Fishing Forum

<br /> So I have a Bucket List, and one of the things on my list was to go grabblin. I have seen HeathJ grabblin on the forum, but I just thought he was a crazy bald man. Well this time last year, I had talked to Allen about going, and his was response was that he'd come, but do all the video taping. Well once we saw ole Spur grabbling I figured there is NO WAY we can let him do this, and us not. <br /> I'll say this upfront: I was scared like a little girl before going on this trip. <br /> Allen and I met up at 0500, and were eastbound and down. We stopped in for some breakfast and the ride consisted of our normal banter and making fun of each other. Round about Nickajack I told Allen that I was almost sick to my stomach nervous. He said he agreed and we did our best to hide it from Spur. We picked him up around 0800, and we headed to the lake. We put in and head off to our first few holes. The day started out uneventful, but it was educational. We got an early feel of what the holes are like and what we should expect, without the pressure of a fish being in there. After about an hour of messing around we finally got onto a ramp that had big fish on it. <br /> Allen and I paper rock sissored for the the first to have the "honor" to go under. Well, I lost the match, and I had to go. Erik had already located the hole and notified us that there was a fish in the hole. So with hind-end drawn up I slide a bamboo rod into the hole, and in a matter of seconds a catfish DRILLED the rod. Apparently my face was priceless! So I had go to in, I held my breath and took the dive. My arm was engulfed by the hole, and my 5 foot rod didn't even touch the back of the cave. Then after what felt like 17 minutes underwater the cat nearly took the rod away from me...screaming like a fat kid who had his cake taken from him I emerged in absolute shock. We had a nice bank crowd by now so that was nice and embarrassing. We worked that hole for about 30 minutes to no avail. We were getting the hang of it though.<br /> We move on down river to a slough slap full of ramps. Erik said we were going to get bit at this one and he was right. This particular area had a large concrete pad that spread under a dock. So all three of us are basically spooning under this dock guarding the hole. I will say this, if you think that catfish don't like the taste of feet, YOU ARE WRONG. We quickly realized there was a large fish in this hole. Allen was to my left, and Erik was to my right. We all put hands on the fish at one time, and Allen had the fish by the mouth, but couldn't winch her out. Erik says, "My turn." He dives down and IMMEDIATELY we hear the Grabblin' "SONIC BOOM" and it is on. We see bubbles rising and Allen and I our screaming like we are at a Tennessee-Auburn football game. Then Erik surfaces and rips a MONSTER yellow cat from the hole. We are all going crazy and we walk it to the bank, and check the weight - 42 lbs!!! I will say this grabblin' is a team sport, but Erik hit the home run with this one. Unreal fish!<br /> We continue on to other areas, and for the sake of time I will keep the detail light and let Allen and Erik fill in. We move to an awesome ramp and within two minutes Allen and I are both getting hit in two seperate holes. I actually latch onto my fish and touch his head but he shook free and left the hole. As soon as that happens Allen gets bit! The fish moves back into the hole as our frustration grows. Allen heads to the boat to grab another rod, and I guard the hole. The fish is MAD, as we here her bumping around in the hole. I notice Erik quietly goes under, and I see a roccus begin, it was like a tornado of feet, calves and Erik's butt, then he arises with a beautiful 37 lb yellow cat!!! He stole Allen's fish!!! And he was MAD! Hahaha, we celebrate and Allen and I are ready for our fish.<br /> We move onto the next area and Allen locates a nice cat. He says, "Forget this pole, I'm going in," and he descends into the hole and we hear screaming! 2 seconds later Allen emerges with a 31 lb beast. He screams at it, hugs it, and then no lie.... LICKS the catfish. Wow... we snap pics and she swims away. So Allen has his fish.<br /> I'm pissed.<br /> We work for another 2 hours with no bites, then finally we head back to where we started. I slide the rod in and immediately the fish hits. I know its at the front of the hole, so Erik blocks me, while Allen gets the camera rolling. I take one dive and he drills my rod. I leave the rod in and come up for air. The next dive I go in with my hand, and BAM! the fish nails me and the fight is on. He's swallowed my right hand, and with my left I rip the rod from the hole. I then grabbed him with my left hand also and begin the pull from the hole. He's not coming, and I'm short on breath. So i give him one big rip, and fling him out of the water with a trophy pose. Just wait til the video, its awesome. I yanked about a 15 lb blue cat out, and those dudes are mean! <br /> We move onto the next spot, and I locate a fish, so I go in for the kill, with just my arm, no rod. This booger decides he wants to feast on my fingers instead of my hand, as he nails every finger on my right hand. Allen calls me a few select words not suitable for the forum, so I tell him to come give it a try. We he goes in and starts screaming like a little girl. That fish is enjoying his fingers as well. Finally the fish bites enough and Allen rips it out. A 7 lb Channel Cat!!! We hit the triple play!<br /> What a day, if you've made it this far, thank you. I found out a lot of things today.<br /> I sink better than Erik and Allen<br /> I can hold my breath a long time<br /> getting bit isn't as scary as I thought<br /> Land owners LOVE it when you are grabblin at their ramp<br /> I am hooked, and can't wait to grabble on Guntersville<br /> Erik would win any wet t-shirt contest.<br /> Great, unbelievable, awesome day. We got three HOF Yellow Cats, and if there ever was a fair way to fish, this is it!<br /> Thanks for being an awesome guide Erik!!!<br /> Enjoy the pics