Old Hickory Lake August 6, 2020

[TNDiver]

Went out on the lake with my son and his friend.  Now I should start out saying that I have not been on the water much with the new boat, especially fishing, so I am experiencing what most of you have many times before, but they are firsts for me.  We all need to experience these to learn.

I was also using my new Garmin 93 SV fish finder that I just got a new screw cap as I lost the one to my transducer.  Water temp was about 78 degrees and they had lowered the water a good 3 feet, in predicting some rain from the tropical storm.  So this means more grass, etc. 

Started good, got on the water about 7:15 and got to our favorite site.  Remember I am on a Deck Boat and there are 3 of us.  I am trying to get them casting in designated areas so we don't cross lines, etc.  My son was fishing on his new reel and rod, after throwing his last set up in the water on a cast!  Good news, he didn't throw this set up in the water!  And he liked my old Carrot Stix rod, saying a he could feel more. I had him set up on a wooly bug lure that has been discontinued with a curly tail.   His friend was set up with a purple and pink worm and I was switching around, starting with a frog, switched to a spinnerbait, then a NuTech Swim jig.    We weren't getting much, but the water was low and there was a lot more grass, etc. 

My sons friend started casting the other way, away from the bank and ended up catching a big carp!  I couldn't lift it out of the water with one hand, but then it shook and snapped the lure!  So of course, this means they both started casting more to the channel than towards the bank, where the bass should be.

We also ran across a catfish pool noodle rig that had a catfish on it.  We pulled it up to show the boys.  I let it go, but then we saw it again, so I pulled it up again and noticed the hook was through its eye, where it was in the mouth before.  So it shook the hook loose, only to get snagged in the eye.  I removed the hook and set him free.  I need to look up the rules on those in the area.  It was the first one I saw and don't want to take food out of anyone's mouth, but also didn't think the fish should suffer with a hook in the eye. 

Oh and I know a number of you said I would loose a spinnerbait using a Norman's speed clip.  Well I am stubborn and have been using one for years, well it happened!  Casted it, noticed it felt weird and then realized all I had was my speed clip! 

Also got the mother of all birds nests.  You know the type, where you know it will take too much time to untangle!  I just set it aside and went with a different rod.  I am now seeing why you guys have so many rods.  I could have used 2 more that day.  The wife will not happy!

Started fishing again and noticed we weren't moving with the trolling motor.  Then realized the motor had us anchored in the more shallow water.  Had to trim up the motor so we could move.  Then realized I did not have the TM set to the right height and it was running deeper than normal, but also hitting bottom so got it set.  Then later on, got it stuck in the grass and I had to pull it up to remove the grass from it.  And then later on I got my line snagged in the the TM and it jacked up my Nutech swim jig!  I mean it was unusable.  Took one the the blades and bent the wire all up.   Not happy!  Oh well another order to Bo!  I am going to pull the TM apart to make sure there is no more line or weeds stuck in it.

But in the end, we didn't get skunked, it was a beautiful day and no major problems.   A little bit of work on the TM and my reel and I will be good to go.  But we will have good stories about the catfish and the carp!

[TNDiver]

I should add, that I knew what to do in each situation because of the advice I received here from you guys, so thank you!  Even if I don't take all of it like the Norman Speed clips and spinner baits 

I also need to learn another knot besides the Palomar as that is harder with a larger lure set up