Joe Wheeler Lake, Alabama

Nice December weather and the cats were active. We got on the lake early Thursday fished all day until a little after dark. We launch from the state park public ramp, very nice ($3 a day launch fee), and fished at the nearby marina. We started out strong (or should I say Brian did) by pulling in a this 35 incher:

He caught it with a chunk of fresh chicken breast, circle hook and with a slip bobber with bait a few feet off the bottom. Steve had similar luck with similar setup, just a little smaller:

We really didn't catch much else, didn't try too hard either. A local was telling us he rarely catches crappie but when he does they are usually good size. That has been our experience with Wheeler.

We stayed at a place around the corner which we stayed at before. Simple place that works fine, wish it had cable or satellite TV to watch football ... had to mess with our own streaming services which didn't always work.

We like the weather early December like this and the lack of boats and jet skis. It was cold at times and very comfortable others.

Early winter in Wheeler Lake AL

The big guy and I decided to leverage me flying back to back weeks to the West and I stayed over in Nashville and we drove down to Wheeler Lake in Alabama. There is always risk going this late in the year, especially with the weather. It was about perfect, highs near 60 and lows down about 40. Fishing itself was slow at times, the most active times were sunrise and sunset, including some cat activity in the evening. We stayed at a nice 3 BDR place Brian found on VRBO, we'd stay there again and recommend it. It was on the water and right next to a simple boat ramp.

The fishing was mostly cats, varying in size and species. We caught a few nice crappie. Mostly yellow bass and some drum. We fished around docks, in various coves, flats across from our house and typically hit about 20' of water. We fished close to the bottom and some rods only about 8' deep. Mostly fished with medium sized minnows. We tried some jigs with a bright artificial crappie bait, it got hit a bunch but didn't land a single fish. It could have been crappie, they seemed to not be very aggressive as one might expect at this point of the season.

Spring at Tims Ford Lake, TN

We spent a few days at Tims Ford Lake. Weather was mostly good, though got wet one day. Overall good fishing as you can see we landed some nice fish.

We staying at a small "rustic" place. 2 BDR that had a ladder to get to the 2nd level and some number of steps to get to the lake but nice dock.

Multi lake outing in TN: Center Hill, Sycamore & Pin Oak

We hit 3 lakes over 3 days. It was typical hot summer weather which led to some hit or miss fishing. Nothing much at Center Hill the first day. Sycamore got a little better but it stormed like a mo fo for bit. Then Pin Oak lake we had some nice luck and think we'll try to hit it again some day. It had a lot of promise.

Center Hill Lake

Sycamore Lake

Pin Oak Lake

Early June on Old Hickory

Just returned for a great fishing trip on Old Hickory Lake near Hendersonville, TN.
Weather was mostly dry, got a little bit of rain on Saturday afternoon but it was hot with winds from WSW at about 5 mph. We spent all our time using live bait (small and large minnows and crawlers). We focused mostly on crappie, though we spent a few targeted times as shell crackers or whatever would bite. As it turns out, we did the worst in the mornings (Saturday 6:30-11 and Sunday 5:30-11) and better after 3 PM, who would have thought.

Enjoy the pictures.

Lake Wheeler Alabama Trip October 2014

Nice fall break trip to Athens, Alabama on Lake Wheeler.  It was windy & rainy most of the trip with overcast conditions but the lake was full of fish (if we only knew how to catch them).  We (I) did finally start catching some nice crappie around the docks. Overall, the catfish fishing was the best we have experienced from a volume standpoint on recent fishing trips.  The bluegill & yellow bass were decent as well.    Spiker managed to hook into a Ginormous catfish that I accidentally dropped in the lake.  The girls caught some nice fish as well.  Hope can put minnows on her hook now and Rachel is good with night crawlers and minnows.  Hannah is limited to shrimp due to the grossness/brutality of dealing with the other bait. Steven landed a few nice bluegills. Even Jill got into the fishing action.  Spiker emptied the beer fridge.

August 2014 Fishing w/Hope on Percy Priest

I went fishing recently with my youngest daughter Hope on Percy Priest Lake.  She caught several nice fish including this hybrid striper.  The fish were caught on minnows and crawlers at 12-15 feet.  I really enjoyed getting out on the water with her.  She is a great fisher-women and daughter.