Photo by Tom Evans

A jiggling rod tip gets an angler's attention. It's not enough of a pull to warrant grabbing the rod, he knows, but it shows that a catfish is in the area and is interested. Watching that rod with an eagle eye, he doesn't even notice the one behind him being yanked sharply down. It's not until the fish hooks itself and starts pulling drag that the angler takes note. The big cat is solidly hooked, however, so no harm is done.

Catfish keep anglers busy on spring days and summer nights. Once fishermen figure out the kinds of habitat the cats like best on their favorite lakes, catfish offer very dependable action, along with hard fights and wonderful eating qualities. Furthermore, especially in the case of flatheads and blues, catfish will grow to massive proportions, creating awesome opportunities to target trophy fish.

Cats are widely distributed in Tennessee. In fact, an angler can find good action at times virtually anywhere there is water. That said, some spots clearly are better than others. We've selected four lakes, all in the middle or western part of the state, where catfishing promises to be outstanding this year. The lakes vary substantially in character and in the nature of their offerings to catfishermen. The common thread is that all are loaded with quality cats.

PICKWICK LAKE
A major impoundment on the lower Tennessee River, Pickwick Lake offers channels, flatheads and blues, with serious big-cat potential. At least a few blues (and maybe some flatheads, too) of world-record proportions likely inhabit Pickwick's waters, which are relatively fertile and full of threadfin and gizzard shad and skipjack herring. However, channel catfish and small to medium-sized blues dominate the fishery and provide the greatest opportunity for the most anglers.

The fish are here because of a combination of advantageous habitat characteristics. Pickwick offers big catfish everything they could ever want: current, bluff holes, broad flats, and big creek arms. Within that habitat, threadfin and gizzard shad, skipjack, crawfish, various sunfish and many kinds of minnows keep the cats quite well fed.

Only Pickwick's lower end lies within the Volunteer State's borders, but that area covers more than 6,000 acres, and a partial reciprocal agreement among the three states that share the lake adds even more acreage to the area that Tennessee anglers can explore with only a single fishing license.

During May, some catfish will be spawning, which makes the bite a little less dependable than normal. However, the spawn is staggered enough that many fish always will be found in traditional summer areas, and anglers can pretty much ignore the spawn.

Prime areas to explore, depending on the style of fishing an angler likes to do and the kinds of cats he hopes to tangle with, include big holes along bends in the Tennessee River channel, and the edges of flats and tops of points up tributaries.

Fishing along the main river channel is best when the turbines are turning in Pickwick Dam and, ideally, in Wilson Dam, which feeds Pickwick Lake as well. River fish by nature, the cats feed much more aggressively when water is flowing.

Using three-way rigs and tight-line techniques, anglers do well fishing cut shad or skipjack close to the bottom. Good approaches include drifting at the head of a hole and working all the way to its lower end, and holding the boat against the current with a trolling motor, working an area thoroughly and watching the depthfinder constantly for structure, baitfish and catfish.