Pete-K

Look at the new Helix 9 SI its $9999.99 I just bought it big brother, the Helix 10 SI. And mounting it today, Have been using Humminbird units for 30 years. Bought one of the Side Finder units 10 years ago. And will tell you it will open up an all new world for your fishing. Plus the Helix unit 9 and up units allow you to make your own Contour maps. Heres what it allows you to find. Nice when you find a bait ball, but better when you can see the fish feeding on the bait. Or find an old road bed, that also has bass on the beds by it also. Also not sure what you would want Radar for? But the Helix units can support Radar. That way you can watch that storm heading your way.

My old 987CSI has given up fishing trips.. So Sunday evening I ordered a new Helix 10 SI. Would have been a new one on my boat weeks ago. But could not find a 9 or 10 to look at. Found one Saturday at Jackson Tn at Gander Mountain. So ordered it and the AutoChart o line card. Thinking I messed up though. And should have ordered the Autochart card with the PC program. But let the guy I bought it from tell me I would not need the program. It made it here today, not bad he got the order placed Sunday night and it was shipped out Monday. And here in West Tn on Tuesday. Will try my best to get it mounted tomorrow. Then test it out in Yellow Creek at the Tn state line boat ramp. Thinking this is going to be killer on Pickwick lake and below Pickwick Dam. I know lots of the water below the dam. Was raised up on it. But when I got my first Side scan unit. Found out it was a different world then I had in my head. Now that I can make my own custom maps. I know it will open up a new world for sure. As I know where small ditches run into the river channel. These hold fish year round, But hard to keep up with. As they wash out and fill in with each flood. Looking forward to wearing out RW and this new unit on Pickwick this season. So Kent get ready as soon as they get my Heart fixed back up. Were going to do some fishing. On the hunt now for a South Navionics card. Tried mine out this evening its went bad sitting in the case? Going to Grenada Lake ms the 29th until April 3. And its not going to be fun without a map. Pete

If this boat does as good as my Lund 1825 Pro Guide it will be a keeper. I only wish Lund would have made water tight storage on the 1825. Other then that, for my type of fishing can't beat the Pro Guide With a tiller motor.

Sounds like they were after the motor. And the hull will be found not far from there. Last one I heard stolen from Scotties a while back. The hull was found off Hwy 350 by hunters months later. They had stripped the boat of all that was easy to sell. Sad but it happens and way to often. Pete

I know you put East Tn, but if you do look at West Tn. Pickwick Lake has it all, and if your over this way give me a shout. Will do all I can to show you some of it. From Stripers until you get tired of them. Sauger in the winter time, Blue catfish that go from 50 lbs to 100+, White bass days of 100+, Smallmouth bass and Large Mouth bass fishing is second to none right now there. Crappie fishing can be great also. Plus plenty of smaller lakes within an hours drive.

Creek here we used to wade every saturday in the summer. Always waded upstream, while others would wade upstream. We would catch fish until you give out and good fish. The others were lucky if they caught a smallmouth over 2 lbs. (1) for us we were sneaking up on the fish above us, not causing stuff to filter down like the others. (2) when we got to a good hole that held good fish, we fished the lower end hard and did not cast up to the head of the hole. As if you do that most times you caught a small fish and then all the others seen it fighting through the drift hold. (3) bait for us and it was killer was 5 to 6" jointed baits. This was back in the mid 1980's and found some jointed suspending type jerk baits. Old man made them near where i grew up. Man I wish I had 120 of those babies these days. Buddy and I would catch untold fish and some up to 5 lbs out of this creek. It was about 5 miles from the Tn river. (4) we never allowed our shadows to fall over the water we were fishing. I have seen fish that after one of our shadows went over that fish and spot. We could not catch?? Guessing way to many eagles and stuff eating them, scared them to the point that shadows like that scared them. (5) as one of the other posters put it go bigger as it keeps the smaller fish from eating it and at the same time gives the bigger fish something to look forward to. (6) Go slow as in when you think your going slow slow down more. Think of your bait this way.... You just ate a 16 oz steak and all the trimmings, your so full you can't breath. I offer you a piece of cake and you turn it down. But I put it by you with a fork there. What will you do after seeing it a little bit?? Yes you will take a bite does not matter if your about to throw up from eating so much. Same with the fish leave that bait by them for a longer period of time. They will take a nip. Man I miss the old days of creek fishing fighting the snakes and all the fish that did not see other fisherman for months or years. Pete

Looks like you have found some nice spots to fish for sure. If I were you would be looking at more spots while the water is down. And not sure if you know of this site. But here is a map of the lake. http://webapp.navionics.com/?lang=en#@39.743749,-87.073214,10z

I can say it was fun. But for me I'm at that age that lots of fish is not what its all about. Enjoying a trip and the fellowship is important. Plus watching someone else fish and learning little things that can help my mistake fishing game. Now that is priceless for sure. May go again tomorrow.

Well again great day fishing with RoadWarrior. Enjoyed it for sure, fishing was good as fish were caught. Will let him fill you in on that. But just got done eating fresh catfish and hushpuppys. Pulled up near the dam and Kent caught me 2 blue cats. Came home and cleaned them and fresh fish in less then 2 hours later. Kent here is the pic was hunting on my phone.

Thanks Kent like the looks of that trailer, Would also be killer on Sauger jigs for a trailer. Cut off a 1/3 of the front or more. Pete

Have a feeling that the fish are in trouble Tuesday am. There's going to be a pair of fisherman putting a hurting on the SmallMouth below the dam. Thinking pics will be posting of big fish, yes BIG fish will be caught for sure. Fishing with a Guy I have only had the pleasure to fish with one time. But it was a unreal trip. If you ever get the chance to fish with RoadWarrior do it. He's a great guy and a better fisherman. Pete

Will see if it fits into our plans. Way to many trips this year. 2 weeks in Yellowstone then Northern In. Reelfoot lake the end of April. Mid April Chattanooga Tn End of March Grenada lake ms.. Pete

I agree on a different forum that may have be death. LOL But there all different colors. And clash with my eyes..

First Mann's Stretch 30+ I found while on the road. Bought a dozen of them on sale. Thought these will work for Stripers at Pickwick Dam. And i was right they did catch stripers when I could get one pass the Large Mouth and SmallMouth bass. That has been many years ago, and still fish them at times. Pete

I have a bunch of extra skirts. So that is taken care of for sure. Pete

Found a deal on Chatter baits, So ordered 15 of the 5/8oz baits and one 3/8 oz bait. Got the 5/8oz for less than half price.

Why laugh at someone that is doing the best to find fish? I for one have went out and found fish, that were caught the next day. You do not have to hook a fish to find them. I used crank baits with the treble hooks bent down where the fish would grab them. But could not get hooked or close the gap on a hook and fish worms. Fish did not get stuck and the next day I was able to hit these spots and know fish were there.. I agree with your thinking though. Rich guy that fished in our bass club, he would fish 7 days per week. And could not figure out why the fish he had caught the day before a Tournament was not biting that day? I did catch a 5 lb 8 oz largemouth one time. That had been weighed 2 hours before we weighed in. Guy that weighed him, was there at ours. And was laughing he had caught that fish at 5 pm. I caught it at 11:45 Pm and buddy in the back of the boat asked me if I needed the dipnet. Told him no it was a dink. swung the fish into the boat and almost scared me to see how big it was. Fish was tired and could not fight when I caught him on a spinnerbait.

I know of a few fisherman that never take a pic of there fish. They do use scales, but these fisherman enjoy the battle. Land the fish, then weight that fish and turn it back into the same waters it was caught in. As for 8 lb smallmouth you can rest assured there's lots of them here above and below Pickwick dam. I have caught one 8 lb but I have not in a long time. I know there has been a few that big or bigger on my line. As for Double Digit large mouth, would have to go back through the books. But I know there was more then a dozen weighted in last winter in small Tournaments here on the Tn end of Pickwick. All off Al rigs and weighted in. Same as the 14 lb fish, I have known the guy that owned the boat it was caught in. And he tells me the sky if falling I going to be hunting a place to hide. Ray has never had a reason to tell a Lie about anything. Great guy for sure. And have fished with him also. Pete

Guys we had a shad kill last week. Sea Gulls were eating like crazy. Flood gates are open now and I figure there's less bait fish in the lake now also. Also being pickwick has 2 different ends you need to make sure if you want to fish the Southern end Florence AL? Or the north end Pickwick Dam Tn end. I'm sure these guys will hook you up with a good guide. I have lived here 50+ years and still learning it myself. Pete

Way to go and good to see a Pickwick Hogg. Pete

Will be after the first before were home to go. Spending Christmas on the beach. Get home the end of the month, then my wife and I will fish 5 days. She is looking forward to Sauger fishing. But more for the eating of fresh sauger. And I look forward it also, Nothing as good as Fresh Sauger, get them home clean and have them cooked within 30 minutes of swimming around. Along with my homemade HushPuppies and A blooming Onion. Also know where that pic was taken. Grew up within 300 yds of that spot.

Buddy just wait until after the first of the year. And we can show off the big fish from Pickwick. I was going to brag about going to the Gulf Coast this weekend for 10 days. But after seeing this its not even going to be fun. Pete

X3

That junk you call rods? Man give me a break, Moved one of your rods when we were fishing and almost passed out. Man the feel of that Rod and no weight. I almost thought kick the man overboard and keep his tackle. I used to have all the best rods and reels back in the late 1980's. I'm taking about then rods were $200. each and reels were around that. Now I fish with what ever and thought I was happy. Until that one touch with the Rod of all rods.. I can see a rod build coming soon. Pete

Looks good I only have a 30ftx50ft basement for my stuff. And if I could find the walls for all the junk and woodworking tools. It would be great but does not look like its going to happen. But it does have 35ft of wall space with peg board and peg hooks full of jigs and tackle. Plus rod racks for most of my rods. Like My wife to see mine, as she will at times bring in extra when she finds something she thinks we need. Now if that stinking Fridge has not gone out Thanksgiving, I would have has a new $2000 depth finder rather then a $2000. fridge.