Scenic City Cats (9-7-2006)

[rsimms]

Had a long day on the water Wednesday with Ron Roberts and Scott Satterfield from Nashville. The big fish continue to elude me... but we did OK on "numbers." They kept a couple of coolers full of 5 - 10 lb. fish... many smaller, and some larger fish were released. The biggest was a 14# (below). The fish definitely were NOT active. I fished 8 or 10 spots from Soddy Creek all the way down to the dam... burned some serious gas, just moving trying to find more active fish. They were never "active," we just nickel and dimed 'em everywhere we went. 40 feet seemed to be the key depth... and drumking... I want you to know particularly that we actually did catch some "suspended" fish yesterday. After telling you that never worked for me... it did work on a few fish yesterday.

 

[Fat Albert]

Richard, I see nothing wrong with the fish you all caught... They looked as if they were happy and content. Big Smiles...
Sorry, you had to buy alot of gas.... I know you gave them their moneys worth..emoAngel

DK, will be pleased to hear your report of catch off the bottom and did you use his lunar tables....???? HA

 

[drumking]

Those are good eating fish, Richard and I'm so glad that you finally were able to catch some suspended blues. You are going to be a well-rounded guide before all this is over. emoBigsmile Tomorrow should be a great day to catch catfish. The weekend too, if the TVA runs any water through the turbines. By Monday, we will be nearly halfway from a full moon phase to new moon phase. Lacking a couple of days. I hate fishing on half moon phases. Let me correct that statement. I don't hate fishing on half moon phases. I just hate the results of fishing on half moon phases. A bad day of fishing is still better than a great day at work. emoBigsmile

Just as soon as the water cools off a little and I get by the next two meetings that are scheduled later on this month, I'm going to do some serious Crappie fishing and a couple of you guys are looking forward to that, I'm sure. emoGeezer

 

[Fat Albert]

A GREAT BIG Y E S..... FA

 

[MrWiskers]

rsimms - 9/7/2006 11:02 AM
I want you to know particularly that we actually did catch some "suspended" fish yesterday. After telling you that never worked for me... it did work on a few fish yesterday.

Told you so. At Racoon we sometimes catch more suspended than on the bottom. They seem to hit harder when suspended. Did you notice?

 

[Fishing machine]

Good looking fish Richard. I know Ron and Scott had a ball. I don't know what time you've been taking people out fishing but all of our BIG fish have been in the first 1 1/2 hours after daylight. ( after that, the big fish seem to shut down )
I also caught a spoonbill on bait Sunday and thats the first time that's happened to me. About ten pounds or so.

 

[minner]

Those fish look FAT that's for sure. Looks like some happy customers.emoThumbsup

 

[rsimms]

Fishing machine - 9/7/2006 12:53 PM
Good looking fish Richard. I know Ron and Scott had a ball. I don't know what time you've been taking people out fishing but all of our BIG fish have been in the first 1 1/2 hours after daylight. ( after that, the big fish seem to shut down ) I also caught a spoonbill on bait Sunday and thats the first time that's happened to me. About ten pounds or so.

That's a very good point... I have to make a tough choice. I've been catching my "numbers" on the afternoon bite when generation schedules are best. But I know early AM is likely a better big fish bite. But I can't handle 12-hour days so lately I've been choosing "afternoons" ... times when I can catch numbers and still have a chance at quality.

 

[rsimms]

MrWiskers - 9/7/2006 12:30 PM

rsimms - 9/7/2006 11:02 AM
I want you to know particularly that we actually did catch some "suspended" fish yesterday. After telling you that never worked for me... it did work on a few fish yesterday.

Told you so. At Racoon we sometimes catch more suspended than on the bottom. They seem to hit harder when suspended. Did you notice?

Can't say I really noticed that. Really got on one particular spot where EVERY fish I saw was suspended. And it was obvious they were there beacuse that's where the bait was hanging. I finally reeled up and let 'er drift. I had rod in rod holder and watched it "wiggle" several times with the typically "taste testers." But wouldn't touch it until it "loaded up." And it was only in that one spot... elsewhere fish were the basic "bottom feeders." On two or three occasions we foul-hooked fish yesterday... two of them square in the back and another in the gill plate.... even with circle hooks. Lends credence to the belief that many times fish are just "rubbing" the bait to see if it's something they want to eat or not.

 

[drumking]

rsimms - 9/7/2006 1:54 PM

MrWiskers - 9/7/2006 12:30 PM

rsimms - 9/7/2006 11:02 AM
I want you to know particularly that we actually did catch some "suspended" fish yesterday. After telling you that never worked for me... it did work on a few fish yesterday.

Told you so. At Racoon we sometimes catch more suspended than on the bottom. They seem to hit harder when suspended. Did you notice?

Can't say I really noticed that. Really got on one particular spot where EVERY fish I saw was suspended. And it was obvious they were there beacuse that's where the bait was hanging. I finally reeled up and let 'er drift. I had rod in rod holder and watched it "wiggle" several times with the typically "taste testers." But wouldn't touch it until it "loaded up." And it was only in that one spot... elsewhere fish were the basic "bottom feeders." On two or three occasions we foul-hooked fish yesterday... two of them square in the back and another in the gill plate.... even with circle hooks. Lends credence to the belief that many times fish are just "rubbing" the bait to see if it's something they want to eat or not.

Richard, did you ever have your line go slack while fishing on the bottom and know that a fish had picked it up and was swimming back up to the level that they were suspending? That happens to me a lot. When that happens, I usually reel like mad for 3 or 4 cranks and set the hook as hard as I can. Usually catch up to the fish and hook them. I know that you think that they were just swimming off sideways, but I watch electronics all the time and I see so many blues suspended 7-8 feet off bottom and I just feel in my gut that these are the fish that smell the bait, go down and grab it, and swim back up to the level they were hanging out with all their buddies.emoGeezer