On 11/28/2022 at 4:32 PM, T-Billy said:

 Wind picked up and I said to heck with it and broke out THE hat. ?

 

I think I created a legend.

7 hours ago, The Bassman said:

I think I created a legend.

LOL. It's pretty popular at the launch ramp.

Massive skippy, approaching world record status 

Nailed this beauty last time I fished for something different.

25 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Massive skippy, approaching world record status 

That fish looks like one of my all time favorites, the Tarpon.  

Just now, AlabamaSpothunter said:

That fish looks like one of my all time favorites, the Tarpon.  

They are affectionately referred to as “Tennessee tarpon”

Certainly a favorite catfish cut-bait and the smaller fish are excellent fished alive for striper.

10 hours ago, T-Billy said:

LOL. It's pretty popular at the launch ramp.

Initially, I just assumed it was a raccoon pelt hat.  Upon further review, I think its from a wolf.  He slayed a wolf with his bare hands, skinned it, and then used the pelt as a hat.

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Initially, I just assumed it was a raccoon pelt hat.  Upon further review, I think its from a wolf.  He slayed a wolf with his bare hands, skinned it, and then used the pelt as a hat.

 

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Massive skippy, approaching world record status 

Nice. Are they acrobatic like tarpon?

1 minute ago, T-Billy said:

Nice. Are they acrobatic like tarpon?

Absolutely. A local catfisherman broke the world record a couple times, I’ve come close a few times 

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Initially, I just assumed it was a raccoon pelt hat.  Upon further review, I think its from a wolf.  He slayed a wolf with his bare hands, skinned it, and then used the pelt as a hat.

I like the way you think!!! That sounds WAAYYY cooler than, I bought it out of season at Discount Drug Mart for five bucks!!! ?

14 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Absolutely. A local catfisherman broke the world record a couple times, I’ve come close a few times 

Sweet!!! Those things sound like a blast. Do you get into any big schools of them where it's one after another like white bass? 

17 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

I like the way you think!!! That sounds WAAYYY cooler than, I bought it out of season at Discount Drug Mart for five bucks!!! ?

Sweet!!! Those things sound like a blast. Do you get into any big schools of them where it's one after another like white bass? 

All the time, happened twice at two different locations today haha. I took some video of them jumping last night. 
 

they also make a spring run up rivers where it’s almost annoying how many you get . Most people despise them 

 

that same catfisherman I mentioned also catches many Muskie with them as live bait 

1 minute ago, TnRiver46 said:

All the time, happened twice today haha. I took some video of them jumping last night. 
 

they also make a spring run up rivers where it’s almost annoying how many you get . Most people despise them 

Sounds like a good time to me. Some folks here gripe about the white bass in a couple of our lakes. I'm like, you kidd'n? I can take an hour break from bass fishin and catch multiple delicious meals when they come up, then go right back to bass fishin. I don't get some people. No such thing as a "trash" fish IMO. They all have their place.

 

2 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Sounds like a good time to me. Some folks here gripe about the white bass in a couple of our lakes. I'm like, you kidd'n? I can take an hour break from bass fishin and catch multiple delicious meals when they come up, then go right back to bass fishin. I don't get some people. No such thing as a "trash" fish IMO. They all have their place.

 

Except for carp of course…… hahah

14 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Except for carp of course…… hahah

Well... This 13+ pounder took me for a nearly half hour ride after it ate my ned. It was a fun diversion.

 

I also occasionally catch smallies out of the mud clouds carp create when they're rooting. I've only run into that pattern a handful times, but when it's on, nearly every carp will have a brown bass with it. Happens late spring after the bass spawn. Pitch a small tube or craw bait into the mud cloud. Gotta be stealthy and not spook the carp though. If you go wee small, like a TRD Bug, the carp will sometimes eat it and take you for a ride around the lake. The one in the picture and I covered a few hundred yards on 6# XT.

23 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Most people despise them 

 

Unless you are targeting them for bait, they are a slimy nuisance.

19 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

 

Unless you are targeting them for bait, they are a slimy nuisance.

I got 4 on ice! Hopefully more catfish pics to follow 

20 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Well... This 13+ pounder took me for a nearly half hour ride after it ate my ned. It was a fun diversion.

 

I also occasionally catch smallies out of the mud clouds carp create when they're rooting. I've only run into that pattern a handful times, but when it's on, nearly every carp will have a brown bass with it. Happens late spring after the bass spawn. Pitch a small tube or craw bait into the mud cloud. Gotta be stealthy and not spook the carp though. If you go wee small, like a TRD Bug, the carp will sometimes eat it and take you for a ride around the lake. The one in the picture and I covered a few hundred yards on 6# XT.

I’ve caught many nice smallies while trying to snag carp with a grub or tube.  But you can still run that pattern with buffalo and redhorse, don’t need silly exotics 

Brrrrrr, 26 degrees to start this morning, never got above 34. I got back on 'em though. Ended up with five in 6.5hrs. No giants, 32", 32", 34", 35", 42", but check out the girth on that 42". That's one well fed muskie.

The 35" was sporting some pretty fresh looking battle scars. Looks like it got T-boned by one of it's much bigger brethren.

Man, you are on 'em!

 

 

                                                    

3 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Man, you are on 'em!

 

 

                                                    

Roger that. I left 'em biting with two in the last 40 minutes, but I was cold and hungry. A big pot of deer chili was calling me home. Gonna be a cold start again tomorrow, but it's gonna get close to 50 in the afternoon. I caught all five in a 300yd stretch with a wide 13'-18' ledge that falls off into 30'. The gizzard shad were stacked up on it, and so were the muskie. Hope they're still there in the morning. 

SLOOWWW trolling the A-rig with the trolling motor on 2, after I got tired of fighting icy guides and level wind. Two off the ledge and three at the bottom of the drop. It's the kind of spot that could keep reloading. High hopes for tomorrow.

That's how I fish for stripers on Pickwick...

Well I guess I’ll fall on the sword of having to follow @T-Billy

 

been trying to use my skipjack as cut bait on a kayak/canoe landing near my house last two evenings. Caught some decent fish a jig/grub/fluke while watching the rod and finally got a channel cat today. Lost something massive yesterday. And I got to watch a barge go by too, always cool 

Drum are NOT picture worthy.

 

 

                                                              

16 hours ago, T-Billy said:

The 35" was sporting some pretty fresh looking battle scars. Looks like it got T-boned by one of it's much bigger brethren.

It could have been an outboard motor.  I often see muskies just hovering near the surface, especially when the sun it out, looking for warmth I presume.  They could easily get dinged up by a prop.