06-25-2019, 09:00 AM
I haven't got to get out for about 5 weeks so it was a real treat to get out Saturday. My Dad's health hasn't been good for several years and he had to go into intensive care early in May. After a week and a half in intensive care, on to rehab, after a few days at home he had a massive stroke on May 20th and my Dad moved to heaven to be reunited with Mom on May 31st. He was a Godly man who loved his family and loved God. I have no doubt he is basking in the glory that is Jesus as I type this. Of course I miss him but I wouldn't bring him back here if I could and he wouldn't come back on his best day let alone the way he was. I needed some alone time and it was good to just be in the boat and on the lake after 5 weeks or so that seemed much longer. I didn't get on the water until 10:30 or so and I just don't like sitting out on the main channel ledges on Saturday and fighting the waves so I decided to make the run from Harrison Bay to Soddy Creek and fish some deep banks that had blow downs on them. There was nothing happening. Missed a couple of bites that could have been bluegill. Anyway I talked to several boats of fishermen who were having the same luck as me --- NOTHING. About 12:30 or so I finally decided to move and went out on the main lake. I tried a spot that usually is good for at least a few spots and nothing. I was pretty discouraged and as a last resort I decided to try one more spot on the main lake in deep water. Second cast I caught a nice 3 lb LM and it was on. The Chick can be so tough and then turn and just be unreal good. Over the next two and a half hours I caught and released 31 bass. I caught all three types, LM, Spots, and even a couple of SM! Catching 31 in that short of time was not the best part. I've never caught so many quallity fish so quickly. I'm not telling a fish story --- Of the 31 only 5 fish were less than 2 lbs. All the rest were 2 to 5 with most being 3 to 4. I can't tell you how many time I just shook my head and said to myself - "this is unreal". Water temp was low 80s, clarity was very good. I was fishing a school in 40+ foot of water. I was throwing swimbaits, spinner baits, top water, and finesse worms. Basically I was keying on topwater action and throwing a bait into the middle of it. I don't think it really mattered what I threw, if it landed in the jumping fish something grabbed it! It was fun, fun, fun and I'm so glad I didn't give up and go home. I want to leave you with this thought. At my Dad's funeral the family friend who knew Dad well and preached his funeral , who is a custom home builder made the statement that builders use patterns that they then duplicate so that they do a quality job. My Dad was far from perfect but his trust was in Jesus, the only way to God ---- not A way but the way. The preacher said that my Dad was a pattern for him and many others. A pattern of loving family, doing the right thing, controlling actions and words, helping others. It made me think --- we are all patterns for others: good or bad --- we need to self evaluate and ask ourselves, What kind of pattern am I? Bottom line: Know Jesus = Life and No Jesus = No life and an eternity spent in a miserable place created for Satan and his fallen angels. Think about it please!