JoePhish

My local Walmart had their unfinished Ozark Trail tungsten bullet weights on sale for $2.50 a pack. I grabbed a bunch. I work for a powder coating company so I had them powder coated in Flat Black (10% gloss). What colors do you prefer? Do you like it glossy, flat or somewhere in between? Are there any colors that are not available or common that you think would add something positive to the presentation? I pretty much can make them any color, even sparkles.

I finally got my order late last week. Customer service ended up giving me a nice store credit after I fussed a bit on a FB comment on one of their ads. Turns out they sold more 2.5s than they had in stock causing a delay. They emailed people who didn’t receive their order on time with a discount code. So, between that discount and the store credit I got about $58 worth of baits (plus tax and shipping) for free. ?

I’m still waiting too. Ended up grabbing a few packs of the 2.5s at DSG. I don’t really care for them either. However, I do like the 3.5s.

Yamamoto is offering free shipping for Father’s Day. Code is DADSHIP Grabbed a couple bags of the new 2.5 inch Yamatanukis.

Last year I killed it throwing a Lucky Craft Hagane 70PS at schools of shad that bass were busting on. It’s 3/4 oz yet only 2.8 inches so it’s dense and can really be casted far. I like running them along rip rap or a ledge too with various retrieves from burning it to yo-yoing to slow roll. Strangest lipless pattern I ever caught them on was dead sticking it on the bottom just twitching it slightly.

SK Deep Squarebill Suicide Duck Double Ploppers Livingston Lures I have more Whopper Ploppers than fish caught on Whopper Plopper. I still pack them on trips though but don’t tie one on too often.

The fish don’t care what type of real you have. Use whatever you feel comfortable with and have confidence in. Don’t let other people’s “reel pride” affect your choices. I’ve won tournaments using a “sissy stick”. Half of the combos I take with me are spinning. I’d rather catch a big fish on spinning gear because I love the scream of the drag.

When I lived in Florida I’d opt for gold over silver when it came to “flash”. The murkier water had something to do with it. I also figured that Bass were feeding on Golden Shiners rather than Shad. Now that I live in Tennessee I find I have more success with silver. However, I still keep gold baits in my box in case I run into some stained water.

My favorite floating jerk, hands down, is the Zerek Sabre Dance 85. Unfortunately, it’s hard to come by in the States these days. There are still some available in Asia and Eastern Europe but the shipping costs are way too high for my blood. However, Yo-Zuri makes a Pins Minnow Floater that has boated me some bass.

Which two did you buy? The Swimtrex caught my attention because of the way it falls.

Josh won the raffle for a new Hobie Outback.

I decided to fish Ish Creek. Turned out to be Dink Creek. Finished in the middle of the pack. Guy who won floated the Holston. He caught a bunch of big Smallies. The guy who won big fish caught 23+ inch LM that was over 10 lbs. Not sure where he fished. A bunch of guys did well fishing Chick. I was a nice day on the water and for a good charitable cause. Got some good swag, door prizes and parting gifts. Laketards did really disturb me too much. There was one offshore spot I like that had a boat on it all day though. Also saw a Bald Eagle which always makes me smile.

That’s a good thing. My goal right now is to find a place where I can put in early so I can paddle upstream as much as possible before lines in.

I might drive by Holsten River Park on the way home to see what that looks like. That opens at dawn like a lot of the other ramps. I would love to get on the water before then so I can start fishing at 7. I probably won’t decide until Sat morning. Lol

Thanks for the update. I’m still pondering where to put in and whether I should scrap the whole river thing and just deal with the lake idiots.

How much further upstream? One thing is for sure, it’s not as pressured as other stretches of water.

Thanks for your advice.

Yeah, I was planning on paddling up stream then floating down. So no big ones? Is that typical for that stretch? I’m tournament fishing on Saturday. I wanted to avoid the lakes because boat traffic will be insane.

No. They are really heavy compared to most other brands. If you car top your yak or even put it in the back of a pick up then this is really something to consider. Frontier Outdoors in Kingston has a great variety of new kayaks if that is the way you want to go. You can also check FB marketplace for a decent used one at a better price. I agree with the sentiment that you should buy your second kayak first. However, any yak is better then no yak and it’s the least expensive way to get on the water. if you want some pointers check out the East Tennessee Kayak Anglers FB page. They’re a very helpful bunch.

I was planning on putting in at Island Home Airport.

Forgot to mention that I’ll be in a yak.

I’ll be fishing the lower section of the French Broad River next weekend for the first time. Can anyone give me any pointers, tips or “secrets”?

Producto Tournament worm. Both 6” and 8” Chartreuse Pumpkin or Jet Black.

Trokar Neko Weedless hook Size 2. I like the way the o-ring sits in the “v” of the hook.

This weekend I swung by Rural King for coffee, cat litter and bottled water. Ended up also grabbing a 100 round box of Winchester Active Duty 9mm for under $30 after tax, which seems to be a bargain as of late. I can afford to spend some time at the range now.