Fishing Report Archives

Hey Y’all from the Excel Storm Cat 230. The boat is parked and I’m tying up loose ends before my first of two back surgeries next Wednesday and Friday. This surgery has been on my mind since 2018 when my doctor told me future surgery would probably be needed to stabilize my lower back.

Here I am. The brave front I’ve put up for a couple of years has finally caught up with me. It is time.

My trip to Grenada Lake, Mississippi was a blast. I was able to fish three straight days, essentially guiding like I would have done here. My partners were a buddy from Grenada and the owner of Pico Lures from Arkansas.

I ran the boat while they figured out what, where and when we needed to do to catch a tournament worthy bunch of crappie. Practice saw us catch fish in the two-pound range. Those same fish alluded us on tournament day. Our catch was good enough for seventh place.

We drew a check and considering how some good fishermen did much worse than we did, we were happy. I wasn’t about winning. It was about spending time with friends. My hosts were wonderful and fed us like kings.

I’ll use my time off the lake to rest, recuperate, and check out dozens of videos on new tactics to catch crappie. I have always been open to new tactics. My garage is full of new tactic gear that didn’t work out as planned.

My friends have been told should I pass away, don’t let my wife sell my tackle for what I TOLD her I gave for it. A guy doesn’t have to give away all his secrets and it is usually better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

Miss Vicki has lots of practice at being a home nurse and her neck is so much better after her recent surgery. She is back to work to pay for the insurance that is paying for my surgeries.

Our fishing together has taken a back seat to healing this year. My surgeon has said I will be out of the boat for at least six, maybe eight weeks. I’m known as a fast healer, so it is yet to be seen how long. At my age, the doctor’s orders are usually followed closely. I’ll hopefully be ready to start guiding again in September.

The slow drain of our lakes has started, and the increased current has got the catfish in a feeding mood. A breakfast buddy was on the lake earlier this week. He set out a small bunch of jugs and the blue catfish ran him ragged. Chasing 3-4 jugs with catfish on them gets to be work.

He was on Barkley and was baiting his hooks with the Jell-o chicken recipe. His bite was early, and he was able to get off the lake before the oppressive heat got cranked up. This is the time of year he stocks his freezer.

The reports I’m getting on Kentucky Lake have been similar. The increased current is pulling the shad schools toward the mouths of the bays and onto offshore structures on the main lake.

Crappie, bass, white and yellow bass and catfish all spend their time searching out the baitballs and will feed until they can’t. After every recent trip I’ve had to clean out my fish ice box of remains of shad that have been deposited by the crappie we have caught. Not a fun job but necessary to keep my garage from smelling like a landfill.

I’ll check back in once I again feel like sitting at my desktop. You can check my progress on social media, both Facebook and Instagram. I’ll be away from answering texts and taking trip bookings for a few days, but I promise I will get back with you. I have plenty of dates for September through November.

Be careful out there. School is out and families are taking to the lakes in droves. Fishermen need to consider fishing from dawn until mid-morning to avoid the crowds. The lakes are for everyone. Keep that in mind.

Welcome to our slice of Heaven.