OHL fishing Sunday afternoon

[Jim]

Hi all,

Got out fishing on Old Hickory yesterday afternoon. Decided not to head to the steam plant as I felt like checking some of my other spots to see what the winter bite was like at them.

I caught some big gizzard shad right by the boat ramp and headed out to deepwater. I drifted a good area a few times but got no bites and a few snags. Another boat was fishing the area and he didn't seem to be doing that well, so I left for other spots.

Bounced around a few more places and got nothing. Then hit the mother load

I found a ton of threadfin shad in one cove. The whole cove was packed from top to bottom and in all directions. It was really cool watching the depthfinder. I could easily see the shad and predatory fish. I will post some pics from the depthfinder later after I download those.

I netted about a thousand threadfin in one cast and cast a couple lines out. It took a little while to find the best area, but I caught catfish all over the cove. I ended up keeping 10 eating sized fish, but released at least that many and missed a bunch more.



The bite was real light and a bunch of fish pulled off right by the boat. I guess they were just holding the tail of the bait. Water temp was 44 degrees, so they were not fighting very hard. No big fish, just good eating size.

I tried to cast for bass a little bit with a spinnerbait and rattle trap, but no bites. I could see what looked like bass and crappie in the shad, but I did not have much time to figure out how to catch them as the catfish kept me busy. Next trip, I will be ready with for crappie and hopefully will smoke them.

Looking forward to dinner tonight,
Jim

[Travis C.]

That does look like some good eating Jim nicely done.

I need to get out and fish for something. It's been way too long.

[Alphahawk]

Good going Jim. Nice fish!

Regards

[old sailor]

Good work!

[nofish]

very nice catch jim. I was in a similar situation a few weeks ago as far as baitfish everywhere in a cove and on the depthfinder you could see the predator fish lurking below and around. it really helped me get familiar with my depthfinder.

[browntrout]

Here kitty kitty kitty, someone hand me the Crisco. Fish Fry tonight. Awesome catch.

Roy

[Fishoncheatham]

Nice fish!!!! Love eating catfish

[Jim]

Thanks all,

The first batch of catfsih fillets were made into fish tacos. Wow, they were primo. Two other batches into the freezer for another day.

With all my success on Sunday, I had to sneak out for a few hours on Monday afternoon. I brought my crappie stuff and thought I would wear them out. I longline trolled with double jig rigs. Two lines out the back and two on planer boards. The fish were not feeding like on sunday. I found the shad but it was one huge school with no indication of any predators around. I ended up with 3 short crappie.

I also cast a suspending jerkbait for bass - nothing, alabama rig - nothing, rattletrap - nothing, jigs bounced on bottom - nothing. I did freeze my hands pretty good if that counts for anything.

So much for figuring our the fish I guess I need alphahawk or old sailor to catch them for me

Jim

[old sailor]

No help from me ; I struck out last week.

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by Jim

Thanks all,

The first batch of catfsih fillets were made into fish tacos. Wow, they were primo. Two other batches into the freezer for another day.

With all my success on Sunday, I had to sneak out for a few hours on Monday afternoon. I brought my crappie stuff and thought I would wear them out. I longline trolled with double jig rigs. Two lines out the back and two on planer boards. The fish were not feeding like on sunday. I found the shad but it was one huge school with no indication of any predators around. I ended up with 3 short crappie.

I also cast a suspending jerkbait for bass - nothing, alabama rig - nothing, rattletrap - nothing, jigs bounced on bottom - nothing. I did freeze my hands pretty good if that counts for anything.

So much for figuring our the fish I guess I need alphahawk or old sailor to catch them for me

Jim

I tell you what Jim. If we have another gathering In the spring....and it would be nice if we did.....I'll bring the crappie.....you do that good catfish like you did...and we will have a good fish fry.


Regards

[StriperFan]

Good catch and report! I love fishing the live bait, lets you know who's home. Those little cats are some of my favorites.