Percy Priest 2/17/2011

Temp predicted to be 57 today. Had to hit the water for a while. Launched about 9 am at Stewart's Creek. Fished about 3 hours with no bites. Spoke with a bass fisherman pre fishing for a tournament on Sat. He had the same results as me. He did clue me into a spot that later paid off.

I saw more boats today than I saw any day this past summer. Most were crappie fishing and seemed to be catching.

I moved up the Stones River to a long round point on a big bend with a lot of big stumps. Finally caught a 1 pound bass on a Bitsy Bug jig with a Paca Craw trailer. Few minutes later caught a dink on the jig. Moved down to the junction of the West fork and East fork. Caught a small White bass on a DT 6. Fished the edge of the river channel around stumps. Picked up a 1.5 by a stump on the jig. Few minutes later caught a 2 lb on the jig beside a log. Fished a while longer but the catching was done. Pulled out at 3 pm. Nice day but the wind was quite cool. Didn't wear my bibs today and regretted it. Bad picture but this one weighed 2 lb.

Dale Hollow 2/9-10/2012

They say to have success at Dale Hollow one must pay their dues. In other words, you have be skunked a few times. I am still paying dues. My fishing friend from Memphis, Doyal, arrived Wednesday afternoon. We enjoyed a catfish dinner at Uncle Bud's Wednesday night and hit the sack early. Headed out to Dale around 6:00 am Thursday. Got to Celina in less than 2.5 hours, stopped at Fisherman's One Stop, home of Punisher Lures, to pick up a few items and fill our thermos with coffee and headed for Horse Creek. Checked in with Thomas, got the latest reports and headed for the ramp. We fished a long point near the dam in 20-30 feet of water. Doyal picked up a beautiful rainbow trout on a crank bait. The trout was 17" long with incredible color. Unfortunately our picture did not come out. (It is not true that since he didn't have a trout stamp that we erased the evidence). I zeroed for the day. Dues you know. Pulled out about 4:30 pm, checked into our room and headed for Celina at Doris' Cafe for dinner. The motel has a common area and kitchen. We met a guy from Cincinnati who fishes Dale often in the winter. His nickname is Noodle? He had caught 8 smallies that day on a Bug Head and Biffle Bug. Gave us some advice for Friday. Also promised to put some Bug Heads and Biffle Bugs in our boat the next morning. And he did.  Back to the room and introduced Doyal to the Swamp People on TV watching Troy catch alligators.

Up at 6:00 am and back to Doris' Cafe for a great breakfast. Started out fishing points in Indian Creek with the Bug. No hits. Did I mention that it was 27 degrees Friday morning. It didn't get much warmer during the day. We both fished the Bug hard but no success. I switched to the Big Hammer swim bait on a 5/8 oz jig head. Finally caught my first Dale Hollow smallie, a near 17", 2.5 pounds. A bit later I caught a 3.75 lb largemouth on the Hammer. Things looking up. I then hooked the best smallmouth that I have ever had on. It was at least a 5 lber. Jumped 3 times and made some strong runs and then sent the Hammer back to me. Great disappointment but a payment on my dues. We continued to fish the points and cuts in this creek but no more fish. Doyal had tough day but I was elated to at least catch a smallie. We began to see some spitting sleet and a few flakes of snow. Decided it was time to put it on the trailer and head back to Franklin. Snowed on us all the way.

We really had a good time and love the lake. We just need some more experience on this smallmouth mecca.

Saturday morning went to the Boating and fishing Expo at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Best show I have been to in years. Many, many vendors of fishing equipment. Almost every booth had Alabama (or Tennessee) rigs priced from $24 to $10. We picked up a few odd and ends. Had a great lunch at the Cajun Steamer in Franklin and then loaded up Doyal's truck for his trip back to Memphis. 

Tims Ford 2/3/2012

Another run at the bass on Tims Ford this week. Tuesday, a local, told us that there was a good bite up the lake in water that had a little color. Fish the points, he advised. With great optimism, Jack and I hit the water about 8 am on a cool, slightly overcast day. Perfect for smallmouth. We launched at Holiday Ramp off Hurricane Creek. Headed up the creek and started on the point of a small pocket . After a few crank bait casts, I picked up a finesse worm. Felt the familiar tap tap and set the hook. Felt a good fish on the line (likely a 6 lber) and then felt the line go slack. Never mind, I had found the answer. Not!! My last bite of the day. However, only a few minutes later, Jack hooked a nice largemouth on a crank bait. Alas, after a few runs, this fish separated from the treble hooks. Nevertheless, we felt this was to be our day. About 30 minutes later Jack caught a nice 2+ pound bass on a crank bait. We continued to fish points (or rounds as they are called on Tims). Jack got a couple of light hits on cranks while I fished a jig, crank baits (including a #5 Shadrap), a jerk bait and a swim bait (Big Hammer). But no more fish. Wind was much cooler than expected but still a pretty nice day to be on the water. Loaded up about 2 and headed back to Franklin, a bit deflated from our expectations.

Jack, with a 2+ lb largemouth.

Tims Ford 1/31/2012

Got to Tims State Park ramp about 10 am with friend Jack Neal. Morning was surprisingly overcast with water temp 49 to 50.8. We fished up in some pockets down lake. Just couldn't find the right bite. We threw mostly crank baits, jerk baits and jigs. Finally hooked up with a nice 4 # 6 oz smallie on a bitsy bug jig with a Paca Tiny craw in green. Later caught a near 2 lb largemouth on the same bait. Jack lost a nice 3 lb largemouth at the boat. After we loaded out about 4 pm we spoke to a local who had just come in. He deflated us pretty quick when he said he had caught around 23 small and largemouth. But he said you had to fish up uplake and fish points where the water had some color. We of course fished down lake in pockets and creeks. One axiom, someone always catches fish. Great day to be on the water in January.