Chickamauga: A look back

BASSfest begins on Lake Chickamauga in a few days, and it’s been many years since B.A.S.S. has visited the fishery. But between 1985 and 1991, we hosted five tournaments there, including the 1986 Bassmaster Classic. Some of the biggest veterans of the sport won these events; here’s how they did it.

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BASSfest begins on Chickamauga Lake in a few days, and it’s been many years since B.A.S.S. has visited the fishery. But between 1985 and 1991, we hosted five tournaments there, including the 1986 Bassmaster Classic. Some of the biggest veterans of the sport won these events; here’s how they did it.
BASSfest begins on Chickamauga Lake in a few days, and it’s been many years since B.A.S.S. has visited the fishery. But between 1985 and 1991, we hosted five tournaments there, including the 1986 Bassmaster Classic. Some of the biggest veterans of the sport won these events; here’s how they did it.
The first tournament B.A.S.S. held there, the Bassmaster Chattanooga Invitational, was May 1-3, 1985. Now-retired Bassmaster Elite Series pro Denny Brauer won the three-day event with 15 bass weighing 35 pounds, 2 ounces. He caught his fish the first two days in the milfoil of Dallas Bay using a 3/8-ounce jig and an Uncle Josh pork trailer. On the final day, he made a long run in heavy chop to a ridge near the Hiwassee River, where he caught more than 16 pounds on a Norman Deep Little N crankbait.
The first tournament B.A.S.S. held there, the Bassmaster Chattanooga Invitational, was May 1-3, 1985. Now-retired Bassmaster Elite Series pro Denny Brauer won the three-day event with 15 bass weighing 35 pounds, 2 ounces. He caught his fish the first two days in the milfoil of Dallas Bay using a 3/8-ounce jig and an Uncle Josh pork trailer. On the final day, he made a long run in heavy chop to a ridge near the Hiwassee River, where he caught more than 16 pounds on a Norman Deep Little N crankbait.
John Dean caught the tournament’s biggest fish, a 9-3, and the prize back then for big bass was a Ranger/Mercury boat package worth $15,000! He caught it with a Stanley jig and a Razorback pork frog.
John Dean caught the tournament’s biggest fish, a 9-3, and the prize back then for big bass was a Ranger/Mercury boat package worth $15,000! He caught it with a Stanley jig and a Razorback pork frog.
Ken Cook, also now a retired Elite Series pro, took eighth place with 27-15. He was one of many who did not catch seven-bass limits. Only one person in the field caught a limit all three days, and that person was …
Ken Cook, also now a retired Elite Series pro, took eighth place with 27-15. He was one of many who did not catch seven-bass limits. Only one person in the field caught a limit all three days, and that person was …
… Jack Chancellor. His 21 bass were good enough for second place, but not for the win. Bassmaster Magazine said Chancellor proclaimed himself the “bassin’ bridesmaid,” and that he’d finished second way many more times than he’d like. Chancellor only got one B.A.S.S. win, and that was four months after this tournament at the 1985 Bassmaster Classic.
… Jack Chancellor. His 21 bass were good enough for second place, but not for the win. Bassmaster Magazine said Chancellor proclaimed himself the “bassin’ bridesmaid,” and that he’d finished second way many more times than he’d like. Chancellor only got one B.A.S.S. win, and that was four months after this tournament at the 1985 Bassmaster Classic.
Larry Nixon and Denny Brauer posed for this “fighting” shot, indicating the two were always neck-and-neck with each other. Nixon finished fourth in this tournament with 29-6.
Larry Nixon and Denny Brauer posed for this “fighting” shot, indicating the two were always neck-and-neck with each other. Nixon finished fourth in this tournament with 29-6.
Looking at photos like this one, it’s hard to believe that many were lamenting the size of the bass at Chickamauga in 1985. “They’ve got a problem with the bass in this lake,” one angler said to Bassmaster Magazine. “Their nose grows too close to their tail.” The average bass weighed in registered only 1 pound, 6 ounces, and competitors estimated they threw back six fish for every one fish they weighed because they didn’t measure 12 inches.
Looking at photos like this one, it’s hard to believe that many were lamenting the size of the bass at Chickamauga in 1985. “They’ve got a problem with the bass in this lake,” one angler said to Bassmaster Magazine. “Their nose grows too close to their tail.” The average bass weighed in registered only 1 pound, 6 ounces, and competitors estimated they threw back six fish for every one fish they weighed because they didn’t measure 12 inches.
The boats and the anglers will be different now, 29 years after the Chattanooga Invitational, but the scenery will be about the same. Shots of these cooling towers appear in every batch of tournament photos from this lake, and we’re sure to see them in BASSfest photos.
The boats and the anglers will be different now, 29 years after the Chattanooga Invitational, but the scenery will be about the same. Shots of these cooling towers appear in every batch of tournament photos from this lake, and we’re sure to see them in BASSfest photos.
The next tournament on Chickamauga was a year later, June 4-7, 1986, the 1986 B.A.S.S. Super-Invitational. Zell Rowland took the win with 39 pounds, 6 ounces. The 29-year-old pro won by working a 2 1/2-inch Rebel Pop-R along the edges of milfoil in 8 to 10 feet of water. “Wind was a key part of my pattern,” Rowland told late Bassmaster writer Tim Tucker. He added that the wind forced baitfish out of open water and against the edge of the grass.
The next tournament on Chickamauga was a year later, June 4-7, 1986, the 1986 B.A.S.S. Super-Invitational. Zell Rowland took the win with 39 pounds, 6 ounces. The 29-year-old pro won by working a 2 1/2-inch Rebel Pop-R along the edges of milfoil in 8 to 10 feet of water. “Wind was a key part of my pattern,” Rowland told late Bassmaster writer Tim Tucker. He added that the wind forced baitfish out of open water and against the edge of the grass.
Rowland has an advantage in BASSfest that no other angler has: He’s won a B.A.S.S. event on Chickamauga, even though it was 28 years ago. The tournament waters then included Nickajack Lake, which is the site of BASSfest’s second chance tournament on July 13 for anglers who didn’t make the Top 50 cut in the first part of competition, June 11-12.
Rowland has an advantage in BASSfest that no other angler has: He’s won a B.A.S.S. event on Chickamauga, even though it was 28 years ago. The tournament waters then included Nickajack Lake, which is the site of BASSfest’s second chance tournament on July 13 for anglers who didn’t make the Top 50 cut in the first part of competition, June 11-12.
Paul Elias finished in 15th place with 26-8. He rocked that beard like a boss in the 80s. He also rocked B.A.S.S. tournaments: To date, he's competed in 333 B.A.S.S. events and earned more than $1 million. By the time of this 1986 event, he had been fishing with B.A.S.S. for 10 years and had three wins to his credit.
Paul Elias finished in 15th place with 26-8. He rocked that beard like a boss in the 80s. He also rocked B.A.S.S. tournaments: To date, he’s competed in 333 B.A.S.S. events and earned more than $1 million. By the time of this 1986 event, he had been fishing with B.A.S.S. for 10 years and had three wins to his credit.
Another competitor in the 1986 event who will also compete in BASSfest is Gary Klein, who finished in a less-than-spectacular 104th place. Rick Clunn, who finished in sixth place with 33-15 in 1986, will also be among the pros in the 2014 tournament.
Another competitor in the 1986 event who will also compete in BASSfest is Gary Klein, who finished in a less-than-spectacular 104th place. Rick Clunn, who finished in sixth place with 33-15 in 1986, will also be among the pros in the 2014 tournament.
Ricky Green, who died just last month, was a bass fishing veteran by the 1986 tournament on Chickamauga. His performance at Chickamauga was not amazing — 39th place — but he had already won more than $100,000 in previous B.A.S.S. tournaments, mainly in the 1970s when payouts weren’t very high.
Ricky Green, who died just last month, was a bass fishing veteran by the 1986 tournament on Chickamauga. His performance at Chickamauga was not amazing — 39th place — but he had already won more than $100,000 in previous B.A.S.S. tournaments, mainly in the 1970s when payouts weren’t very high.
Another familiar face, Jimmy Houston, earned a ninth-place finish at the Super-Invitational. It was good enough to cinch 1986 Bassmaster Angler of the Year honors after a stellar season, which were awarded to him at the Chickamauga event.
Another familiar face, Jimmy Houston, earned a ninth-place finish at the Super-Invitational. It was good enough to cinch 1986 Bassmaster Angler of the Year honors after a stellar season, which were awarded to him at the Chickamauga event.
After leaving Chickamauga and Nickajack in June, it didn’t take B.A.S.S. long to get back there. The fisheries were the site of the 1986 Bassmaster Classic, Aug. 14-16. Charlie Reed of Broken Bow, Okla., won the title. Standing next to him is his wife, Vojai, who went down in bass fishing history five years later for being the first female competitor in a B.A.S.S. event. Charlie Reed fished with B.A.S.S. for 10 more years, but he never won another tournament. He died in July 2013 at age 78.
After leaving Chickamauga and Nickajack in June, it didn’t take B.A.S.S. long to get back there. The fisheries were the site of the 1986 Bassmaster Classic, Aug. 14-16. Charlie Reed of Broken Bow, Okla., won the title. Standing next to him is his wife, Vojai, who went down in bass fishing history five years later for being the first female competitor in a B.A.S.S. event. Charlie Reed fished with B.A.S.S. for 10 more years, but he never won another tournament. He died in July 2013 at age 78.
Reed caught limits in 30 minutes on the first two days using a 6-inch Toledo Tackle worm, but he caught bigger ones on the final day with a Bagley DB3 crankbait. He found the spot he wanted back at the tournament in June, but the grassbeds lining the channel had been sprayed with herbicide by the time the Classic rolled around. Instead, he moved down just a bit to the closest structure nearby — the channel itself — and found that the bass were set up in the little ditch. He finished with 23 pounds, 9 ounces.
Reed caught limits in 30 minutes on the first two days using a 6-inch Toledo Tackle worm, but he caught bigger ones on the final day with a Bagley DB3 crankbait. He found the spot he wanted back at the tournament in June, but the grassbeds lining the channel had been sprayed with herbicide by the time the Classic rolled around. Instead, he moved down just a bit to the closest structure nearby — the channel itself — and found that the bass were set up in the little ditch. He finished with 23 pounds, 9 ounces.
Roland Martin finished 6 pounds behind Reed in seventh place. The Bassmaster Classic title forever eluded Martin. He competed in the Super Bowl of bass fishing 25 times and never won the crown.
Roland Martin finished 6 pounds behind Reed in seventh place. The Bassmaster Classic title forever eluded Martin. He competed in the Super Bowl of bass fishing 25 times and never won the crown.
Similarly, Gary Klein has competed in 30 Classics and has yet to win one. He was in the hunt in 1986, with 22-1 that put him in fourth place at the end.
Similarly, Gary Klein has competed in 30 Classics and has yet to win one. He was in the hunt in 1986, with 22-1 that put him in fourth place at the end.
Danny Correia was a big story at the 1986 Classic. The 24-year-old had qualified through the Federation, which is now called the B.A.S.S. Nation, and told a reporter he’d half considered asking pros for their autographs while they were waiting to lock through.
Danny Correia was a big story at the 1986 Classic. The 24-year-old had qualified through the Federation, which is now called the B.A.S.S. Nation, and told a reporter he’d half considered asking pros for their autographs while they were waiting to lock through.
Correia was no joke, though: He almost won the Classic. He finished in second place, then the highest finish ever for a Federation angler, with 22-12. He started the tournament by fishing the milfoil beds on Nickajack but ended the tournament fishing a point only 75 yards away from Reed. Correia also caught the biggest bass of the tournament, a 5-11.
Correia was no joke, though: He almost won the Classic. He finished in second place, then the highest finish ever for a Federation angler, with 22-12. He started the tournament by fishing the milfoil beds on Nickajack but ended the tournament fishing a point only 75 yards away from Reed. Correia also caught the biggest bass of the tournament, a 5-11.
Crowds lined the banks for the daily launches at the 1986 Classic. Expect to see even more fans at BASSfest with all the activities going on, including seminars by the pros, a High School Elite Experience and a Carhartt College Bassmaster Series being held concurrently.
Crowds lined the banks for the daily launches at the 1986 Classic. Expect to see even more fans at BASSfest with all the activities going on, including seminars by the pros, a High School Elite Experience and a Carhartt College Bassmaster Series being held concurrently.
After the Classic, it was four years before B.A.S.S. made another appearance on Chickamauga. The Tennessee Top 100 Super B.A.S.S. Pro-Am was held May 9-12, 1990, and Denny Brauer won it again. He caught 72-11 over four days (seven-bass limits were in play). He was returning after missing two tournaments during his recovery from major back surgery.
After the Classic, it was four years before B.A.S.S. made another appearance on Chickamauga. The Tennessee Top 100 Super B.A.S.S. Pro-Am was held May 9-12, 1990, and Denny Brauer won it again. He caught 72-11 over four days (seven-bass limits were in play). He was returning after missing two tournaments during his recovery from major back surgery.
Brauer won flipping the Denny Brauer’s Perfect Jig and a noisier version, the Rattleback Perfect Jig. He caught spawning bass and post-spawners holding in dingy-water buck bushes, willow trees and flooded grass. He fished a three-mile midlake section of Chickamauga and concentrated his efforts in protected areas with an abundance of cover at depths ranging from 6 inches to 9 feet. He fished it thoroughly, saying that others who were fishing the same spot were going too fast and giving up too quickly.
Brauer won flipping the Denny Brauer’s Perfect Jig and a noisier version, the Rattleback Perfect Jig. He caught spawning bass and post-spawners holding in dingy-water buck bushes, willow trees and flooded grass. He fished a three-mile midlake section of Chickamauga and concentrated his efforts in protected areas with an abundance of cover at depths ranging from 6 inches to 9 feet. He fished it thoroughly, saying that others who were fishing the same spot were going too fast and giving up too quickly.
Claude Fishburne, whom everyone knows as Fish Fishburne, a longtime B.A.S.S. tournament emcee, caught the tournament’s biggest bass, an 8-11. The average bass at the 1990 event weighed 1-7.
Claude Fishburne, whom everyone knows as Fish Fishburne, a longtime B.A.S.S. tournament emcee, caught the tournament’s biggest bass, an 8-11. The average bass at the 1990 event weighed 1-7.
Shaw Grigsby, who is among the pros competing in BASSfest, finished in 53rd place with 30 pounds, 9 ounces. By the 1990 Chickamauga tournament, he had competed with B.A.S.S. consistently for four years and already had two wins under his belt.
Shaw Grigsby, who is among the pros competing in BASSfest, finished in 53rd place with 30 pounds, 9 ounces. By the 1990 Chickamauga tournament, he had competed with B.A.S.S. consistently for four years and already had two wins under his belt.
Guido Hibdon finished in 10th place, and his weight was enough for him to secure the 1990 Bassmaster Angler of the Year award after a strong season, the first of two back-to-back AOY titles for him. He was awarded the prize at the Chickamauga event. He already owned a Classic championship from two years prior.
Guido Hibdon finished in 10th place, and his weight was enough for him to secure the 1990 Bassmaster Angler of the Year award after a strong season, the first of two back-to-back AOY titles for him. He was awarded the prize at the Chickamauga event. He already owned a Classic championship from two years prior.
Zell Rowland came in a distant second in 1990, with 59-13. His catch came from backwater areas around Godfrey Creek. He fished a 1/4-ounce Bomber spinnerbait through flooded grass and buckbrush.
Zell Rowland came in a distant second in 1990, with 59-13. His catch came from backwater areas around Godfrey Creek. He fished a 1/4-ounce Bomber spinnerbait through flooded grass and buckbrush.
Just more than a year later, B.A.S.S. made its most recent trip to Chickamauga, Oct. 7-12, 1991, for the Bassmaster MegaBucks Tournament. The six-day tournament included a cut to 10 and a weight-zero. Larry Nixon won with 18-2 on those final two days of fishing. It was his third MegaBucks title in a row. B.A.S.S. only hosted seven MegaBucks tournaments, and Nixon won four of them. At Chickamauga, Nixon fished a Bomber 6A crankbait on rocks with deep water coming in with some shad around. In isolated brushpiles, he slow rolled a 3/8-ounce Stanley Vibra-Shaft or a 1/8-ounce Bomber Mini-Whicker spinnerbait.
Just more than a year later, B.A.S.S. made its most recent trip to Chickamauga, Oct. 7-12, 1991, for the Bassmaster MegaBucks Tournament. The six-day tournament included a cut to 10 and a weight-zero. Larry Nixon won with 18-2 on those final two days of fishing. It was his third MegaBucks title in a row. B.A.S.S. only hosted seven MegaBucks tournaments, and Nixon won four of them. At Chickamauga, Nixon fished a Bomber 6A crankbait on rocks with deep water coming in with some shad around. In isolated brushpiles, he slow rolled a 3/8-ounce Stanley Vibra-Shaft or a 1/8-ounce Bomber Mini-Whicker spinnerbait.
Rick Clunn finished second on Chickamauga, 1 pound behind Nixon. He threw a Vibra-Shaft spinnerbait around brushpiles and a Bill Norman Little N crankbait around isolated cover. He and Nixon swapped the lead back and forth.
Rick Clunn finished second on Chickamauga, 1 pound behind Nixon. He threw a Vibra-Shaft spinnerbait around brushpiles and a Bill Norman Little N crankbait around isolated cover. He and Nixon swapped the lead back and forth.
Fans gathered around the open-air stage, lakeside, and watched the trucks rolls through with the boats behind. Ray Scott emceed. Bass averaged 1 pound, 3 ounces throughout the tournament, and the biggest was a 7-12 caught by Tim McDonald of Paintsville, Ky.
Fans gathered around the open-air stage, lakeside, and watched the trucks rolls through with the boats behind. Ray Scott emceed. Bass averaged 1 pound, 3 ounces throughout the tournament, and the biggest was a 7-12 caught by Tim McDonald of Paintsville, Ky.
In the mix was a new face, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., The young pro was fishing only his 13th tournament but had already won more than $50,000 in his burgeoning B.A.S.S. career. VanDam finished in 10th place with 24-1.
In the mix was a new face, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., The young pro was fishing only his 13th tournament but had already won more than $50,000 in his burgeoning B.A.S.S. career. VanDam finished in 10th place with 24-1.
Pictured with Ray Scott are the Top 10 competitors the last time B.A.S.S. visited Chickamauga. The only one among them who is competing in BASSfest is Rick Clunn. Others who fished in 1991 and will be also competing in BASSfest include VanDam (10th), Grigsby (13th), Rowland (14th), Mark Davis (17th), Gary Klein (18th), Tommy Biffle (19th), Bernie Schultz (26th), Alton Jones (63rd), Paul Elias (114th), Kenyon Hill (131st) and Byron Velvick (137th).
Pictured with Ray Scott are the Top 10 competitors the last time B.A.S.S. visited Chickamauga. The only one among them who is competing in BASSfest is Rick Clunn. Others who fished in 1991 and will be also competing in BASSfest include VanDam (10th), Grigsby (13th), Rowland (14th), Mark Davis (17th), Gary Klein (18th), Tommy Biffle (19th), Bernie Schultz (26th), Alton Jones (63rd), Paul Elias (114th), Kenyon Hill (131st) and Byron Velvick (137th).