Back for more

[DHaun]

I saw the weather this morning and decided to take the day off today and go back to Nickajack for more stripers. I arrived about 1:00 pm to see all turbines and flood gates open so there was a LOT of swift current. It was also cooler and windy than on Sunday. I only saw a very small amount of threadfin and although it was less crowded on the bank, I think everyone else took the day off too because all the decent spots close to the turbines were taken (man I need to find a boat quick...)

Right as I got there a guy that looked like ZZ-Top was landing a 10lb hybrid. He said he had caught 16 that morning. He kept it. I thought that might be a good sign but I was wrong. I fished just as hard as I did Sunday, but no luck - one guy said he thought the water was too fast for them to chase the lure...who knows.... I definitely don't see how they could be suspended in that current. There were 3-4 boats drifting in between he turbines and flood gates. I saw 1-2 hookups there. They were dip netting threadfin against the concrete for bait.

I decided not to go home without a fish and did manage one skipjack on my ultralight before I left. I also went to slower water and threw the "trap that rattles" with no success. I did see lots of gar surfacing downstream and wondered if I should come armed with some braided rope next time to see what it was like... About that time I saw a dead gar float by with his snout broken...If it was done by a fisherman I would not know why...There's plenty of bait & fish in the area for everyone. The gar might actually be contributing to the success of the fishery. I am no biologist though so who knows.

 

[PatrickH]

How's the old saying go? "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work"! Although it does stink to go fishing with the hopes of hooking up with several nice fish, only to go home with most of your bait, and no sore wrist to remind you of your action on the way home, I still prefer that over working. So yes, I admit it.....I'm a bit envious of your trip, fish or no fish. I read where you're possibly looking for a boat? Remember Rodney Stokes? Well he owns a 21ft. Norris Craft I believe he's looking to part with. Rodney had spinal surgery last year and has been in a wheelchair since. I do recall him saying he would like to sell it. It's a very nice boat, with all the trimmings. I'm sure he would make you a good price.....drop me an e-mail if you would like to pursue it Dave.....Patrick/ I'm guessing 4200 to 4800 dollar range....it's worth every penny. How do I know? I've fished out of it on several occasions!!

 

[DHaun]

Oh yeah! That saying is definitely still true. "If you never go you never know" is one I have heard from my kids. I hate to hear that about Rodney. I hope he is doing okay and keeping his spirits up. We should take him out bank fishing sometime if he can mobilize, although I bet he probably knows more about where to bank fish than the both of us...

I am really not in the market for a bass boat though but I am curious as to what motor he has on his boat.

The boat I am looking for will be fresh/salt water, small, easy to launch & tow alone, light, tough & reliable. I really don't care about speed or a whole lot of space. I want something that I can take with me on my FL trips to fish the flats so it needs a real shallow draft. I also will be fishing my childhood fishing grounds around Sequoyah and hit the Smallmouth below Chickamauga like I used to do with my old boat. I'll be doing a little trolling for crappie and striper/catfishing as well. I am considering a 16'-17' Carolina Skiff with a 4-stroke Honda or Yamaha. There's a couple of fish camps that rent them in FL and I was impressed with where I could get that boat to go. They will float in a mud puddle... I don't need anything too fancy and I just don't want to commit to a new one just yet b/c I have seen some good deals on used ones in the Southeast. I also like Scout boats. They are heavier, but handle a chop a whole lot better....So I am basically in a holding pattern until the right one comes around. Until then I have a few buds with boats that take me along - I happily pay for the bait/gas and sometimes even the beer!

I saw a friend of mine today at my son's spring festival - he said he was about to start selling at Prebul. I told him to look you up. If you get a new sales guy from Marshal Mize then that will be him...