Wheeler Cats 10/8/06 Minner, Burger, RSimms, Bprice

[Bprice]

What a long day it was! RSimms was in my hometown of Decatur for the Outdoor Writers Meetings, so we decided to go do some catfishing on Wheeler Lake. We started up around 8:00 and began fishing with no current... it was really tough, and water wasn't going to be on until 11:30 at Guntersville Dam. So we ran up and absolutely loaded the boat with skipjack, and big ones at that. Minner and I taught Richard and Burger our patented "Skipjack Flip" and "Skipjack to the Head Flip" they picked up quick and we loaded a cooler with these toads... as Richard will say, Wheeler is truely a world class Skipjack fishery!! emoLaugh

Now to the catfishing... it was tough today, thats all I can say. We hit all our holes and didn't have alot of success. Had a lot of tastes and hits, but nothing solid except for a solid 16 lber that I caught, and a nice 39 lb dark Wheeler Blue. We fished a little while longer and continued with the tough luck.

We did have a blast today, and I look forward to fishing with Richard again real soon... we'll probably be teaming up to fish the Nick or Chick soon. Looking forward to it, and enjoyed the company throughly.

 

[Bprice]

By the way... Richard, post those, "heat of the action Skipjack photos" !!! emoLaugh emoLaugh

 

[MrWiskers]

Looks like the wind was not too bad down there. We fished in white caps most of the day during the Wiskerfest. Nice fish!!!

 

[Bprice]

Here are some videos! Just downloaded!

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e230/freebyrd81/?action=view&current=Picture044.flv

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e230/freebyrd81/?action=view&current=Picture046.flv

 

[DHaun]

Awesome report - I love the videos! It really captures the thrashing of a big cat next to the boat that's so exciting to see...I'm taking my video camera on my next trip. What kind of camera are you using and what's the storage capacity on photobucket?

 

[MrWiskers]

Bprice - 10/8/2006 8:26 PM

Here are some videos! Just downloaded!

The weather looked like you were in another part of the world. Man what a difference 100 miles or so makes!!!! We were fishing in the Berring Sea all day and you were fishing in San Diego.

 

[Bprice]

It was a beautiful day!

Dhaun, I just use my Nikon Cool Pix 3200 digital camera... takes a good video. Not sure how big Photobucket lets you have though.

 

[polo-dog]

Nice fish and nice video guys. Rsimms, you do get around!

 

[Bprice]

Glad we could catch a bald eagle on video... even though you can't tell it by the video. It was a juvenile. Third trip in a row to see a bald eagle!

 

[drumking]

Great day for you guys. Richard is a fast learner. I can vouch for that. I really liked the videos.emoThumbsup emoThumbsup emoGeezer

 

[rsimms]

Skipjack abound at Guntersville.... big suckers! We've got numbers at Chickamauga, but not size. And I sure was proud to hook a "horse." BPrice and Minner worked hard all day long, and came through. Thanks for the video... that's cool. And here they are, the long awaiting action photos of the "soon-to-be-famous" Skipjack Flip! First pic is the best... check out the intensity on BPrice's face, the perfect positioning of the feet, hand position, smooth "flip" and follow through... it's pure art! emoBigsmile

 

[TritonCarl]

Nice fish guys. I'm glad Richard didn't go with me to Pickwick Saturday, he may have ended up like me....sorely disappointed. Strong winds, 100+ boat tournament, and very few bites!!!!!

bprice...I've got my fairy wand ready, are they biting yet on Weiss!!!!!!!!!?? carl

 

[Fishing machine]

Good report BPRICE, looks like a lot of fun. I would like to hear and see more on how you catch those Skipjack.

 

[foodsaver]

I also would be very interested in learning how you catch your skipjacks. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Bprice]

Basically its all about the patented "skipjack flip." When the actions hot, its important to get them in the boat as fast as you can! Haha...

Really we just find an eddy and hold the TM in it. We throw popping corks with marabou jigs or small spoons behind them. G'ville Dam tailrace has some MONSTER skipjack.. many of the ones we caught would be from 1.5 - 2.0 lbs... they make a mean chunk of meat for them cats.

Basically pop the cork as fast and hard as you can, and the skipjack will come out of the water on the spoons or jigs.... its alot of fun. We ended up catching 45 or so within 20 minutes. Which was a blast.

Carl, the fairy wand won't be needed on Weiss, just 10 lb line on my baitcaster... fairy wands are just for skipjack and crappie

 

[Bprice]

...btw, first tip of the Skipjack Flip...

Its all in the hips baby, you know how baseball players get their main power from their hips... its just like that on the Skipjack Flip. Notice I am in full rotation.

 

[Liveliner]

That is some fat Skipjack herring you have down there. They must be emoHungry good.

 

[fisherpal2k]

Good job guys! Looks like a lot of fun was had today.. Maybe the cats will treat you better next time. Still looks like a fun trip!emoThumbsup

 

[bprice_paterfamilias]

RSimms...I must compliment you on the quality, color and framing of your photos. They are always superb.emoThumbsup

 

[minner]

foodsaver - 10/9/2006 10:54 AM

I also would be very interested in learning how you catch your skipjacks. Thanks in advance for any info.

FS lately we've been having better luck using a popping cork ahead of the lure (maribu jig or small chrome spoon). The popping and sputtering of the cork "calls" them on in I think. There are days you don't need it if the action is hot, just ripping two fuzzy maribu jigs through the water is enough to load the boat in minutes. Once on today 3 of us had popping corks on and Rsimms had a solo jig tied on ripping it through the water and he actually caught just as many as we did using the corks.

If times are tough, and I can't get a commitment from finicky skipjack, I'll tie on a Yozuri thin minnow and can usually get a bite. If the SJ are small, you can get away with using a Sabiki rig catching several at a time.