Pickwick Tailrace 07-17-2013

[Alphahawk]

Decided to fish the afternoon bite at Pickwick. Started fishing at 2:00 PM and quit at 5:00 PM. The heat was almost unbearable in those rocks. Went though 5 bottles of water during those 3 hours and clothes were soaked when I crawled out of there. I only took a pic of each specie I caught. The water was much lower than yesterday but was steady. Got into a lot more white bass today....all of them males at 14 to 15 inches. Caught a lot more Smallies today also.....they were all at or close to the 13 inch mark. The large mouth are still in there....most running at the 14 inch mark. I only lost two big hawgs today....they waved as they headed to Kentucky Dam.....LOL. I was using 1/8 jig head with Killer Klatt Crappie Magnet. I ran out of the Double Cross jig heads today and stopped by Dunhams on way home and got some 1/8 ounce jig heads that will let me put the brakes on those moss backs and the hook won't straighten....Owner jig heads with 2/0 hooks. Caught around 90 fish today.....they were running the sidewalk that is underwater by about 4 feet. Mostly used my light rod with 4# test NanoFil with 6# test leader.....makes for a lot of fun. Did not take any pics of the Gills but got some of them also.....not the biggest Gills I have ever caught but the thickest....would make good filets. The gates should be closed tonight and am hoping to fish 3 locations down there tomorrow. The water is clear and was 86 degrees. The first boat showed up as I was leaving....that is the first boat to be out there since all the rain. There are plenty of fish stacked in there and I am going to make hay while the sun shines......going to hit it tomorrow and Friday also. Life is good!


Regards

[MNfisher]

You make me really wish I didn't have to work tomorrow!! Nice catches!!

[tacklemake]

Our labor and love fishing and more fishing..............woody

[Reel Tune]

Nice, Alpha. Be careful out there, and keep up with staying hydrated. Try to find some shade, or hop in the car to cool off for a few minutes every hour or so.

Jeremy

[agelesssone]

The heat and humidity are already oppressive out there. Cotton T-shirt, plenty of fluids.

[jad2t]

Man you've been having some unreal fishing out there at Pickwick!! 13-14 inch white bass all day = several meals for me and the wifey. Not sure if you eat those or not but they're one of my favorite and hers too. So you're using 4lb test with a 6lb leader and fishing the magnets? I thought the 2lb test was a necessity to catch more fish using it. My ultralight is spooled with 4lb test and I always use about 3 feet of 2lb flouro leader. Then again, when I catch bass in the 13-15 range on it, it sure takes a while to land it and I always have to retie. If I wound up into a 4lb bass or so on that 2lb test I probably wouldn't be able to land it if I was bank fishing. From the yak I'd follow it. I'd like to get away with 6lb if I could but that would be tough to cast.

[nomad60]

You are on a roll, Alpha!

[Transplanted Sportsman]

Man Alpha, you are really wearing them out!! congrats!!

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by jad2t

Man you've been having some unreal fishing out there at Pickwick!! 13-14 inch white bass all day = several meals for me and the wifey. Not sure if you eat those or not but they're one of my favorite and hers too. So you're using 4lb test with a 6lb leader and fishing the magnets? I thought the 2lb test was a necessity to catch more fish using it. My ultralight is spooled with 4lb test and I always use about 3 feet of 2lb flouro leader. Then again, when I catch bass in the 13-15 range on it, it sure takes a while to land it and I always have to retie. If I wound up into a 4lb bass or so on that 2lb test I probably wouldn't be able to land it if I was bank fishing. From the yak I'd follow it. I'd like to get away with 6lb if I could but that would be tough to cast.

If you go back and look at my posts from last week and this week also.....I have been using as high as 12# test and today went armed with 14# test. But I am using a 1/8 ounce jig head and Crappie Magnet body. Fishing the TM in that tailrace with that much water you could never get it down...plus the size large mouth I have been getting into...even though not big by any standard.....I wouldn't have a chance in that current with those fish. The 4# test NanoFil I am using is some incredibly strong stuff......and the 6# test leader is just for abrasion resistance...as NanoFil has none. I still am an advocate of 2# test line. That is my bread and butter....and am hoping the Caney gets to where I can put the Coosa in and catch a bunch of 13 to 15 inch Bows. UL is my preferred way to fish but in some instances it just doesn't fit the bill. Yes I love to eat white bass. In the coming weeks they should be in the jumps down there and I should get into the big females.

Regards

[browntrout]

Originally Posted by MidTNKayakAngler

Nice, Alpha. Be careful out there, and keep up with staying hydrated. Try to find some shade, or hop in the car to cool off for a few minutes every hour or so.

Jeremy

All the people standing around Alpha watching him catch fish give him plenty of shade.

Roy

[Alphahawk]

No shade down there.....LOL. Those rocks are hot.





Regards

[Travis C.]

You are have a pretty dang good month Alpha.

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

You are have a pretty dang good month Alpha.

Yeah.....thanks....fishing down there with that much water doesn't take too much skill. They are just all over the place when it gets like that. Those size eat pretty good...and are good on the grill....may have to keep a few next week. It has really surprised me the lack of fisherman down there the last two weeks....almost no one at all.




Regards