I went out with a guide on the TN river

I don't know if we are allowed to advertise for a guide, but this guy's good. If you PM me, I'll get you his info.:D

My photo bucket link:
Catfish trip w Jon Henderson pictures by groaner - Photobucket

Boy what a trip. It was near a Dam on the TN river near Tuscombia AL.

It was just great to be able to show up, not to worry, no responsibility, just sit where I was told to sit, and reel in the fish.

Weather was good, and so was the catching. He kept apologizing but as I looked around I didn't see hardly anybody getting fish.
We kept 19, and threw a bunch of little one's back. Only kept the Catfish too.
The "Buffalo" (what the heck, it looked like a Carp or a big Gold fish to me) but they grab and run a lot like a King Salmon.

He filleted them for me. All I took home was a Cooler half full of Catfish Fillets.

That was my first guided trip. Overall, I'd give it a 9.9 and I'd do it again.:)

Looks like a great trip.:) I bet those catfish pulled hard too. Congrats.:)

Yeah, I cant say enough about that trip.
The Tackle was excellent. Drag set just right, he did all the casting so there were no backlash's to fool with.

I enjoyed catching them too. It would have taken me a long time to learn all that.

Going with a guide is a very quick way to eliminate ALOT of trial and error learning about fishing. I've been lucky enough living smack dead in the middle of 3 very good lakes and have grown up fishing 'em with some of the old timers I personally havent used a guide though. In this day and time where work seems to take a hugh presidence on a man's life shortening his time for leasure activities, I wouldnt hesitate using a guide for something I really wanted to learn to do if time was an issue. IMO, the wealth of knowledge the guides give which greatly reduces the learning curve is well worth the money spent.;):)

I've lived in some of the greatest fishing in the world. Washington State and Alaska.
But I'm down here now and don't know what I'm doing.
Next 'guide' is gonna be a Crappie guide.

I enjoy goin fishin' catchenem', and even coming home. Especially enjoy eating em'

Where's the pictures?

Nimrod I didn't want to use up all our space with 30 photos so I put them in a Photobucket file.
You should be able to click on the link up there in my post.
if not try this link: Catfish trip w Jon Henderson pictures by groaner - Photobucket

Just paste it up there in your header and click on it.

Depending on how often you get to fish,if you figure in the cost of all the gear,bait,boat,gas,and the other things you spend your money on,a guide is much cheaper,and with most of them,you'll bring home a good mess of fish.

That's so true Dave.
Especially if you don't get out real often.

All those times when nothing happens and we wonder what the heck? Where's the fish? Why aint they biting? The Guide goes right to the fish.

We'd had a full moon the night before. The day was a High Pressure, Blue Bird day. All the things that normally mean a poor catch, and yet we caught plenty.
Yessirree, this guide was a Good thing for me.

congrats on a good trip. sounds like lots of fun! were you using your shad cut,whole or live?
I think I need to hit the river here and catch some blues for lunch!

He cut the Shad and pulled out the Gizzard and used that for the Cats up close to the Dam.

Then later he cut big chunks out of the sides of the Shad to use in the Drift, on down river.

It was weird. The Rods on the Sunny side of the boat got hits. On the shady side, nothing!
So I spent the whole day looking into the sun shining off the water.

Sounds like you where at Wilson Dam,, yup been there, some fine fishing down there...
Congrats on a great trip...
If you are in Cullman you are right up the road from some monster fish on Wheeler Lake,,from some of the greatest blue cat fishing in the world,, With several fish being caught in the 100lb range each year and 60-80 are common,,Look up Jason Bridges and check out his web site,,,
I wish I was closed to you guys,,,
PJ

I've never been to Wheeler. The F&G guy here says there good Cats up at a bridge just east of me too.
The Whole TN river must be good for Cats in certain places.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by puddle jumper

Sounds like you where at Wilson Dam,, yup been there, some fine fishing down there...
Congrats on a great trip...
If you are in Cullman you are right up the road from some monster fish on Wheeler Lake,,from some of the greatest blue cat fishing in the world,, With several fish being caught in the 100lb range each year and 60-80 are common,,Look up Jason Bridges and check out his web site,,,
I wish I was closed to you guys,,,
PJ

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gonna hit up wheeler myself someday. I hear great things about this lake. and Id like to fish the tn river some, too. someday.....

We fished the Crappie USA classic at Pickwick last month and I would say that the Tennesse river is FULL of cats.... We caught several nice blues while we were trying to fish for crappies... It was fun but it was also a pain when we were trying to keep them from making a mess outta things. LOL!

Congrats on a great catch.

Good to know. I'd settle for Cats anywhere or any time. My wife loves the Crappie though.
I'm gonna have to learn something about that or face living in the Dog House.

Grew up fishing there. glad you enjoyed yourself, north Alabama has somE great fisheries catfish, crappie and bass.

I did enjoy the trip. He spoiled me.