VolFan

Is this just float n fly with a different lure? Why not just use a senko?

NorthStar Customs Flip and Swim if there’s grass/weeds. Football head if there’s not. Great jigs, great price, great guy to deal with

I’d let you borrow my wheelbarrow but the drive is a bit much…

I’d work on techniques that you are not familiar with - jig and trailer for example. It really opens your eyes when what you feel is a bite.

Taylor Creek is probably the closest to Rock Hill.

Does it always go to port at the bottom of the hour?

I had a guy that launched right in front of me when I was about to leave this morning. Right side (his right when launching) ramp was wide open but he skipped it and went to the one on his left (my right as I’m pulling the boat up to the dock to pull out). I was annoyed but whatever. I tie off to the end of the dock as his wife walks the boat off and ties off. He goes and parks his trailer RIGHT NEXT TO MINE. He leaves both truck doors open on my side and as I walk up he’s futzing around, doesn’t look like he’s doing much. He’s get up to my 4Runner and he’s working on a diaper change for a young toddler while about a 4 yr old is giving him the business for her sister’s behavior and a few other normal 4 yr old complaints (snacks, Bluey, she couldn’t wear her princess costume, etc.). He looks at me and goes “I’m sorry, trying to get everyone ready” and I just laughed and told him to take all the time he needed, he had his hands full. I didn’t tell him he’d miss this, but he will. point is, give people some grace, some of them have a lot going on. Not the tailgaters. Those guys suck.

Had a short but fun morning dragging for catfish on Mountain Island Lake. Fish were scattered and seemed to be around spawning/post-spawn groups of crappie. 6 catfish in about 3 hrs and some white perch and crappie on the UL in between cats. Biggest was pushing 30 lbs, a ton of fun in my little tin boat. I had a 15 that was foul-hooked in the dorsal that was a challenge to subdue without a net.

This morning it was a couple of pieces of wheat toast with butter, a hard boiled egg and an orange. If the fam is going with me I make bacon and breakfast sandwiches on bagels.

If it happens whether you’re going fast or slow I would say try getting to as close to a stop as you can before engaging it. If it starts that way when you engage it and then settles down it’s probably normal. If it’s constantly doing that on still water on a calm day that’s not normal.

Shallow water and gravel or small rocks with some current is where these shine for me. 4 ft or less. Clean creeks/mountain rivers etc for smallies, but largies, spots, white bass, and cats will eat them too.

Yeah I was on Norman the two trips previous and did well, just didn’t want to drive that far today.

Yeah we were there from 8-1. Went pretty far upriver to hit a few reliable spots…swing and a miss. It couldn’t decide if it wanted to be hit or windy today. Saw a bunch of shad and probably white perch at the main lake mouth of Gar Creek, just couldn’t get anything to do more than de-tail a few keitechs.

@spartyon8 Where were you on Mtn Island? I was out there with my wife - the lake treated us similarly to you… no fish.

Unless you are motoring long distances at max power or going for 8 hr days all on the troller, a 50-60 aH lithium should be fine for you. I have a 60 aH in my boat and it has been great

Try ‘The Shad-N-Ator’ on FB. That should get you there.

Good to see you @Way2slow!

Any creek with a numerical name dumping into the TN River/Ft Loudon Lake in Knoxville. But you have to fish around the biohazard signs. Charlotte’s creeks are pastoral by comparison.

If you’re here already you know we’re getting periodic thunderstorms. The upper end of High Rock will probably be pretty muddy for the next couple days. I’d do Badin and go shallow and big over near the railroad tracks on the west side. Also - The Shadinator on FB fishes that chain. He’s a former NC wildlife officer and gives great info on an almost daily basis.

@MN Fisher - it’s a mutt of black and meth…

My fishing dogma is Labrador Retriever: Don’t worry about looking stupid. Have fun whatever you’re doing. Bring snacks.

I’ve been cooking since I was about 6. Mom worked overnight, dad during the day and there was some overlap so somehow I ended up doing a lot of cooking. I had the Betty Crocker/Better Homes and Gardens red and white checkered cookbook as my reference. I love to cook and even did it professionally for a few years. The America’s Test Kitchen Cooking School Cookbook is the single best reference for how and what to cook how. I use if for ideas, motivation, and reference. Buy that and read it. It will make a world of difference and you can tell what you’re interested in.

I went from a kayak to a 14 ft Lowe utility boat 5 yrs ago. Couldn’t be happier. It was under $5k already set up with basic electronics and a 20 hp tiller. I have added a TM with Spotlock and may upgrade the electronics eventually. I added a deck and then took it out. Kayak fishing is fun but I need to be floating down a river or on a smaller body of water. I’m not wasting an hour paddling to a spot, good on the people that do. Now my wife and/or teen can come with comfortably. It takes me considerably less time to prep my boat than my kayak and frankly is easier on my body. You’ve been headed this way for a while, just make sure you have storage space😀.

Yowzah! That’s a fish right there. Me and my teenager have been catching schoolie sized hybrid stripers and white perch on Lake Norman lately… we could use them for bait for that one!

It’s easier to fish with one kidney than one arm, and you generally get more for the kidney… Sorry you’re going through this - it has to suck. We burned a few Ks on a new main water line last year.