Tennessee River Trifecta plus

[Blue Raider Bob]

Always fun to catch all three species of Black Bass and I did it again yesterday on the river. Hooked 43 until the wind uncorked and blew me off the river. Most were small but I did get three over 15" with a Smallie almost 16". My "plus" was a couple of species I did not expect including a Sauger and a Redbreast Sunfish. Next to a Longear, this must be the prettiest fish that swims. This one ate a Ned Rig plastic. Half the fish came from one of the bridge pillars at the Bridgeport Alabama drawbridge. Water clarity was down to six feet and the little'uns were biting like sharks!

[TOXIC]

It’s always fun when you get the species smorgasbord.  Here on the Rappahonock River it’s not uncommon to catch multiple species in a single outing.  I was told about a VDGIF challenge to catch all 3 species of bass in a year.  Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Striped.  I chuckled and submitted my entry where I caught them all in the same day on the same body of water.  Good ol Rapp.

[Swamp Girl]

Gorgeous sunfish and 15-16" smallies will stretch your line, for sure. I like the bridge shot too, Bob. I've been including water shots for you in my trip reports, Bob.

[Blue Raider Bob]

4 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

Gorgeous sunfish and 15-16" smallies will stretch your line, for sure. I like the bridge shot too, Bob. I've been including water shots for you in my trip reports, Bob.

The water was so clear that I saw my biggest Smallie take the bait. Also several times the little Spots would hit the TicklrZ, miss it and come back and hit it again while I'm watching. Lots of fun but still pursuing the elusive 5lb. that I can't seem to find. Still stuck in the four pound club.

[TnRiver46]

2 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

The water was so clear that I saw my biggest Smallie take the bait. Also several times the little Spots would hit the TicklrZ, miss it and come back and hit it again while I'm watching. Lots of fun but still pursuing the elusive 5lb. that I can't seem to find. Still stuck in the four pound club.

If you ever get a wild hair, I can put you in the neighborhood of some 5 lbers . Bring your scale my life is rusted over 

[Blue Raider Bob]

Here's my 15" Sauger. Wanted to include because you can see the other bridge pillar in the background. Also, there are tons of debris on the river bottom between the pilings that afford the fish cover. Main channel is about 17' and about 12' to 15' around pilings making perfect targets. Two non-bass photos and no violations yet? Must be living right!

2 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

If you ever get a wild hair, I can put you in the neighborhood of some 5 lbers . Bring your scale my life is rusted over 

Thanks! I was just about to invite you East Tennessee boys on a road trip and drift from Nickajack Dam to the Alabama State Line. I'll take you up on that offer at some point!

[Tennessee Boy]

Bob your post inspire me to go to places I haven’t been in years.   I haven’t made it to any of them yet but the day is coming. 😀

[Blue Raider Bob]

19 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Bob your post inspire me to go to places I haven’t been in years.   I haven’t made it to any of them yet but the day is coming. 😀

     I get to the river at least once a month if not more. Be glad to take you or meet you and show you all my spots. Here's the Sauger and other bridge piling that didn't load. The fishing should pick up if we could get some rain to allow more current. Right now the fish are scattered and only the newborns are hanging around the pilings.

     Hat's off the the Alabama Game and Fish! Got license checked for the very 1st time ever on the Tennessee River. I proudly drew my hard copy Alabama License from my wallet to hand to the officers, when one said, "Sir, This license is expired."  I have become so used to my phone brain and my laptop brain running my life for me, that I let my license expire. Alabama licenses expire in August so without an email reminder, I totally flunked. They took one look at me and my rig and didn't even ask to look in my livewell. I could have took that for an insult, but I didn't. The officers said I could fish the rest of the day and wrote me a warning with the promise I would get a license as soon as I got home! I was embarrassed but grateful to the officers for letting me go.....glad I didn't have my Orange T hat on! 

[Blue Raider Bob]

This is the old swing bridge at Bridgeport that was replaced by the draw bridge. The swing bridge masonry piling is 97' up river from the current draw bridge but I could not find it Sunday with my livescope. I cannot begin to imagine, or comprehend  the engineering effort it took to build this, and then, take it down! Surely something of a rubble pile is left? I will search again next trip. Water is 17' deep at this location.

[Tennessee Boy]

1 hour ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

I proudly drew my hard copy Alabama License from my wallet to hand to the officers, when one said, "Sir, This license is expired."

I’m surprised they let you go with a warning.   I lived in Alabama for a while in the 90s and bought a lifetime license which was has served me well.  I will definitely take you up on your offer to do some fishing sometime.

[TnRiver46]

Cool photos! I’ve had my boat/license checked on the TN river at least 25 times, granted I’m a shady looking character 

[Swamp Girl]

On 10/10/2023 at 8:56 PM, TnRiver46 said:

Cool photos! I’ve had my boat/license checked on the TN river at least 25 times, granted I’m a shady looking character 

 

You think you're shady? Here's some video of Bob tying me to the railroad tracks yet again:

 

[Blue Raider Bob]

On 10/10/2023 at 7:56 PM, TnRiver46 said:

Cool photos! I’ve had my boat/license checked on the TN river at least 25 times, granted I’m a shady looking character 

Very true! 🤣 But it was Alex that said all your friends look like ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Won't be long until this generation of music is forgotten.....I got CD's in my truck now with both of them!

2 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

 

You think you're shady? Here's some video of Bob tying me to the railroad tracks yet again:

 

Where do you get these? That's hilarious.....but true! And you'll stay tied till I get some taters and sausage with fat Maine bass!

    Just read a book by Stephen Ambrose of the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. See, I do have a life off the water!

[Blue Raider Bob]

If anyone is looking for Katie, she's tied to the Dale Creek Trestle.

2 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

 

You think you're shady? Here's some video of Bob tying me to the railroad tracks yet again:

 

Where do you get these? That's hilarious.....but true! And you'll stay tied till I get some taters and sausage with fat Maine bass!

    Just read a book by Stephen Ambrose of the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. See, I do have a life off the water!

[Swamp Girl]

14 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Where do you get these? That's hilarious.....but true! And you'll stay tied till I get some taters and sausage with fat Maine bass!

 

You just click on GIF in a box above where you type your text and do a search for whatever image you want. Easy-peasy and fun.

 

Your taters, sausage, and fat Maine bass await you, my BR brother. 

 

Since trestles look like roller coasters, I'll just say "Whee!" when you tie me to the one above. 

[Blue Raider Bob]

1 hour ago, ol'crickety said:

 

You just click on GIF in a box above where you type your text and do a search for whatever image you want. Easy-peasy and fun.

 

Your taters, sausage, and fat Maine bass await you, my BR brother. 

 

Since trestles look like roller coasters, I'll just say "Whee!" when you tie me to the one above. 

I sent you a horse update to your email. Hope ya got.

I can't imagine the effort it took to build this trestle, and can you imagine what it would be like to cross, with a big wind blowing! All just a small part of the engineering wonder of the Transcontinental Railroad.