Super User Goose52 Posted February 22, 2011 Super User Posted February 22, 2011 So I go over to the cove where I've had so much luck lately on spinnerbaits and lipless cranks. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/71085-winter-spinnerbait-and-lipless-crank-bass-1951lb-bag-update-another-14lbs/page__hl__spinnerbait+best+bag__fromsearch__1 I have a repeat of the weather pattern that was successful 3 times before - several warm days to get the fish up and active, then a low-pressure area rolling in to get them feeding before they go deep again. Water temp was 49 - pretty warm compared to the earlier pattern so I had my hopes up. I worked that cove and each side of that cove for an hour with the lipless crank - nothing, no one home. Hopes on the weather pattern dashed. THEN, I thought about a thread I read yesterday about Boyd Duckett using a chatterbait to catch a lot of his fish in the Classic and I remember that I had added some chatterbaits to my last TW order. I've never fished a chatterbait before - so I think, I got nothing to lose. Since the winds were up to 20mph right in my face, I tied one on a spinning rod I had in the car and started working it. I got no trailers or anything with me so I'm just fishing the chatterbait as it came out of the packaging. As I work the bait, I'm thinking - this is pretty cool, lots of vibration, you can work it REAL slow, seems like a good bait. I make quite a few casts around that cove to get the feel of the bait and when I'm making what was going to be just about my last cast (it was getting dark).........BAM. I got my 25 year-old Shakespeare spinning reel with the (marginal) drag singing and a BIG fish taking out line. Got her to the edge of the bank, lipped her, and got her out of the water. 25", 9.06 pounds, my new LMB PB (previous PB was 7.75) Thanks to Boyd Duckett for fishing a chatterbait...and for Skeet22 on this board for reporting that! Life is VERY good, high on the Cumberland plateau in Tennessee 8-) Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 22, 2011 Super User Posted February 22, 2011 WAY TO GO ! What a TOAD ! Man you have been tearing them up. You may want to consider entering that beauty in The Tennessee Angler Recognition Program ~ http://www.tn.gov/twra/fish/tarp/tarp.html Congrats ! A-Jay Quote
Fat-G Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Dude you have been so on them lately! I'm really happy for you my friend. Of all the people posting inthe Outing section lately, you hands down deserve it the most. Congrats dude! That is a toad! Way to go! Quote
Ima Bass Ninja Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Great fish Goose!!!.....chatter baits have been a productive part of my arsenal too..Keep experimenting by adding different trailers and retrieves and you'll find they are one of the most versatile lures you'll ever own.. Quote
WanderLust Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Great fish!!! My newly aquired Karu arsenal is ready to go as well. Quote
BassThumb Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Great fish! You'll have to make that your new avatar pic. It's a lot bigger than the other one. ;D ;D Quote
ryan21 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 congrats man! that stuff is just priceless. Quote
Super User bassfisherjk Posted February 22, 2011 Super User Posted February 22, 2011 Awesome fish Goose,Congrat's. Quote
gotarheelz14 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 omgggg what a freaking toaddddd!!!!! Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted February 22, 2011 Author Super User Posted February 22, 2011 Thanks guys! It's been a lot of fun lately. All of these fish I've been catching have been out of a little cove, in water between 39 and 49 degrees. I thought earlier today that the party was over and this pattern was not going to repeat. Then this girl comes along. Just incredible! Too bad our board fishing tournament doesn't start until March 15 - this fish wouldn't have won...but it would be a respectable entry (62% of the TN state record). Quote
Shane Procell Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 That is an awesome fish...Congratulations! Quote
Super User South FLA Posted February 22, 2011 Super User Posted February 22, 2011 A story for LIFE! Quote
shimmy Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 that is just flat out beautiful. Well done. Quote
The one that got away Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Great story and a great fish! Quote
bassman31783 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Awesome fish bud. Happy for ya. Always good to push that personal best up a few pounds ;D. Great job. Go out and get a 10+ now. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted February 22, 2011 Author Super User Posted February 22, 2011 Awesome fish bud. Happy for ya. Always good to push that personal best up a few pounds ;D. Great job. Go out and get a 10+ now. That would be the next goal for sure! To the Florida guys - some of you know that I lived in the Miami area in the 50s through 1967. Used to fish in the Glades with my Dad - biggest bass I got down there was 4 3/4. I never would have believed that I would finally get a 9 pounder in 49 degree water in Tennessee! Go figure... : Quote
Fish Chris Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 That fish is so perfect, it look mounted Congrats, and continued success to you Fish Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted February 22, 2011 Author Super User Posted February 22, 2011 Thanks Chris! I was fishing alone, from the bank, so no one to take any "glamour" shots. All I could do was lay the bass out next to the rod for perspective and get out the "point-n-shoot" camera. It was nearly dark, and very cloudy, so the flash fired and I got some glare from the fish. It was a very healthy, chunky, and good-fighting fish - much "fuller" than I usually catch in these little lakes. My previous PB was actually an inch longer at 26" but much skinnier at 7.75lbs - that fish just seemed old and tired... Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 22, 2011 Super User Posted February 22, 2011 Great story, great fish! Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted February 22, 2011 Author Super User Posted February 22, 2011 Thanks RW! I had picked up some individual fish from that cove over the preceding few days (including a 4 pounder the day before) but I was really looking forward to a repeat of the weather pattern - hoping to score 5 or more quality fish like the previous 3 times. I fished that cove (and the one next to it) for 90 minutes in the morning and nothing. Then, when I thought the weather would be optimum in the evening, I fished for another 90 minutes and nothing...then BAM. This was the only fish I caught yesterday over those 3 hours of fishing but the time was well-spent for sure! 8-) Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted February 22, 2011 Super User Posted February 22, 2011 Congrats. on your P.B. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted February 22, 2011 Super User Posted February 22, 2011 What can I say Goose but congratulations. Very impressive fish. Quote
brushhoggin Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 dang goose, you're so money well done man Quote
Super User senile1 Posted February 22, 2011 Super User Posted February 22, 2011 Nice one, Goose! That's a beautiful fish and a hell of a nice reward for your persistence. Quote
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