Testing new trim unit and catching catfish

Wheeler Lake - Browns Ferry

Time: 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Air Temperature: 66 - 84 degrees during trip
Water Temperature: 87 Degrees
Lake Level: 555.77

Weather Conditions: Mostly sunny and clear. Winds SSW- 7-9 MPH.

I'd like to start out by giving a shout out to Five Star Marine in Port Richey, FL.  I've been having progressing issues with my power trim unit for the past couple years.  After researching it, I found a new unit to be about $1,200.  I was watching a YouTube video on how to remove the trim on my boat and the video mentioned sending their unit off to Five Star for repair.  After doing some research, it was a no brainer.  I shipped my unit off and 10 days later received it back in the mail.  They charge a flat rate, depending on the model, for refurbishing plus whatever parts incurred during the refurb.  In the end.  I was $635 in including shipping and have a unit that is as good as new with a 2 year warranty.  They are excellent if you are in the market for a trim repair.

I headed over to the nuclear plant today for some catfish.  I launched right at daylight and noticed some threadfin popping the water at the the boat ramp (Cowford).  I decided to throw a net a few times and see what I could catch.  l was able to catch a few small shad around the ramp and a few more plus a couple small bluegill under the powerlines.  I brought frozen skipjack and some chicken gizzards too, but fresh bait is always good to have.

Once I got set up, I noticed someone has placed several marker buoys around the pipeline marking the drop off.  I have mixed feelings about this, but it definitely makes sighting the pipeline area easier.

As normal, I dropped down below the pipeline and immediately begin getting hits.  I noticed chicken gizzards we're performing very well.  I tried the live threadfin, but they too weren't doing fantastic.  Nothing today seemed to beat the cut skipjack.  

I putted around the area until about 11:00 and managed 18 blues.  Most were around 6 lbs on the average, but I caught a couple bigger.  It was an excellent morning and my trim performed perfect. 

Strippers - Round 2

Wheeler Lake - Browns Ferry

Time: 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Air Temperature: 20 - 29 degrees during trip
Water Temperature: Cold, barely above freezing
Lake Level: 552.72 

Weather Conditions: Mostly Sunny. Winds North- 5-13 MPH.

After having such a great time last weekend, Kevin and I headed back out for a repeat of our last trip.

Overall, today was almost a carbon copy of last weekend.  Today, the current was a bit tougher, and the wind kicked up at times making it very difficult to stay in position.

We caught a few bass and a couple cats, but it was definitely slower than last weekend.  The highlight of the trip by far was Kevin's flathead catfish.  It weighed 41 lbs and was tagged in the dorsal fin!  First time in my life seeing a tagged fish in the wild.  Very cool.  

We had a blast and definitely will get out again soon.

"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!!

Location: Bent Pine Pocket and Cowford - Wheeler Lake - Alabama

Time: Lunch to Mid Afternoon
Air Temperature: 80-82 degrees
Water Temperature:
Lake Level: 555.7- nice level for the area
Weather Conditions: Bad Windy. 8 - 15+ mph South.

Jessica and I set out from our home ramp. Extremely windy. Intended to go to swan creek, but couldn't with the wind and had to head back. Went into Bent Pine Pocket to escape wind. Caught some shad for catfish bait with the casting net.

Threw back excess shad and immediately noticed whit bass hitting to water shad we threw back. Started Jessica casting a Bobby Garland Money Milk and immediately caught fish. 5-7 white bass very quickly, almost every cast. Also caught 1 large mouth. Jessica was on fire!

Later moved to the swan creek area when the wind calmed, but it was too shallow.

Instead, we set up over a deep hole out from Cowford for catfish in 14-20' of water. We anchored, cast, and tightlined over the edge of the hole. Caught one beautiful flathead, 1 blue cat, and one 15-1/2" largemouth bass. Fun day for sure.