rsimms, Nickajack (Riverpark), BIG Smallmouth, June 4, 2015, various partners

[rsimms]

What a treat it was to watch 78-year-old Leonard Crouch do battle with a monster smallmouth. It's not like I keep records, but I believe that at 6.2 lbs., it is the largest smallie any of my clients has ever captured.

Leonard is the grandfather of former Hamilton County game warden Nick Luper. Nick is now stationed in Decatur County. Leonard lives in Cheatham County. The pair traveled back to the "Mother Ship" to fish with me on Thursday. The catfish bite was actually pretty slow, but Leonard was already committed to sticking with a live shiner (also known by some as "a natural swim bait"). He caught one quality brown fish early (19 inches). And we caught several other species on the shiners.

<img src=http://www.sceniccityfishing.com/forumpics/nick_striper.jpg>

We also had a very poor hook/boat record. We broke off two fish, and had several just come unbuttoned. emoBang No telling what they were?

It was later in the morning and Nick and I had switched over to catfishing, but Leonard hung tough with a shiner, when "Boom!"

I use 6# flourocarbon on my smallmouth rods and I quickly loosened Leonard's drag when I saw the first run this fish made. It was a good thing because that fish gave and took line a dozen times before we ever saw it the first time. It moved toward the surface, but never jumped so I wasn't totally convinced it was a smallmouth. Until finally I saw him roll on top near the boat and my heart stopped.

When Leonard finally brought him to net, I'm not sure who was happier -- me or him.

<img src=http://www.sceniccityfishing.com/forumpics/couch.jpg>

Leonard has some arthritis and actually had a hard time holding the brute up for a picture. But he managed.

In the last two or three weeks, we've actually been sticking at least one or two quality smallmouth on almost every trip. You have to work for them, but do the work and the payoff can be big. (See pics below) Not sure how long this bite might last, but we'll be there to find out. That means life is good and gettin' better everyday.

<img src=http://www.sceniccityfishing.com/forumpics/emily.jpg>

<img src=http://www.sceniccityfishing.com/forumpics/jim.jpg>

<img src=http://www.sceniccityfishing.com/forumpics/trivette1.jpg>

<img src=http://www.sceniccityfishing.com/forumpics/warren.jpg>

<img src=http://www.sceniccityfishing.com/forumpics/logan.jpg>

<img src=http://www.sceniccityfishing.com/forumpics/mike.jpg>

<img src=http://www.sceniccityfishing.com/forumpics/sapp.jpg>

<img src=http://www.sceniccityfishing.com/forumpics/trivette2.jpg>

 

[DinkDink]

Them are some nice brown ones there.

 

[Dbuff]

Thanks for the report

 

[EricM]

Congrats!!!!

 

[Mudman]

Beautiful fish and a good report

 

[Mudman]

Beautiful fish and a good report

 

[kbsfisherman]

awesome!

 

[cptenn94]

What kind of rig was used with the shiner? I have caught my personal best LM on a live shiner that I caught with my cast net, and I just let drift with the current while shore fishing under the rr bridge. But I really was lucky that the fish hooked itself, and it was a pleasant surprise when I was packing up to leave.


Anyways those are some great fish!

 

[G-3]

emoThumbsup emoThumbsup emoThumbsup Beautiful Smallmouth

 

[troutfly]

You have to take me fishing one day Mr. Simms!

 

[mdjbro]

Thanks for report, He sure looked excited.

 

[Jmax]

troutfly - 6/7/2015 9:54 PM

You have to take me fishing one day Mr. Simms!

All you have to do is book a trip. Jmax

 

[troutfly]

I assure you, if my work picks up, I will,no doubt!

 

[rsimms]

Here are two more we added to the list Sunday.

 

[Fhixon]

wow nice fish