Took a break from being shunned by Crappie and headed for tailwater, May 4th

Decided I was sick of being ostracized by the specks, so off to WB I went. I checked the numbers before I headed out and saw where the plan was for no more than 5K CFS all day. Also did not get the rainy/cloudy conditions that the weather prognosticators predicted.
Neither of these facts gave me warm/fuzzy feelings :Doh:

Got put in around 10:30a and off I went up the river. Got to the wing-wall and took notice that the water was 62* and barely moving. I threw everything in the normal tailwater arsenal for 2hrs, without a single sniff. Decided it was time to downsize and started digging through tackle. Came across a bag of goodies I picked up at FishTales last year and forgot all about them:

Attachment 426864

They look very similar to a BG shad in Monkeymilk, except WAYYY BIGGER. Loaded one onto a 1/4oz head and hitched up to my 6' ultralite with 6# test. Began casting long and hard-popping it off the bottom AND THAT WAS THE TICKET .Nothing super consistent, but a nice mixed bag. Started with a nice little flatty:
Attachment 426865

...the skippy's are in town, had about 4 of these high-fliers:
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...several of DK's animals were unleashed and lurking:
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...of the 2 stripers I had hooked, this was the only 1 that made it in the boat (the other was every bit of 15# but I only got 2 brief looks at him in the 20 minute battle before he'd had enough and straightened the hook)
Attachment 426868

Brought these home, where they are now tucked away in the freezer
Attachment 426869

Needless to say, that ultralite got A SERIOUS WORKOUT that day. Proud to have not broke off all day, but the drag now tired :highfive

Will likely stick with tailwaters until the conceited, snooty slabs return to deep water.

One last photo. I like to call it 'THE ODD COUPLE'
Attachment 426871
Sorry that it's a bit grainy. I reckon the only thing these 2 have in common is that they both likely hail from Canada! Only the 2nd Golden Eagle I've seen in TN. Beautiful animal
:cheers2

Congrats on a mighty fine trip.

Nice!

Were you in the Ft Loudon Tail waters or the Watts Bar Tail waters?

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Were you in the Ft Loudon Tail waters or the Watts Bar Tail waters?

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Was on Chick.

I haven't fished it but it is certainly on my to due list

Good job changing technique s

Sent from my E6910 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I'll have the buffet. :ThumbsUpGood assortment of species. I know that was a fun day. Thanks for sharing.

I am glad that you figured them out up there. If you are up to trolling crank baits on planer boards, a friend of mind has been wearing out the walleyes on the weekends. Double limits every trip.

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Originally Posted by drumking

If you are up to trolling crank baits on planer boards, a friend of mind has been wearing out the walleyes on the weekends. Double limits every trip.

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...while that does sound incredibly attractive, I'm not one for trolling. Haven't done that since Lake Erie in the late 80's. I can chunk-n'-reel a crankbait but that's about as far as I'll go.

Thinking of trying a night trip up there pretty soon for them, but a little hesitant as I've heard horror stories about leaving your truck/trailer @ Pinhook ramp during the night.nonono

It that the ramp just below the damn?

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

It that the ramp just below the damn?

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YEP. East bank about a mile downstream from the dam. HATE THAT RAMP. Anybody who fishes alone will likely agree.

On top of that, have heard of countless break-in's/stolen trailers from that ramp.