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2 DAY REPORT TIM'S FORD AND NORMANDY

Last week Randy owner of Murfreesboro Out Doors and I spent the best part of a day on Tim's and struggled all day. The 3 fish that we are holding was our best and they all came on a VMC Smoochin Head Jig www.vmchooks.com tipped with a swim bait. Randy has a great store and is able to order just about anything that you need for Hunting-Fishing etc. He carries a great variety of Rapala-Storm-Luhr-Jensen-Sufix mono and braid and as I said able to order anything you need if he dosen't have it on the shelf. Randy and I both was using Sufix Pro Mix -he is a big believer just like I am. www.sufix.com This morning 1-23-2012 David Honey called me and was unable to go because he was sick so I headed to Normandy not knowing what I would find because of all the rain that we had yesterday. The mud line was headed toward the Barton Springs Bridge....The 4 bottom fish was my best for the day-did the best I could taking pictures by my self......We are going to have to scope out the water conditions for the rest of the week.......Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 1-17-2012

I have been blessed through the years to have several memorable day's on the water and today was near the top. Doug Markham and I set out for the lake early this morning to shoot a video for his site. To make what could be a very long story short we caught and released approx 70lbs of Largemouth with our best 5 weighing in at 37lbs with the big fish weighing 10lbs 12 ounces. Everything was caught on a Real Bait Company 3 wire Tennessee Rig, and swim baits rigged on VMC Smoochin Head Minnows www.vmchooks.com  and 65lb test Sufix 832 Braid www.sufix.com . We put the big fish in the live well until we got everything out to measure her for a Tennessee Tarp Certificate then she was released alive a well back into Nick A Jack-you can see the whole process on Doug's video. Doug and I have had some great trips through the years together and this today was no exception. Wow!!! Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com  click on the following link to see the video https://www.facebook.com/people/Doug...type=2&theater
 

Nick A Jack 1-16-2012

My youngest son Daniel was out of school today so we headed to Nick A Jack early this morning and had a great 6 hours on the water. We caught and released 16 Largemouth and Spots along with a dozen or more White Bass most much larger than the 2 white bass that Daniel is holding. We caught everything on a 3 wire Real Bait Co. Tennessee Rig. We used VMC Smoochin Head Minnow Head www.vmchooks.com and a  couple different swim baits including a Storm Wild-Eyed Shad www.stormlures.com  Our line was 65 lb Sufix 832 Braid www.sufix.com ...Daniel caught his personal best today a beautiful 5lb 9oz Largemouth (see top row cent picture)  Murfreesboro OutDoors carries the Real Bait 3 wire rigs as well as all the other products. Good 6 hours with my youngest....He's a good kid...............Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguiudes.com

2 Day Report 1-9 & 10-2012

Tim's Ford-Nick A Jack

This is a 2 day report for Tim's Ford and Nick A Jack. Yesterday I fished with Michael McDaniel on Tim's and we had to hustle to find any quality fish. There wasn't enough wind to blow a feather across the lake all day yesterday and for the first time that I can remember in a long time it stayed very-foggy all day. We caught 5 or 6 Largemouth and 3 big Black Nose Crappie all on a Rapala #7 Bleeding Chartreuse Shad Rap www.rapala.com thrown on 6lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com . This is the 3rd time that Michael and I have fished together and I always enjoy our time together. Today I fished Nick A Jack with Jerry Steakly and we had another fantastic day throwing the 3 Wire Tennessee Rig made by Real Bait Co. with a variety of Swim Baits including a Storm Wild Eye Shad www.stormlures.com  Sufix 832 Braid worked extremely well-it is very smooth and is ultra sensitive www.sufix.com . We lost the first 3 big Largemouth we had on right at daylight 2 on the rig and one on a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon www.luhrjensen.com but was able to catch 3 more throughout the day. In-between we caught at least 100 White Bass that all looked like the ones you see above. These products that I have mentioned above can be purchased at Murfreesboro OutDoors-if they by chance don't carry a particular item let Randy know and he will try to get it for you. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Editors Note:

Tim's Ford 1-6-2012

Terry Hicks (pictured) and I put in at the State Park Ramp this morning at 6:30am and fished until 12:30. Water temp was 47 degrees if they drop the water much more the ramp will be iffy....you can see the end very easily. For most of the morning we didn't have any wind but still managed to put the Smallmouth and Spots that you see in the boat. I also lost a very good fish that hit with 2 or 3 cranks left at eventually pulled off. Best lure by far for us was the Rapala Red Craw DT6 (see picture below dated 12-30-11) 6lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono line of choice. Last post for the week-Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Below Nick A Jack Dam 1-5-2012

Yesterday I met good friend Jerry Steakly in Manchester and we headed out to Nick A jack to throw the Alabama/Tennessee Rigs. This was my first experience with these and I found out a couple things that might help you in the future should you want to throw these type of rig. #1 KNOW YOUR STATE LAWS concerning the use of these rigs #2  If your fishing below a dam like we did yesterday you definitely need some stout line-I used the 65lb test Sufix 832 Braid smmoth as silk www.sufix.com #3 it wouldn't hurt to have a couple different weights of these rigs and here's why. When we put the boat back on the trailer Jerry looked at the rigs I was using and they were much lighter than what he was throwing-what difference did that make? Well when we started out we were in an area that had allot of current and the fish were out in deeper water and he basically caught all the fish because his rig was getting down in their strike zone and my rig was riding to high-in the excitement of catching fish neither of us took time to figure out what the difference was. When we were in water that didn't have as much current my rig worked just as well as his and our catch ratio was equal. This can be corrected either by the weight of the rig it's self or by the weight of the jig heads that you use. #4 You need stout line because you may catch doubles or more on the same cast (as pictured above) #5 watch your electronics and stay in bait....these rigs are heavy and if you can save a few wasted casts during the day when you my age you will appreciate it. #5 I used VMC 1/4 ounce Smoochin Jig Heads www.vmchook.com and a couple different swim bait bodies including a Storm WildEye Shad  www.stormlures.com and they all seemed to work atleast today. #6 Make your center swim bait LARGER than the others-this made a huge difference. I use rigs that were made by 3 different companies Mean Mouth Lures www.meanmouthlures.com Real Bait Company and JJ's Magic www.jjsmagic.com and they all worked equally as well. The result for the day-we figured we had to catch near 100 total fish ....65% of them were Chunky hard pulling White Bass (see lower right picture) the rest was basically Largemouth. Is this something that I would want to do every day? No....I'm a light line (6lb test) guy...........Will I do it again? Yes if the Lord allows-It was a lot of fun and when your fishing with someone like Jerry that knew the technique and spots it helps cut the learning curve tremendously. Jerry thank you for another good day on the water with you....we will do it again............Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-30-2012

I fished Tim's today by myself and had the best crankbait day that I have had this winter. Water temp was 49 degrees and extremely windy...25-30pmh. At times the waves would come over the front of the boat when you were headed into the wind. I did the best I could taking pictures-it was hard keeping the camera on the seat long enough for it to flash....I caught 20 plus today with some great fish not pictured-just to much to handle by myself. I caught everything on the baits that you see in the picture below. Rapala #7 Bleeding Olive Shad Rap-#7 Rapala Bleeding Chartreuse Shad Rap, Rapala DT6 Red Craw and a Rapala DT6 Hot Mustard  www.rapala.com  I also caught a couple on the Long John Swim Bait dipped in JJ's Magic Chartreuse www.jjsmagic.com with a VMC Smoochin Head 1/4ounce Swim Head www.vmchooks.com Everything on Sufix 6lb Pro Mix  www.sufix.com Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Recent Tim's Ford Picture

I haven't posted pictures lately but here are some of the fish that we have been catching over the past few days. There have been multiple  fish caught as well that I didn't take pictures of .  I had the pleasure of fishing with Robert Markham, Joe and Katie Clark and that's yours truly (bottom right) with a fish that Doug Markham caught with me a few days ago. We have caught fish on live Tuffy's, Whirly Bees, Long Johns, Rapala DT 6 Hot Mustard www.rapala.com , Luhr-Jensen Speed trap Root Beer www.luhrjensen.com  and everything on Sufix Pro Mix 6lb test mono www.sufix.com and live bait on VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com Thanks for visiting my site and I will get back to posting more pictures and info after the first of the year. Going to take a little break. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-13-2011

Tuesday we had a 2 boat trip on Tim's with David Honey and the father/son team of Ken and Joseph Jenkins. We fished a completely different area of the lake than I have been fishing preparing for a video that I'm suppose to shoot with Doug Markham next week. The bite was tough for both boats, David and I threw tuffy's all day while Ken and Joseph threw a combination of tuffy's, jigs, swim baits, crankbaits etc. David and I lost 2 other good fish that we just didn't have stuck and caught several other short fish as well. Not much more to share than that. No wind 90% of the day water temps in low 50's.............Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-09-2011

I met Jay Arnold at the lake at this morning at 9:00am and we fished until 3:00pm. Our bite started out very slowly for us this morning but as the day progressed it did pick up some. The 3 Smallies above was our 3 best, we also lost 2 others in the same category. We caught several smaller fish as well and once again (broken record) all on tuffy's.  Every one of our fish was "just barely" stuck, it didn't matter how long you let them carry the tuffy, that's why we lost the other 2 good fish we had on. I had to laugh at Jay trying to break the Sufix 6lb Pro Mix when he got hung up on the bottom-he kept pulling the boat toward the bank.....This line is fantastic www.sufix.com.  We also used another of my regular go to hooks for fishing these tuffys the VMC #6 bait holder hook....if they weren't  needle sharp as they are I'm not sure we would have caught the fish we did as light as they were taking the tuffy in. www.vmchooks.com  More next week Lord willing! Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-07-2011

David Honey (pictured) and I got to the lake at 7;00am and fished 4 hours.  Air temp was 31 degrees and was snowing and sleeting when we reached the lake. The wind was out of the North and we had a hard time staying on our spots. We decided to only throw tuffy's again today and as it wasjust like last week a good choice. We caught several others that are not pictured. We used 6lb Test Clear Blue Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com and #6 VMC Circle Hooks www.vmchooks.com a small split shot and the tuffy. This is a perfect set up for throwing these minnows. The Sufix Pro Mix comes off a spinning reel like a dream and the VMC hooks are needle sharp. Pick some up you will be overly pleased---I have been. David is a very good friend and he and have been blessed to put some good ones in the boat together over the years-and today was no exception. I have 2 more days this week "If"  we can manage the weather. Got to figure out something on my hands.....how many ways can you spell NUMB...NUMBNESS-VERY COLD................Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-01-2011

Terry Hicks (pictured) and I met at Holiday Marina on Tim's this morning around 9:00am. Air temp was 31 degrees and the water temp was just about like it was yesterday in the mid 50's. We decided to only throw tuffy's today and that was a good choice but we (I) blew several of our opportunities. The fish above was our best "that we put in the boat" We lost 6 big fish (I lost 4 of the 6) and all close to the boat . My problem was a reel that gave me fits today that I thought about leaving in the bottom of Tim's. I won't be using it again, it's headed back for a refund. You don't get much for $100.00 these days. We used 6lb Test Clear Blue Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com and #6 VMC Circle Hooks www.vmchooks.com a small split shot and the tuffy. You can't get any easier than that. The minnow bite will be on all winter, it's a fun relaxing way to spend your day on our middle Tennessee waters. More next week Lord willing.  Terry is a very good friend-a good fisherman and a lot of fun to be in the boat with. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 1-29-2011

Thanksgiving travels are over now back to chasing those brown fish. Today Jerry Steakley and I  had a good day on Tim's catching over 15 Largemouth-Smallmouth and Spots (oh yes 1 big Crappie) on a combination of baits including a 018 Luhr-Jensen Tire Tiger Crystal Speed Trap and a Rootbeer Speed Trap. www.luhrjensen.com  Water colors varied from the upper end where there is a lot of color to mostly clear in the middle part of the lake. We saw water temps that ranged from 52 to 55 degrees and the lake is up 3 feet due to all the rain that we have had over the past several days. It rained-sleeted and snowed on us today and the winds were brisk at 15mph plus. As always the Sufix Pro Mix Mono came through like a champ. www.sufix.com Jerry and I always have a good time fishing together and today was no exception. More to come later this week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 11-18-2011

It was a cold 26 degrees when Terry Hicks (Pictured) and I put in this morning on Nick A Jack. Water temp was 56 degrees when we first got there and 58 when we left. I knew that we were going to be in for a tougher day than David and I had on Tuesday because of the cold front and the high pressure system that was sitting right on top of us.  We did manage to catch 15 Largemouth ALL-ALL on a same Rapala Blue Shad DT4 www.rapala.com that I use down here all the time. (See picture of bait in 11-15-11 post). Other than 30 degrees difference in air temps here was the difference from this past Tuesday and today.  We caught all 15 in 3 places only. We hit each of these 3 places 2 times during the 6 hours that we were on the lake. We couldn't by a bite any where else> BUT CHECK OUT THE CENTER PIC. When you got a bite they would nail it. They love this DT4 on this lake. Terry and I both throw only Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com on spinning and bait casters. If your not trying  Sufix your missing the boat. I don't think I'll fish this next week-a lot of Thanksgiving to do.  More in a couple weeks. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 11-15-2011

David Honey (pictured) and I got back on the water today and had a good rainnnnny day. It was raining when we got to the mountain this morning and rained on and off all day. There was a tremendous amount of floating grass every where in the lake but when you could get the Blue Shad Rapala DT4 passed the floating stuff the bass would nail it. www.rapala.com  The great thing about the DT4 is that you can run it just above the grass and fish it in some of the shallowest areas of the lake. We also did well with the VMC Smoochin Head Minnow www.vmchooks.com these come in 4 sizes from 1/16oz to 3/8oz so you can fish all levels of the water columns. We switched between a grub and a small swim bait. We caught and released 15 or more and lost at least 8 or 10 others. The 6 above was our best. Sufix Pro Mix on all my reels....hard to beat. www.sufix.com Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford w/o 11-7-2011

This was a fairly tough week on Tim's for good quality fish. I fished with Jason Lee-James Gillespie and Roger Holt and the fish above was our best. We caught and released several smaller fish on a variety of bait but the Rapala #7 Bleeding Shad Rap www.rapala.com was by far the best bait we also caught fish on a swim bait as well on a 1/4 ounce VMC Dominator Smoochin Head Minnow Head www.vmchooks.com . 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono was the line of choice. Tough over all week-a 3 good guys to be out with.  More next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-5-6-2011

Yesterday I fished 4 hours with Mr. Dick Griffiths with the 2 Smallmouth above being our best. Today I fished with Stephaine Wright and Rhonda Loop and we couldn't manage a keeper fish all day. Both days we caught and released several smaller Smallmouth all on Tuffy's.  I talked with the President  of a bass club on the lake today and there was only 3 keeper fish caught by the 24 fishermen by the noon weigh in. I think we are in the process of the lake turning over and when that happens you are going to have the good day-bad day scenario for a little while. We also talked with a couple guys that have fished Tim's for 20 or more years at the ramp and they didn't put even 1 fish in the boat today.....just plain tough today. Bill, Stephaine and Rhonda were amazed at the strength of the 6lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com that we used. Folks this is some kind of great line, need to get you some. If your local sporting good store doesn't carry the Pro Mix ask them to order it, I assure you they can....3 days next week Lord willing.  2 good days on the water with 3 great people....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Just  A Little Live Bait Information

There are times on Tim's Ford and other lakes and rivers, when fishing "Live Bait" can turn a so-so trip into a good one. To keep from running back and forth to the local bait shop you can make yourself a fairly simple inexpensive system to keep minnows of all varieties and sizes based on your particular need.  I have used the system above for several years and have found it to be very efficient.  Let me explain what you are looking at.

The top left picture: This is a 30 gallon round heavy duty plastic container with a  lid that my father in law gave me.  It sits on an old charcoal grill stand that has a hole in the middle of it where the grill tub set. This let's me sit the 30 gallon tank on top of the hole and allow room for a PVC water line shut off valve and pipe  that I have inserted in the bottom of the tank to easily drain water into the green 5 gallon bucket you see sitting below. ***Important*** All minnows emit Ammonia  from their bodies-this is what will kill your bait if not handled correctly.  Ammonia will settle to the bottom of the tank-that's why I have the drain in the bottom of the container. It's very easy to remove 5 gallons of water then replace it with fresh water treated with a Shad Keeper-Better Bait type product (Bottom Center Picture) These product remove chlorine from the water and helps with the ammonia problem as well.   I plumbed a inside water line down to a faucet sitting behind the tank where I attached a hose. This way I don't have to keep a outside faucet on during the winter and take a chance on it freezing.  **Note** I like a round container better than a square one if you are going to keep bait for any length of time. The round container doesn't seem to stress the minnows as much (more ammonia) as a square one.

Bottom right picture: These are 2 "Dual Line" aquarium aerators. I cut out a hole where I insert the 4 air lines down into the tank...they plug into a electrical outlet that sits behind the tank. I also have the larger aerator (bottom picture left) that I use at times if I am keeping shiners, which for me are touchy to keep at best. 

Top right picture:  I transport all my minnows to the lake in 2 minnow buckets like the one that you see above. The bucket is equipped with a  external aerator that helps keep the oxygen levels up while you are on the lake. This aerator runs' off of 2 D cell batteries.  The warmer it is the more crucial your aerator becomes. Just a heads up----spend a little $$$$ and buy a square plastic milk crate to sit your round minnow bucket in. It will save you from dumping your bait over when running down the lake in heavy waves.  I learned this from experience the hard way. Also make sure you have a small container with you that you can use to dip some of the water out of your bucket and add lake water to help them adjust to the (warmer) or (colder) lake water. I use a 20 gallon tank in my boat when fishing larger bait.

Water Buckets:  You can buy new 5 gallon buckets from almost any home improvement or discount store. I keep 3 buckets that I have marked "MINNOWS ONLY" on them. This keeps me from accidentally killing my bait with detergents and other chemicals that I use in washing my truck and boat.  That's it....then all you have to do is find the fish when you get to the lake......Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-1-2011

I had a great 4 hours with BV and Sharon Johnson on Tim's. In that short amount of time we caught and released a dozen or more Smallmouth with the largest weighing in at a respectable 4lbs 4oz. BV lost two good fish and the action stayed fairly strong all the way through. BV and Sharon I had a get time with you folks....a joy to be out with.  6lb Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com and VMC Baithholder hock tipped with a tuffy........Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 1-28-29-2011

This is a 2 day report for Tim's Ford. Yesterday my clients chose not to fish so since the boat was already in the water I fished about 2 hours. It was the first cold rain that I have fished in this Fall ,  I guess I got broken in quickly. The forecast was for the rain to stop around 8-9 o'clock but it stayed around all day. I caught 4 Smallmouth and 4 Channel Cats in the 2 hours-all on Tuffys. Then said to myself----Self your nuts for sitting out here all alone, so I loaded the boat and went to the house. .....Today I fished with the Grandfather-Grandson Team of Bill and Dylan Williams. It was 36 degrees and foggy when we put it but cleared and warmed up to 57 by the time we left the lake. We caught several Smallmouth on Tuffys today as well.  Dylan is a good fisherman and a very polite young man. It was a pleasure sharing the boat with the Williams today. All fish was caught on Sufix Clear Blur Pro Mix Mono 6lb Test www.sufix.com and VMC Bait holder Hooks. www.vmchooks.com  Unless something changes I will have 3 reports for next week. Until then be careful and enjoy. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Fall Break October 17-2011

Daniel is on fall break this week and our original plans was to spend the first 3 days of this week on Lake Barkley fishing out of Dover Tennessee. After watching the weather forecast of impending bad weather we decided it was best to save the $$$$$ and stay closer to home. So yesterday I asked Daniel what he wanted to do and his reply was go to Tim's and use his fly rod and catch some Crappie and Bluegill.  So we headed to Tim's with his fly rod and a couple of  13 foot telescoping Crappie Rod's, and a bucket of Tuffys.  (No bas rods) It was a very clear, bright high pressure day and at least for us we couldn't find any Crappie on the outside edges of lay downs. maybe we were on the wrong tree. This is where the ol'cane pole comes in handy. The upper left hand picture shows you where we found these beautiful slab Crappie all weighing within ounces of one another....right in the middle of the thickest parts of the trees.  By using the longer rod we were able to stand on the front of the boat, stay away from the cover far enough not to spook the fish but still drop the Tuffy in the smallest of areas.  One trick that I learned from my dad years ago when fishing cover like this was that a "smaller" hook keeps you from getting hung up as much in the cover. So I used a small #12 VMC Bait Holder Hook www.vmchooks.com  8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com  and a float that I could easily take on and off as needed.  Now the fly rod. Daniel must have caught 30 or more Bluegill with several about the size of your hand-and he enjoyed himself big time.....That is what the day was all about-Him and just being together taking it easy.....can't beat a day like yesterday-or the Crappie we ate last night.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-12-2011

I had  the pleasure of fishing with Mr. Leon Wyman today on Tim's. We started out looking for Smallmouth and Largemouth and caught several in the size range that you see in the top upper left hand corner .  We decided to look for some Hybrids and you can see the results. All our bass was caught on a Rapala Fat Rap and all of the Hybrids and Stripers on a Rapala Skitter Walk  www.rapala.com  8lb Sufix Pro Mix  Mono on the Hybrids and 6lb on the bass www.sufix.com  To quote Mr. Wyman "This has been the best day of fishing I have ever had".....Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-29-2011

Mr. Jay Arnold and I had a blast today on Tim's throwing Tuffy minnows. We caught and released well over 20 Smallmouth, Largemouth and Spots with the 3 above being the largest. We also caught 13 big slab Black Nose Crappie. Jay is a great guy, good fisherman and a pleasure to spend the day with on the water. The Largemouth above was caught on a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon www.luhrjensen.com and 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com Evereything else was on 6lb Sufix Pro Mix and a  #2 VMC Bait Keeper Hook. More to come Lord willing. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 2 day Report 9-22-23-2011

Yesterday Terry and I had a great day catching atleast 20 Smallmouth and Largemouth ...But...we couldn't put a big one in the boat. Rapala Flat Rap Silver/Blue did the trick again...8lb test Sufix Pro Mix lis by far the line of choice.  www.rapala.com www.sufix.com Today Daniel was out of school so we teamed up with David ....bought 10 dozen Tuffy's and what a great day. Smallmouth-Largemouth-Hybrid-Black Nose Crappie-Channel Cats-hand size blue gill......we had to catch 60 or more combined easy.  Today we used VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com 6lb Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com and yes ALL THE FISH was caught on the Pro Mix.....if your not using this line you are missing the boat...small diameter-limp-comes of the spool like silk and very strong. The Blacknose were all clones weighing between 1 1/2to 2lbs each. Water temp was 71 with a north wind and air temp in the high 50's and mid 60's. 2 great days. More next week Lord willing.....Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-15-2011

Terry and I put in at daylight again this morning  not knowing for sure what the front that came through late last night and early this morning was going to do to us.  Water temp was 74 degrees and air temp was 65 degrees when we started at 6:00am and the air temp was 58 when we put the boat back on the trailer at 12:00 noon. We had a misty rain all day and the wind blew 15mph for most of the day. We caught and released 15 Smallmouth with the best ones pictured above.  The lure that Terry is holding in the lower right hand picture is what all but 2 were caught on today.  It's the same FLR06 Rapala Flat Rap silver and blue that we have been using the past couple weeks. These balsa wood baits have a distinctive wobble due to their flat sides and triangle lip that rolls the bait when jerked. www.rapala.com  Another thing I like about these is that you can get a long cast even against the wind. VMC Sure Set Hooks www.vmchooks.com  are razor sharp which makes a huge difference when these Smallmouth flash at the bait and not attack it.  All of our reels are filled with  Sufix Pro Mix mono....we used 8lb test mono today.  www.sufix.com  Painters coming next week to the house so I'm not sure when my next post will be....but when I go I will update you as always.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-13-2011

Terry and I put in at daylight and by 6:30am he had already caught 5 Smaller Smallmouth (not pictured) on the Rapala Flat Rap Blue/Silver (FLRO6) pictured above. We moved a couple times and caught the 4 above on the same Flat Rap and a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon www.luhrjensen.com We lost 2 fish we didn't see and put the boat back on the trailer at 11:00am. I experienced steering cable problems and had to leave my boat at the shop. If I get it back this week I will be back on Tim's and will up date you then.  Water temp was 74 at daylight and 75.3 when we left-lake has fallen about 8 inches or so, color is great. More when I get my boat back. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-7-8-2011

2 Day Report

Yesterday (Wednesday)  Terry Hicks and I had one of those "DAY'S THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN".  We lost a mix  7 Smallmouth and Largemouth all about the size of the Smallie in top left hand picture. We probably caught 10 or 12 smaller fish  plus the big large mouth. Best lure hands down yesterday was a Fire Tiger FR05 Fat Rap. We did however catch fish on a Rapala X Rap and DT6. Every fish we caught was just barely stuck and "if " they jumped it was all over.  The big Largemouth was caught vertical jigging  a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon. www.luhrjensen.com Water temp yesterday was a much cooler 75 degrees. (Thursday) This was the tougher of the 2 days for David Honey and I. We ran more today than I normally would in 3 trips. Water temps was 73 degrees this morning and we have a mostly cloudy day to work with. We caught 8 ot 9 with the best 5 pictured above. Shaky Head dipped in JJ's Magic www.jjsmagic.com a DT6 Olive Green Craw www.rapala.com  and a Rapala X Rap in Olive did most of what was done. All of our rods were spooled  Sufix 6lb& 8lb Pro Mix www.sufix.com . More to come next week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-30-2011

This was a tough one on Tim's today for Terry and I.  We actually ran to our first spot before daylight and was poised and waiting for sun rise. We had the opportunity for 5 fish and caught 3 (above) At least in the area of the lake where we were (and did so well last week) it was dead. There was still a lot of bait but nothing in them. We even dropped live bait down on suspended fish with zero results. We loaded out at 10:00am. The big hybrid was caught on a Luhr Jensen Spoon www.luhrjesen.com  and 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com  I keep telling everyone how strong but yet smooth this line is and I'll keep telling it.....you need to buy some and try it....fantastic. The spot  is one of the largest that I have caught on Tim's so far. It hit a Prowler Slim Jim rigged weightless www.powlerlures.com  8lb Sufix Pro Mix and a razor sharp 3/0 VMC Wide Gap Worm Hook www.vmchooks.com. I intended to fish Thursday but the lake is already very busy with ski boats.......might just set this out until after the holiday......Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com 

Tim's Ford 8-25-2011

Good friend Terry Hicks and I put the boat in at daylight on Tim's and wound up having a fairly good 3 1/2 hours before the sun got high and things died down. We started out throwing a Rapala Skitter Walk  www.rapala.com  and I only had 1 bite in the first hour which I didn't land. We then moved to an area where there had been a lot of bait, changed to a #8 Rapala X Rap in Sliver and Blue and Olive Green to match the size of the shad and we never looked back. We caught and released 15 or more Smallmouth with the largest pictured above. All caught on Sufix 8lb Pro Mix Mono. www.sufix.com We also caught a bonus Hybrid on a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon www.luhrjensen.com  Terry and I was trying to remember if we lost 3 or 4 good fish as well....not sure. I could blame the lack of memory on either the sun or we  both had a senior moments. Either way they were good heavy fish.  After things died down we ran the opposite direction to a long cove where we caught 5 or 6 White Bass (Not Pictured) trolling crankbaits. 11:30 boat back on the trailer, air conditioner on and headed to the house.  1:30pm nap on the couch.  I will be back on the water more as we head into fall.....and will post what I have.  Until next week, be safe, don't take chances on the water and watch out for carless boaters over thge up coming holiday. Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick-A-Jack 8-18-2011

Good friend David Honey and I made a 5 hour trip to Nick-A-Jack today and had a couple good hours before the sun got high and hot.  The first place we pulled into we hung a heavy fish (that we didn't see) and caught one on a Trigger X 10 inch Hammer Worm www.triggerx.com rigged weightless on a VMC 8313 Round Bend #5 Worm Hook www.vmchooks.com  and Sufix Pro Mix 10lb Test Mono www.sufix.com We also had 5 blow ups on a Tigger X Frog that we didn't stick. Just before we left I lost another good fish on a Prowler Drop Shot Worm www.prowlerlures.com  and David got broken off at the boat on a shaky head.  I have had several phone calls asking why I haven't been posting reports. Simple every since I had the heat stroke several years ago on Old Hickory I just can't handle the heat and I don't take chances. Cooler day are coming and Lord willing I will have pic's and info to share. Thanks for visiting my site. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Normandy 8-5-2011

Well Daniel is back in school and it's time that I get back at it again, and truthfully I'm ready. I fished Normandy today with long time friend Terry Hicks and we had a "decent day". We put 12 Kentucky's in the boat all about the same size and I lost one good largemouth as well. I could have taken more pic's but this will give you a good sample. We caught fish on a Spoon www.luhrjensen.com and a Prowler Finesse Worm www.prowlerlures.com dipped in JJ's Magic www.jjsmagic.com The key today with the spoon  was being able to see your line as the bait dropped. Most of the time it was a slight tick and that's where the Sufix Pro Mix Clear Blue 8lb Test worked like a charm www.sufix.com. Many think that a spoon is only a winter bait but they can be very effective all year long. Last week when I got my trolling motor back out of the shop I made a 4 hour trip to Normandy and has almost to the fish the same results throwing a Luhr_Jensen Krocodile Spoon-a Rapala DT10 www.rapala.com and a Prowler Pro Slim Jim. Glad to be back and looking forward to the water temps falling....surface temp was 87 degrees today.   Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com