Crappie, Bluegills, and Kids

Dr Phillip Gawthrop’s three grandsons and their Daddy, Adam, wanted a trip for bluegills and I was delighted to take them. Although TVA was spilling water over the flood gates, we managed to get behind the retaining wall that they have built while they are working on the new lock for Chickamauga.

The water was nice and calm, but the North wind had just a little bite to it. Air temp in 40’s when we started at 11:30 and maybe managed 50 by our 2:30 cutoff time. (Boys getting restless and a little chilly too in spite of the warm clothing that they had on.) I think fatigue had a little bit to do with it too. It was nap time in Tennessee.

We were using Bobby Garland Itty Bitty Slab Slayers with powerbait crappie nibbles fished on 1/24 oz jig heads. It was a very slow beginning as we arrived before the solunar feeding period began, but when it did, the fish really turned on.

The kids had a ball reeling in the fish that we hooked up for them and handling, and putting in the live well. We caught 6 keeper crappie as a bonus along with some very good gills. The largest that we measured was 9.75” long and was a chunk. We had several of those. 19 Bluegills and the 6 crappie went home with the boys and Dad, Adam, had a big cleaning chore ahead of him.

He won’t get any help from the boys though. They didn’t get out of the parking lot before all three were out like a light. What a blessing it was to take all these guys out. Adam, Sarah, and the boys live in Idaho now and are in for the holiday. I hope to get Phil and Adam out for a Striper trip if TVA will quit spilling water before next Wednesday.