Shell Knob 8/9

[Pepe]

We were on the water at 5:30 hoping for a topwater bite that never materialized. A couple neighbors from our dock went out at the same time - same plan. They switched to throwing a Biffle Bug that has worked well for them this year. Not today, they told us.

We decided to work flooded brush with spinnerbaits after trying wake baits, spoons and jigs with only 1 fish. The rain was steady but light enough that I was fine without a rainsuit. Got wet but it was warm.

We found a good bite in flooded bushes near deep water working main lake banks between Carter and Point 22. Some bite just inside the mouth of creeks but we got nothing when we got further inside. It might have been a wind issue. There wasn't much breeze but enough to put a curdle on the water in the main lake.

Our good fish came off of green leafy bushes on a medium retrieve. I mean right IN the bushes. That can bend up some War Eagle screamers. Between the bushes and swinging fish in the boat we had four bent up ones on the floor. They liked the white and purple 1/2 oz screaming eagles with just a bit of chartreuse dye .

Caught and released eleven keepers but nothing over 17.5 inches. 14 shorts. No smallies mixed in and never did see anything but very slight surface activity. My wife was having one of those "blow up your reel" days trying to put the baits under overhanging limbs so we headed in just before noon. I love her dearly but wasn't going to lend her any of my outfits. Love has limits;)

[Quillback]

Thanks for the great report, spinnerbaits in the bushes - is this August?

[Champ188]

Spinnerbaits in the flooded bushes in August ... has The Rapture occurred and we are now fishing in Heaven?

[Whit Warriors]

The War Eagle was the best bait in Aunts Creek today. The wind was just right and the bushes held fish. Covered a lot of water and had good morning. Had a few early on a spook and nada on the square bill or jig. Going back tomorrow and was thinking going further up the James. Anybody catching bass around Piney or the Cape? Imagine the water is got some color.

[Pepe]

The motor for the trim pump on my engine quit so I'm done for the weekend. I left the boat with Fred Ulrich so am confident it will be right when I get back in 2 weeks. No telling what they will be hitting by then.

We are going to try that new restaurant tonight, where the Bearded Clam used to be.

[GNSfishing]

The motor for the trim pump on my engine quit so I'm done for the weekend. I left the boat with Fred Ulrich so am confident it will be right when I get back in 2 weeks. No telling what they will be hitting by then.

We are going to try that new restaurant tonight, where the Bearded Clam used to be.

Well Fred and company will do you right, one of the best shops around this part of the country.