Free Fishing Classes From CFF
If you want to find the definition of the "perfect student," simply find the nearest fisherman.
We are all constantly seeking knowledge... whether it's watching our favorite fishing show on TV, hanging out at the bait & tackle shop, or trolling by another angler on the lake and asking, "Are you wearin' 'em out?"
That, we know, is well-disguised as a simple way to make polite conversation when you cross over into another angler's personal space. But if we are all honest with ourselves, this is the answer we really want to hear.
"Yea, we've got 22 bass over 5 pounds apiece. We've caught every one of them on this purple rubber jig. Here, take some... I've got plenty. Twelve of bass came off that rock point right there (as he points across the lake) and the other ten we caught on a 15-foot deep hump just downriver. Hold on a minute and I'll write down the GPS coordinates for you."
How many times has that happened to you?
I ask rhetorically because I know the answer... NEVER! The answer is always, "We've caught a few," or "Naw, we haven't done a bit of good."
Yet we continue to ask the question over and over, constantly seeking the knowledge we know will never come.... that is, unless you frequent the Chattanooga Fishing Forum (www.ChattanoogaFishingForum.com).
There is something magical about the Internet. It is driven my man's primitive desire to brag about his catch or kill. It is a modern-day version of the American Indian's dance around the campfire the night after a successful buffalo hunt. Or the more modern myth of the successful deer hunter's urge to drive around town with a big buck stretched across the hood of the truck.
Nowadays successful hunters and fishermen simply take a spin around the Internet, an "electronic campfire," usually with digital pictures of their catch or kill. Fishermen in particular are finding the Chattanooga Fishing Forum the biggest and best electronic campfire of all. With nearly 2,400 registered users (at this writing) and tens of thousands of non-registered visitors (better known as "lurkers"), the Internet-based fishing forum is coming to rival many similar national forums.
Just because it carries the word "Chattanooga" in its name, doesn't mean it is confined to Southeast Tennessee.
Here is a post from an angler who goes by the screen name PaperGod - I just wanted to take a minute to comment on the excellent quality of this site and the posts contained here. I don't know of any other fishing site with this combination of quality and quantity of reporting anywhere and I am constantly looking for good sources of timely fishing information. Like most of you, I spend a TON of money on this hobby ... the thing that is impossible to buy is up-to-date local knowledge and here it is, free for the asking.
That's just a few of many similar posts from anglers in Knoxville, Huntsville, Atlanta, Nashville and Memphis. CFF has garnered a following from throughout the country that continues to grow. And they're finding that even if they don't fish the Tennessee River reservoirs in the immediate Chattanooga area, what they're learning on the Forum will translate to other sections of the massive Tennessee River, or virtually any other body of water in a nearby latitude.
CFF users invariably give out more specific fishing details than you will find virtually anywhere in the world.... you may not actually get free lures or GPS coordinates, but many reports come close.
Here are a couple of samples:
Filed by 2jigs, 2/12/2008 - We got to the beautiful lake Guntersville & put in @ Mud Creek around 10:00am. Fished around up to the last little offset on the very left as you leave Mud C. throwing red XR50's & about everthing I had at them, with nota to show for it. Started down the bank setting in the middle of the creek at the start of the S turns. Throwing up in to 2-3 ft. of water. The Cat man (Tracy Simmions) turns & says "It's time for the fish killer!". From that point forward I should have sat back & watched the Cat Man Show. He did offer me the front of the boat & even one of his (Fish Killers) which as it turned out was a fat boy shallow crank that runs about 1-4 ft. And it was a sparkly bluish green on top with white sides & a red bottom, I think Norman Lures makes them. He would twitch it over & over threw the water slowly, letting off when it started getting into the grass & repeat over & over. We had a total of 14 bass with the best 5 right around 18.5Lbs. Water temps were pretty steady at 50-52 degrees. Hope this helps & good luck.
After a post asking for tips on catching catfish, Outcaster writes - Get out to the nuclear plant on Chickamauga Lake at sun-up. Stay to the red bouy side of the channel. Use a hefty rod with 20 lb. line, a 1 oz. bank sinker, 6.0 octopus circle hook tied about 12 inches up from the sinker. Use large live or dead minnows, 3-4 inches long . Some folks are using cut raw chicken breast meat. Drop your line to the bottom. Drift around... you will get bit.
While not officially organized or sanctioned by CFF, forum members frequently organize picnics, "map reading" dinners, fishing trips and tournaments. And not just bass tournaments but fun tournaments for catfish, crappie, event bluegill. Upcoming events including Crappiefest 2008 (March 22) and Crackerfest 2008 (May 10th shellcracker tournament geared toward kids).
Whether it's fishing tips and techniques, boat motor advice, equipment for sale (or to sell), or product reviews and those always-fun, "Off Topic Discussions," pay a visit to www.ChattanoogaFishingForum.com. You'll be glad you did.
