Lookin' Good In Stripes

Wheeler Lake - Browns Ferry

Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Air Temperature: 28 - 47 degrees during trip
Water Temperature:
Lake Level: 552.57 

Weather Conditions: Sunny. Winds North West- 3-10 MPH.

I made a last minute decision to head out solo this morning.  I also wanted to see if I could take what Kevin had taught me about fishing for stripped bass and apply it on my own.  

I headed out and did exactly what we've done the past couple times.  I definitely wish I had a spot lock trolling motor.  I'm able to fish, but it is a much bigger struggle to hold position without the spot lock.

I had a great morning.  I caught 5 strippers and 2 cats.  Two of the bass were very nice and fought insanely hard.  I was glad to see I could apply what I'd been learning.  

Social Distancing

Wheeler Lake - Tennessee River @ Mooresville/Arrowhead Landing

Time: 7:30 AM - 12:30 PMAir Temperature: 36 - 56 degrees during trip
Water Temperature: 45 degrees
Lake Level: 554.13' ~ 111,111 ?? cfps
Weather Conditions: Winds turning heavy. 5mph to 24 mph SSE


For the first time in more than a year, I finally put COVID aside and had guests in the boat. Doug and Douglas Ainsworth joined me today for a crappie trip to Mooresville.


Overall, today was a terrible day to fish. The only thing attractive about the whole situation was a high temperature of 56, which didn't feel like 56 with the high winds. We had to bust 3/8" of ice just to get to where we were trying to fish. The water was very turbid and swift. Lake levels were about 2 feel shy of full summer pool. Very tough conditions for this time of the year, but there is never a bad day on the water.


Douglas and I fished up front with vertical jigs while Doug fished the back with minnows and a cork. Minnows proved to be a complete bust on the day. Jig fishing was very tough, as well. We started with red and chartreuse and only managed one fish. After a few color combinations, black and chartreuse finally seemed to be the ticket.


We fished tree tops and managed to catch 13 crappie with only 4 being big enough to keep. We caught most of these in 10-13 ft of water. Very tough day, but still had a great time fishing with these guys. Will definitely do it again when the weather improves.


Went home and cooked ribs and spent the afternoon with the family.

Jessica Showing How It's Done

Location: Browns Ferry - Wheeler Lake - Alabama

Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Air Temperature: 90 Degrees
Water Temperature: 86 Degrees

Lake Level: 555.76' Strong current. 

Weather Conditions: Moderate winds from the south. About 11 mph

I took Jessica out this afternoon after work. I didn’t fish, but instead worked the trolling motor to try to keep us stable. Winds were very strong and the current was pulling hard, since we really struggled to keep the boat in position. Nevertheless, Jess fished with cut shad bouncing bottom with the new inline float rig I’ve been working with. We fished alongside the boils and submerged pipeline by the nuclear plant. 

She immediately caught a nice 6 lbs class blue literally on the first drop in the water. She quickly followed it up with a couple more on the next couple drops. She even pulled a double with cats in both hooks! She was slaying them and managed to land 7 in roughly an hour or less. It was a blast trolling while she was hammering the cats!