drumking, Riverpark, stripers and bass, 4/4/10, Dr Phillip Gawthrop

[FishNews]

What a glorious Easter sunrise that Dr Phil and I had this morning. We were both worshipping the Lord long before we ever cast a jig in the water this morning. It was still dark when we arrived at the wing wall just below the dam. My 2nd cast, bam, small striper. Too dark to take pic. Next cast, bam, big white bass. A minute or so later, bam, 2nd small striper. Still too dark for pics. Phillip caught a nice white bass. Then a yellow bass. Just as it was beginning to lighten up a little bit, I caught a nice 3 lb 11 oz smallmouth bass. Measure, weighed, and released. Oh, most all fish were released today except the stripers and one spotted bass that was bleeding badly. Dr Phil is grilling stripers for lunch today.<br /><br />We had the grand slam of bass today. Stripers, white bass, smallmouth, spotted, largemouth and yellow bass. Stripers 3, white bass 5, spotted 4, largemouth 4, yellow bass 3, and smallmouth 4. We stopped fishing at 9:00.<br /><br />Dr Phillip hooked up with a large striper that we had to run down with the big motor. He kept wishing for my striper rod and 20 lb line that we use at Watts Bar, but I told him not to panic, but to enjoy the fight. It took quite a bit of manuevering to get around the concrete pilings of the railroad bridge. We didn't know for sure just which opening he would take. That was quite a feat for a 6 1/2 ft, medium action, Venture rod, 6 lb test Mr Crappie Hi-Vis yellow line, and my little Abu Garcia Cardinal 101's, but with the drag set loose like I do, it really wasn't a problem after we cleared the bridge. We measured the fish (34&quot and wasn't able to weigh it until I got home (17 lb 7oz). We took the pics just as the sun was rising over the horizon. The Son had already risen in our hearts and great thanksgiving come pouring forth from our lips just then. I told Phil that he was building memories.<br /><br />We had a great interchange of spiritual thoughts, words, and ideas while we were fishing. Fellowshipping with each other and the Lord all at the same time, it just doesn't get any better than this. This will be one Easter sunrise service that I won't soon forget. emoBig emoGeezer