These GIANT Fish Are CLOSER To The Bank Than We Think

When the current is just right, jigging a big spoon is the "go to" lure to catch a variety of fish. Freshwater drum are very common to catch anywhere between 10-15 lbs, but catching that smallmouth bass pushing right at 5 lbs was something I'll never forget.
When: May 5, 2018
Where: Chickamauga Dam, Tennessee River
Time: 3:30pm - 5:15pm
Current Level: 12,000 cfs
Lure: 3/4 oz. cotton cordell jigging spoon
Tackle: Medium Heavy 7' Shakespere Ugly Stik rod with a Quantum Optix OP40 spinning reel spooled with 20 lb monofilament line
Method: Fishing from the bank
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Chatt Cats Fishing encourages Freedom of Speech. But please be mindful, respectful, and appropriate with your comments; otherwise, the comments will be removed (i.e. foul language, vulgarity, etc.).

[@kamriley8031]

Hey i was that kid and thx for that spoon and that was a nice small mouth and so many drum👍👍

[@ChattCats]

It was nice meeting you. Thanks again for helping me with the scale. Hope you catch some lunkers this year. FISH ON!!

[@kamriley8031]

Thx I'll try to catch em if u dont catch em all

[@kenslater4823]

Chatt Cats Fishing u cant call a fish yhat comes off hook in water a good release thats u losing the fish not releasing him

[@kenslater4823]

Devonta Hargrove cant call itna release if u didnt land it

[@nickymiceli2746]

Ken Slater it’s called quick release. I love quick releases because I don’t have to handle the fish

[@dudeam7525]

I have the same spoon & it catches plenty of fish! Best tackle bait ever hands down 💯

[@peterpatitucci5382]

That’s cool you hooked up that young kid with your fishing lore.

[@mbb-pr4zc]

At least 3-3.5! Lol! Love that guy🤣

[@RandyPresnell]

giving that kid the lure was wicked cool got you at least 1 subscriber good show of sportsmanship the way everyone crowded you and instead of getting pissed you played the crowd gave up the hole and then give the kid your weapon im impressed sir

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching, Randy!

[@Kroogg]

Went there yesterday using this technique. Caught a 17" small mouth and over a dozen drum, biggest was 15 pound. Thanks for the video.

[@ChattCats]

Good job! It's a great spot when the conditions are right.

[@thewayitisyup3959]

Is a big spoon. The fish are hitting the shiny part and the hook is catching them when you pull up, just not in the mouth. You still caught the fish, nice catches. Pay no attention to the couch fishermen, their just jealous. Haters gonna hate.

[@ChattCats]

Thanks man!

[@pureblood3127]

A catch is a catch .

[@scottreynolds7431]

I know in Texas the hook has to be within 1 inch of the mouth to not be considered snagged but that's Texas

[@migogang7498]

Great catches..... Awesome sportsmanship for giving the kid your spoon jigg....👍👍👍👍

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@garyanddoris6022]

Truly enjoyed the fishing adventure...

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@bertlambert3817]

That spoon lure will be his best lure from now on!...hope Jo Jo makes some videos with it soon!!

[@bryanblack526]

Looks like it may be a prime place for Channel Cat...

[@sammysimpson8652]

You should do a catch and cook with fresh water drum

[@ChattCats]

Not a bad idea.

[@manuelramirez5856]

Drum n yellow belly catfish unda rated

[@Realwobbler]

Great catches! That is so true! They come close to the bank to feed. We even caught a 70 kg/ 154 wels catfish at our feet in March.

[@ChattCats]

Wow, that's awesome!

[@AllySmiles201]

Thank you for releasing.

[@robertanderson5795]

Looks like you snagged all the fish!! With that said that some fun fighting

[@joeb5619]

I use rods like that and smaller for large paddle fish. I will be putting some vids up for the first time this spring. Nice video drums are always fun to catch.

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@TNRVG]

I saw an absolute #MONSTER of a catfish just 4 feet from shore next to a fallen tree today! Sometimes the big ones are right in front of you lol!!!

[@dirtyneedles77]

Looks like a great little trip. If I get to venture down that way I'll be trying that river for sure.

[@ChattCats]

I don't think you will be disappointed. Thanks for watching!

[@bojaiden5175]

I live in California and I can't believe a place where the fishes get this big still exists

[@Fins-Scales-and-Tales]

That is a PIG! Beautiful Fish. I love that place!!!

[@jermainelandrum8364]

warron7 where's this at

[@Nastyfinger1444]

The drum are very good to eat.

[@ChattCats]

That's what I've heard.

[@ibefishingtv7574]

That was a huge drum, also a nice smallmouth man👍. Score that drum about three times on each side, add some butter, old bay, garlic powder and onions, wrap him in foil then toss him on that grill. Oh man, trust me you will not regret it. Keep catching my dude, GREAT VID!

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching! Tight lines and FISH ON!!

[@flea8332]

lol good release good release that one got away was not a release.... great fishing

[@shawncoram09]

Hey man many nice fish and I'm not far from you so nice to see big fish so close to home

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching man!

[@normanedwards8552]

Yeah I once drove up to a spot on a low water dam at dawn to see a huge flsthead catfish about 10ft from the bank who was probably feeding then he swam off.

[@ChattCats]

Flatheads are the kings of the river!

[@delon1299]

Norman Edwards LCD

[@kenyates4616]

Drums are the same as carp here I think. Nice one!

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@timwashington824]

I really enjoy watching you fish chief

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@richardmills6084]

He wasn't snagging, that is a jigging spoon. So many people with no sense at all online.

[@petenunnery2292]

Hey...I love when you fish that area. I can't wait to go fishing later...Hello from the desert Joe.

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@geezersbassin2567]

You called that spot out. Definitely holding a good one!

[@TurboRanger351]

Thats awsom bro, I think the bite is back

[@ChattCats]

Water temp was 64 degrees.

[@TurboRanger351]

Water temperature was 64.8 today also.

[@j.t.cooper2963]

Awesome. I've caught a lot of fish on those same lures. I always have them with me. I also use the smaller one too.

[@nickhammer8594]

Works great for snagging fish. Didn’t see anyone caught in the mouth.

[@ChattCats]

Hey Nick! The last drum was hooked in the mouth.

[@jayweezy2496]

the Drum was, but the rest were snagged

[@dreamchasing7313]

Great fishing as always keep up the great videos

[@antero.jrsarreal8116]

CATCH and RELEASE FISHING, ONLY in America. CONGRATULATION ***. I missed fishing that gave me lots of fun to spent with nature beauty and abundance. GOOD LUCK. THANKS on video.😀

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@naturesadventures909]

After fishing down there for over 35 years, I have never used a jigging spoon just for this reason. The fish run up against that wall chasing the Shad run and when you're yanking a treble hooked lure up and down, you're going to snag 9 out of every 10 fish you catch. There's other ways to fish and catch some really nice ones without using treble hooks and you usually hook them in the mouth. Sorry if I'm sounding like a jerk, but I hate to see nice fish get their skin all ripped up from treble hooks.

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for the feedback. If you know me and watch my videos, you will see that I do my best to practice and promote safe angling and catch, photo, release on all trophy class fish. I've done this jigging technique for a few years now with much smaller spoons and have not snagged fish. Most of the time, I am catching drum down there. This was my first time using this big flashy spoon. The big shad were running hard against that wall that day so my thought was to match the lure with the size of the bait. Please know that my intent was not to snag fish. When the flow is running hard, I like to free-line shad in the spillway holes and catch some catfish. Thanks for watching!

[@naturesadventures909]

Chatt Cats Fishing I know that it's usually not anybody's intent to foul Hook Fish, if they are a responsible fisherman. But I see it a lot and I've seen a lot of nice Bass have their skin ripped wide open from jigging spoons. I know it's not illegal if you're not purposely snagging, it's just not good for the fish. If you use a dip net or small throw net and catch some 3 to 4 inch sad and put them on a number two to number for hook and use just enough weight to keep it under the water about 10 to 15 feet down you can catch some really nice Smalley's there. I caught one over eight pounds 10 years ago using that method.

[@naturesadventures909]

Shad not sad

[@ChattCats]

I'll give that a try! Thanks for the suggestion.

[@trinkladd]

Nice fish!!

[@ChattCats]

Thanks!

[@Batheify]

great color too

[@Yourused]

So I usually go snagging at least 100 yards below the dams. However this trick is slick. I lost 3 spoons today due to only having 20 lb braid on my rod and the buffalo and Asian carp were way over 20. The workers at the dam I was at today came out to watch me it was a blast.

[@ChattCats]

Smallmouth buffalo fight HARD!

[@Yourused]

Chatt Cats Fishing when the storm front came through Sunday we were catching a lot of Flatheads. Those little Annoying striped bass where the bait. They were not as big as what you catch but it was fun. I would also pay you to take me and my wife out fishing one time. We are only a few hours away and we also fish the Tennessee River

[@ChattCats]

I do trips through my patreon page at www.patreon.com/chattcats

[@Yourused]

Chatt Cats Fishing done. Thanks

[@PaulMcCartGuitarTracks]

I fish the spillways in NE Ohio. I think the bigger fish tend to be drawn there. I've caught Muskie, Walleye and Big cats. Some big bass as well.

[@ChattCats]

That's awesome! I hope to catch a muskie one day.

[@tommeboy3334]

Wow! The water sure is not running like last week there!

[@ChattCats]

Conditions can change very quick.

[@talmagecenters5831]

I love those lures

[@geraldjohnson674]

Them drum can be real fun to catch their closely related to the saltwater reddish that are popular to catch and eat dont sleep on them drum my dude

[@ChattCats]

Yep, fun to catch, especially on light tackle.

[@walrusfest]

Dang Joe! Killer smallie!

[@kukuhtokek2710]

At the same spot 👍🏻👍🏻

[@acunits7728]

Nice snag!

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@ronyeahright9536]

The.......don't be a hater, son.

[@Kroogg]

Great video as always

[@RustyShacklefardd]

I love how when I fish that exact same spot all I catch is rocks

[@ChattCats]

Timing is everything. That little spot right there is good when the water is down.

[@indiana146]

Lovely bass pal

[@twenty4music]

Nice Small! I count it even if the hook ain't in the mouth. Wish it was more TX lakes with good Smallies! 😓

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching! Hope you catch a GIANT smallie one day. Tight lines!

[@markupton1831]

I know those other guys fishing are glad you left lol!!! Because you were the only one catching anything! How dare you!!!! And filmed it too!

[@ChattCats]

Haha. There's some great fishing down there.

[@Slammy555]

It's funny when you're catching drum then move to find some game fish and people would swarm the spot thinking you were giving up a good area.

[@prtbone78]

They should have not casted so close after fish on leave the man some space lol. Hatersssss

[@jeffmorris8768]

JOE, I want to commend you on the way you reply to your subscriber,s comment,s,when sometime,s they may be a little bit on the hurting side.None of us are perect by no mean,s,me included.Were all here trying our best to make it through this world we live in.Keep doing what you do best and don,t worry about a few thumb,s down.Truth be known,it,s probably someone who wishe,s they could do what you do.I,VE noticed everytime someone say,s something a little bit cutting to LUKE on cat,s and carp he immedietly fire,s back at them in a hateful manner.You don,t and it,s noticeable.Stay focused on what you do and keep pressing forward.Im going to go fishing down your way with my 90 year old dad this next weekend for 3 day,s and night,s and see if we can break the 65 pounder he landed last month down there.

[@ChattCats]

Hey Jeff - Thanks for the kind words. I do the best I can to educate and promote safe angling techniques. I always try to respond positively to the comments. After all, we are all learning how to become better anglers. Hope you have a great time with your dad. Good luck!

[@ntc3gtr]

I personally dont count any fish that I accidently foul hook. I only count fish that take the bait or lure in the mouth no matter how Big.!

[@thecatdaddyexperience1222]

You ever ate a drum? Real good white fluffy goodness

[@ChattCats]

No, but I've heard they taste good.

[@shrekandfiona69]

Snagging is illegal in Minnesota

[@cadenstuart744]

shrekandfiona69 who said anything about snagging?

[@damondiehl5637]

Poor man's lobster if you boil it with a bay leaf.

[@delano62]

It's jigging.

[@ferdieg_q1890]

Good catch! nice color too!!

[@waxer12g87]

We call those drums "dinner" up here in the Ky. Nice spot brah.

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@trinkladd]

Nice catch brother!

[@ChattCats]

Thanks man!

[@Countryboy85tn]

Great video and beautiful fish

[@ChattCats]

Thanks, James!

[@lead5s]

beautiful bronzeback

[@perchjerker4161]

looks like a good way to get in a tight spot with the wardens I wouldn't chance it

[@falseprofit4u]

Good mentor for the young man

[@konasteph]

nice! that guy is so non professional (has nothing to do with unprofessional, no its all good!) Just like the fishing outing should be ...equipment, simple but hell it all works and maximum fun and surprise, how the fish go for it one after another...Just great! thanks!!! Was totally worth watching!

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@tylerwalker2565]

Loved this video, I follow your channel and watch your videos almost every time they're posted. Congrats on the huge smallie.... I fish that wall alot myself & have caught several nice cats on shiners and shad. Odd question, but are the skipjack running yet below the dam?

[@ChattCats]

There are a few skipjack here and there but not in large numbers.

[@overtheedge9298]

It looks like the guy with the spinner bait wants to dump you in the river. He needs to change his lure.

[@ChattCats]

Haha.

[@davidwilson8800]

Nice smallie I guess if that other person fishing could stand on your shoulders they would

[@ChattCats]

It's always crowded down there. Thanks for watching!

[@MuskyHans]

Nice smallmouth bass and drum

[@helenaroecks9265]

Were the other guys even catching anything or just you? And awesome that you gave that little guy your lure. Nice video!

[@ChattCats]

Not sure... Thanks for watching!

[@justinwilliams9452]

I would have thrown in that shade u got in the beginning

[@pescandoconloscompasdivers184]

Nice video bro, I am subscribe !

[@ChattCats]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@joebuck66]

Great video

[@davidwilson8800]

He doesn't look like he's snagging to me but even if he is he's not in Minnesota I've seen guys snagging shad in Maryland at the Conowingo Dam

[@ChattCats]

Conowingo has some big flatheads.

[@motech1093]

People started moving in on you fishing in your same spot

[@ChattCats]

It's usually crowded down there.

[@nashguy207]

OMG what a small mouth never would of guessed you would of caught a small mouth in that location and on a spoon of all things beautiful Tennessee smallmouth you definitely vaught your share of drum Would the yellow bass work well cut up for catfish?

[@ChattCats]

I was surprised to catch it. I've never tried yellow bass for catfish. I have used white bass though - it's a great live bait for flatheads.

[@myrnaswanson3841]

those "Yellow Bass" are a White perch and they are awesome cut or live bait for Big monster cats. They are tops for our big Blue Cats here on the Santee Cooper Res. here in SC.

[@shannonfisher5924]

People always think this but logically they lay eggs as close to shore as possible

[@scottbunning6737]

There she goes

[@ChattCats]

Back to the depths!

[@CMSKA1]

Do that with a dropshot

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for the tip.

[@thecatdaddyexperience1222]

They’re closer to the bank this time of the year due to the bait running. We catch loads of 15-40 lb fish never any bigger at the dam I frequent in Ky onthe Ohio river. But once that bait stops it’s annual “run” it’s over for closeness.

[@ChattCats]

It can be quite the rush to catch some monsters there.

[@andrewparnell1265]

Dude nice smallie.

[@josuemartinez340]

I live near chatt I live in dalton have you ever caught anything over here

[@ChattCats]

No.

[@bubbagrant2473]

Nice smallmouth man

[@ChattCats]

Thanks!

[@jrisky7201]

What dam is this?? Great smallies

[@ChattCats]

Chickamauga Dam Thanks for watching!

[@brianchristopher3816]

3 1/2 says his buddy! totally undercutting him. Sheesh!

[@KeepingUpWLeland]

How do you feel when people fish over you lol

[@ChattCats]

It's not that bad. It's common down there for people to fish right around you. It gets really crowded on the weekends.

[@allanpineda8664]

Old dude hated and said your bass was 3 lbs lol

[@ChattCats]

Haha.

[@jokervbatman5023]

Hey what do i use to catch fresh drum? And what kind of water to cast in for drum. Fast water ? Or slack water?

[@ChattCats]

I typically catch drums on cut shad or jigging spoons. Below a dam is where I catch most of mine.

[@anthonyridge2323]

Nice vid. Drives me nuts how if you catch a fish or two how people will come and literally fish right on top of you like that.

[@ChattCats]

It's very common down there. That railing is always packed with people.

[@northgahomestead]

I live about 10 minutes away from this spot. Is it like that all over the rocks too or just where the turbines are?

[@ChattCats]

When the water is low, yes.

[@summerscott1240]

Where is this ?

[@Kroogg]

I've seen a lot of comments about foul hooking the fish. That is not the intent, personally I caught over a dozen last night using this technique. Yes, some were foul hooked most around the mouth area. They are going for the jig, with the current and the timing foul snags will happen. This is not a normal throw your line out technique. It works in this area and is a lot of fun, try it before you knock it.

[@rockygrant2381]

Nice small mouth , nice meeting you. Keep your lines wet!

[@ChattCats]

Thanks, Rocky! Nice meeting you too. FISH ON!!

[@alexaldrich9208]

I've been to that spot your at one time but I didn't have any luck

[@ChattCats]

Typically does well when there is one generator on.

[@alexaldrich9208]

Chatt Cats Fishing Well I was there all night but I don't know if the generator was on

[@robertgildea2841]

I am watching from Elmira NY how big was your personal best fresh water drum?

[@ChattCats]

Around 20 lbs

[@cybordeath8075]

How odd o have that same 8ft rod with the quantum optix 60. Your running the quantum optix 40 right?

[@ChattCats]

Yes.

[@scottwhaley4585]

Where you just bumping that spoon of the bottom with the current

[@ChattCats]

Yes.

[@thomasporter117]

Nice haul! Have you had any luck with the skipjack down there?

[@ChattCats]

Thanks, Thomas! I've caught a few skipjack the other day, it's been very slow. The threadfin shad are running pretty thick though.

[@southpawyeti6039]

i live in Oklahoma and have caught ALOT of fish on that exact same lure

[@ChattCats]

It's a good jigging spoon.

[@FishingWithChris_Tv]

Do you use a heavier leader line than your main?

[@ChattCats]

When catfishing yes. The heavier leader line just simply adds more abrasion resistance.

[@toddbennett8670]

How were you able to fish from the side there next to the dam? Every time I’ve gone the park security has run me off saying I can’t be down there

[@ChattCats]

Wow, really? Tons of people fish down there every day. The only time I know you are not to be down there on the sidewalk is when the flood gates are open. The park ranger will put up yellow tape.

[@adamparsons1725]

Thats a GREAT work out! Ripping them,werent you? Nice Video Sir!

[@ChattCats]

Thanks for watching!

[@adamparsons1725]

NO PROBLEM! You are in my back yard. Soddy Daisy here! Use to slay them pretty regularly myself,back in the day. Your videos are like therapy for me! Hard to get out there due to Multiple Sclerosis....But you inspire me to give it a go, DESPITE the BS factor being so high! I am getting there, slow but sure! Watching these videos sort of bridge the gap between actually doing it AND reliving some GREAT memories. So thanks SOOOO much,SIR!

[@juvenalholguinjr2132]

Did you actually lip hook any? It was more like snagging with that spoon then fishing just saying!

[@ChattCats]

A few of the fish were hooked in the mouth. Sometimes you will snag or foul hook them, especially if they are stacked in there thick as flies. Please know my intent was not to snag fish. I've done this jigging technique for a few years now with smaller spoons. The bigger shad were running that day so I was matching the size of the lure with the size of the bait.

[@lyndellevans5761]

This guy isnt jigging. Notice that none of the fish were hook in the mouth? Thats because what this guy is really doing is called snagging. You get to a dam or spillway where the water is moving pretty good. I used good sized treble hook. From a size 2 to a size 0. I'd close off the terminal of an old spark plug and tie it off at the end of the line. About 6 inches up from the sparkplug, I'd Take the hook and double the string and put the pointed loop thru the eye of the hook expand the loop by sliding more string thru the eye. Pull the loop over the whole hook and pull it tight. Noow take the spark plug end of string and twist the string enough to make loop and slide this loop over one of the hooks on the treblehook. This will stabilize the hook better. Drop your weight in the water and tighten your line up til you just feel that weight just hitting bottom. The fish will be rolling in the current of The water. When you feel a fish hit time line you pull uponyour line and snag the fish. Sorting cheating, but it will put food on the table. Love y'all.

[@ChattCats]

Interesting.