Bass Pro Catfish 6-15-2006

[rsimms]

Had a long, hard day on the water with Wilson Burton and Greg Cole, the Manager of the Bass Pro Shop in Nashville. He's a hardcore Dale Hollow smallmouth fisherman, but says he has a newfound appreciation for Tennessee River Catfish. We boated around 20 fish, the biggest was 28 lbs. There were sad faces in the boat (especially mine ) on FOUR occasions when we had BIG fish break off. I've never had a problem with folks breaking off on big fish but I got a terrible taste of it today. But as you can see, I think they still left happy.

 

[craazyboutbass]

Did he happen to take those to the bass pro tank?! I might be going to bass pro to get a new bait caster on the way to Memphis tomarrow for my dad! By the way those are some decent cats!! They are even bigger than my cat Tiger emoLaugh No offense Tiger!!!!!!

 

[MrWiskers]

Not bad. I had a couple of good fish break off in the spring and it felt like they rolled up in the line and cut it with their fins. This is even with a wire leader.

I caught 1/2 of a 5 gallon of gizzard and threadfin shad today. I'm going after the monsters tomorrow.

 

[DHaun]

RSimms, I must say you are certainly consistent with producing the big cats and those pics are impressive. Congrats on another fine trip. Last time I fished below the Dam all I could manage was a couple small ones. Sorry you broke off a few big ones but after 20 fish I figure that's not so bad for most folks, especially judging from the grins in those pics. Thanks for the report!

 

[Buoy-Master]

Somebody draw me a map...Pleaaaase! LOL

Man those are some nice pics Richard. I dont think the breaking of the lines killed the day either.

Great catch. I'm taking my dad sunday morning and i hope to do the same.

 

[CherokeeRidge]

Nice fish Richard, and really great pic's . A few day's ago someone posted some action shots . I thought it was awsome to see the strain on the equipment , not that this was your problem but if we plan on hooking the big one's we gotta have the right tackle. I really enjoy your posts here and your section on The Wildside. Thanks

 

[hog daddy]

that some great looking cats richard . man you guys are killing me i'm stuck building a new house and i have to see all these fish if i dont get done sooooon im going to lose it

 

[rsimms]

MrWiskers - 6/15/2006 10:35 PM

Not bad. I had a couple of good fish break off in the spring and it felt like they rolled up in the line and cut it with their fins. This is even with a wire leader.
I caught 1/2 of a 5 gallon of gizzard and threadfin shad today. I'm going after the monsters tomorrow.

On two occasions I feel certain fish rolled and wrapped leader around the 3-way swivel. The leader was broken about a half-inch from swivel. One fish broke 25 lb. flourocarbon at the knot (a fresh knot) and this was after the gentleman fought the fish for a solid five minutes... the fourth I don't remember. I think my mind is trying to block it out. I have always used 20 lb. Ande (a saltwater line) for leaders and again, I've never broken a fish off... or had a client break a fish off, until yesterday! Here's another "action" shot, without much action. By the way, this is one of the fish that broke off about a minute after I took this picture.

 

[MrWiskers]

Is the guy in the back taking a nap?

 

[rsimms]

Yes, actually he was. He caught a big fish shortly before and they only had about 3 hours sleep the night before. I woke him him to watch Greg catch a big fish, which broke off!

 

[coondog]

I hate to here that about breaks, but it happens, we are going to lay off the river this weekend, but we will be back after'em next weekend, simms are still on skipjack below chick dam, i went the other day just killin time and only caught 6 in about 2 hours?
what was the bait of choice?

 

[rsimms]

coondog - 6/16/2006 5:50 PM

I hate to here that about breaks, but it happens, we are going to lay off the river this weekend, but we will be back after'em next weekend, simms are still on skipjack below chick dam, i went the other day just killin time and only caught 6 in about 2 hours?
what was the bait of choice?

skipjacks were the bait... I caught a BUNCH Tuesday evening. But tried to get some Thursday AM & PM and they were no where to be found?

 

[drc]

The skips are below the dam now. I just got back home and got about two dozen or so in 2 hours fishing from the bank. They were fairly small with a few 1.5lbers, most were under a pound but it's still bait and beats the heck out of chicken liver, lol.

 

[rsimms]

Good deal... glad it worked out. I've got enough for a short guide trip Monday, but I'm gonna have to try and get more before a full-day trip on Thursday.

 

[coondog]

drc, what did you catch those skipjack on

 

[Bprice]

Richard,

Great report and great looking fish. Minner and I are really pumped about our trip, hope we can get into some good fish and learn alot from you.