Labman, Chickamauga, Bass, 08/11/2010, solo

[FishNews]

Got out about 6:15 and ran to an off channel ledge and drop. Marked tons of bait and plenty of fish. Could not get a shallow bite going up on the ledge in 13-15 ', tried most every technique and they just would not hit. Dropped over the edge and caught a couple of dinks on gulp minnow on dropshot rig. Tried jigging spoon and caught a cat and the smallest crappie I have seen. Maybe 4", but he liked the spoon, lol. After an hour of frustration I decided to move on. There was virtually no current so perhaps that was the turnoff.<br /><br />Hit some weeds off deep water to try a little frog and johnson silver minnow with trailer on top and shallow. Nothing at all. Finally gave that up and decided to head up river and try to find some new fish. I hit main channel ledge area that was about 10' on top and dropped down to 30 in steps. Loaded with fish. Had a screen shot, but the split screen had my GPS location on the map, so no post, lol. <br /><br />I started with my trusty grn/yellow gulp 4" minnow on a drop shot. Started catching bass at the 24' level. Action was pretty good, with the largest fish coming from 30'. I hooked 13 bass there and landed 11. Two did the early release thing when I brought them to the boat a little green and they jumped and threw the hook. I have to remember to play them out deep and then bring them up. If they jump there is a good chance of them coming off.<br />Some pretty nice fish, with the largest at 3# +. I think they averaged a little larger then my previous trip.<br /><br />The fish seem to be on these drop areas from 20-30' and will hit if you get a bait down to them. Just have to keep looking for active fish.<br /><br />Regards, Labman