crazy4fishin

I went back out at 3:23:32 according to the GPS - it was a bit warm with some cloud cover and a slight sprinkle. But that ended pretty quickly - started going up river and as rounded the bend there they were.... it looked like an armada of kayakers....paddles waving in all directions. At first I thought they were going to make on run on Lilleys and I thought i should turn around and go help. So I stopped right before Fall Creek resort as there was another wave of kayakers. Very little current - drifting about 1.8 mph...first cast on a TM 7' below the float and I catch one. Small, but fiesty...and full of poop!! Dumb thing did his business on the carpet - as I thought about it I guess I would to; being boated like that and getting man handled....clean drawers would be needed. Then there was the professional rats nest at the end of the pole that was more than I wanted to mess with so that ended the TM experience - that is what you get with 2lb line and some wind. So I went with a 1/16 marabou jig - and caught one then broke that off...grabbed the next pole, let me stop for a moment - the reason that I wasn't trying to undo the nest or retie is have you ever tried doing that with 2lb line and old eyes while making sure I didn't end up on the bank!! The other pole had an 1/32 orange head ginger and brown jig with a small weight 12" above the jig - I was focusing on the bluff side of the bank past Trout hollow and just stayed on that side - I caught 4-5 more nice ones including a small brown - I figured out that you had to snap it off the bottom and then wind down on the slack, something a bit different than what they had seen the past couple of days...many times I didn't know they were on until I wound up and the fight was on. I hope this helps your trout adventures C4F

Will they be open the 8th? The post kinda implies that they will be. C4F

I am going to try and channel my inner Phil as I write this report - went out Saturday before sunrise....heavy fog....had to use my trusty filet knife to cut a hole in it just to get away from the dock. Once on my way upstream at a wicked 4.4 MPH, measured by GPS, (fortunately I didn't have to turn my hat backwards at that speed ) with every light I had on in the boat so everyone could see me, I worked my way to just before Fall Creek. I had happen to watch one of Phil's v-logs where he was talking to a guide that was catching trout on pink San Juan worms - well it took me 7 hours to get here so I sure as heck wasn't going to drive to San Juan to get some dumb worms - so I thought well pink is pink so I put a pink trout magnet under a float say 7-8' depending on where I was and let the current push me down stream. That was a good decision as I caught 5 the first drift - nice size...didn't measure but if I was eatin 'em they were keepers for sure - and fighters....really fun.So much so I ran back up and did the same thing...I had a bit more company....5 again plus as many if not more misses....traffic really picking up by now. I thought I would make another pass but the fish really shut down - only a couple - but holy smokes were the boats stacked up between Fall Creek and Trout Hollow - so much so you had to take a number just so you could continue down stream - I made that last part up, about taking a number...not about the number of boats - It did look like Taney's version of LOZ Party Cove except is was pretty much older guys, not in great shape, in a variety of fishing boats. Most were cordial and we all made it down just fine. I did the same thing this morning with similar results - and about my third drift it finally hit me, I knew what was missing - I wanted bacon - so I went in and had bacon and eggs. I will go back out in a bit and let you know how it went. C4F

Awesome - memories that will last forever... C4F

I guess it was only a matter of time before some one saw $$$$ being throwed and not rolls. I really like the novelty of that place and the food is good....but bring cash!!! No credit cards - learned that the first time there....made my business partner go across the street to the ATM - thought I was going to have to wash dishes C4F

Tis true - and when I am on the boat I have a deck full of rods.....but it is so easy to throw a few Zinkers in my pocket and hang my pole over my shoulder and walk to the fishing hole like Opee..... C4F

Well...I have needed to increase my screen size to 125% just to be able to read the words....and there is unruly hair growing on the back of my hands......coincidence? C4F

A weed guard is a must - the lakes that I am fishing are wicked weedy at the bank - the weed guard allows me to drag it through and catch that bass hanging on the edge. BTW internet friends as a follow up I have continued to fish the local lakes but I have since started fishing away from people as a way to keep everything in check.....then yesterday evening I heard a voice on my left shoulder - it was a little guy in a black tournament jersey (he was sponsored by Sulfer Bait Co) telling to move down to where there were some fishermen....as I started to consider the recommendation I heard a voice on my right shoulder and lo and behold there was a similar looking guy in a white tourney jersey (he was sponsored by Son rise hooks) telling me to stay put and not listen to the other guy! There was quite a conversation going on - - Well all three of us couldnt come to a conclusion so I made one more cast - yes I caught a fish - hooked the Ned to the pole and walked back to the truck. C4F

Thanks! I know the place C4F

Bill - is there still a spoon bite? I am going to buy a few of those Dixie's when I come down in a few weeks. BTW should I buy them on line or can they be bought locally? C4F

MO - full disclosure.....During this time I have given out about a dozen or so Neds with the associated Z-Man's to all of those that I have fished around and they struck up a conversation....it is interesting some ask and most don't. If they ask I would give them all of the info that I have...I had to do something to tame the monster :]

This post has nothing to do with Table Rock but I consider you my internet friends...kind of a sad statement now that I read it back...anyway here is my confession. I have not been able to get out in my boat locally or regionally for about a month plus...work, family, heat, washing my hair...what ever the reason. So I have been hitting our local no wake lakes and fishing from the bank in the evening. So I don't have to carry a bunch of tackle I take a spinning rig spooled w/6lb line and a professionally Kansas manufactured Ned head with some kind of cut down Z Man. The first time out I walk to where there were a couple of guys fishing...I move 10 yards or so down the bank...BAM... first cast nail a small one...I proceeded to catch 6 fish for 6 casts! In that time these 2 hadn't caught a single one...as I pull each one out I don't make eye contact but I know they are watching....and I can feel it growing within me....you all know the feeling....the "I am catching and you aren't" monster - don't deny it....you all have had it when you are on them and those around you are not. SO I proceeded to hammer them for an hour or so....then i hook my Ned on the eyelet and walk off. It would have been fine if that was the only time...but I could feel it nagging at me to go back out - so a few days later, same lake different spot and same results....this time there was a guy and what appeared to be his GF....I could hear her comment to him asking why they went catching them like I was....there was that feeling again. Yes GF real men use small baits.... I almost felt guilty...no....not really...A few days later I went to a different lake....a few yards from a Dad and his young son....smoked them again...as the monster reared it's ugly head....I thought no problem I could stop if I wanted to, but I don't want to - this is not a good thing to have happen right? In the last 30 days I have repeated this over and over....I think that I have a Ned problem. I have come to the conclusion that the new big bait is small and size does not matter. Well I feel better now that I have that off my chest.......thanks internet friends! C4F p.s. no fish were harmed in the writing of this article and were all released for another time.

Bill your comment is right on about the boat dealers, but I suspect that most would just say....no problem I got this.....nobody wants to appear "dumb" right? Especially when your wife is right next to you....asking "have you done this before?" I mean she was double daring me right? So I had to say....heck yeah..... When I bought my first Bass boat I was in heaven and all glassy eyed.....the 20 Y/O gave me the "here is everything tour"...today I would have asked about filling the live wells, yes you have to close the valve or the water actually runs out...and how in the world do you get this thing up on plane...o yeah trim it in! Then for speed trim it out some....And what is the best depth to have the trailer in the water - yes that is a thing with bass boats. Power loading? Cool words when together in a sentence ...... I am sure that many people thought WTH is that guy doing with that little 17' BB cranking it on the trailer!? I didn't understand until I watched a couple of guys power load at TR....I thought well I be darn that is a cool way to load the boat!! The plug...never forget the plug! At least make sure the plug that comes with the boat actually screws into the drain! No more splaining on this one.... All in all the good Lord knew that you were trying to help....as we all would have done....not much more to do at that point. C4F

Okay - full confession I have clicked on a link or two that have taken me to some of those "other Bass sites" - it was by accident - and I find the term micro aggression....long story about how it originated but one poster came up with these examples. MicroAggressive bass fishing terms: 1. Nitro owner - hidden meaning... a lower class fisherman, or can't afford a Bass Cat 2. Co-anglers - hidden meaning.... to poor to buy a boat, a pro wanna be 3. Dock owner- hidden meaning.....crazy old fart 4. Ranger owner- hidden meaning....slow 5. Fishing jersey - hidden meaning...KVD worshiper 6. Fish and Ski Boat owner - hidden meaning....orientation confusion. Now I had to laugh at the concept and the terms as I am guilty of #1 & #5 Just thought I would share and not hi jack an already thought provoking thread about tiny shorts on men and the effect. C4F

Great post - drop shotting can be a fun way to fish. Dougdean - I always let my wife out fish me...that is how I am able to buy more fishing stuff! I mean if I REALLY tried I could always out fish her C4F

It looks like my dog chewed on it - I am not sure that I could drop something short of a Benjamin on something like this....and the wife know..... C4F

Great story! Love it when the young ones get interested in fishing.....so now the new "trend" will be a Ned rig on a 2' Disney Princess pole with 2 maybe 4 lb line......broom sticking..... Well if that is what it takes to bring in a 3lb'er then off to the Walmart I go, I think I am confident enough in my manhood to embrace this style......why was I not aware of this new method while fishing the Oakley?!?!?! Champ? Dave? WTH C4F

I have to compliment you on the dual pole and running the trolling motor - I have tried that a time or two....not one in each hand but drifting then decide to throw a jig a couple of times when the bite is slow..so hold it between my legs kinda thing....it never fails - it seems that I snag every time I do that. What a pain it is - of course I never seem to get wound in and everything turned around and get on top of the snag before the line breaks! I see right now that I am not worthy C4F

I have started to use the wobble head more and more - frankly I am having more confidence in it than the jig right now. For whatever the reason I seem to catch more fish. It seems to be more versatile BTW Quill I am very jealous of your ability to fish bankers hours.......as I sit here in my office living vicariously through each of you....yeah that sounded a bit weird. C4F

Champ - I think that this practice is all over the place - I live across the street from a nice no wake 350 acre lake - for kicks and giggles I went over to watch the ramp fun on Memorial Day around noon - I did not take my boat.....it was a hoot!!! From the old guy literally sitting on the edge of the ramp bobber fishing to the kayaks that are getting in front of the guy backing down the ramp to the poor guy whose battery gave out on him and he and his daughter had to paddle their boat in. I didn't think I could have so much fun just watching. C4F

So Hunter do you remember the one legged guy (well he did have an artificial one) that you helped back down the ramp? I don't think he ever got the rig straight. Thank goodness he was the only one backing at the time. I helped him in his boat - he was interesting to talk to for the few minutes that he was there, he must have fished quite a bit as he had sponsor stickers all over his rig. He was telling me that the reason that he was early was to beat the crowd - he was successful. Now Champ regarding those Rangers - I have read on a site not to be named - that while Rangers are deemed to be classy they tend to be sloooow and that all owners are required to wear their jerseys and ascot tie while operating the boat. abkeenan - I think jolicious is right it is Razorback country...God knows why but it is.... C4F

I just wanted to say thanks to all of the active and retired men and women in the armed forces.....beause you served to protect our freedoms we have the opportunity to move freely around this great country voice, our opinions both good and bad and enjoy a way of life that the rest of the world is generally envious of. Thanks for everything and stay safe C4F

I told you that it was dark!!! I felt lucky that I could find the boat after I walked down to the water, I did buy a set of Bluewaters that I am going to install soon - - - also you guys were pretty classy telling me that you were going around to get ready and not cutting in line thanks for that. C4F

Nice fish!! It is always fun to catch fish in good company - it creates some great memories C4F

Jerry - I was afraid to fart after the spicy lunch! It felt like all that BBQ was racing to the exit if you know what I mean!!! 5 - I would have still told the story - heck I was laughing at myself out loud at times.....maybe that is why there were no boats around me?.....it was crazy for sure...I looked like I was on a first date with the way things were going, fumbling with everything. Champ - what really twisted me on the spinner bait.... it was a War Eagle....highly recommended from what I read on here The only saving grace was that my wife was not with me - and she still doesnt know the extent....man I would never hear the end of it!! C4F