DHaun-RSimms VS Nickajack 9-15-06

[rsimms]

Me and DHaun took another "exploratory" venture on Nickajack Lake today. A BEAUTIFUL cool, calm day on the water... as DHaun said, "one of the most relaxing days on the water in a while." Except when were occasionally interrupted by catfish. emoSmile It didn't happen a whole lot, but enough to call it a good day. If we counted right, we put eleven fish in the boat. Of course we each missed a few real good runs. They ranged in size from a couple of dinks, several in the 10-pound-plus class, topped by a 20-pounder (actually he was 19 but it would hit 20 if I jiggled the scales a little. If I'd been a client, I would have called it 20 emoBigsmile) It wasn't really on purpose, but it kind of ended up being a "spam" versus "chicken" day. Guess who was using what? I think it ended up being Spam-6, Chicken-5. The chicken started out hot, then we hit a spot with some hot fish that ALL wanted Spam, then chicken came back in the end (including the big fish of the day). All fish were DEEP... 63 to 74 feet.... a few at Gray's Bluff, DHaun's hot spot was inauspicious hump we found well below Gray's Bluff, and the big fish came suspended at 50 in 61 feet of water near the Dam. Here's a few pics, including a few "action" shots of DHaun "going for the grab!" I bet DHaun will add some more.

 

[MadBomber]

Man, that looks like a bunch of fun!!! Great pics.

 

[polo-dog]

Sounds like a great day! Spam and chicken, what a combo. Tell me this, which is more cost effective, Spam or chicken? It sounds like you caught a bunch that would have been great for the eating! Thanks for the info/report.

 

[DHaun]

Thanks for taking me fishing RSimms! I'm glad I took a day off to go exploring - you dialed us right in on the fish as usual. Spam is quick and easy to cut up than other bait and cost about $2 depending on where you buy it. I'm not fond of handling raw chicken all day but it will stay on the hook for days while a strong wind will knock Spam off the hook. I discovered after the first drift we made that I had been "Fishing on Credit" as RSimms put it...yep I had been without bait on one of my rods for who knows how long because Spam gets knocked off the hook sometimes and I was not checking my bait enough. I was worried about the Spam performing for a while and although it hooked several fish, the larger cats wanted something bigger they could chew on. I caught my largest cat ever on Spam but today the chicken paid off in pounds. My biggest cats were 11 and 13, while RSimms had a (15 or 19 - can't remember) and 20 pounder. All fish safely released.

 

[rsimms]

Spam definitely more cost-effective! But as DHaun said, check your bait every time you get "hit," and sometimes even when you don't. Chicken will NOT come off unless they bend your rod double! I'm guessing here, but I'd say I went through about $4 or $5 worth of chicken today. I think DHaun only used one can of Spam. But if I was fishing Spam, I'd probably be using bigger chunks than he was cutting.... unless I KNEW i was in "little fish" territory.

 

[Fat Albert]

Great report guys and the pictures were the best.... the fish??? they were just a bit larger than ours, but I bet we all had great fun .... nice to be with friends...emoGeezer 60-70 feet deep?????

 

[fisherpal2k]

Great job guys and some really good pics too. It was a real nice day today and even if I am working tonight it is getting to feel like fall out there. Can't wait for it to cool on down some. At least you guys won't go hungry using all that delicious bait. emoLaugh

 

[drumking]

You are getting good at catching these suspended blues aren't you Richard!? I wouldn't even think of fishing in 70 feet of water. I don't know if I have that much string on my reel.emoBigsmile Good job.emoGeezer

 

[WLG]

Way to go guysemoThumbsup emoThumbsup emoThumbsup Sounds like you guys had alot of fun out there today and thats really what its all about. I hope to get a few dinks this weekend myself. Going Sunday somewhere on chick. See ya

 

[Buoy-Master]

<p align="left">

WOW...GREAT PICS OF THE ACTION!!!

</p><p align="left">Spam rules eh? I really REALLY need to get on some fish like that. I wish I could have gone this week David but things have been real busy. Soon, I hope! </p><p align="left">Great reprt guys. Looks like ya'll had fun!</p>

 

[MrWiskers]

I was looking out the window at work today just wishing I was on the river. Nice fish!!!

 

[Guest]

Great report and great pics guys. I especially like the third one down. The man is intense and has tools in hand to get the job done!

Cheez