I'm going to do that. Thanks for the heads up.

I'm looking to fill a freezer more than catch the elusive big one. I think this is going to be a lot of fun and provide a lot of dinners.

The news said to stop eating all fish in our waters. Mercury was too high. Last month they said to only eat one fish a month! Now they are sayin not any. Local news. I think it was 48 news

When you approach the dam, look for the wall that separates the spillways from the turbines. Stop about 20 yards from that wall and try to position the boat on the edge of the current. Done right, you will get into an eddy that will slowly spin your boat 360 degrees. That is where I usually get my first bite. The bigger fish are closer to the anchor towers. The biggest ones I've seen are caught by the brave ones that fish the caves closest to the turbines.

Properly anchored right there with a decent amount of generating and you could catch a 10lb plus stripe every cast with a big plastic sassy shad a decade ago. Make sure you have a BIG float on your anchor so you can cut it loose if things get squirrely. I used an old air tank.

Done right you will be looking directly up that wall from downstream and not quite be able to cast onto it. On your right will be a sure enough rip and on the left will be slack. Where the fast and slack water meet will hold serious fish if there's plenty of bait present and there usually is.

BC put in at Ditto landing it's a great area with plenty of room. Short boat trip to the Dam.

I will check it out brother. Thanks.

I have been trophy catfishing there my whole life. It is some of the best fishing I've ever seen for big cats. My favorite way to fish for them is to pull up into one of the holes going under the dam and tie off with the nose of my boat sticking out. Use a 6oz weight and a big chunk of skipjack and get ready. Anchoring on the edge of the current is really good in spots. Just look for a hole, a big rock, or any structure that might break the current and anchor just above it. 50lbers are pretty common and have caught a lot much bigger than that. I'm actually going in the morning to give it a try. I always photo and release anything over 10lbs. Good luck. You'll have a blast.

Well I made my first trip to Wheeler below Guntersville Dam today. Brought home about 15 eater cats between 2 and 8 lbs and thought I had a giant on about mid afternoon but it turned out to be a 15 lb drum. Ran a few jugs to the left of the turbines by the spillway after dark but only wound up catching one about 5 lbs.

Man you lose a lot of tackle up there. I left a pile of lead and 6/0 circle hooks on the bottom today. Is there any trick to not losing so much tackle lol? I started vertical drifting with a heavier weight and when I felt it hit bottom I would crank the weight off the bottom. It helped some.


My little buddy Jackson.

Use a 3 way swivel & old spark plugs for weight. There should be plenty at your local auto repair shop. Many years ago when I drifted below Wilson we wouldn't use any weight, just a hook & bait.

Looks like a fun time. BC, we call that "Bumping Bottom" and you'll always lose tackle. Some of my cousins have been fishing like that at least since the dam was built. I know of 3 generations that are cat fishing machines. They know where a few holes are and will anchor to fish those holes. Even while anchored they bump bottom. These guys catch everything from 5lb to 100lb fish and are good at it.

Yep, doesn't matter how good you are or how long you've done it, you'll lose tackle bumpin bottom for cats.

I ordered me two molds (no roll and bank sinkers) so I can mold my own. I can get lead for a little of nothing. Better than paying 8-10 bucks for 6 bank sinkers and losing 15 in a day.

I quit bottom bumping a long time ago. Now I keep my weight about 3' off the bottom.

Tell me more.


You using a big bobber? Getting better results? I thought about drifting in the swift water about 10-12 feet deep but never did it.

When I start my drift, I let the weight go all the way to the bottom, then crank the reel three times. Rod goes into the rod holder and I set the clicker and leave the spool open (Abu 6500's). Catfish will rise to the bait and I rarely snag anymore. That clicker going off is the best music I can listen too on the boat.

Next time I go I'm trying that. I've got clickers on several of my reels.

I like to drop the trolling motor or put motor in gear and slow my drift down enough to bump straight down during the drift.

Anyone ever tried a slip float there? I'm thinking that's another viable option and you can make a dozen or so with $2 worth of pool noodles and coffee straws. Set the depth to 12 feet and you are good to go.

Like this one?





I didn't weigh him but he was probably closer to 35 or so. Caught another one in the 12-15 lb range.

Dang it. I knew with the water being released I should have went this weekend and not scouted for deer. Good job!