"We're gonna need a bigger boat"

Wheeler Lake - Tennessee River @ Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant

Time: 7 AM - 10:00 AMAir Temperature: 53 - 70 degrees during trip
Water Temperature: 73 degrees in the discharge water
Lake Level: 554.86' - 38,436 cfps - Perfect conditions
Weather Conditions: Light winds, variable 3-6 mph


Decided to wet a line for catfish this morning. I pulled out 3 big frozen shad from the freezer to use for cut bait on rod and reel. I went over to my favorite spot at the Nuclear Plant to fish the drop off between the pipeline and the discharge boils. I was set up with a single pole with two hooks and bouncing bottom.


It was a beautiful, perfect morning with no current or wind to fight. This is good for this area of the lake. I got off to a good start and caught 2 channels, 2 blues in the 8# range, one little flathead, and the big one below!


She. Was. A. Tank. I knew when I set the hook that it was big. I was able to get almost the whole fight on film. It took about 12 minutes to land this fish. It didn't fight violently, but put it's head down and peeled line. I don't fish with a lot of line when I'm bouncing bottom, so I was worried about getting spooled. Somehow, I managed to keep it hooked and not run off all my line. This was a solid fish and one of the biggest I've ever caught on road and reel. The scales showed 33#, but I was convinced it was 40 or more. I guess they always seem bigger than they are, but still very nice.


I took some photos and turned it loose and picked my wife and son up at the dock for a joy ride. Very nice day. Fall bite is on!!