Headed Home

I couldn't get my truck headed home fast enough after today's weigh in.  I took a gamble today to try to catch up after a bad day yesterday and it only got worse. I ran to Lake Barkley (which is connected to Kentucky Lake) to an area I knew from an earlier event. The area historically has good fish and I did catch two nice ones, but only two! It is so hard to go to an area without first practicing there. If it works you are a hero, if it doesn't your a zero! Well, in my case.... 

Kentucky Lake - Day One

A small KY Lake 15" keeper

I caught more fish today than in any day of practice, but never caught a decent fish. My five keepers weighed in just under ten pounds.... I got crushed! I'll have to have one of those miracle stringer tomorrow if I'm going to take home any cash.

Kentucky Lake

I actually slept in yesterday morning until 7:30, then headed north from Pickwick Lake on the Alabama border to Kentucky Lake. It was a real nice drive through some country I hadn't seen before. I checked into my motel near Paris around 11 A.M. My plan is to stay on this end of the lake during practice since this is the end I plan on fishing in the tournament. On the off day, I'll move to a different hotel closer to the dam where we will launch from in the tournament. I can only hope I'm picking the right end. This is a big body of water and definitely can't see it all in three days of practice!

Crossing Tennessee River heading up to Kentucky Lake

Give-Away:  The Boomerang pliers and holster were thrown out there but came back!  Remember, to win a give-away you must check the blog daily and respond within a week.  doverchip@gmail.com, send your contact information to JTPFishing@insightbb.com and you'll receive these great fishing pliers in the mail.

In anticipation of our great new episodes starting July 2nd on Stihl's Reel in the Outdoors, jeffbtripp@earthlink.net will receive a Stihl tshirt in the mail if he sends his contact information to the above email.  Want to celebrate with a shirt of your own?  Check back tomorrow to see if you won!

Pickwick Lake Smallies

Yesterday, I got up very early and drove seven hours to Pickwick Lake which is the site of our final FLW event next month. Since my schedule won't allow me any other time to pre-fish before the off limits begins, my goal was to get a half day on the water just riding, graphing and GPS'ing any potential deep water spots for next month's tournament.

Even after my terrible finish at Red River, I am still in contention for the FLW Championship if I can do well in the last two events. It was definitely a productive afternoon and worth the extra driving and a day away from home. I even got a bonus, when right before dark a big school of Smallies came up chasing shad on a point I was graphing. I grabbed a Lucky Craft gunfish out of my rod box, made one cast, and caught a beautiful smallmouth! Hey, a guy's gotta have a little fun! Today, I headed on up to Kentucky Lake to get ready for practice which begins Sunday.

Give-Away Day:  I'm sending a Stihl shirt and a hat to follower Mac McBroom!  Mac, send your snail address to JTPFishing@insightbb.com and I'll get it right out to you.  Sadly, the Boomerang pliers and holster, a $40 value, has not been claimed.  I'll be drawing for that tomorrow morning.   Will you be the lucky winner?