Mr. Swabby(aka westtennessee1)

I hit the river Sunday with drastically different results than banker... Windy day with not many quality bites. My son and I drifted live bait in the morning with only junk fish bites. Transitioned to cranks and jerkbaits in the afternoon and were able to entice some green fish at least. Nothing over 2lbs. I think I hit it on an "off" day or banker simply cleaned house leaving nothing for the rest of us...!

Good luck, it looks like a great day. I have too much to do today to go but I'm looking forward to your report banker. Depending on how you do, I may venture out there tomorrow...

Kent, I'm looking forward to the trip as well, should be fun! This will be one of my last outings in the great Southeast as I move to Italy in June- See you on the lake! Jeff

Went fishing today, had a chance to snap a couple of photos of the rig- feel free to take a look!

Well, indeed PICKWICK is on fire! Great day with great weather. My buddy Mike and I spent the day below the dam drifting live bait, and working in some jigs and cranks. Overall 30 fish total. 13 brown, 10 green and the rest were junk fish- drum/carp... Best five SM went 18lbs with the biggest being 5lb-9oz. LM a bit smaller bag in the range of 14lbs with the biggest fish just over 5lbs. Photos attached-

Thanks everyone for taking the time to post your opinions. I'm most probably going to try and sell in the May timeframe for a firm asking price of $17K. Backup plan is storage and I'll make sure to have it prepared appropriately. If you're interested keep your eyes open for it on the fishing flea market forum around April/May! Appreciate all of your advice! Jeff Oh- Glenn, we usually move about the 2-3 year mark depending on the type of unit that we are assigned...

Thanks for all of the great opinions! Appreciate you taking the time to resond to the post. For clarification, I'm going overseas for two to three years on a shore assignment. Will not be able to even see the boat until I return. Absolutely satisified with the rig, and it's set up just like I want. No issues with it at all, I'm leaning toward selling because I can't see just leaving it in storage and not being able to enjoy it. I paid about $21K for it new and with the upgrades have about $23K in it. If I was going to sell, any idea where I might start the asking price? I don't want to lose my shirt on the sale and can always store if I can't sell... Thanks again fellow members! Jeff

Fellow BR Members, Just a quick post to get some opinions. I'm in the Navy and will be moving overseas this summer. I own a 2009 Bass Tracker 190TX. She's got a 115 Mercury Optimax. I've upgraded the electronics to Humminbird 998cSI at the console and moved the stock lowrance to the bow. Also upgraded the prop to a 19P stainless. I've got less than 75 hours on the boat in 2 years. Bought it new. Would like your opinion on an asking price for the boat. I'm trying to determine if I keep it in storage for the next two years or try to sell... Your time and consideration is sincerely appreicated! HAPPY FISHING! Jeff

Sounds like a great trip, I need to get down to the dam! Congratulations on the new PB!

Well fellow brownie addicts--- I made the 7 lb club last Friday! http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/93731-pickwick-partner/page__st__93

Well trip started out slow, we got to the McFarland ramp about 0700 and the fog was thick! Had to carefully navigate close to the dam, and started with cranks, jerks and jigs. After losing about four baits, we reverted to drifting live bait about 0900. Fairly productive day using live bait catching other species but the brownies did not come alive till about 1500. WHAMO!!! Caught about five in ten minutes all small ones. Then the toads got active, and I could not figure out why. Dam spilling all day so it was not the current. The sun came up about 1100 burning off all the fog so it was not the sun. Anyway, my buddy Mike landed a 5 lb fish at 1515 and then I hooked up with what I thought was a 15 lb Drum ten minutes later--- NOPE!!! WHOOP-WHOOP! I'm now in the 7 lb club. This fish went 7.25 lbs and put up the fight of my life. Did not know if my 6 lb Yozuri line was going to hold up but it did! As a matter of fact, thankfully, I had just tied a fresh knot prior to catching this fish which is now my PB!!!!

I have to say, looking at all the great brown fish posted here, I'm jealous! My quest for the big brown fish continues. Let's not hide it, and call it what it is---an addiction! Here are two of the biggest from this year. First one is my PB, which went just over 6. Was caught at the last BR Roadtrip to KY Lake, right near the dam. Rapala DT-6, helsenki shad. Roadwarrior was on the boat with me at the time and we had a great day but spent a great deal of time battling the wind... The second picture is from Florence, AL in early APR. This prespawn female went just at 6, full of eggs. Live bait drifting. I was quick in letting this big girl get back in the water!

Me and a buddy are headed to Wilson on Friday, fishing below the dam near McFarland Park. Hopefully the water will settle down by then. Gonna fish live bait and probaby some spinnerbaits and bandits. Anyone have advice on where to focus and other potential offerings that might draw the attention of a big brown fish? Thanks!

I'm in for this trip, gonna bring a Navy buddy of mine- Mike. If this trip is half as fun as KY Lake was last year, we're in for a great week! Oh, before I forget, bring your BAMA-RIGS!

RW- Silence on the net; wondering how your tournament went? I fished below the Pickwick dam last week, Thursday and had a pretty good day. All green fish, about 50 total with the best five around 17lbs or so. They did not seem to want the live bait that I grabbed in the cast net early in the morning. Focused on current breaks and slackwater, bites came on on flukes... Let me know when you have time to get out this fall! Swabby-

With one more in the W column, they're in and can rest the key players. It's definatly going to be an interesting October, I can't wait to watch my TIGERS!

I own a 2009 Bass Tracker 190TX, with a 115 Mercury Optimax. Absoultely love the boat but regret that I do not get the time to use it as much as I would like. I was torn between a fiberglass rig and the aluminum. Price difference was pretty big, over $5K. Not at all dissappointed in my choice. The deck is large enough to fish up to four people and going with the 115 was wise. I can hang with most other rigs out there as she runs near 50mph. If you are still in the market for a boat next year, let me know as I may be selling mine. I am in the military and will be up for orders to a new location in the summer of 2012. Best of luck trying to find the "right" boat!

I own the green 580's and completely love them. Although a bit on the "heavy" side, the clarity and color are astounding when out on the water. The reason I chose green is the similarity to the habitat that I was using them in (bass fishing). While green may look a bit obnoxious, the advantages far outweigh the appearance! Good luck!

Ya, I'm thinking the same thing ---> COME ON FALL!!!! I'm tired of summer already!

Well I finally got a day off and decided to take my son to Pickwick. He wanted to get out one more time before he returned to school (7th grader) so we decided to give it a go even in the extreme heat. Focused on humps/ledges in the main lake and threw some topwater in the morning. Started off Sunday evening about 5pm just to the east of Second Creek and according to TVA, they were pulling water- YEE-HAW... but no fish. Next morning out on the water by 6am an on the spot by 630; just to the east of the mouth of Bear Creek. Threw topwater POP-R, Zara Spook, and buzz baits till about 9am with no bites. Shad busting all over, but they were the little ones, less than an inch in length. I think they were probably young shad from a recent spawn in the lake... Anyway, we shifted to deep diving cranks (Strike King, 6XD) and jigs (black/blue with Rage Craw trailer in watermelon) at that same spot- no luck. We then moved to the area on the other side of the lake just to the east of the opening to Second Creek. Fished from 10am to about 2pm at that spot with no bites. The TVA site said water started running about 11am so I expected some action but oh well. Bummer of a trip with no fish but I really had fun spending time with my son before he heads back to school! Anyone heading out in the heat this summer, bring PLENTY of water- we went through four gallons in one afternoon! I really love PICKWICK but sometimes the skunk rears its ugly head! Guess that's why they call it "fishing" and not "catching"...

Thanks Kent! I'll stop by BPS this week. BTW, where do you go in Florence to have your reels serviced? I might be headed out that way next week. Jeff

Well the Florence FLW Tour experience was great. I'd never been to an official tournament weigh-in and I must say they have it down to a science. I went for the day three weigh-in and Mark Rose was leading and apparently took the win on Sunday. It was neat to see the co-angler of the year award given to Clent Davis. I was amazed at the fish they brought in over the course of the event- sacks over 20 pounds! And I think the four day winner had over 77 lbs! I struggle to catch one or two fish down there when I go (althought I've only been to Florence twice). I wish I had thier knowledge and skill - guess that's why they call 'em pro's!

Fellow members, I've never attended a professional tournament although I've watched many on television. With the tournament in Florence this weekend, I'm thinking of driving from Memphis to see one in person. Not sure if I'll take my boat but definately see launch/weigh-in and visit the expo at the local Walmart. Anyone interested in making the trip and bearing the heat? Any suggestions on whether or not I should take my boat and watch the action on the water? Jeff

I'm interested. Once you hammer out the details please pass them along. Not sure if Road Warrior is also interested but we may be able to caravan together...

Fellow fishemen- Did not know if I should post his here or in "rods-reels-line" but I have a broken BPS rod and need repairs. I accidentally stepped on it and smashed one of the guides... Anyone know a place local to have it repaired? Thanks! Swabby-