Chickamauga offers options both deep and shallow

DAYTON, Tenn. – The MLF Toyota is set to return to Dayton, Tenn. This week for the third and final event of the 2024 Central Division at Lake Chickamauga. Competition days are Thursday through Saturday.

“I’ve been looking forward to this one for some time,” said local angler Seth Davis of Dayton, who finished secondin two of the last three Toyota Series visits to Chickamauga. “I’ve got a lot going on in my life – we just got done building a house, we’re having a baby next month – but I’ve told my wife for the past few weeks, I am working for this one. I am thirsty, and I want to win! Map study, graphing, looking, finding grass, just staying in tune with the lake. I may not catch a keeper on Day 1, but I’m doing everything I can to give myself a shot.”

Davis said that this tournament, like most, will be largely weather-dependent. The water levels on Chickamauga are down a little bit, and with the TVA in the process of raising the lake, he doesn’t expect much current to be generated.

“The majority of the fish will be in spawn and postspawn patterns,” Davis said. “We’ve already had a wave or two spawn, so there potentially could be some fish already offshore. It would not surprise me one bit if this tournament is won either completely dedicated deep or dedicated shallow.

“The sleeper this year is that there are some areas with pretty good grass,” Davis continued. “It’s pretty healthy right now, and if a guy finds the right patch or two he could definitely catch some big bass just dragging stuff around the grass. It’s Lake Chickamauga and there are giants that live here.”

Davis said that he expects the winner to end up in the mid-50-pound range.

“It’s still one of the best lakes in the country, but it’s fishing just a little finicky right now. Local tournaments are taking in the low 20s to win right now, so I’m going to be surprised if it takes more than 60 pounds. I think if a guy hits the mid-50s, he’ll be right there at the end with a shot to win.”

Anglers will launch at 6:30 a.m. CT each day from the Dayton Boat Dock, located at 175 Lakeshore Drive in Dayton. Weigh-ins will also be held at the Dayton Boat Dock and will begin at 2:30 p.m. each day.

---