Chris Catignani

Fished Center Hill Lake Thursday with country singer song writer Marty Morgan. Though I do take my fishing very seriously...I seriously like to cut-up the whole time. The day started by having (guessing) a 2 ½ pound smallie toss my lure back...and which time I mandated that “those count...one to nothing”. After I managed to boat another five...he asked what color I was using. Well I had to think for a minute….because what I had was probably the combination of no telling how many other colors. Not sure If I’ll ever be able to replicate it again either. But I told him it was “Confederate grey”. He was like, “Uh...what?”. I asked if he wanted one and he declined and kept fishing (I think it was a Rage craw). Well every time I would catch one I would sing Johnny Cash’s song Johnny Yuma. Johnny Yuma by Johnny Cash After about another five smallies he started throwing one and we ended up catching about 20 or so...nothing huge. Marty Morgan under rainbow.

See a lot of both both in Tennessee...even a largemouth can have redeyes. It primarily a result of genetics...sometimes mutations. Nothing to do with how deep they were or what there eating or weather they feed at night. The red you see is the iris...and the iris controls the pupil which lets in the light to see with.(though in fish the pupil doesn't constrict like in humans) In the gene world you have dominate and recessive traits. In humans, brown eye are dominate over blue. Two blue eyes carries can produce blue eye offspring but could also produce a brown eye offspring...and vice versa. Two brown eyed parents could produce a blue eyed offspring if the parents both carry the blue eyed traits. Also...since smallmouth and Kentucky bass typically frequent and thrive in the same water...we also have cross hybridization between the two.

<takes off hat and kneels> <the clouds part and angels begin to sing>

I use the higher ratio reels for crankbaits. You need several fast cranks to get it to the depths you need then I will slow it down with the retrieve...not the gear ratio. I will use the lower gear ratio reels on: Pitching rod, Flipping rod and my Grass Rake...when fishing cover you need the torque. Actually I throw most(not all) crank bait stuff on spinning gear...but that's another story. Here an old Bass Resource article by Tommy Martin who is considered by many to be the Crank Bait King. Crankbait Retrieves | The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide® LLC (bassresource.com) ...actually got to meet Tommy a couple times... So...I think this is interesting...and I may have had it wrong all these years. UPDATE OK...I had it wrong some of those years...LOL. The 5 Best Crankbait Reels (Updated 2021 Reviews) ⋆ Tackle Scout I see where throwing those deep CB's need more torque to lessen fatigue.

Its the guy in the back of the boat that scares me the most... Got hit in the back of the head ? with a Smithwick Rogue one day...just happen to have a hat on.

Ding! Ding! Ding! This is the key.

I always think of this, "Don't sweat the little things...all things are little." Then I go and fish a new part to the lake...or practice a lesser used technique.

At the Holler we call it "that B". (Whirley Bee by Slider)

Slider, whirley bee, small-crank baits, hair jig, 1/8oz spinner bait, 1/8 buzz bait. This is on 6 lb test.

Some times the fish like to inhale it and then spit it out. One day I had bad hook up ratio on a spook...the fish would sometime just knock it out of the water...mouth closed.

I have to think the opposite...I have had better quality fish in the current especially below a tailrace...and more so downstream especially behind some kind of structure. The quantity numbers seem to come off a bank...though I will catch quality off those banks too. One thing to consider is that river fish are at times in transition...you will find them were they weren't before. ...like he said. ?

When they jump off...check your hooks...check you line...cast again. Time and time again I found there are more than one fish there. So don't beat yourself up and keep pluggin. (pun inteneded)

I have been using Trions for a few years and love em...until. I bought one as a gift and noticed that they are now missing the AR switch. I'm one who uses that switch: for fish, to transport, when Im hung up. I did need another reel and bought a President and its good.

The thing about drum is you can say you caught a brown fish and not be lying ? We still have a lot of fishing left in 2021.

Every time I fish one its 100% chance of rain, thunder and lightning.

I like using the smaller sharpening stones...probably about 180 grit. They have a groove down the middle.

I totally did not read the page...

Glad it worked out... It seems like those days where the fishing is slow is the day you catch a good one.

The bear just wanted to see what he was throwing...

Man...I used those 3's and 4's for many years. It took awhile to find something suitable to replace em. I know there are many good quality reels...but my main problem is I needed a bunch...I fish a lot of ulta-light and needed at least 4 reels for that. I ended up use the Pflueger Trion which I love...but now they have removed the anti-reverse switch so now I just bought my first President SP20 and well see how it works.

May be worth a call to Stratos... I would just remove the carpet and seal the holes.

This is my conspiracy theory friend who was just telling me a load about W and WTC...the photo is uncanny.

1975 ish...I had just bought that boat...before I had driver license.

And probably would have a camera on...next I'm on Youtube..."Fish thief".

Thought I'd start a thread on some of the more unique catches... This is a fish I caught on Center Hill that was already on the stringer...actually just hooked the stringer! In case anyone is wondering....the panel next to the reel is just an on/off foot switch for the TM. The gauge up by the flasher is for temperature. Lure: Tom Mann's Razorback Reel: ABU/Zebco Cardinal 4 Rod: Lew's Speedstick