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5-24-12 Hartwell

2012-05-26T17:31:20Z

5-24-12 Hartwell Had a boat load today with Lacy, Sam, Little Sam, Davis and Allan. Had tried to decide between here and Fontana and with this many folks our casting would be limited, so if you are going to rely on trolling, may as well go for big fish. When you have to travel two hours to catch a striper that means you have to get up early, but with the eldest coming in at 83 didn't want to put too much pressure on, so delayed leaving til 4. Was great when everyone showed up on time, but a long spell getting license for everyone put us on the water a good hour and a half later than I like. Went straight to my latest hole and within a few minutes we had a planer board scream off. Little Sam grabbed the rod and could tell this was a really nice fish. After a couple of minutes number one had gotten in the trees and couldn't feel the fish any longer, so broke it off. Had more rods go off before could retie and as we trolled around had good action for a real mix of fish. Had some nice stripes, real small stripes, hybrids, very large spots and even a nice redeye. If we had a few less targets for injury and could have thrown top water more , we could have boated a few more fish. Action only lasted til 9:30, so moved and found a good school of fish parked on a very small hump. Wish I had taken screen shots, but this place was literally loaded. Had several real nice runs, missed them and ended up only catching a couple of smaller fish and then they just quit playing. With the temps getting up there called it and ended what was a really fun day. These guys were a hoot and Little Sam had his biggest striper, but promised to beat this one next time. Fish are moving a good bit, here today and gone the next, but love the windows of topwater and hope that holds a little longer. Later Capt. James

5-22-12 Hartwell

2012-05-26T17:07:30Z

5-22-12 Hartwell Took my buddy John for some stripers even though it was going to be a quick trip.Got in before light and saw an awesome sunrise. Tried some areas near the dam and only had a few spots throwing to the banks of points. No fish in our honey hole with stripes so headed back up lake. Have been looking in different areas lately and have found fish almost every trip. The mother load hasn't been located, but I don't think they are quite schooled up like they will once it gets and stays real hot. We pulled into a small bay and spotted one hit on top and then marked fish so put out planer boards and downlines. The later we stayed, the more fish came to the surface. Had a great time catching fish on spooks, having rods go off and generally staying busy for a couple of hours. Had around 15 fish and John kept 8-9 for a fish fry. Biggest was only 5 lbs or so, but was good to break John's curse of "stripes be gone." We were so busy didn't think to get pics after the action started, but will next time. Later Capt. James

5-19-12 Fontana

2012-05-19T21:56:35Z

5-19-12 Fontana Took the morning to do a little searching because I haven't been on Fontana in a week and a half. Had a trip to Savannah to look for cobia and found bunches of spanish , but only one small cobia sighted.Good to be back to fresh water where things don't seize up and rust overnite. Lake is just about full, water clear, and anywhere from 72-76 deg. Cruised around Greasy Br., out towards the camel humps, up to Chambers Ck. and found lots of scattered fish. Trolled Rapalas at 30-50 feet and caught walleye all over. Several flats had schools of spots and smallies and caught them with flat lined raps with some of the fish real nice sized. Schools were off points, out in 150' over channel edges, wind blown coves, just have to ride and look. Didn't have but one fish at 12 and then the dinner bell sounded and had doubles on three passes, ended up with about 15 fish, spots, smallies, walleye and a stray white. The walleye were nice and fat, smallies were still a little skinny, but kept a few for a meal or two. Suspect the fish will continue to school up into bigger schools and should just get easier to find as they settle into their summer patterns. Later Capt. James

5-8 and 5-9-12 Fontana

2012-05-11T01:24:19Z

5-8 and 5-9-12 Fontana Had some different trips the last couple of days. Tues. went on Ronnie's pontoon to help him set up his trolling rigs. He is a guide, but mainly bait fishes in the lake and fly fishes local streams. Have not had a good bank bite for walleye with crawlers and decided they must be suspended over deep water so spent most of the afternoon looking. Found bait midlake in the middle of the channel with just a few fish. Major creeks held more fish, but only got one eye, but picked up spots or smallies throwing to points as we passed trolling. Man do I love those electric downriggers, my wife is going to love a pair for mother's day! Wed. had Tommy and tried to put him on some big fish for a tourney. Found some nice fish here and there, but still aren't like they were a couple of weeks ago. Have seen a few real nice fish last two days and seem to be just on the verge of getting over lovin and back to eatin. When we did find fish moved on to leave them, so will see Sat. if it helped any. Another cool front today so will be back out tomorrow. Later Capt.James

5-5-12 Hartwell Striper Tourney

2012-05-08T01:09:49Z

5-5-12 Hartwell Striper Tourney Decided to striper fish instead of bass fish and with a GADNR Benefit Tourney on Sat., a voice just seemed to be calling me south. Stripers aren't real thrilled with a full moon after sunup and boy did we have a full moon. What a site going down as the sun was rising, just beautiful. Got bait and put in at the dam and hit my favorite spot, all in the dark. Lines in at 6:15 so I had a few minutes to cruise around and look for fish. One here and there, but no schools and not really any surface action. As soon as 6:15 came it was asses and elbows putting out side planers and down lined herring. Before I got all lines in had a run on a planer board and had a small hybrid. Reset and started casting a jerkbait and caught two more on spinning gear. Great start and still the sun was just barely showing. For the next hour or so it was great with 8-9 fish caught, several really good hybrids around 6 lb. Kept two in case there were no more. Moved when initial bite was over and got into some real nice spots on rock banks, but they didn't improve my striper tally, but it was great fun. Ended up with 5 Hybrids, 2 stripers, 2 real nice LM, and 4 nice spots. My best 5 green fish would have weighed 18 lb. or more, should have fished a bass tourney. I really love the planer board bite and look forward to starting more downrod and topwater, but will take a day like today anytime. Ended up 9th, but won my entry fee back so it was almost proifitable[ my math gets worse as I get older] Later Capt. James

5-4-12 Fontana

2012-05-06T10:59:10Z

5-4-12 Fontana Another beautiful day here with almost dead calm, high temps and water that was pushing 79 deg. This lake is going to hit 90 this summer if this keeps up. Took Sam and just wanted to get him on some spots. Almost a carbon copy of Tues. except for losing only one nice fish, changed my jigs and hope that little streak is over. Fish are still running small, guess the bigguns are still recovering from the spawn, skinny and tails are worn and some have marks on their sides. Fish love is a rough game apparently. Made it late over to the Tuck and that's where we caught most of the fish, had 22 in the boat with just a few nice ones. Threw the small jig, got some on a crankbait and a jerkbait, so hope that trend continues. If this weather holds should continue to improve. Was talking to my buddy Marty, an ex guide, and he was saying when a cold front would come in after a warm spell, the small walleye on Glenville would show up where they had been catching good fish and then gradually slip back when weather improved, guess that's what the small spots are doing now. Lake still heading up and gonna be lots of wood covered soon. Later Capt. James

5-1-12 Fontana

2012-05-02T11:00:24Z

5-1-12 Fontana Took Greg back to Fontana after being off the water for almost two weeks. Last time out there were schools everywhere, but today we found almost no suspended schools. Fish were very close on the banks and spread over the whole area. Lake has come up a ton and lots of wood in the water now and the fish definitely like that, even if they were deep below, they were close to it.Water was a little dingy and 69 deg. Fished L. Tenn. arm all the way to the camel humps and found scattered fish with more smallies than spots. For whatever reason I could not get a decent fish to the boat. Had 20 or so landed, even bream fished a cove. Released all smallies, but I lost five either with a thrown jig, or popped hook right at the boat. Most of those lost were 2 1/2 to 3 lb fish, and if this had been a tourney I would have been sick to my stomach, because my 5 would have been 13-14 lb. instead of the 6 lb of the spots we kept. Some days are just like that. Fish have made a big move since I last fished here and will try and relocate schools, may try downlake on Thur. Beautiful day and will be back out on Thur. and Fri.will decide late whether or not to try and fish tourney on Sat. Later Capt. James

4-28-12 Lanier Tourney

2012-05-02T10:41:53Z

4-28-12 Lanier Had a fund raising tourney today with John as my partner in crime. This was to help raise money for GADNR to buy and outfit a stock truck so there wasn't much pressure, but there were some good prizes. Started out in thick fog and was midmorning before we could run where we wanted. Checked out Vann's Tavern area, Old Federal and finally Two Mile. Found lots of fish in Two Mile, just that they were either spots or small stripes. Had one 15 and 1/4" striper, the smallest ever for me here and we had our chance at a trophy. Moved to Chestatee Bay and there were a couple of boats in the area, trolled for a half hour before the weigh-in and had a monster hit a planer board herring. Took line til it got to the trees and broke John off. Bigguns have a way of finding trees and this was definitely a biggun. Am going to go up on all my lines from here on out, lose too many mama's. Weigh-in was fun and profitable, Won a Penn 320 outfit and got Third Place for my small monster. All in all was a great day, just love those stripes!

4-12 & 4-13 Fontana

2012-04-14T10:55:36Z

4-12 & 4-13 Fontana Haven't been able to get to the lake because of work until Thur. so was itching to wet a line. This weeks wind and cold didn't make me miss being out too much, but warmer and calmer were simply too inviting. Thur. started out close on the L. Tenn. just to get a feel for what was happening. Am so anxious to get the crankbait started, went with that first couple of stops and decided they just were too deep still to really get on them. Have not had much luck with walleye yet, so went into Alarka to hit some banks with nightcrawlers and was swarmed with spots on the clay and shale banks. Switched up to the tiny fluke and jig and it was on big time. Almost every point held fish, some smallmouth and some spots, but caught multiple fish at every stop. Fished out of Alarka and into Greasy Br. and for the next 3 hours had 30+ fish. The spots on Fontana are really getting to be larger every year and they are finally on full eat mode. Friday was a carbon copy, but went downlake just to see what was happening elsewhere. Fished different points, main lake cliffs, steeper rocky banks, the only difference is that the fish were deeper and larger. Caught most of these fish 30 to 35 feet either suspended or on the bottom off points. these fish were just getting ready to spawn where the shallow fish have already done the deed. The spot bite now is as good as it gets, concentrate on them and leave the walleye alone and 50 fish days are here again. Did get walleye for supper, but just don't have the touch this year yet, but will keep trying for them a little each trip. Later Capt. James

4-6-12 Fontana

2012-04-07T01:48:24Z

4-6-12 Fontana Had a couple of hours to kill this afternoon and have been trying to fish the bad times so I can find them when I need to. Cold front and pretty good wind and bright skies don;t make for ideal conditions, but the fish are still around. Started off on the Tuck and only found small fish with a crankbait and shakeyhead, so headed back below Wilderness and found some really nice smallmouth. When that high pressure hits the fish just move down and slow down, so you just have to go to them. Went back to my winter bait, the small jig and mini fluke. Got most fish of size about 25-30 feet, just like the last few months. Any time you can find wood on a patch rock, wind blown bank you are golden. One day soon these fish are going to stay up for good, want to get to jerkbaiting bad, but will take what's happening. Later Capt. James

4-3-12 Fontana

2012-04-06T13:47:43Z

4-3-12 Fontana Had angler Howard wanting to get some of Fontana's walleye. Although weather was enjoyable, 80 deg. and not a bit of wind, that doesn't make for good eye plucking. Fished clay points and banks with night crawlers and caught a good number of spots, but the walleye would just hit, bite the crawler on the tail or let go altogether. Went through 30 crawlers and boated only one eye. Just one of those days where they wouldn't hit it with enough commitment to get the hook in them. Put stinger hook in the tail to get some, but needed some wind to muddy the water. If you just want to catch fish the spots now are great, right on the bank and eating, but you are better off fishing afternoons when the wind picks up a little. Cold front on the way so will see if this improves their appetite. A friend fished two afternoons with the wind blowing and had limits both days, so they are there just need a little ripple to make it happen.

4-2-12 Striper Hartwell

2012-04-02T23:27:24Z

4-2-12 Striper trip Had Keith, Kristen and three of the best fishermen and fishergirls I have fished with lately, Luke[birthday boy],Jack and Sophia, Started to go to Fontana, found out how far away it was, headed to Hartwell with a gps malfunction, ended up at Keowee, finally arrived at Hartwell in time to get some really nice fish. We caught good numbers, size and variety. Most fish came off planer board herring against windblown banks, but had some on downlines 15-20 feet deep. Lost several fish, either didn't hook or blew the bait out of the water and missed, or got to the trees, but they put some good dinks in the boat. The largemouth had worn tails and the spots had eggs slipping out, while the stripers were full of milt. Great day on the water and may have ruined some more younguns for life. Later, capt. James

3-30-12 Fontana

2012-03-30T23:00:17Z

3-30 12 Fontana Mike and Paul went today and again it was a day to remember weather wise if not catching wise. Fished from little T., past Noland Ck. on the Tuck and up into Alarka. Fish are just scattered is all I can figure out. You just have to keep moving and hitting spots. Never caught more than two fish in any one spot. Places that produced some fish yesterday were dead as a hammer. Ended up with maybe 15 fish and they took home 9 nice ones including Mike's first NC walleye, but for the weather and time of year it is a little disappointing to not be able to really nail them. The lake is rising really quickly and that ain't helping. Maybe a week or two and they will figure out they had better start putting on the feed bag and quit so much dating. Saw water temps of 67 which is unreal for this time of year. Still the lake is so nice and seemed almost like summer just before the lightning drove us away about three o'clock. Fish came on crawlers, jigs,crankbaits and minnows so pick your poison. Saw one fish break water, they are 30 ish feet deep, guess they will come up soon. Later Capt. James

3-29-12 Fontana

2012-03-30T22:58:59Z

3-29-12 Fontana Have several trips on Fontana coming up and had 2 Bobs and a Scott today, What a wonderful day on the water. This spring has been going on now for weeks and don't want to see it end. The bite is a little slower than it was a couple of weeks ago, but still had maybe 20 fish and lost a ton of walleye bites on crawlers. It takes a feel for them if they aren't really interested, so it is not unusual if you aren't familiar with how they bite, but they got 0 eyes in the boat. I plan to help jerk one on tomorrow's trip, so will have noone to blame but myself if we don't get them on Friday, but at times the bass bit good. Most fish were on the Tuck, but had some scattered all over. Caught whites, spots, smallies, channel cat, bream, just no eyes. For the first time had a pretty good crankbait bite going, best bite was midday, just never know. Threw the jerkbait and fish were just a little deep for it, but shouldn't be long. Small fluke still working also. Taking some crawdads tomorrow, can't wait to see if we get the big smalls. Marked tons of fish off some points, but were just not super interested, may be more into procreation, who can blame them. Later Capt. James

3-23-12 Owl Tourney Lanier

2012-03-24T14:07:48Z

3-23-12 Owl Tourney Lanier Had a trip with two groups "Outdoors Without Limits" and "Wounded Warriors" at Lanier for striper and spotted bass. What a great couple of organizations, makes you realize how blessed and lucky we all are and how much others have sacrificed for our freedom. Had close to 40 boats and almost 60 participants. Weather was sweet with overcast skies and mild breeze. I fished with Mac and Wayne and what a couple of wonderful fishermen. Wayne had never caught a striper so was thrilled, Mac loved bass fishing and had some really nice spots. All fish came on bluebacks slow trolled behind planer boards out in 80 feet of water just off the channel. Stripers are cruising the surface now and will blast the baits, spots came off humps, midlake. Thanks again guys for your service and letting us help a little, lots of fun. Back to Fontana next week. Later Capt. James

3-17-12 Fontana

2012-03-24T13:47:12Z

3-17-12 Fontana Had a trip with Tim who wanted to catch his first walleye. They have been catching them up the river for a couple of weeks so thought we'd do good. Started all the way up the Little Tenn. and got Tim's first eye right off the bat and there were whites also. The weather was perfect and expected lots of action, but just never could put much together. Went all the way to the Tuck. and found some spots and smallies with crankbaits and lost several on minnows. Weather came in and looked real bad, but cleared up with bright sun. Ended up with only 10 fish, not what I really was expecting, but you never know what will turn them on or off. Met with some buds and they were having the same results, so it was just one of those days. Will get you more fish on the next trip Tim. Later Capt. James

3-13-12 Fontana

2012-03-14T10:46:34Z

3-13-12 Fontana Just had a couple of hours to fish Tues. afternoon. Have read the reports about walleye in the river so checked out the Little Tenn. first. Water has come way up, logs and crap floating everywhere. You have to be real careful from now til the early summer when this flotsam settles on the banks again. Anyway, found a ton of fish within a half mile or so of the high bridge. There were several boats trolling in the channel way up the river so I never got as far as the bridge, just didn't want to dodge folks so stayed on the west bank downriver. Had 3 walleye, 2 whites a crappie and a couple of spots, all real nice fish. All the fish came on jigs, most on tiny hair jigs and a couple on orange twisters. Just drag em across the bottom, real slow, marked way more fish than I caught. This front that passed this AM had them glued to the bottom, so later this week look for them to turn on big time. Water was 58-59 so it's definitely time. Be careful out there. Later Capt. James

3-12-12 Hartwell

2012-03-12T22:43:07Z

3-12-12 Hartwell Took a couple of great guys today, Marshall and Bob. We have fished together before and caught some, but had a much better day today. Right off the bat got into some good fish, with fish coming on downlined bluebacks but most were caught with jerkbaits. Marshall had one real pig on and fought him for several minutes when the stinger line broke. These really big fish are hitting hand sized gizzards and the bait store we visited didn't have many of the jumbo's, but the few we had got bit. We were on fish all day , they haven't moved much and was a little surprised the FLW didn't scare them all away. We also had a 5 fish limit of largemouth and spots that would weigh 16-17 lbs. It was a pleasure to fish with these guys and they caught a bunch of really nice hybrids on light tackle and small crankbaits. Water is 58 so it's just going to get better. Later Capt. james

3-2---3-3-12 Hartwell

2012-03-04T12:25:50Z

3-2---3-3-12 Hartwell Had a call from Frank Askew, a friend that's a guide also,from Hendersonville, and he had some trips to Hartwell coming up and invited me to go on a search mission with him. Since neither of us have fished it in a while felt like two half brains were better than one half brain. Started from Broyles and checked out some coves, then up to 26 mile and never really found much. On up the Seneca and finally marked a few and pulled some gizzards. Had some really nice stripers, all on the big gizzies and real good hybrids throwing real small crankbaits and spoons. You either had to have a gizzard the size of your hand or a crappie minnow sized bait, nothing in between. Took a buddy, John the next day and the fish naturally had moved, but managed 10 fish with some stripes, hybrids and spots mixed in. Coneross is muddy from the rain, but there is still a ton of bait in there. A few fish are busting on the top, but you have to downsize to get them to bite, or troll the "Big-Giz". Man do I love to hear that rod go off. Been smallie and spot fishing at Fontana and that's fun, but I love the big bite. Fish are getting real shallow, and suppose that will last thru the shad spawn, this is my favorite time of year. Later, Capt. James

3-1-12 Fontana

2012-03-04T11:58:09Z

3-1-12 Had a couple of trips this week and things are still really good. One day the spots will be real good and the next the smallmouth are the apex eaters. There is one bank up the Tuck that has been totally different every day, different fish, different methods, but always fish. Today was a little slower, but continue to get really nice smallies. Had some on minnows and most on small jigs, and we [John] lost some kind of a monster on a downline today. I do a good bit of striper fishing with downlines baited with herring and this fish whatever it was took a rod to the gunnel and was screaming drag before john could get to it. I'm thinking it may have been a big trout, but whatever it was , was full grown, am not kidding I have had 20 lb stripers that didn't hit and take off like that fish did. When John got the rod up, no fish, oh well, that's what makes it fun. Water is 51 or so and has come up so some places had a good bit of trash, did I mention the wind blew real good? Hitting the stripers at hartwell Fri, so will give these fish a chance to get up the river. Later Capt.James