Went out on Center Hill Lake for a couple of hours last night and hung this pretty 4# on a jig - classic location of Timber fallen in the water.  Also caught 3 other smaller LM.  Strange, no spots or SM.

I'm looking forward to Labor Day weekend as all the family meets at a big Rental house on Tim's Ford for fishing, boating, skiing, tubing and eating.  Always a great 3-days.  There will be about 25 of us.

Before that, though, I have some business in Argentina from the 25 - 28th.  Then straight home and straight to the lake. 

Thanks for reading!

Had a great Wednesday with my 2nd oldest Grandson fishing Center Hill Lake.  Water temps were 82-84, light breeze (often not enough) and partly cloudy skies.  We used Booza Football jigs; I used 3/4 on casting gear and he use 1/2 oz on spinning.  I hooked an 18" LM and flipped him in the boat - while that was going on BJ was just standing with his jig in the water watching me.  When I boated, measured and but it in the live well, he returned to fishing and had a fish on his line...a nice 17.8" spot - about 3#, that he brought to the boat.  It was gut hooked so I cut off the jig and placed him in the treated live well.  He didn't make it but we took a picture of him with it and also a picture with my LM.  He's a Freshman in College this year.

We also caught 4 others but smaller in size but just as much fun.  Came home to homemade chili and chips and he decided to spend the night.  He starts college Aug 25th so we need to make a few more trips before then.  The whole family (25+) will rent a big place on Tim's Ford for the Labor Day Weekend...we'll get some fishing done then for sure.

 Wow.  It's been a long time since I posted but in regards to fishing, there hasn't been much to share.  My oldest Daughter (45+) gave one of her kidneys to her son (My Grandson) in February - that was a long ordeal but everyone is fine and healthy now.  I had some overseas travel in March and April.  A neighbor's tree fell on our Buick.  It grazed the house, took out the fence, landed on my Tahoe (thankfully no damage) and bent up the frame on my mower trailer.  When I came home from my travels in May, I found the boat's onboard battery charger failed, putting 32VDC into the starting battery.  Long story short, the battery top was loose from the battery and completely dried out upon my return.  It had shorted out the rectifiers on the boat along with the Tachometer.  That brings us to today as I finally got the boat back (in repair since 2-weeks before 4th of July.  So, I finally went fishing late this afternoon and with decent results.  These were the biggest but also caught 2 other smaller SM, 1 other small LM and a decent Spot.  Thankful to get on the water at last.

Late Fall and early Winter means tackle cleaning and rod building time.  This year I took some old boat-rashed reels, tore them down to parts, repainted the bodies and then reassembled.  I'll be the first to say I'm no expert and they're not fancy but they look great - fresh and ready to go.  I've also rebuilt about 5 rods that were also pretty beaten up.  Fishing?  Not much yet...too much going on with holidays, family, concerts, travel and other things that get in the way of time on the water.  Been darn right frigid here in Middle TN too.  I have one more rod to wrap and epoxy then I'm done tinkering and ready to bundle up and fish. 

My daughter is giving one of her kidneys to my Grandson (her son) on Monday, Jan. 20th.  It will be tough with two having surgery but I think the support group is in place.  I have to be Dallas for a meeting that day but I'll hurry home and relieve some of the folks during aftercare.  I expect they will both be in the hospital a good week and they have to stay close to Vanderbilt Child Hospital for about 3 weeks after that.  A long journey but it will be good to see my G'son have a chance at a "real" life.

Sweetie's at Callaway Gardens for 7 days - she's big into needlepoint and has signed up for 3-classes during that time.  We have a deal...she doesn't tell me how much she spends on her stash and I don't tell her what I spend on mine.

Have a great late winter and spring!  Cheers!

Been awhile since a post but here are some fish from the last couple of months.  My bud Alan has a nice Smallie, my G'son a nice LM and some LM from me.  My son has the 29 pound Salmon caught yesterday (8-5-13) in British Columbia.

March 5-7, 2013 the BIG "O,"  Florida.

My son and I spent two days in Ft. Lauderdale fishing the Big O, the Glades and the canals.  He paid for the Guides, Air fare and food and I used my points for hotel and car rental.  We had a good time and of course I enjoyed being with my son doing something we both love.

A cold front came in to Florida 5-days before we got there and continued through our trip.  Florida fish are accustomed to waters well over 70 degrees and with water temps in the 60's and steady wind out of the North at 20-25 it wasn't the Florida dream trip people dream of but we enjoyed it and caught good fish on live golden shiners.  Artificial bait was ignored by all species.

We caught numerous 4# and 5# bass, four 6# and these nice fat 7# ladies.  We caught some Peacock on the Canals and a few bass in the Glades but no size to speak of.

Special thanks to our Guide, Brett Isaacson!  He's a great guy, great sense of humor and knows his fishing!  Thanks, Brett!

Floridians were freezing but we both enjoyed the warm afternoons and we both have burnt feet (sandals), faces and arms.  We had some great food while there and enjoyed the time together.  Thanks, son!

Of course, my son is always running his businesses!

 21' Skeeter with Yammy 250 4-stroke

The local Thug! 












Sharing the Load












Matt hangin' with Stephen

Center Hill Smallie December 31, 2012

Had a chance to fish today...finally!  Cold and overcast but the rain won't be coming in until this evening so spent about 5-hours on the water.  I only caught 2 fish - this SM and 1-spot.  I spent most of my time searching for schools then targeting them with blade baits, spoons and drop shot.  However, as usual, the two caught came on a football jig.  I saw some old timers on the lake and they were catching many small Smallies on the float and fly.
Water temp was still 49-50, ambient about 38 and at WOT about Zero (LOL).