Labman, Chickamauga, Bass ++, 09/13/2010, Solo

[FishNews]

Wanted to chase some bass today, but figured the ramp would be busy early, so went to the Rush and worked out a bit and then when to spin class with Judie. Got out on the lake about 11:15, parking lot not too full, and ramp was clear. Wind was blowing pretty good on the main channel, and you had to stay on the trolling motor to hold position. First 2 fish I caught were big drum, bad sign, lol. I was using the usual dropshot rig with a couple of changes that I will describe later in the report. <br /><br />Marked a lot of stacked up fish, and some huge schools of bait. The fish were holding on flats again near deeper water. From 12-20'. I caught 15 keeper LM Bass, largest bass about 4# and several 3#+ and 2 shorts, 2 drum, and 3 large White Crappie. All caught on 4" Green Gulp Minnow. They are sold out at Academy, lol. Guess someone is reading these reports. At first I thought the crappie school was baitfish, but on downscan could see the individual fish. Huge school, probably a couple of hundred fish. Wind kept blowing me off the school, and I finally lost contact. Funny to see them eating a 4" gulp minnow.<br /><br />I had been reading about the right rod for drop shotting, and watched a video on Carters Lake Guide Service where Louie Bartenfield described what he thought was the right rod for dropshot. I had been looking for a rod with a more parabolic flex, in a med light rod. I found a new one, Garcia Vendetta 6'9" that had just the feel I was looking for. Then a hardly used one showed up in the classifieds here, and I snapped it up. I had pretty good success with the rod I was using, but knew I was making too hard hooksets, and the butt of the rod was very stiff. I had been losing more fish than I liked. Probably yanking the hook out of there mouth. <br /><br />So here is what I did. When felt tic or tug on bait, just started lifting as the rod loaded up, and then start reeling. Never did a hookset other the steady pressure on the lift. I never lost a single fish today, and every bass was solidly hooked in the upper lip. It was perfect, the rod bends a lot, but has plenty of backbone for the larger fish.<br />I also had the bait up about 30" off the bottom. This was just the first outing with this rig, but I think this is the right rod for this technique. Also using 8" flourocarbon line which is very sensitive. You feel everything. I didn't discover this or anything, got most of my info from reading and watching Louie B. catching fish.<br /><br />Saw Smallimouth at the ramp when I was taking out today. He is fishing the tourney with the big boys this week. Good Luck to all the locals fishing the FLW.<br /><br />Regards, Labman<br />