shsimons, Nickajack, Bass and cats, 11-2, 11-9, 11-16

[shsimons]

I've made 3 trips this November. All bass that have come in the boat have been from threadin shad cast netted in Harrison Bay. I have been drifting them on 4 lb line to get more bites. The bass highlights would be a near triple on smallmouth with one jumping off at the boat, and a 20 incher for big fish that was a rocket launcher! I was proud off all the bass caught as I went through a good amount of trouble to get the shad.
The catfish bite was still hot drifting chicken, boating a bunch of blues and channels from 2-8 lbs. Many doubles on light tackle. The anchor bite is slow, and I'm having to cover a lot of ground to find bites. I have been doing better fishing structure than holes, as the river holes are slow. That is the usual when it hasn't been raining. I've been excited to pull in a 30 and 19 lb flathead, as they are biting big cut bluegill. I guess they are getting in that last meal before the water temps drop. I think big bluegill are a great bait when fished fresh in the winter.
It is that quality over quantity time, and my co-worker Marty got the snot knocked out of her with a long and skinny 70 lber. I took the rod for awhile so she could regain her strength, and it was awesome feeling the power of a giant blue. When she had feeling back in her arms, she took the rod and finished the battle. It is fun seeing a newbie react to a giant. "It's pulling the boat, it's pulling the boat!" That was my favorite quote. We left right after so I could get to Gatlinburg with my wife.
Great seeing nauticman and firstlight, I love seeing the smallmouth kings and what they catch.

 

[jjellison]

emoToast emoToast

 

[EricM]

emoWorthy emoWorthy emoWorthy

 

[Nauticman]

Great report and pics, Sam. Wow, that 70 pounder really is a long fish! You work hard going to HB to net shad for fishing below the dam. Interesting too that you get more bass to bite live bait with 4 lb. test line. I guess most people would think that as long as you're using live bait, you could get away with 8 lb. test anyway, so, I learned something there.

Again, nice to chat with you and Marty and congrats on the big'un!

 

[fishnaddiction]

That ol cats as big as she is!!!! Nice.....

 

[tbinchrist]

Wowzers! Your a great fisherman and an awesome friend. Congrats on the nice fish

 

[porthos33]

emoUpsmile emoUpsmile emoUpsmile

 

[FirstLight]

Nice! Great detailed report.

Those Brownies would be a lot of fun on 4lb test! I'm using 14 to 16 most of the time and still get my tackle tested at times. Good idea scaling line size down.

Good talking to you out there.

 

[Longt70]

What a stud blue!!! 70 lbs!!!!! Wow

 

[Lucas]

emoWorthy emoWorthy emoWorthy

 

[drumking]

Way to go, Sam. Great report and pics. Happy smiles all around. emoThumbsup emoBigsmile emoGeezer

 

[BassERT]

Wow what a fun time!
Big 'ol slimers and them basses!
Don't it feel good to put a smile on a face? emoThumbsup emoToast

emoCool

 

[owtdoorguy]

Nice work there. Some happy anglers.

 

[rsimms]

I want to be Sam Simons when I grow up. emoThumbsup

 

[cuonthelake]

"Its pulling the boat".....great one liner...Monster Monster catch... emoWorthy emoWorthy emoBigsmile

 

[BILL DANTZ]

Good report. No thredfin below the dam? Hope that changes soon. I need to get after those ole brown fish. Congrats to your co-worker Marty. Thats a big blue.