Dropshot, CFF #12, Bass/Catfish, 9/30/17, Copyman

[Dropshot]

We performed blast-off duties on Saturday so we were the last boat out. Getting to our normal slough, there was already one boat where we normally start so we opted to go to the other side. Caught a 14.75 on second cast with a shaky head and later Dusty caught a large mud cat on a crankbait. Also had six blow-ups on topwater but no hook ups. With boats all around us, and peckerhead and his partner in a Phoenix fishing literally on top of everyone like they owned the lake and beating the water to death, it did not take long for us to realize we needed to move.Finally attempted to fish our original on river spot but the wind was too much, and we had to abandon. Headed to another slough and after catching another 14.95 inch shorty saw my line move and hooked up a monster smallie on a creature bait in an area with rip rap and grass. Fought the fish for a few minutes around a dock, a jet-ski platform, and the boat. Right as she gets to the boat she makes a last jump....and come off in the air. Dusty tried to get her with the net but did not succeed. We figured at that point, with a 4.5-5lb smallie gone we were going to blank. Headed to Lakeshore and after fishing the boat slips fished the rocks out front and caught two more short smallmouths on consecutive casts. Moved around the front area when Dusty finally caught our only keeper, a 15 inch spot that looked like it had been on the Jenny Craig diet. We got several more bites but finally ran out of time. Fish caught on creature baits, worms, crankbaits, and topwater. </p>

We had a brutal day, as we had prefished sunken islands andother areas on the main river, but the never-ending winds simply would not allow us to fish it. When that failed, we found ourselves in sloughs with at one time 10 boats, all courteous except theforementioned slobasshole in a Phoenixwho figuredhe would just fish all over everybody be damned.Losing that big smallie really hurt as it seems you never get a chance to catch that many big smallmouth, and with my largest being 5 1/2 on the river felt like this one could have been 5. </p>

Thanks to all who came out and congrats to Earl and Dink, as well as Silvertalon, who hasput together two really good tournaments. Also congrats to Steven and Billy on AOY. </p>

 

[Oldman]

at least you were there.maybe next year it will be a different for me.

 

[Justfishin]

Great report! i seen sevral jenny craig fish brought in sat.

 

[DinkDink]

Good report. Them big smallies pull like a freight train

 

[Dropshot]

DinkDink - 10/3/2017 9:04 AM Good report. Them big smallies pull like a freight train

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Yes they do Dink. Nothing like that lump in your throat when you hook a big smallmouth and he jumps the first time...</p>

 

[Dropshot]

Oldman - 10/2/2017 3:08 PM at least you were there.maybe next year it will be a different for me.

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Missing you on the water Larry. Look forward to you being back with us.</p>

 

[AirrusBoy]

At least you kept on until the end.

 

[FirstLight]

Great report Patrick. Sorry about the Bruiser Brownfish slipping. I would have liked to have seen her at the weigh in. We too tried one offshore spot and abandoned quickly. Had a couple waves splash over my bow with the boat pointed into the wind - just too rough to fish a small area effectively.

 

[porthos33]

Dropshot - 10/3/2017 9:08 AM

Oldman - 10/2/2017 3:08 PM at least you were there.maybe next year it will be a different for me.

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Missing you on the water Larry. Look forward to you being back with us.</p>

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I feel the same way! It's not the same without Larry!! Hopefully me and Strato-G can be there more ofter next year!</p>

 

[Lunch_Box]

Seems like more these day than ever people have no respect for others anymore. They spend big money on a boat and think everyone should move out of their way. I was recently fishing grass in a skinny slough at Hiwassee Island and a guy in a Ranger came right next to me went 20yds in front of me and started fishing. I have fished this lake for over 40 years and never seen disrespectful fishermen like they are today. Almost wish TVA would kill all the grass again and then if the big bass were gone maybe the peckerheads would go with them. No fish is worth compromising your character.

 

[silvertalon]

Nice Report. Yeah, sorry about the big Smallie lose . Got my dagger in the heart today in the CBA when a 5'er jumped me a foot from the net, robbing me of a 6th pl. I think I am "bubble boy" out of the money- lol. Gorgeous day on the lake tho! It took 25 plus to win and 18.5 was 3rd. 14 made the change.