rsimms, Chickamauga, Catfish (Singular), 4-17-2011, Bill Moore and Tim Miller

[rsimms]

OK, this is my sixth year of being an alleged "professional" guide. Today was my second worst day ever on record! emoBadLanguage

And the first worst I could blame on fishermen that didn't know how to fish. I didn't have that excuse today. emoBawl

Bill Moore from South Carolina is paying a visit with his daughter and son-in-law, Tim Miller. Of course he started the day telling me about a great catfish trip he had once on Santee Cooper. I knew I was in trouble then. emoRolleyes

We were on the Top Secret Spot at 8 am... we fished, and fished, and fished HARD. Baits (chicken and bluegill) were in the water being fished dead on target for 6.5 hours non-stop. We reeled in one measly, non-picture-worthy catfish. And it was actually captured by accident on an unmanned rod. We didn't know it was there until we started reeling up to move. emoDoh

We had maybe a half-dozen "hit & run" hits all day. If it's any consolation of the three or four other boats we saw and talked to, I only saw one other also non-picture-worthy catfish reeled in. We saw WLG & Company. Never saw them reel in a fish and the last I saw they were pulling anchor and on the move for the third of fourth time. I didn't say it, but I heard someone else comment that EricM and Fewfish had sore-mouthed 'em all this week. emoPoke

Now I just know someone is going to report in from this afternoon and talk about how they "whacked 'em" at the Top Secret Hole. If so, please title your post, "RSimms, Don't Read This!"

Bill and Tim were GREAT sports, thank goodness. And the weather was absolutely wonderful. So I got to fish with some fine folks and enjoy some gentle breezes under a warm sun. So I suppose, in spite of it all, "Life is good and gettin' better every day!" emoBigsmile

Below is a shot of some of the great "action" from today.

 

[EricM]

I hate it for you! The water is very high and fast, and the cold front must have shut down the bite in a big way. I couldn't have done a bit better than that with a stick of dynamite!!!!

 

[Nauticman]

The lake level shot up way above summer pool, the current increased tremendously and the front came through, the deck was stacked against you. Stuff happens, I too feel bad for you. I'm sure anybody that knows about the sport of fishing understands.

 

[Fewfish]

When I drove by LakeSite this morning the lake looked to be as high as I have seen it and very muddy. That much change that fast can't be good. We have all seen your many GREAT reports. Sounds like Eric M had the solution........DYNAMITE.

 

[Big Ridge Brewer]

I don't know what you cat fishing guys consider "picture worthy". If you're talking about the 20lbs + size then no go, but I caught 8 catfish in about 1.5 hours.

You see, my problem was that I was catching them on jigs with 12' poles. 5 lb cats aren't fun to catch like that.

Figured it out yet? I was crappie fishing. emoBang I finally gave up and put the jig poles up as the cats were wearing me out. Totally.

 

[Liveliner]

Richard, You are going to be forced to carry my never-fail backup Catfish bait with you if in those hard times want to "Save face". Last Wednesday I ran the Nuke in mid day on a slow day and got hit on every pass. Cheap and potent and has never failed me.