Super User burleytog Posted July 3, 2009 Super User Posted July 3, 2009 Tom and I headed to Boone Lake (near Johnson City, TN) last night to eliminate some water for next weekend's tournament. Put in at the TVA ramp around 8:30 and headed up the Watauga arm. Rode up to Snyder Creek and stopped about halfway in. Tom already had his stuff ready to go, so he started slinging a DD22 while I dug my crap out of the locker. I'm lost in the locker when I hear him exclaim that he's got one. I look up to see his rod bowed and the drag slipping. He almost got the fish to the boat when it went on a run. This was repeated three or four more times. All the while I was digging my net out of the starboard locker. I ready the net and he manages to finally pull the fish to the surface. I immediately got it in the net and what a fish it was. 12 lbs. of hybrid muscle. I can't take him anywhere. Seems like every time we go out he catches another first (i.e. first hybrid, first walleye, first crappie of the year, first smallie of the year). We fished on down the creek, both of us getting a few bites, but not bringing anything to the boat. We idled over to the other side of the creek, lost a few crankbaits and then Tom caught this nice keeper. Eliminated some more water after that, then headed on up the Watauga to try a couple more spots. Pulled up in White Creek and started working our way in. And of course, Tom had to screw things up. Also caught that one on a DD22. By that time I had only had three bites. I was getting a little frustrated. All of that changed with one pitch. We could see some baitfish swimming under a lighted dock. I pitched a jig in there, let it set for a second, then lifted the rod tip. It felt heavy, so I lifted a little more and the fish pulled back. After 5 hours of no fish, I forgot to set the hook. I just started reeling. I almost got the fish to the boat without setting the hook. It was a solid 4-5 lbs. and threw the jig right at the boat. That little bit of excitement recharged my battery. From that spot on up the creek, I was on a mission. The fishing was slow, but I managed to have a little success. The two LMB would have kept, the smallie was 1/4" short. We started working our way out of the creek along the opposite bank when Tom experienced one of the worst backlashes either of us have ever seen. I was partly to blame as I had sent my jig flying over the boat on a missed hookset. His crank caught the line and blew up the spool of flouro. By that time the air temp was in the low 50s and we were both cold and wet. It was a long cold ride back to the ramp. We took out around 5. Didn't think the bite would be all that good due to the cooler temps and that didn't seem to be the case. Talked to a couple of people on the water who were having good nights. Hopefully next weekend will be good. Quote
Big-O Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 Looks like you have somewhat of a pattern going there anyway Burley. And yes, those hybrids are the fight of fights in fresh water.....Good luck and safe fishin' for you guys in the tournament Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
LCpointerKILLA Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 Hybrid, Smallmouth, Largemouth, Crappie... That's what we call a FRESHWATER GRAND SLAM!!! Congratulations, nice trip. Quote
Super User Dan: Posted July 4, 2009 Super User Posted July 4, 2009 Please tell me that you got a new net since the musky shenanigans because there's no chance that thing would have done any good for that hybrid. Quote
Super User SPEEDBEAD. Posted July 4, 2009 Super User Posted July 4, 2009 Please tell me that you got a new net since the musky shenanigans because there's no chance that thing would have done any good for that hybrid. NO DOUBT ;D Quote
Super User burleytog Posted July 4, 2009 Author Super User Posted July 4, 2009 Please tell me that you got a new net since the musky shenanigans because there's no chance that thing would have done any good for that hybrid. That net handled the hybrid quite well. Then again, I am the best net man this side of the Mississippi. It barely fit, but I got it on the first try. That net has landed quite a few big fish over the last couple of years. Quote
Super User Dan: Posted July 4, 2009 Super User Posted July 4, 2009 Please tell me that you got a new net since the musky shenanigans because there's no chance that thing would have done any good for that hybrid. That net handled the hybrid quite well. Then again, I am the best net man this side of the Mississippi. It barely fit, but I got it on the first try. That net has landed quite a few big fish over the last couple of years. Wow, I would not have expected it to fit in that net. You must be a pretty extreme net man, Burley. Quote
Super User burleytog Posted July 4, 2009 Author Super User Posted July 4, 2009 When you catch the hawgs I catch, you gotta be good. 8-) Quote
Super User 5bass Posted July 4, 2009 Super User Posted July 4, 2009 When you catch the hawgs I catch, you gotta be good. 8-) Just for clarification purposes, these hawgs you are talking about catching are hawgs you catch in a net for your partner, correct? Quote
Super User burleytog Posted July 6, 2009 Author Super User Posted July 6, 2009 When you catch the hawgs I catch, you gotta be good. 8-) Just for clarification purposes, these hawgs you are talking about catching are hawgs you catch in a net for your partner, correct? Like I said, I'm the best net man this side of the Mississippi. 8-) Quote
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