Kayak Trip Report, Ingalls Harbor

I took the afternoon off work and fished today before the weather turns bad tomorrow. I put in at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur planning to fish single pole around the marines and docks on the south side of the Tennessee. The first current break I dropped my jig next too I hooked a huge Striped Bass (8 to 10 pound range) which promptly broke my jig pole, then striped out all my line before breaking off. That left me with a 20 mile drive home for another pole or keep fishing with just my casting rod. Needless to say, I spent the day feeling like I had one hand tied behind my back not able to jig fish. I did manage 4 Crappie and about 2 dozen Gills. I probably returned 50 or more smaller gills back. Not a great day, but I salvaged what I could and enjoyed being on the water regardless.

Best bait ended up being a 1/32 oz, Yellow Roadrunner fished very, very slow. Water was clear with visibility of about two feet and 49 degrees.

Attachment 225493

Was out in Decatur as well...had the HONOR of meeting Ditch and seeing him do his thing. I also may have returned another 50 gills or so....but managed to catch only 8 Crappies, 3 Shell Crackers and 13 gills. I caught most of the fish on a 1/16 oz blk/chart jig head with a blue ice BG. Odd color combo...but worked. Had to spend most of the time today dealing with a DEAD crank battery. But enjoyed the time out on the water.

Ditch, maybe our paths will cross again...until then...it was great to meet you, after reading yours and some of the others....many posts.

Good Luck.

Good report fellers :ThumbsUp:ThumbsUp

karindaddy,

Great meeting you yesterday also. It was impressive and unusual to see someone in a big boat slowing down and working an area so thoroughly. I watched you spend an hour on a single boat slip within a marina. Most of my experience with the big boat crowd has been "running and gunning". The rest of the Crappie.com members could learn much from watching you. Hope to see you again soon.

Great report. Sorry to hear about your jig rod. I would like to know what you are considering buying to replace it

I've been using the Shakespeare Crappie Hunter rod for a few years. I normally buy them off Amazon and always have a few spares in my basement.

Amazon.com : Shakespeare Crappie Hunter Spinning Rod : Spinning Fishing Rods : Sports & Outdoors

They have a very soft, ultralight action. That in combination with my reels having a very good drag reduces Crappie pulling loose with their "paper mouth". They're not for everyone, but work great for me. The reason I broke my rod yesterday Is I had just replaced the line on all my reels and forgot to reset the drag. A rookie mistake that I shouldn't have made.

Way to get back at them DB after loosing a rod to a horse.

I've caught a lot of stripe (Sand Bass) but I've never hooked a Hybrid Striped Bass before in Wheeler. About all I could do was hang on for 3 or 4 seconds and it was over, LOL!

Great report, sorry about your loss!

Were you getting out of the water about 5 pm ?

Yep, that was me along with a couple other boats leaving or putting in.

I of course was the only kayak in the area. I drive a White Nissan Xterra

Ditch I was in the blue triton aluminum putting in. You should stayed . They don't start up to 7 pm.

Always take 2 rod's buddy great report anyway.

You weren't far from Decatur Bait n Tackle!

Nice report. Thanks for fueling the fire for those of us stuck at work.

I've decided to always have a spare rod with me in the future. In a kayak you always go minimum because of space and weight.

I'd love to stay after dark in that area, but it's not a good idea in a small kayak. I've nearly been hit several times in the middle of the day by larger boats. Even been cussed out a few times because someone didn't see me, LOL.