We are fishing mainly offshore flats adjacent to the main river on Chickamauga lake. The pattern has been consistent for the past 2.5 months. New and Full moon phases have been very productive while 1/2 moon phases, the bite has been picky and numbers about 1/2 what we catch during the good solunar periods.
The water depth where we are catching the fish is 12-14 feet deep but on the edge of drop offs to 40 feet of water. We have used 3/32 oz jigs mostly with some 1/8 oz where the water flow was up high. In July, we used mainly dark colors like Eclipse or Lights Out and they were productive for a short while, then the fish started ignoring them.
I switched to a Full Moon BG Baby Shad and the crappie turned on for another short period. Then they slowed down on that color. But when we switched to the BG Green Banana Baby Shad, the fish went nuts and they have been on that color for over a month with no end in sight. I am surprised. Another thing that we have noticed is that the crappie bite slows to a crawl when it gets light enough to barely see your line and the practically stop when it gets full daylight.
We have used Slab Sauce on some days and on other days we have not used it. It really makes a big difference during the 1/2 moon phase. I like to do a test verses control in my fishing. That is why I will put my partner on the hot color and I do a lot of changing lures because it is just important to know what they are not biting as much as knowing the hot color.
Today, we had a 15 fish limit by 6:27 am after launching the boat at 5:45. We would have had a second limit by 7 except 8 fish pulled off at the boat or near the boat. We did land 23 keeper crappie, 5 bluegills and 5 short crappie. No bass today which was strange.
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