Blue Raider Bob

Just my two cents but....I starting going with straight braid last year and the waters I fish are usually very clear. I cannot tell a drop off from the straight braid and I'm way more comfortable with the elimination of the knot. The 15 lb. Suffix 832 in green is what I have settled on. It is thin, flexible, and strong.

Ample rainfall has raised the pond level, and kept the wet weather creek flowing to pump water. Just a few more inches to full pool and we will have put the muskrat issue to rest. Still have to eliminate the otters if I want to maintain mature bass throughout the year, but on a positive note........the new dock bridge posts have been set and soon I can revisit the dock chair and catch up on observing, and idleness! I still have scads of little BG with a few small LM so there will be things going on, especially after the aquatic plantings and new introductions. Turtles are already out and, of course, the ubiquitous Spring Peepers are deafening.

It Counts!

I mainly fish in large rivers like the Tennessee with currents over 1MPH. If I face trolling motor upriver to control my drift, I cannot use my FFS on the banks. This is where I'm searching for an answer. What are your thoughts in my situation? If you think it may be helpful, please re-consider the hassles of boxing up one to ship. If you become interested, please PM me to give price. Thanks

I've seen you fish. Those goals are attainable!

Your place looks like paradise! Especially when you have clearer water.

I usually get a 20" Smallie which will be around four pounds, and I'm likely to get a 3lb. Spot, but I don't catch many LM in the Tennessee River so maybe one that goes 18". Lord willing, I'll catch enough each trip to keep me trying. The only really big ones I'll see are on BR! Leave us a map in your will! 🤣

I will set my cage on the dock baited with fresh shrimp if I have too. I am in full blown otter patrol! As you can see, "Rosy" is getting big! As we discussed, Great Pyrenees are terrific herd guardians when left with the herd at a young age and left alone. They are terrible guardians when carried around, spoiled, pampered, overfed, loved on, tummy rubbed, and fussed over by little girls. Guess how "Rosy" will turn out? I'm sure Maine is as beautiful as it gets, but I'm ready for Tennessee winters to come back. I have not fished in 2024! And yes, it breaks my heart to see bass jaws and scattered scales all over the dock. I can't bring home anything until I solve this problem.

Was able to pump about a foot and and half of water into the pond before the polar vortex arrived. Pictures show the completed rip-rap beginning to be covered by the water. Still having a dreadful time with the otter though. Before the freeze there were a couple of bass skulls on the dock. These skulls were small, so the otter, or otter's, are working their way down the food chain. I doubt there's anything left larger than a pound. After the first snow, it was easy to see the otter tracks. It comes in from the wet weather creek, and leaves a half pipe kind of trail where it drags, and slides its body. I will certainly have to solve this before any restocking happens. Expecting highs in the forties today with several days of rain. Should be able to pump her full in a week or so.

That's the biggest spot I've ever seen. I've caught a couple 3 pounders but never pigs like that!

Incredible photographs! Thanks so much for sharing. Question: Do those big bass pull your kayak, or are you able to stabilize and bring them to you? That first bass looks like she ate your tacklebox!

Big fat bass! Share what you are catching them on if you would. Looks like some bridge pilings were in the story somewhere.

One of T-Billy's Musky's would solve my otter problem! That, and one of RipLipz muskrat eating bass. Too bad he ate it! I could-of used that little devil!

Unfortunately, two Chanel Cats around the four pound mark were taken from the pond this winter by the otters. They were both caught at the Tennessee River while bass fishing and placed in the pond. The largest bass remaining may be two pounds but there are lots of BG left. If Alex and our favorite police officer86 would just bring some of their hogs over, they could eat the otters and solve that problem. Otherwise, it will be left to me to restock, which is not a viable option.

Finally had a major rain event. We received three inches of rain which created a strong flow in the wet weather creek. With more rain on the way this weekend, we may have a flowing creek until spring. This is great news for two reasons, first, I do not have to fill water tanks for horses and goats, and, I can finally begin pumping water for the pond now that the muskrats are history, the holes have been patched, and the rip-rap point is completed. The final water level will top the visible half barrels near the dock which will be planted in aquatic flora. The fish that survived the otters will now get more water over their backs, and room to run.

Thanks so much for sharing your cadence/technique. I still have so much to learn and it helps so much when anglers share knowledge. I have tried blade baits and spoons, but I think I give up on them too soon. I need to learn patience!

My "respectful distance" would the the other end of the boat!

Come on girl! YESSSS !!!!! Love it Alex! I'm having heart palpitations waiting for you to get the net under her.......whew......now I can relax! DANG!!!!

Well Alex..........you might have thrown it into the water, or, if you're like the rest of us, you might have thrown it into the trees, dock, rocks, fishing partner, spouse, pet dog, your lunch, or any number of places Bass don't live. It's not as silly a question as you imply! Glad you avoided the skunk though but the "check on the boat" excuse for fishing sounds kinda "fishy". That's something Pat Brown would use!

Alex, your posts and pictures brighten my morning! Those are beasts! Thanks so much!

I want that fish!

I propped the trap door open with a stick, gently pulled back the horse blanket half way. And got into a sprinters stance! Pepe just ran out the door and into the woods. I cramped up and pulled a hammy straitening out of the stance 😁

I have had plenty of chicks born in the spring and if you've ever been around them, this you will know for sure. Just like us "experienced anglers" a spring chick can first of all, fall asleep before it gets to where it is going, and wake up and hurry to catch the rest having no idea why!

Now what? Where is TnRiver46 when you need him? I know......sitting up on Rocky Top, savoring the Citrus Bowl victory! Well, if you look past Pepe LaPew, you will see a burrow excavated under my garage concrete. A Groundhog has dug an extensive burrow way under the concrete, and has gone to sleep for the winter. Meanwhile Pepe has been using the burrow for his sanctuary during the day, and raiding the chicken coop at night. When my daughter locks the chickens up for the night, Pepe is often seen sitting in the middle of the feeder, stuffing himself with feed after digging a hole under the wall. All the swear words and insults available wouldn't get him to leave. so ..........had to trap the critter. I gently approached with an old horse blanket, laid it softly over the cage, and lifted him up to the back of the truck. As of this morning, Pepe lives several miles away. This morning made me appreciate TnRiver46 all the more. This is NOT for the faint-of-heart!

After seeing ya'lls pictures on this site, I'm not too surprised! 😆 But seriously, I've been checked one time in Tennessee in the last forty years, and never on the Tennessee. Is it the same guys each time?