Shell Knob 6/29 - 7/7

[196champ]

I was down for a good stretch 6/29 - 7/7 and fishing mainly in the mornings until 10 or so.  Most of my fish came on a 3" swimmer 1/4 oz head, red fin/berkley surge shad and a spoon.

I stayed between Big Creek and just past the Shell Knob Bridge 95% of the time.  I fished main lake points and bluff ends with some pretty predictable fishing most every morning running 10-12 of these bluff end points and long gravel run outs, i took me a few days to figure out the schooling fish and their locations, but was able to pin them down.  As well as some nice LM's schooling each morning in 2 of these locations.  The bluff fish were anywhere from 15-30ft down over 40-100ft of water and the gravel fish seemed to be best in the 20-25ft range

I know it was a Holiday week, so i was almost expecting it, but boy was the fishing etiquette poor.  I greeted most with a good morning and happy fishing, with the exception of one angler, but if i can cast and hit your boat with a red fin, well your just too close.  I had a nice discussion with a gentleman who promptly trolled a crank bait within spitting distance of me 3 times in one morning on 3 different spots...i generally avoid this type of confrontation but i had a hard time keeping my mouth shut.  It is easy to see the type that just don't fish much and probably don't know any better, which is no big deal, but this individual was well aware of what he was doing.      Enough of that....

Fishing was great and the catching was even better...

I mean what do you think, a little close?

 

[Quillback]

Well good to hear you got into some nice fish.  Sounds like you have your own personal "stalker".  

[Royal Blue]

I was out yesterday around Cape Fair, and the etiquette was horrible.  We were repeatedly cut off on short stretches of bank.  It was nuts.  I finally called a guy out, and was not at all nice.  I fired up the boat and hammered it out of there.  To his credit, he stopped when he saw us putting the boat on the trailer and apologized, but I struggled before letting it go.  Between that and the pontoon boats with tubers doing donuts within 50-60 feet of us several times had me questioning why I left the house yesterday.

[196champ]

I typically don't get too charged up over this stuff, there are plenty of places to go on the lake and catch fish, which is why i don't even stop if i see someone on a spot i would like to fish or even headed in the direction of where i wanted to be.

Some come from different parts of the country where it is no big deal to set up shop right next to someone, i just like to have my room and am off to the next stop if someone is already there.

I was parked on a bluff end throwing a swim bait about 50 yards from the bank and i see the deep V trolling 1/4 mile away, they keep coming and next thing i know they decide to troll between the bank and my boat, directly where i was casting.  That'll frustrate a guy out trying to enjoy a peaceful morning.

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, 196champ said:

I typically don't get too charged up over this stuff, there are plenty of places to go on the lake and catch fish, which is why i don't even stop if i see someone on a spot i would like to fish or even headed in the direction of where i wanted to be.

Some come from different parts of the country where it is no big deal to set up shop right next to someone, i just like to have my room and am off to the next stop if someone is already there.

I was parked on a bluff end throwing a swim bait about 50 yards from the bank and i see the deep V trolling 1/4 mile away, they keep coming and next thing i know they decide to troll between the bank and my boat, directly where i was casting.  That'll frustrate a guy out trying to enjoy a peaceful morning.

 

i've cleaned out several trollers over the years.  sometimes you just have to have a prepared rod laying on the deck  for them.  most of the stuff they use just goes the the trash can.

bo