Labman, Chickamauga, Bass ++, 07/02/2010, Solo- Long Post

[FishNews]

After an aborted early morning outing I decided to try again when the wind settled a little. I tried drop shoting on a main river spot and caught 7 14-17" bass. Was using a Gulp Minnow on 6# line and 1/4 oz. wt. The bite slowed and I moved up river to try a point that had been holding fish. It was occupied so I thought I would go to the intake wall and vertical jig a spoon to see what would bite. I caught a small drum, and a couple of small crappie.<br /><br />Now the fun begins, I hear fish smashing bait on top on the cooling pond side of the wall. Well some of the guys had caught some bass casting over the wall so I thought I would try jigging there. Moved up the wall to where the fish were smashing bait and without really looking dropped the jig over the wall and down into the water. BIG MISTAKE !!. The feeding fish were a mass of big blue cats and i was hooked up with one that was heading for the bottom. I had a light action spinning rod with 6# line and 1/2 oz jigging spoon. Well drag was slipping and line disappearing so I moved the boat close to the wall and started trying to slow the fish. After awhile I was able to get him started topside and moved the boat up against the wall and managed to tie off tight. I then stood on the side of the boat and leaned over so I could see the water at the inside of the wall. It was solid blue cats, just slurping down mouthfulls of shad. <br /><br />I finally got the fish to the top of the water and could see my spoon hooked in his mouth. At this point I just wanted to get my spoon back. Any reasonable person would have just broke it off, but noooo. About this time 2 helpful guys in a bass boat show up and one says "GOT A BIGUN HAVE YOU". Here I am leaning out over the wall with my feet just barely touching the top of the boat rail trying to figure out how to land this fish. I figure the guards at the nuke are going to start shooting any minute emoEnforce . I manage to get back in the boat, grab my new long Berkley grabber and get back on the wall with the fish still attached. This is a pretty big blue cat, probably 18-20#.<br /><br />I figure that if i can raise his head out of the water a bit, and I lean way out over the wall I might just be able to reach his lip with the grabber. The guys in the bass boat are laughing away and offering advice. I am barely balanced on the wall and thoughts of falling in on the cooling pond side enter my head. If I survive the horde of blue cats, how am I going to get back over the wall? About this time a huge blue cat that looked like it could eat mine drifted up and inhaled about 30 shad minnows. Scary, had to be 50-60# at least.<br /><br />So I reach way out, feet in the air and can just lip him with the grabber. Got him, now can I lift him and get my feet back in the boat without falling in. Missed my step back and kinda fell, pulling the fish and banged my hip, and shin and got slimed by the fish. Bounced back up and got my spoon out of his mouth and lifted him over the wall and let him go. I was so wore out I forgot to take a picture, so this is all just a "fish tale".<br /><br />You had to be there to appreciate the action. I am glad I was able to provide some entertainment for the boys in the bass boat.<br /><br />Thats my story and I am sticking to it.<br /><br />Regards, Labman