Ron, Paul, George and Dave

Partly Sunny and Warm, Water Temperature 69* and Clear.
I hit the water a couple hours before daylight to catch bait then picked the guys up at 6 at the marina. I was excited about the day, the infamous George Barboza was back on the water with us today after a couple year hiatus. He has been a client of mine for many years and it was good to get back out with him along with his son Paul, Ron and Dave. Since the old man was coming I caught bait prior to picking them up so George could get his rest [Ha...] Anyway I found some fish on my Lowrance and attempted to set up on them. There was no one else in the area so I was taking my time setting up but another guide came buzzing in and stopped about 100 yards from us and decided he was going to fish the small area. It wouldn't have been so bad but I had to do 90 degree turns to avoid his spread! Again, 9600 acre lake, half a dozen boats out at daylight and we have to share an area with another inconsiderate "fisherman". If I didn't have so many baits out I would have gone somewhere else, what is up with people today? Does anyone have a conscience anymore? My guys wanted to run across the water and teach him some etiquette but I believe they did something better, they caught all these huge fish in front of him and his clients. Anyway we went through 65 baits by about 9am so we picked up and went and caught some more bait. We hit a few more areas after catching bait and caught fish everywhere we went. We had a great time today, not just catching fish but enjoying each others company. Now that George is back in the saddle I hope to get him and his buddy's Paul and George out soon. The wind seems like it has been howling for 2 weeks straight now and it was nice to fish a couple hours before it picked up again later in the morning.

Dave's Pics

Here are a few pictures Dave sent me of today's outing. We were running out of room to put our catch so Paul was thinking of storing it in my boot till I turned around and caught him. In a couple of days he will probably start to smell the Herring I put in his coat pockets.

David and Austin Lacey

Cloudy and Warm, Water Temperature 63* and Clear.
I picked the guys up at High Point this morning, caught bait and set out my spread of a dozen boards, bobber, free line and a couple downlines. I hit a few points that I knew were holding nice
Stripers but we only had lookers, no fish would hook up. I knew this was not shaping up to be a good morning not only by not catching fish on productive points but it was Saturday and the wind was getting up. I continued to work areas I knew held fish taking hits and occasionally catching a Striper. I had plenty of places to try but the wind would not allow me to fish it properly so I stuck with my original plan. I was also talking to many other Striper fisherman on the lake which made us feel pretty good because most of them had struck out. Many fisherman left the lake by noon disappointed in the fishing. After all it is Spring and the fish should have been feeding today. We struggled all day to catch fish but ended up catching plenty for a few dinners for the guys. Austin is pictured holding his first Striper and largest fish he had ever caught but he actually caught a larger one a couple minutes later. We fished till my trolling batteries would not pull the boat any longer then called it a day.

Elden and Bill

Cloudy and Windy, Water Temperature 63* and Clear.
Picked the guys up at 5am and caught bait. We had our spread out at daylight pulling flats and points. This morning we were all over fish but they were not very aggressive, they would chase the baits up to the surface but not take them. We would hook up on 1 out of every 4 bites. The moon was bright last night so the fish fed up in the twilight and I thought it probably would be later in the morning before the Stripers got serious. Our hook up ratio continued till about 11:30 when the fish finally got hungry. Every time we would get hit the Stripers would eat the bait swallowing the hooks. We would have action till boats ran nearby us then there would be short lull's in the action until things quieted down . By 1 the guys had enough and were ready to head back in.

Brian's family

Cloudy and Warm, Water Temperature 64* and Clear.
I got a call from Brian [far right] this morning around 11am. He wanted to book a trip this afternoon to take his family fishing so I loaded up the bait tank with water and headed to the lake. I picked them up at their dock around 1 and headed out to catch bait. Although it took about and hour and a half to catch bait we had a tank full of beautiful Herring and Gizzards to fish with. I was shocked how much boat traffic there was on the lake, it is spring break for a lot of schools and I guess many familys are spending the week on the lake. I set my spread out and worked an area where I thought I could get away from the boat traffic but after 75 to 100 boats ran by I realized we had to make a move to get away from the traffic. We reeled our baits in, threw them away , went and caught some more baits and set up elsewhere. The move paid off, there was not quite as much traffic and as soon as I got my spread out we started taking hits. I think Brian's family had been out on numerous charters before because they kept referring to previous trips of poor success and hoping they would catch at least one fish. I assured them that once the boat traffic settled and with the baits we had out that would not be the case today. Once we started putting fish in the boat this family lit up with joy encouraging me to work even harder to allow them to catch fish. We fished the area for a couple hours taking hits about once every 10 minutes or so. If a boat ran by us the fishing would slow for awhile but would pick up once the area settled down. Ann hooked the big fish of the afternoon and was reeling it in when a ski boat stopped in front of us and proceeded to prepare to pull a skier. The driver of the boat looked at us and another boat with a spread of boards behind me and it seemed as if he was thrilled to disrupt our afternoon of bliss. He was going to pull right through our spread but my clients weren't going to have any of that, they encouraged him to at least avoid our boards. My crew had left their children back at the house with grandma and were anxious to relieve her of her duties so we got the baits in before prime fishing time and returned to the dock. They were all thrilled with their afternoon of fishing on the lake and took home some wonderful table fare to have for dinner one night this week.

John Pope and Chris

Sunny, Warm, Calm, Water temperature 61*.
Picked the guys up at their dock at 5:30 and went to catch bait. After about 30 minutes of throwing we had our bait tank full of beautiful baits. We set up working a peaceful area [in picture] enjoying the weather, nature and Stripers bending our poles. We had out a spread of 12 boards and a couple free lines and for most of the morning we would take hits about once every 10 to 15 minutes. The fish were not up on flats feeding well but were backed off over the nearby deeper areas. We had constant action till boats encroached on us spooking the fish in the area. We had to make a move but it was mid day and the fish had turned off. We had at least 2 dozen hits this morning keeping the guys on their toes. They kept a few Stripers and a couple Cats for the dinner table.

Rick and Dean

Cloudy and Cool, Water Temperature 55*.
Got out early today and caught bait, picked up the guys at 6 and went fishing. Set out my spread pulling boards, bobbers and free lines. I had just got all my spread out when we started taking hits. The guys started taking turns reeling in Stripers and helping each other get their fish off the hook. All was well till boats started running by us, and as usual for this time of year the fish started turning off. After going about an hour without a fish I decided to make a move to go catch more bait and set up in a different area. After catching bait and only 2 boats passing us I decided to set up our spread again but as luck would have it they must have open up the gates because it was steady traffic from then on. We worked the area for about 1 hour then made yet another move which paid off for us. We had fairly steady action for a couple of hours before calling it quits for the day. The guys were happy with the action today, I still prefer to fish during the week taking twice the hits. I will try it again tomorrow in a different area of the lake.

Jerry and Chris

Today I got out early and caught bait then picked up the guys at 6:15. As we were heading to where we were going to fish I saw some bait on my Lowrance so I threw and caught about 25 more. I set out a spread of a dozen boards and a bobber, that should have been enough to give just 2 anglers plenty of action. I believe I had just got my spread out when we started taking hits. We kept busy most of the morning, the guys enjoyed the comfort of my boat coupled with the beautiful scenery and weather. Our action was fairly steady, not bad for a weekend. Jerry only wanted to keep a few fish and I kept a couple for dinner. By 11am they had enough action and were ready to call it a day. That worked for me too, my grandson was at my house so I could get home early and spend most of the day with him.

Stripers are Rockin!!!

Stripers are "Turned On" as is evident by this picture of 3 happy anglers. DP wanted to get Adam and his dad Sal on some Striper action so Sal would understand why DP wants to play hookie at work this time of year. After this mornings catch Sal may have a better understanding what DP is daydreaming about at work. Looks like the makings for a good fish fry!

Kathy, Maxx and Dave Juckett

Anthony took this family out today, Kathy's email says it all.
Hey Jim, fishing with Anthony on Saturday was GREAT. He is a very nice man who really knows his business. It was a fantastic day. We caught 9 really nice sized Stripers! Our 12 year son Maxx is on a quest to fish all 50 states before he graduates High School. He says this was one of the BEST fishing experiences he has had. And believe me he fishes ALOT!!!! Thank you very much for being all that you advertise you are!!!! Kathy Juckett. This photo is the largest fish Maxx caught that day. I will send you a few more photos in a separate email!!! "Thanks again"

Ben Fools

Cloudy and Cold, Water temperature 52* and Clear.
Got out real early and caught 12 to 15 inch Gizzard Shad and headed downlake to the Dam to pull 30 foot flats with the big baits. We set out our spread of planner boards well before light and hooked up this hog on the bobber. After Ben fought the fish for 30 minutes we finally boated the fish. I knew it was a Big Un so we got the rest of the lines in and headed for High Point to weigh the fish. She topped the scales at 50 pounds, a new lake record. After taking some pictures we put the fish into my bait tank and rushed her back to where we caught her, Arkansas. April Fools, Bet I got ya! Actually this fish was caught in Arkansas many years ago. The season is upon us now, our hogs on the lake will be feeding for the next 2 months. We catch nice Stripers but none grow near as large as this beast.

Tyler Keriakos

Cloudy and Cold, Water temperature 50*.
Picked the guys up at 5:30 and caught bait. We set out a spread of 12 boards, a bobber and 2 freelines pulling flats where I have recently caught fish. We took a dozen hits the first hour and a half but never boated a fish. The fish were not wanting to eat, they were simply hitting the backs of the baits, pulling the board back 6 or 8 feet and letting go. Today is Tyler's birthday so Paul his Dad was praying he would hook up with a nice fish. After working the area for 3 hours I made a move and set the spread out again. We fished the area for 2 hours, did not take as many hits but occasionally a Striper would make a mistake and hook up. We made a third move later in the day but experienced similar results everywhere we fished today. Tyler is pictured holding his largest fish he has ever caught.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYLER

Brian

Cloudy and Cold, Water temperature 54* and Clear.
Brian called yesterday and said he would get rained out of work this morning so he had the morning off. I wanted to get out for a couple hours also to find some fish for tomorrow's clients so Brian met me and we hit the water at 5:30. We caught 100 Herring on the second throw and were done with bait. Since this morning was a practice outing I wanted to fish places that I have not been fishing to locate fish for future clients. On our first stop we set out a large spread and pulled about a mile working the humps, points and flats in the area. The wind was already blowing out of the East so I did not expect to catch a lot of fish but was hoping to tempt some larger fish into hitting. Brian wanted only to get fish for tonights dinner so we were going to release everything we caught anyway. On our first pull we took hits and caught fish over 4 feet out to 25 feet of water, no rhyme or reason or anything resembling a pattern. I decide to make a move and hit an area that was loaded with baitfish. We took a couple hits right away, pulled our baits a couple hundred more yards then everything started going off. All we wanted to do was get out of there without sticking too many fish but I could not move the boat fast enough. Well, it was a fun ending for the morning. We caught about 15 Stripers and a couple of Bass, all but one unlucky Striper were returned to the lake.

Thomas and Tommy

Anthony took the Tom's out today to freeze [thats what younger Tom thought] on the lake today. Anthony had got up super early to try to catch bait this morning but bait collection was tough. They pulled planner boards all day catching a dozen fish. Every time Tommy would doze off they would take hits, Anthony ended up encouraging him to nap to get bites. They kept a couple fish for dinner and released the rest including a Catfish over 10 pounds. That was a good catch considering the conditions today.

Dennis Rhodes with the "over the hill gang"

Cloudy and Cold, Water temperature 55*.
I got out early to catch bait, after a few hours of throwing I still did not have what I wanted so I picked the guys up and topped the tank off. I had concerns before leaving the house this morning not only about bait being tough but with the cold front that we are in and even worse weather moving in tonight fishing may be tough. I set a spread out pulling well over 20 baits at a time covering as much water as I could to put the odds in our favor of catching fish. We worked about 3/4 of a mile before we even got our first hit. I was on the phone with Anthony who was fishing today checking to see if he was doing any better, he at least had a fish in the boat and had a couple more hits when we took our first hit. Brian woke up and wrestled the fish in, I think it may have been his largest fish ever. Now the ice was broken I got serious and put out even more baits. I knew the fish could be tempted to strike and we were going to catch them. My crew was patient with me, I kept telling them if the sun would come out from behind the clouds the fish would eat. This morning was solid clouds and cold but as the day progress we had an occasional break in the clouds, and regardless of where we were we would take hits. At one point I had so many lines out the guys couldn't reel in the fish without getting tangled in other lines, but if that was what it took to get bit so be it. We had a good time today, everyone fished with confidence in me and ended up boating 15 Stripers. A long cold day with a good ending. The guys will have something to talk about on their ride back over the mountain.

Anthony Hicks and Gene Hord

Cloudy and Warm, Water Temperature mid 50"s.
While I was fishing with my grandson last Friday I saw Gene out fishing and invited him to go out with myself and Anthony for "Old Times Sake". Gene and myself use to fish Bass Tournaments 25 years ago in North and South Carolina and we wanted to catch up telling lies about fishing. Gene was the original Striper guide and Guru on the lake and Anthony was also one of the few people that targeted Stripers 30 years ago. Needless to say there was plenty of testosterone on the boat which made for a great time on the water. We went out early and hung lights, caught bait and had our spread out at daylight. I set up in an area where I knew I could catch some fish and enjoyed watching Gene reel in a bunch of Stripers. He use to pull live bait but not to the extent that we do now so it was fun watching him learn how to steer the Stripers through 5 or 6 planner boards. Naturally I would give him grief when he would foul a couple of lines, but it was all in fun. We had already caught all the fish we wanted to keep and were throwing back fish to be caught another day. I pulled off of the general area we were catching fish to leave some for my clients for another day and Gene could not believe I was leaving fish to find fish. We hit 3 more areas catching and releasing fish at all of them. When I left the landing I overheard Gene telling a friend of his "These guys kept complaining how poor fishing was today but I caught more Stripers today than I have all year!" It was great to get out with old friends, take a day this spring and reunite with someone of your past, one day memories may be all we have left.

A beautiful morning on the lake.

Sunny and Warm, Water Temperature 55* to 58*.
Knowing it was going to be the warmest day of the year so far I picked my grandson up yesterday from school and brought him home so we could go fishing this morning. We got up and out early, hung lights, caught Herring and went fishing. As we were putting our spread out of a dozen planner boards and a couple free lines we noticed Stripers busting behind behind us. I knew fish were in the area prior to setting up but was hoping the fish would be about 200 yards ahead of me. Unfortunately we were heading one direction and the fish the other. That really was not a bad thing, with that large a spread it would have been difficult for Michael to handle any more action than we had. Mike would hook up, get the fish in and another rod would go off. Much better than 4 or 5 going off at once and getting my spread tangled up. The Stripers were on a major feed for about an hour, we kept seeing sprays behind us where the fish were working bait. The second Striper Micheal caught was gagging on bait, in addition to the bait we caught him on he also had a Threadfin, a Herring and a Gizzard in his mouth. With the moon as bright as it was last night every Striper on the lake gorged themselves and I knew the bite this morning would be brief. We steadily caught fish till a couple Bass boats ran nearby us then I told Mike the fish would quit feeding. He wanted to fish the area so we did for another hour without catching another fish there. We made a move and fished another area for awhile but after the 50th boat passed us I told Mike we had to go. We had a great morning while it lasted, Mike caught fish till his arms were burning but he wouldn't give up. We ended up catching over 15 but honestly I lost count, kept a few for a friend and got off the water. It looked like a zoo out there with all the boats buzzing by. I guess if Michael is going to play "Hookie" from school fishing is a great way to do it.

DP and Anthony

DP put his boat in at 5 this afternoon, caught bait and fished till dark with his son Anthony. Here are 2 fish that hooked up at the same time. It's hard to tell who is happier, Anthony for reeling in the fish of DP being proud of his son. They caught a few more before dark, a great way to spend an evening on the lake.

Josh, Jimmy and Jacob

Partly Sunny and Cool, Water Temperature up lake 55* and muddy, mid lake 49* and Stained, down lake 56* and Clear.
I couldn't sleep last night worrying about how the rains of Sunday affected the lake so I got out extremely early and hung lights to catch bait. I was also leery of running at night due to the logs that were floating all over the lake [The lake filled up and is overflowing from Sunday's rain]. My concerns were validated when by daylight I had not caught a piece of bait. I picked my clients up and ran about 8 miles to hopefully catch some bait to fish with. After looking and throwing for about an hour more I ended up with a beautiful tank of bait. Now the challenge was to tempt the Stripers to feed knowing that if the bait had been disrupted the fish would probably be just as confused. I set up a spread of 13 planner boards, a bobber and a free line and pulled some humps and flats about 20' deep hoping to trigger some strikes. I pulled over the flat you see on my Lowrance that was covered with Stripers but could only trigger 4 short strikes. I hit a couple other shallower flats nearby only to catch a Bass. I knew I had to put a pattern together so for the rest of the day I hit area after area trying to figure out the fish. We fished 40 foot flats, mouths and backs of creeks, main lake points and flats, clean water, stained water and muddy water burning $50 of fuel looking for a reliable pattern. By the end of the trip we had caught 19 Stripers, a Bass and a Catfish. We could never catch numerous fish in one area but by continuously trying new areas, fishing huge spreads and keeping fresh baits in the water we ended up doing quite well for the conditions we were confronted with today.