On Saturday I decided to change up the normal plan. In the summer, we always have a "morning bite," but it often dies quickly in low flow conditions.
TVA is in a standard summer pattern of cranking up generation in the afternoon to keep your air conditioners running, and we all know fish prefer some good current... so I decided we'd try an afternoon bite with better water flow.
Todd Trivette and his Dad, Jerry, have fished with me several times. They were happy to try a new plan, in spite of the heat.
Conditions were excellent when we began at 1 pm, and it became quickly apparent that the afternoon plan was a good one. In three relatively short drifts with light tackle we put 21 catfish in the boat, up to 7 or 8 pounds.
We decided then it was time to "size up" and see if we could coax a bigger fish bite, in spite of it being prime time for the big cats to be spawning (which means our big fish bite is tough). We never did get a big boy to bite, although we stuck several fish in the 10 - 15 lb. class. We hoped to find a big fish bite at dark, but we got run off one of my favorite spots by a looming thunderstorm and lightning.
Regardless, it was a great afternoon fishing. We ended with 32 catfish in the boat. Me and Todd figured we managed a six-pound average, which means we put at least 150 lbs. of fish in the boat... we may have pushed 200. That means life is good and gettin' better every day!
Got any catfishing questions? Feel free to ask and I'll do my best to help.
TVA is in a standard summer pattern of cranking up generation in the afternoon to keep your air conditioners running, and we all know fish prefer some good current... so I decided we'd try an afternoon bite with better water flow.
Todd Trivette and his Dad, Jerry, have fished with me several times. They were happy to try a new plan, in spite of the heat.
Conditions were excellent when we began at 1 pm, and it became quickly apparent that the afternoon plan was a good one. In three relatively short drifts with light tackle we put 21 catfish in the boat, up to 7 or 8 pounds.
We decided then it was time to "size up" and see if we could coax a bigger fish bite, in spite of it being prime time for the big cats to be spawning (which means our big fish bite is tough). We never did get a big boy to bite, although we stuck several fish in the 10 - 15 lb. class. We hoped to find a big fish bite at dark, but we got run off one of my favorite spots by a looming thunderstorm and lightning.
Regardless, it was a great afternoon fishing. We ended with 32 catfish in the boat. Me and Todd figured we managed a six-pound average, which means we put at least 150 lbs. of fish in the boat... we may have pushed 200. That means life is good and gettin' better every day!
Got any catfishing questions? Feel free to ask and I'll do my best to help.
