rsimms, Nickajack (Riverpark), Nearly 500 lbs. of Catfish (HOF), 4-24, 25, 26-2009, Ruger, Stretch,

[FishNews]

Daniel and Steve (better known as Ruger and Stretch on TNDeer.com) migrated in from West Tennessee to chase big blues this weekend. Late Friday we decided to make just a quick "exploratory" foray onto the water. We stuck two or three small fish real quick, but hadn't had lines wet for ten minutes when Stretch's line got stretched BIG TIME!<br /><br />I knew it was a decent fish... but I piddled around getting lines out of the water, searching for "The Grabbers" and getting situated for a big battle. When I looked back the fish was STILL taking line, showing no signs of stopping. It turned into a trolling motor chase for a while.<br /><br />It was great fun... Stretch isn't a real emotional man, but I believe I saw him grin once or twice when this 50 lb. bruiser showed himself. Of course Ruger was jumping up and down in the boat like a little school girl.<br /><br /><br />Guess which one is "Stretch?" He's actually stooping down a little so he doesn't tower over Ruger quite so bad.<br /><br />We knocked off a few 5 - 10 lbers. after we got done high-five'n over this one. <br /><br />Saturday we ly did not outdo the 50 lb. beast that Stretch drilled Friday evening . However there was no shortage of bruiser blues in the 10 - 20 lb. class... especially fun on 8 lb. spinning tackle.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ruger kept his notepad handy Friday and Saturday. You would have thought he was keeping minutes at a White House Cabinet Meeting. I laughed at him, but it was actually kind of cool. Every fish in the boat got weighed and recorded. Saturday's total was 37 catfish that weighed 305 lbs. And we spent 3 or 4 hours away from the sweet spot, fishing dead water looking for The Big Bite (that never came). Friday evening's total was 116 lbs... boosted by the 50 lb. behemoth, for a total of 421 lbs. of catfish in the boat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I finally made 'em quit when Ruger reeled in Saturday's big fish (21 lbs.). I think they were suitably sunburnt, wore down and wore out. I know I was... <br /><br /><br /><br />Sunday I postponed a shellcracker trip since they're just not doing it yet. I was glad because that gave me the chance to take my two "little girls" fishing. They're both in the real life "working world" now, so it's been too long since we've been able to do that.<br /><br />We got to say "Hello" to JDK and snap something other than one of his "arm's length" photos. I'm sure he'll post later. Also got to see shsimons & company. They switched from cats to bass today, but something tells me they might stick a cat before the day is done.<br /><br />The cat bite was much slower today... but still plentiful enough to have great fun in great weather. In just a couple of hours I'd guess the girls brought the 3-day total of cats landed to about 475 lbs, which means that live is VERY good and gettin' better every day!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />