Lake Guntersville - Day 6 - Last Call For Bass

The big head took a break from the boat world this morning as the 45 year-old back that I possess just doesn't like standing in one place for an extended period of time these days. All whining aside, that didn't prevent me from pulling in this dandy off the boat house dock on a pink wacky worm. For all the tackle we purchased before this trip with all the bells and whistles, it still came back to the wacky worm for production.                                    Everyone got their last catch in today before the trek north tomorrow morning. While I was lollygagging on shore, the Al, Jerry, and Slick boat all hit their limit on the north side of the lake while Doke and John O. had some nice girth to present as well. Isn't that the way it is that we finally figure out this enormous body of water on the last day? We definitely won't be working the south end the next time around as we spent roughly an hour yesterday heading there via water as we heard some good things about "Brown's Creek." "What can brown do for you?" Not a whole lot for six fisherman. The north end seemed to be the place to be and we were fortunate to be calling home on said end for the past week.
A great way to kick off the 2013 season.
Trail Head   

view out back yard

 

Lake Guntersville - Day 5 - "The Machine" Rolls On

big f****** fish

Well, the "biggest" claim didn't last long for John O. as Al's 2012 magic seems to have carried over into 2013. The day started innocently enough this morning under some minor fog in the area. After about a couple hundred yards though, the minor fog turned into major fog as you couldn't see 10 feet in front of you. While Doke, Jerry and I were feeling our way in the fog to the marina for a gas topper, Al was throwing a rubber frog into a dense vegetation area and "bam!" a 6.9 pound largemouth jumped up and Al was in business. The man is on a roll in the fishing world.

The sun eventually burned off the fog and while Al's production was the exception today (roughly 10 hours on the water and maybe seven legal fish for the two boats), a great day it was.

Trail Head 

serious AM fog

the crew

"only" a two pounder

 

 

 

Lake Guntersville - Day 4 - Fish-a-Plenty & Mud Bog Alabama Style

Welcome to the fun Senor Slick who flew into Huntsville last night to join in on the bass catching festivities. The sun is a-plenty and my face feels a couple hundred degrees; I love it!

The morning fish today was followed by one member of our party (who shall be nameless) getting un-hinged to the suck hole he created a few days ago with the rains that rolled through. Even clicking into 4-wheel didn't get that one out. While pulling the vehicle out, the neighbor walks by with the only comment that need be said, "you fellas haven't experienced Alabama mud, have you?" Umm, no.

Trail Head

 

 

AFTERNOON/EVENING FISH UPDATE (10:30 PM EST)

The "biggins" have arrived as the 4+ pounders are becoming commonplace. While not a bass, Doke pulled in an 11 pound drum. Al pulled in the attached 4.78 pound, 22 inch largemouth in the last hour.

 

 

Lake Guntersville - Day 3 - This Is What We Signed Up For

The rains have parted and the sun screen is in use. After two days of rain impeding our view of this massive body of water, today we were finally able to get out without the rain gear and see it. And I must say, this is one beautiful lake. I would call it Dunham on steroids. Very few houses on it and some gi-gundis (not a word) trees and hills surrounding it. Thankfully, it doesn't fish like Dunham as Doke had his hour of power right around high noon and pulled in three fat bass with one topping four pounds.

I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to John O. for taking the money of four innocent poker players last night in cards. "How does this Texas Hold 'Em game work anyway?" John asked as he casually laid down a straight flush for the tenth time of the evening. Enjoy that money John; there is another game tonight.

Trail Head

                                                                                  



cool morning sun getting through

morning fog burning off

 

 

AFTERNOON/EVENING FISH UPDATE (10:30 PM EST)

The "biggest" claim now goes to John O. as he pulled in a 4.9 pound bass this evening on a swim bait. The production is growing with each session as we get acclimated to this largemouth pond.

Trail Head 

 

Lake Guntersville - Day 2 - Feeling Like Seattle

Below is the radar of the lake this morning and yes, that green is rain. To the north is some more rain doing circles down our way. The social hour is starting early today.

Trail Head

 

MORNING FISH UPDATE (2:30 PM EST)

The clouds parted for a few hours (read: minutes) and we were able to get the lines wet. Al pulled in a nice 2.5 pounder on a spinner bait. The rains are back and we are in social hour mode again.

Trail Head

 

 

EVENING FISH UPDATE (8:30 PM EST)

The rain has moved out and in celebration of the occasion, Al and Jerry yanked about a dozen or so with these two nice ones to show for their efforts.

Trail Head

 

Lake Guntersville - Day 1 - Settling In After a Rainy Trek

every exit

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains. And rain it has in the Tennessee valley over the last 24 hours. A gold star goes out to Al and Doke for pulling their boats through the downpours that hit right about the time the Tennessee mountains made their appearance near Knoxville. It rained, then it rained some more. 

One thing I did learn about Tennessee from the drive. You only need five things to survive in the state; Waffle House, Cracker Barrel, Krystal (the White Castle of the south), Shoney's, and last but definitely not least, fireworks! Every exit had at least three of the five and every firework store claimed to be the biggest. The American dream!

Anyway, Doke gets the boat trailer parking experience of the year award for his job at the hotel in Chattanooga. His high school driving instructor would have been proud of him for how he tucked that boat between a curb and a 4X4 pickup. Amazing.

So we are now here on Lake Guntersville. Another great house find by John O. as the place has everything we need; a boat house, ample splace and the boat launch is less than a mile away.

The boats are in and the first fish goes to.....THAT'S RIGHT MO FO'S.....THE BIG HEAD!!!! The rain came back right about the time the fish picture below was taken. Al and Doke are being troopers and battling the rain drops as I type this. The forecast is looking promising for the remainder of the week, however. More to come.

Trail Head

front lawn of the crib

John tweaking the equipment on the back porch

nice boat launch

country road to place

 

the fishing machine ready for 2013

 

cool boat house as part of the package

first

rear of house