CRAPPY (not crappie) WB tailwater trip with a surprise

Finally made it to the tail-water looking for the first Walleye of the year, with no luck. Knew it was going to be rough after consulting the TVA site and seeing they decided to start spilling the dam the evening before the trip. Got up there to find 40K CFS + 2 gates spilling. Pretty sure we never got our baits near the bottom and spent the day fighting the boat in all the current. Managed 10 NICE white bass, one 20" Striper (+ had another MUCH LARGER fish at the side of the boat that broke my pardner off, for which I clipped his shirt tail for improper drag-setting :Rofl), and this beautiful beast:

Attachment 361198
I've heard about them, read about them and seen them on TV, but never saw one with my own eyes. BEAUTIFUL CREATURE!! Guessed her to over 4ft in OAL and she did a number on the net :yikes Didn't take any time to measure/weigh as I wanted to get her back in the water ASAP.

Temp was still 54*. All fishes caught were released to swim another day. Will try to get back up there when the water settles a bit.

:cheers2

Cool fish glad you let her go. Have lots of those in Okie land.


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Awesome looking fish, bet they fight like a bear in the current. Never caught one myself, but would like to :fish

Awesome fish. I have never seen one before.

Great times. Which dam. Doing almost 120k at Pickwick.

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Originally Posted by "D"

Great times. Which dam. Doing almost 120k at Pickwick.

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Watts Bar. Saw today where they're up into mid-50K's now and still spilling. May be awhile before I get back up that way

That’s a special fish right there. I’m sure soon you will come home w a livewell full of “toothie critters”

Nice! That fish is something to be proud of!

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Originally Posted by CUonthelake

That’s a special fish right there. I’m sure soon you will come home w a livewell full of “toothie critters”

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Thanks CU! Have yet to duplicate the pounding you and DK put on them awhile back!

:cheers2

Love this report, MGB. In my lifetime, I have caught and landing 3 of those paddlefish and everyone of them fought like a beast. There is only a short season where sports fishermen like us can keep one and it seems like it is in April or May. Check regulations.

Dr Phil and I were supposed to be up there this morning (Sunday), but Phil must be up a tree. Lolol. With all the flow it is probably best that I stayed home to rest.

To CDC, I’ll get back to crappie fishing before long and posting reports. I have been fishing for bluegills and Stripers for over 6 weeks, but the crappie are missing me.