Got on the water this am about 6, still dark and slow rain. Cool weather man I love it, Made 5 drifts from the Botel down to the Power lines. First smallmouth jumped and threw the hook looked to be around 2 lbs. Second one did the same thing. Thinking to my self need to stop this. Next one was around 1.5 lbs and got it in the boat. Next fish a drum, Next fish a catfish around 5 lbs. Then a nice 18" Smallmouth pretty fish but did not even get a pic. Being I was fishing by my self, would not try to get one with my phone. Next fish making a run up river and coming to the top like it was going to jump. Did this 3 times and I'm thinking man a nice Brown fish this time for sure.  At this time I have to get on the trolling motor and head up stream after the fish. For some reason it wanted to head to the dam. after chasing it down.  get it to the boat almost. Then back to the bottom again, still thinking man this is going to be a 5 lb smallmouth for sure.  Then comes to the top and its a channel catfish around 10 lbs. but was still a great fight. Next fish was a monster for sure. Yes the bottom of the river, started hanging and breaking off I think 7 or 8 times.  Ran out of split shot in the size I needed. So came home.

 

Now to re spool both reels, and rig back up. Plan on going again Thursday or Friday. Would love to go tomorrow, but one of my best friends passed away Monday and tomorrow is taken up for that.

 

But man  it was a nice morning on the water, One smallmouth is nice 2 is good and the rest Priceless.

 

Water temp was anywhere from 65 at the dam to 69 down stream. Current was running like crazy 62,000 + this am.

 

Pete

Man I love smallie fishing on the river. How was the bait? Get it from Gant's? Notice the for sale sign?

Jeff

Man I love smallie fishing on the river. How was the bait? Get it from Gant's? Notice the for sale sign?

Jeff

Got the bait from the other place hard to hold on to slimy it was. But hard to beat the price. $10.50 for 3 dozen big minnows. Used 50 and still have enough to fish Thursday.

Heard a while back Gant's place was for sale. Wish my back would allow me, I would love to own the place Gant has. But will not even think about buying it and having someone run it.

Plan on putting up my bait tank here at the house within the next few weeks. Then buy my sauger and Big Minnows 10 lbs at a time. Working on a stock pond here at the farm, it will be bait only.  Have some in the pond on my place about 400 yds from the Pipeline there below dam. Some of those minnows are 10" long, we got some of them out a few years back for Stripers and man they would eat them up. 

 

Plan is to camp at the TVA campground next week 4 or 5 days. And fish each day   Have a budd coming down to fish for a day or so and may have a spot open one day if not 2. Thinking next Thursday until Monday. Can't fish that saturday, as way to much to do and we have to go to a deal at Selmer High schoo. My wife is getting incducted into the hall of fame there. She scored 3000+ points while playing basketball there.

Pete

Very cool. I will be on the river in Arkansas Friday and Saturday. The following weekend if they are pulling water I will be there more than likely. Let me know how you do!

Jeff

Plans are to be back on the water in the am around 7am. Fishing with a guy I have never met before. He has never fished the river this way , so hes in for a shock. LOL Plan on throwing grubs and hair jigs after a few drifts with live bait.

Pete