Percy Priest Mar 28, 2012

Back on the water today at 6:30 am. Launched at Long Hunter ramp. Headed for Bryant Grove toward the back of the creek. Caught a couple of shorts, one a smallmouth and one largemouth on a ShadRap and a SK Squarebill 1.0. Next stop was the big cove to the left after going under the bridge Picked up several fish including a couple of keepers. The Bitsy Bug jig and craw was the ticket here along with a Rattlesnake worm on a light Carolina rig and a heavy c-rig. There seemed to be a lot of fish in this spot. An interesting thing about today was how many fish hit right at the boat, I would say at least 8 or 9 strikes. Even caught a couple. With all the fish hitting a bait swimming, I put on a Big Hammer swim bait and quickly caught a white bass and a bream along with a bass Next stop was Smith Springs. Again caught a couple of shorts and 2 lb drum on the Hammer. Fished the rocky flat past the swimming area near Hamilton creek. Lost a really nice fish around 4 lbs after he jumped and returned my Hammer. Wind is increasing intensity after being relatively calm the first 3 hours. Next stop was the leeward side of a main lake island. Caught another bass by a stump again the Hammer. I headed back toward the cove near the bridge but someone was on my spot. Headed to the back of this cove when a totally unexpected event occurred. My boat is now 6 years old with the original deep cycle AGM batteries. They have never run down...until today when they quit nearly completely. In this wind it was time to head out (it's 1:30). My totals for the day was 13 bass, small and largemouth, a white bass, a drum and a bream. Most were small but probably had club limit of 12" or better. 3-4 were in the pound to pound and half range. Unfortunately no bigger (other than the 4 that escaped). A pretty good day except for the prospect of replacing those batteries.