Percy Priest February 1, 2014

Percy Priest February 1, 2014

It's been a long time since I wrote one these reports. This isn't so much a fishing report as a boat report. My boat has not been in the water since late September when I hit the rock pile in Priest. I had over $4,500 worth of repairs. Since I have trip planned later this week to Tim's Ford, I wanted to be sure my boat was prepared. When I got to the ramp at Long Hunter, I saw that the water was very low but the ramp was OK and clear. However about 40 yards out was a band of ice. It was all shattered and sounded really strange when you got close to it, crinkling and cracking. The band was maybe 50 to 75 yards wide. After you idled through it the water was open to the channel. So, I decided to launch. 

The MOTOR STARTED and the BOAT FLOATED. Relief. 

After I let the motor warm up and put it on plane I headed down the lake looking for an optimum spot to fish. I noticed as I got out of the channel, many of the bays and flats were still iced over. Out on the main lake the wind was very hard to deal with. Finally ventured into party cove. It was partially iced over but I could fish here. I threw a jerk bait toward the shore and then at the edge of the ice out toward deeper water. About this time I noticed the water temp was 38.8 degrees. That is when I knew my chance of catching a fish was slim and none. I visited a few other spots observing the stumps, rocks and other cover exposed by the extremely low water. Tried a few more bays only to be turned back by ice. I should mention the air temp was in the 50s with sunshine but still very cold wind blowing. I was dressed warmly and could fish without gloves. After about 3 hours I had determined that the boat was in good shape so I decided to put it on the trailer.

Later this week my friend Doyal is coming up from Memphis. We will fish Tims Ford with a guide on Thursday, Feb. 6 hoping for big smallmouth. We will fish Friday in my boat. Saturday we will attend the Nashville Fishing and Boat show. 

Hopefully this will be great fishing year.