where I’d love more river videos long format! Come hit the Grand River up here in Michigan. Might catch a few salmon at the same time

[@steveroodvoets3182]

@@OttDeFoeFishing I'm up here in michigan, we have some great smallmouth rivers.

[@nathanpape9026]

Such good content.... great info, realistic conditions, no “in your face” KZbin nonsense. Keep it up Ott!

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Thanks! Gotta keep it real.

[@mikewilliams7728]

Even in dirty water I’ve had luck catching smallies on 4” stick worm Texas rigged with small pinch on weight a foot up in those quieter rapids.

[@ScruffyCityFishing]

You talking about the water being dirty and wanting to throw bigger lures... I was on a really high and muddy little pigeon one day. Only thing they would eat was a tube. Not sure how they could even find it.

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Crazy how they can find stuff like that

[@middletnpyro]

we need more river content!

[@mickybullard2867]

Come to North Carolina fish the cape fear river in spring I'd love to fish with you on that boat good tips on how to fish rivers may God bless

[@SKyNeT948]

Ott you gotta fish with Richard Gene the fishing machine not only is it good fer ya! He and you would slam some nice fish and make us laugh!!!!!

[@BASSnBEER]

Love these videos in the jet boat, we fished a new river a week or so ago on my channel in the jet boat, I'd about guarentee you would recognize it!!

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Yes I do! Watched it the other day.

[@brandonburker7330]

U gonna have to come up here to the Shenandoah river

[@brettreece3578]

Maybe try the nolichuckey in Greenville TN and head up river. You can go quiet a long way in a jet boat. Be interesting to see. It’s quiet a bit different than the lower end. Several boat ramps in greeneville.

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

It’s on my list for sure.

[@hollerboyzoutdoors4645]

Hate that the water was muddy on your trip we live right on the river and have fished it all our lives caught some really good fish would be very appreciative if you came back up and fish with us we will give you the grand tour

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

I plan on coming back.

[@kayakingfooltennessee1037]

Lol, brought to you (accidentally) by bonafide kayaks.

[@BrianParkerson]

😂... I thought the same thing. I'm sure Bonafide wouldn't mind a bit Ott Defoe endorsing them! lol

[@btmbass8558]

Love seeing river fishing like this! Do you think a propped flat bottom would fair well on this River?

[@meyouknow1226]

Tube!! War Eagle!

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

I see you also utilize the USGS water system data;as do I.The next generation page is great,& I actually took surveys and gave input on the new,new one theyre designing for Beta testing..Been watching and sharing on Twitter,bud!

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

It’s a great resource

[@gaverick73]

Make a trip to the Elk or Duck rivers, they are significantly better than the upper Clinch.

[@stevenlawson7387]

Did you make it back up to the Kayak entry ramp (Kyles Ford) where you initially tried to put in? There is some really good fishing above and below the bridge there. Hopefully this trip didn’t leave too bad a taste in your mouth and hope to see you back over there sometime soon. I really enjoy your videos and have to give you big props for always giving glory to God! Best of luck and tight lines 🎣

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Yes I did. About 2 miles past it maybe was where we turned around. It was probably close to 20 miles by water

[@troyseal9877]

I floated much of the clinch from 25e bridge up years ago before kayak fishing was big. The numbers are good but the size isn't what the Holston Chucky or Broad has. It's prettier though.

[@uswings9246]

can you do a video about Lake Murray ,SC?

[@meyouknow1226]

Try upper Potomac River around Brunswick Maryland pig smallmouth. Few more rocks

[@lukebranson8858]

Ott what winter gloves do you use? I'm struggling on finding the right glove for the job

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

The Buff with full fingers are my go to in winter. They are thin but warm enough to do the job.

[@andrewdotson2851]

I heard you reference fishing other larger rivers during summer time. Would you typically be throwing the same baits this time of year on the Holston or French Broad that you used on the Clinch?

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Yes. Bomb craw and bladed jig. Would have used top water too if it was clearer.

[@jbeckoutdoors8991]

Really Cool video! What lb of line do you use for the drop shot?

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Usually 8lb leader 10lb main braid.

[@Unknownuser_1954]

I live in Middle Tennessee East of Nashville a pro vs joes series would be cool. J wheels Andy Morgan and you vs 3 of us followers.

[@ScruffyCityFishing]

Hey Ott! Never made the drive up there with my kayak, but really enjoy the rivers around Knoxville. Do you ever fish the 3 rivers area? I live so close to it, but rarely catch good fish there.

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Yes I have. It’s good at times. They live there but not easy to catch!

[@ScruffyCityFishing]

OttDeFoe thanks for the reply. There are certain times in the spring when you can catch white bass every cast, but the lm and sm seem to be on a hardcore diet in that area lol! I’ll keep plugging away at it... I always thought an area with 2 major rivers joining was home to giants. Keep up the great videos!

[@phil5761]

What do you have on the spinning rod as far as bait goes?

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

VMC rugby head with a stik o worm. Good river bait!

[@jacobking96]

I’m from the Kyle’s ford area!

[@robertjennings3063]

What rod u use for the bomb craw? i been fishing it mostly on a 6 6 heavy baitcasting.

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

I typically use a spinning rod in the 7’1” medium Bass Pro Platinum. I do flip it on bait casting gear too. On spinning i use it on a VMC rugby head 1/8 or 3/16 oz

[@robertjennings3063]

@@OttDeFoeFishing Thank you sir!

[@anthonylawson7073]

Great video Ott .Man I hate fishing muddy water in the warmer months on the river .Basically gotta hit them in the head to get them to bite.Just curious have you ever fished Patrick Henry Lake?

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

I’ve not.

[@toddwinegar7365]

Don't waste your time, I am 42 lived n K town my whole life, my papaw loved Patrick Henry but he liked to jug fish for cat's. Anyways if you fish Kingsport just stick to the river and you will do better. I don't know why Patrick Henry isn't any better lord knows above and below the lake are fire but the lake itsself is trash. awesiome stuff I am a river guy needless to say.

[@randypooley4811]

So did you go back after it stabilized an cleared up? Or is this they run you made when it was real muddy

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

I’ve not been back. I may again in the future.

[@randypooley4811]

@@OttDeFoeFishing im waiting for this fall for the upper end of Holston them log jams Flippin an froggin man theys big green fish in that place

[@chuckratcliff2429]

Ott have you ever fished the new river in West Virginia?

[@brandyg5639]

What were the white things that came from the left and right around the 34:20 (left side) and the right was around 34:55 mark? 😂

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Not sure!

[@patrickmahoney3479]

Have you fished the ocoee or the hiwasse rivers?

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

No I’ve not. Want to some time!

[@zgambler1]

great vid...if you dont mindi would like to offer some positive criticism..grew up fishing creeks and small rivers for trout they act just like bass in a river fish a quartering cast in the riffles thats where they feed if they arent there keep moving until you get bit in the riffels dont fish straight down or straight up it is not natural..give a shout and i will explain thanks

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Very true. I do use a quartering cast a lot as well. They like the drifting

[@richjones9962]

Could you please do a boat tour of your rig?thanks

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

We did. It’s just not up yet. Will be soon!

[@adammcintyre3826]

I was here in the comments looking for this exact information!

[@kylebuss4623]

Would like to float that river

[@BluntTruth7]

Bring a push pole.

[@brockberry3441]

There are gar in the clinch

[@robertveith2571]

I live here in west Virginia I like to go fishing with you seems like you could put a person on the fish have you ever thought of being a guide

[@marshalldouglas6048]

Could you put contact info for the dealership that put that boat together please? Appreciate your anticipated help, thanks!

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Here’s the guys info. Mike Watson [phone] give him a call or text!

[@blackedoutgst]

Clinch river in VA?

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

TN

[@anglingnvirginia1346]

1:28 man that person was tailgating u bad! I can’t stand that

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

Whatcha gonna do??? 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@JeffreyAlpaugh]

a kayak ramp is the dumbest thing ever.why not just make a boat ramp, its easier and cheaper.

[@edmelungeon2239]

What rod is that you are throwing the bladed jig on? Custom?

[@OttDeFoeFishing]

It’s a Bass Pro cranking stick. 7’ MH.