200 to 300 lbs of Pickwick large mouth

[Alphahawk]

For 4 hours today I had one of the best fishing experience's of my life. The large mouth were stacked again below the dam today....and I mean stacked. My first cast I lost a 5+ pound fish. I was using 4# test with a 6# test leader. It jumped and headed into the current and I couldn't turn it.....broke off. Before making another cast I went up to the car and got my bass rod spooled with 17# test NanoFil. I thought I had 12# test leader with me but unfortunately I was wrong....so stuck with the 6# test fluorocarbon. I proceeded to catch a large mouth on almost every cast...with the vast majority of fish in the 2 to 3 pound range. I only took a few measurements as I knew this kind of action could quit at anytime. The fish were between 15 and 17 inches....fat, chunky, Kentucky Lake large mouth. But the action did not stop...I just quit. I was soaked with perspiration...even my socks and my boots were soaked. Went through 5 bottles of water and literally had to take a short break from catching fish. I lost at least 5 more big fish that I knew were large mouth.....they either jumped or were close enough for me to see them. These fish were down in the rocks no more than 5 feet away from me. A few whites showed up today also....small ones but that means the big ones can't be far behind. I also caught 15 Gills using that rig...not much action on that outfit but nice fish anyway. Caught a couple of crappie....and one catfish.....tailrace fishing at it's best. All of the large mouth were caught on a 1/8 ounce Double Cross jig with a Killer Klatt Crappie Magnet....it matched the hatch perfectly there...in size and color. When I arrived they had ten gates open...before I left they opened up 3 more and the flow increased to 200,000 CFS....equal to 1.4 million gallons of water per second. By tomorrow when I go back it will be 220,000 CFS.....equal to 1.6 million gallons of water per second!....a lot of water. I caught well over 100 large mouth today....95% of them just like the ones in the pics. I will hit it again tomorrow but already have 12# test leader in my bag....I hope that is enough. To say I am stoked is putting it mildly....these days don't come along often and I am going to make the best out of them. They will start cutting back the water this weekend by a little each day. When it is back to normal I expect the bass to be in the jumps and hopeful the big whites will be there too. Now I don't want to jinx myself and I can't say the fishing will be as it was today....but the conditions are ripe down there for a ton of fish to be caught. Hasn't been a water release like this down there at this time of year in decades. Oh....I was the only person fishing the whole time I was there. Sorry for my pics. I am using an iPhone and there is really no way for me to show a good frame of reference or get a good shot of the fish.




Regards

[eaglestrike09]

All right way to go!!!
Thanks for the report!!

[Transplanted Sportsman]

Dang Alpha!!!! that is some unbelivable action!! congrats on such an epic day!, better gear up just in case!! so when are we going fishing??:D

[e.cornelison]

nice alpha

[blink]

Awesome!!!

[Alphahawk]

I wanted just one of those big ones....although I am not unhappy with the size of fish I caught......hopefully tomorrow I can post a pic of just one of those big boys.



Regards

[nuetron88]

I have been trying to figure out how to use the crappie magnet jig or the trout magnet jig to catch bass but can get any answers....any help?

[tacklemake]

My friend any day on the water is a good day but its a great day when you catch fish like that. Thanks for the report.............woody

[nomad60]

Wow, awesome day, Alpha! It doesn't get any better than that!

[TroutFiend]

That's great man. I have never caught that many bass at once like that before . Good luck tomorrow, hopefully won't be as hot down there.

[commdd]

Excellent!

[MNfisher]

Great job!!!!

[Alphahawk]

That's great man. I have never caught that many bass at once like that before . Good luck tomorrow, hopefully won't be as hot down there.

The numbers are not the surprising thing here....it is the specie. Usually mid July through September you can catch 100's of whites and schooling stripers in a day down there. This large mouth deal is not normal.....but that much water in July is not normal down there either. It is supposed to be a nice day tomorrow. I sure hope they stayed in there...or something sporting takes their place...LOL.


Regards

[creekcrappie]

All I can say is wow! That's is a lot of largemouth! Hope you get into them like that tommorow! I cannot believe that many largemouth where that stacked into that spot!

[Alphahawk]

I have been trying to figure out how to use the crappie magnet jig or the trout magnet jig to catch bass but can get any answers....any help?

Well let me be up front here....I am on Pro Staff of Leland's Lures...the maker of T M and C M.....but I am not paid to endorse their product nor do I get my lures for free...I get a discount....just wanted to be up front. Using a T M for largemouth fishing can be frustrating. Using 2# test line to consistently catch large mouth is just not going to cut it even though bass will hit it...plus the hook is only a #8...not good for penetrating a large mouths jaw. The Crappie Magnet in certain colors at certain times of year can be a killer for large mouth where a jig is called for. The color Killer Klatt is a great color and size for large mouth this time of year. Just use it as you would a normal jig. I kill the Smallies with the Trout Magnet when they are suspended.....up shallow. I also use it as a Float'N Fly lure with great success.





Regards

[Travis C.]

So if I rent the van, can you drive is us down there tomorrow Alpha? :D

That sounds like one heck of a time. Way to go!

[nuetron88]

ALPHA.....I really want to try one....can you suggest a way to rig it to fish the big steps at the clarksville marina in clarksville if you have ever been there....

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2

[Alphahawk]

So if I rent the van, can you drive is us down there tomorrow Alpha? :D

That sounds like one heck of a time. Way to go!

Hey...I am hitting the bed now. I will be there at 6:00 AM. If one can make it to Columbia by 4:00 AM they are welcome to go along...but only one....I don't have any rear seats in my vehicle...LOL. As for the fishing I caught it just right...but Killer Klatt sure matched the hatch.

Regards

[Alphahawk]

ALPHA.....I really want to try one....can you suggest a way to rig it to fish the big steps at the clarksville marina in clarksville if you have ever been there....

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2

Haven't been there but just rig you a reel with some 2# test line. If using a Trout Magnet put a size B split shot about 14 inches up the line...cast out....count down to where you think the fish are and twitch it back to you. With a Crappie Magnet use the 1/32...1/16....or 1/8 ounce jig head and no split shot and do same thing. I know that's short but I got to hit the hay.



Regards

[Travis C.]

Good luck in the morning.

[Jim]

And I have to work :(

These reports are killing me. If it wasn't so far I think I would try it this weekend.

Awesome job!
Jim

[jad2t]

Man that's a fishing outing of a lifetime to catch that many bass...and quality bass at that! Nice work. I caught several nice bass tonight below JPP dam on crappie magnets but not 100 of them lol.

[StriperFan]

Yeah, I love it. That is a crazy lot of water. Thanks for sharing!!!

[fishbait61832]

Wow the break wall is under water? Way to go Alpha!!!

[Reel Tune]

Dang Alpha, I bet your arms are wore out. Good luck out there today, hopefully the whites will be there.

Jeremy

[CreekWalker]

That's awesome!

[Pookie]

This is just further proof that a real fisherman doesn't get discouraged at high, muddy, swift, or trashy water. They figure out a way to catch fish.

[ditz1]

That would be some great fun on a flyrod.

[Tnriverluver]

You da man!!! All I ever catch fishing from the bank down there is hang ups and an occasional skipjack.:mad: