Watts Bar tailwater report: Paddlefish, Striped Bass 11/05/2015

Dr Phillip Gawthrop and I did what we call "combat" fishing below Watts Bar dam this AM. What an exciting 3 hours of fishing. We came away with nearly 100 lbs of fish including a limit of Stripers, and 11 White Bass. I caught a 57", 32 lb Paddlefish that nearly whipped me to exhaustion. Took me 30 minutes to land the thing. It was released since the fish is not in season. One lone Skipjack on the first cast this morning completed our catch today. I know this is a crappie site, but I wanted to post pics of the paddlefish. Only the 2nd one that I have ever caught.

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That's a fantastic trip. I used to go up there a lot 30- years ago

Good job guys. Looks like you were fishing the old Trash hole. Bet the drags were singing today. Good post and great pix.

WOW! Great pictures. Thank you for sharing.

Outstanding. I watched my father in law catch a paddlefish once. Much smaller than that one. Those things fight like crazy.

You guys got a good workout didn't you. Congrats

Awesome fish Dickey - thanks for sharing.

Wow great catch.