drumking, Tims Ford, Crappie, 28 Dec 2013, Bent Rod

[drumking]

I'm going to do a combination report today. Crappie report today from Tims Ford and my 2013 yearly totals as I don't anticipate fishing again until next year. If I do, then I will amend the report. emoBigsmile

Bent Rod took me on my last crappie fishing trip for 2013. The fishing wasn't too good, but the company was. emoToast I landed 7 crappie. 5 nice keepers and 2 fish that were fat, but only 9.75 inches long, so they were tossed to get bigger. The fish were very picky and slow to bite today. 2 of the fish were not that deep, only 6 to 8 count on a 1/24 oz jig with bobby garland plastics. All the rest were rooting on the bottom and bites were very hard to detect.

Rick was the captain of the ship today and chief guide, but alas, he left with a skunk smell on him. As usual with a fishing story, the hardest pulling and heaviest feeling fish pulled off before I could get it up high enough from 22 feet to even see him. I think that all fish came from brush or very near brush. We donated several jigs to the bottom cover today. emoBigsmile

That's my fishing report for today.

Now for the year 2013.

Crappie: 2621. Biggest 15.5 inches, 2 lb 6 oz. (that I weighed)
Bass: 248. Biggest 7.13 largemouth caught in March at CFF #2 tournament. It was not big fish for the tx though.
Rockfish: 3. Didn't fish much this year because of high water flow. I don't do 50,000 CFS or greater for Rockfish.
Panfish: 71. Most of these were probably Red Breast. Didn't do much Shellcracker or Bluegill fishing.
Catfish: 59. Most of these were with Candi while I was showing her the dead chicken technique. emoBigsmile
Other: 36. My pet Drum, Golden Shiners, Yellow Perch and a red horse sucker.

Total fish caught: 3038.

Fishing trips ranged from 1 hour to 6 hours in length, except the CFF Bass tournaments that Rick and I fished.

emoGeezer

 

[BILL DANTZ]

Looks like a very good year. Thanks for posting.

 

[tp44]

DK, as usual, I like to see your reports. They have given me a new insite to crappie fishing. Looking forward to our next trip. BTY, I tried out my new Ipilot today. Think after I get the hang of it, it will be great.

 

[Nauticman]

Always find your year end report very interesting, thanks!

 

[Kingfish]

Congrats on another great year. Thank you for teaching me how to Crappie fish. emoThumbsup

 

[dragfish]

You're incredible Dickie!! I really admire the way you always return to Tim's, there's just something about the "Dead Sea". Somehow it makes all the drive worth it to catch 6 or 7 fish.
It's just so different than our local lakes.

 

[stiffler]

Congratulations on the great year!!!! Hope one day I can catch the crappie like you do one day! Where are you getting the 1/24oz jigs at?

 

[drumking]

stiffler - 12/29/2013 12:08 AM

Congratulations on the great year!!!! Hope one day I can catch the crappie like you do one day! Where are you getting the 1/24oz jigs at?

Jasonstackle.com

free shipping. very good service.

 

[drumking]

Looking at last year's record, I see that we have caught 628 more crappie than last year, and more of every other species except catfish. 32 less catfish last year. Also, I fished and/or scouted 139 half days this year. I didn't fish docks this year nearly as much as I normally do. I was more interested in finding and fishing off shore structure. With the amount of current in the river this year, it made a lot of days nearly impossible to fish with the technique that I wanted to fish with.

I have found some off shore places that have always had crappie on them every time that I checked on them. Of course, when the wind is blowing hard, it becomes hard to impossible to fish these areas. I reserve these spots for calm to little wind. But they have crappie on them in numbers. emoBigsmile

Goals this year are to find several more of these off shore places and to fish farther up north than I currently do. We have great fishing around here close, so why would I want to move farther away? Why do men/women climb mountains? Why go to the moon?

I met and fished with a few new friends this year. Some of which are going to expand my fishing knowledge. Going to Watts Bar more hopefully in the coming year. I know the lower end of WB as I grew up in Spring City and learned to fish on WB lower end. I'm still in search of that 3 lb Black Nose crappie at Tims Ford. Have a good friend and guide over there.

We are going to target yellow perch this winter and I still want to fish with Dixie Boy and Wolftever kid among others. I don't think that I will fish the CFF bass tournaments this year. Maybe 4 or 5. Not the night tournaments and bad weather day txs. I failed to fish with EricM this year and that bothers me a lot. I certainly want to make that happen in 2014. I don't care what we fish for either. One good friend got offended at me for something and has fractured that relationship. I'm not sure why? That was the only bummer of the year.

I'm looking forward to the new year with eager anticipation. If you see me on the water and want to chat, drive on over and tie up to my boat and we will chat, share info, etc. Doesn't bother me and I don't mind stopping what I'm doing to help a friend. Like my Mother used to say all the time. "A stranger is just a friend that I haven't met yet."


emoBigsmile emoGeezer

 

[bent rod]

I had to leave the garage door open yesterday evening to let the front end of the boat air out. The dog wouldn't even stay out there. I had fun anyway and look forward to next year. Thanks Dickey for driving over.

 

[BassERT]

Thanks for your help and consideration to other fishermen
That is not the "norm" for a lot of folks fishing, but it is a bright spot for those who want to learn to have a fun fishing trip.
I hope we can get a trip or two in 14 too
God bless emoGeezer

emoCool

 

[drumking]

BassERT - 12/29/2013 10:36 AM

Thanks for your help and consideration to other fishermen
That is not the "norm" for a lot of folks fishing, but it is a bright spot for those who want to learn to have a fun fishing trip.
I hope we can get a trip or two in 14 too
God bless emoGeezer

emoCool

Count on it, Pat. emoBigsmile emoGeezer

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

DK, thanks for yet another fine report. 2621 crappie caught in 2013 emoParty that is spectacular, you should change your handle to crappieking emoWorthy . Thank you for all you do for our forum, you are a class act emoThumbsup emoThumbsup .

 

[EricM]

Another terrific year! I look forward to spending time with you.

 

[Javelin33]

Another awesome year, your the man.

 

[Gator]

DK, what a great annual report. Thanks for sharing all you do with us.
I know you and I planned a couple trips that never panned out for one reason or another, maybe 2014 you can climb into my boat for a trip or two. My wife is doing much better.
Keep up the great work, we all appreciate your reports. emoThumbsup emoThumbsup emoThumbsup

 

[shawnr]

Great year, that is a lot of fish my year was not even close , and great attitude, I hope you have an even better 2014

 

[tnvs1]

Great year thanks for all the reports and pics. Hope you have many more.

 

[mocs-tr20]

Good year man....

 

[G-3]

Thanks for all the great post and I hope you have a great year and find that 3lb black nose.
emoThumbsup emoThumbsup