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Tennessee Bass Fishing Trips

Tim's Ford 7-3-2009

I met Fred and Brian Appel at the ramp at 5:00am and we headed out to our first few spots where I have been catching fish in the past couple weeks. The numbers of fish were still there the only problem was the quality. What you see pictured above was about average for the fish we caught. All of our fish came on either a Rocky Top Jig www.rockytopcustomtackle.com  tipped with  a Prowler Flappin Craw www.prowlerlures.com a Storm Wiggle Wart Mad Flash www.stormlures.com and  others crank baits.  I have 3 trips on Tim's next week and will keep you posted. Fred and Brian I enjoyed my day with you. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 6-29-2009

I couldn't get Daniel out of bed this morning at 3:00am so I headed out to Tim's by myself and had a great 2 1/2 hours from daylight until 7:300am then the bite slowed quickly. Above is 3 of the 9 Smallmouth I caught this morning swimming a jig with a Prowler Flappin Craw www.prowlerlures.com These fish would nail the bait and just about set the hook themselves. I also had 3 violent hits right at the boat and missed all 3. The Prowler Flappin Craw has great action and the claws move a lot of water the faster you reel the bait. I keep this combination moving right along trying to keep as close to the bottom as possible. If you haven't tried the Flappin Craw you need to pick up several packages. They come in 14 different colors to match your need in all conditions. More to come this week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Old Hickory 6-26-2009

Daniel and I got up early this morning and traveled to Old Hickory Lake to meet a good friend Jason McCannis at his home on the lake at daylight. Jason is a good friend that I met years ago when I was splitting my guiding time between Old Hickory and Tim's Ford.  A short walk across the back yard to Jason's dock and it wasn't long before Daniel was putting them in the boat. Above is 6 of at least 30 that we caught today swimming a jig and Prowler Flappin Craw www.prowlerlures.com and a Luhr-Jensen Speed Trap www.luhrjensen.com . It was interesting to me that many of our fish came out of some of the exact same spots that I use to fish on a regular basis. It was almost like I had stopped fishing Old Hickory last week instead of several years ago. We fished from daylight until noon and at least for us our early bite was the best. Until Next Week......Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 6-22-2009

After a lot of thought over the week end concerning the tough bite we experienced last week I decided to change up a few things and thankfully a couple of them worked. I met my client (he requested to stay anonymous) at the ramp this morning at 4:30am and he had to be off the water by 9:00am. Our 1st stop started out like last week ended and then the combination of the right bank and baits and the bite took off. We had 4 Smallmouth bites in one stretch about 50 yards long and one of the fish we lost was a goooood one! We caught a couple good Largemouth and one hefty Rock Fish. Storm Wiggle Wart Mad Flash www.stormlures.com and a grub did the trick. Off the water at 9:15am and back to the house by 10:30am......More to come later this week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford Week Of 6-15-2009

This is my first week back from vacation and man has the daytime bite changed on Tim's while I was gone. I fished 3 days and struggled compared to the bite I had prior to vacation. The 3 fish above was the best overall, we did manage to catch several smaller fish. Pictured above is my youngest Daniel, the center picture is Paul Barrs and top right is Steve Economos. I haven't heard any reports on the night bite but that may be a good alternative at this point. I'll be back on Tim's Monday, I'll let you know what happens. Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com

W/O June 8- 2009 Indiana Vacation

We just returned this afternoon from a 5 day family vacation in Indiana. I enjoy going to my in-laws, it's always a very laid back time. I also enjoy catching up with family friends like Terry Sieberry and sharing his boat with him on 2 of the private lakes he fishes in middle Indiana. Both of the lakes are trolling motor only and both are full of great bass, shell cracker, crappie and bluegill. Terry and I must have caught at least 40 or more largemouth on the first lake we fished in 4 hours. We caught fish on a Prowler Soft Shad www.prowlerlures.com which is phenomenal in all kinds of grass, reeds, lily pads, rocks, brush and yes even open water. Rigged Texas style you are able to work the bait as slow as needed without getting the bait loaded up and the bass love them. We also caught fish on several different crank baits including a  Luhr-Jensen Radar 10 and Speed Shad www.luhrjensen.com  a Rapala  Shallow Shad Rap and the X Rap Shallow Shad www.rapala.com. and a Storm ThunderCore Squiter www.stormlures.com  As you can see these fish were in the weeds and grass in water from 2 feet to 10 feet. Most of you know this I'm sure but for those that might not "DON'T" be afraid of throwing the "RIGHT" crank bait into the grass. Pick your crank bait according to the depth of water you are going to fish and adjust your retrieve to where you are just ticking the top of the grass. When you "FEEL" like the bait has loaded up with grass, rip it free and hold on, much of the time this is when the strike will happen. Truthfully I approach fishing a crank bait in grass no differently than I do rocks or timber, it's all in your mind. The worst that can happen is you will be hung up and if that bothers you you might as well watch fishing on T.V and save your self the agitation. Terry thanks for another great trip and I hope you get to come down to fish with me this fall. Back home and I'll be back on the water next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 6-2-2009

The day that should have been (or) the day they wouldn't stay stuck! Either way it amounted to 10 Smallmouth/Largemouth jumping and tossing the DT6 plus a big Walleye just came undone. We did manage to put 7 in the boat in the 5 hours we fished (5am-10am) and then it got hot! I really enjoyed fishing with the Scroggins father and son team. Some days these fish just make you shake your head. I'm going to take a few days off to spend with my family and will give you a up date when I get back on the water. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-30-2009

I met Don and Chuck Sherwin at the ramp this morning at 4:15am and made our way slowly through the fog to our first stop. The top water bite was good just as we could begin to see. We had several hits on on Skitter Prop www.rapala.com and they would attach the bait. Chuck lost a big Smallmouth (est. 4 plus) right at the boat, had her hooked but not good enough.  After the top water bite ended the old reliable DT6 www.rapala.com kicked in and by 11:30am when we put the boat back on the trailer we had 20 mixed Smallmouth and Largemouth plus several that got off and it was hot! Until next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

NickAJack Pan Fish 5-26-2009

My youngest son Daniel and I headed to NickAJack early this morning and had a wonderful time together. We caught well over 100 assorted BlueGill-ShellCracker-Crappie and Daniel also caught 4 Largemouth Bass and all of this in about 4 1/2 hours. We are going to see what we can do on the Tim's Ford Walleye this Thursday and I will update you then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-22-2009

This was my second day with Don and Kirk and we covered a lot of territory to put our fish in the boat. Our biggest Smallmouth was a respectable 4lb 4oz and we had some great Walleye as well. Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com and a Luhr-Jensen Radar www.luhrjensen.com 10 caught everything we lifted over the rails today. Daniel is out of school now and he and I are going to do some pan fishing and cat fishing in the weeks to come, I'm looking forward to it. I'll keep you posted on Tim's. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-21-2009

I fished Tim's Ford today with Mr. Don Hardison and Mr. Kirk Deweese. Don and Kirk have been friends for years and are here on a short vacation. Action was hot and heavy early then tapered off as the day progressed on. Prowler Soft Shad, Prowler Grub www.prowlerlures.com and a Storm Wiggle Wart www.stormlures.com did the trick. I fish with them again tomorrow so I will give you a fuller 2 day recap. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-19-2009

Blue bird skies and no wind pretty much summed up the weather that George Seiters, Bill Cotter and I had on Tim's all day. We still managed several good fish topped of with a 8lb Hyrid and a 4lb 9oz Smallmouth. All fish were caught on Prowler Soft Shads www.prowlerlures.com  Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com and a Storm Mad Flash Wiggle Wart www.stormluresa.com We had several other Smallmouth and Walleye that we didn't take pictures of. George and Bill I had a great tiem and look forward to our next trip. Two more days on Tim's this week (Thursday/Friday) Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

NickAJack Lake 5-12009

Another great 6hrs. on NickAJack with David Honey. We caught over 30 Largemouth today on a Carolina Rigged Prowler Lizard and a 3/16th Barbarian Moon Eye Shaky Head www.vmc.com and a Prowler Finesse Worm. www.prowlerlures.com  (These jigs are fantastic) David and I both throw the "Rig" on a All Pro APX 7' Medium Heavy rod www.allprorods.com and I guess lighter line than many like to use. Occasionally you get broke off but if your careful it doesn't happen often. With the lighter line and the unmatched sensitivity of the APX it's a great combination. We also found a new spot today where I lost 4 good fish on Rapala DT6. www.rapala.com I just didn't get them stuck good enough. 4 days next week....I'll keep you posted. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Old Hickory 5-2009

I had meetings with some of my sponsors yesterday but made time to meet good friend Ken Kenkins at a ramp in Spencer Creek and we had a short but very enjoyable time on Old Hickory. We never left Spencer Creek and caught 25 Largemouth with our best 5 going somewhere in the 11lbs to 12 lb range. Most of our shallow fish were caught on a Silver #6 X-Rap Shad www.rapala.com and our deeper fish on a Storm Olive Chartreuse Wiggle Wart Mad Flash www.stormlure.com. Ken and I both use the All Pro APX series rods and I don't have to tell you what I think of them. They are one of the finest, most powerful and sensitive rods that you can put in your hands. AND they are still 100% American made by American craftsmen.  www.allprorods.com Ken is not only a good friend but a good fisherman as well and great to be in the boat with. Well,  it's 3:30am and I'm headed back to my home lake Tim's Ford. I will let you know how it go's. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-13-2009

It's good to be back on Tim's after a short break. Water is dropping and is in pretty good shape over all. As you can tell by the pictures I was by myself today. I have 3 trips next week and wanted to cover some territory and see what was going on. I caught and released 22 Smallmouth and Largemouth today and gave up on the picture taking with the wind blowing as hard as it was. All were caught on a Prowler Soft Shad www.prowlerlures.com and a Rapala X Rap and Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com  I will be back on the water tomarrow and will up date you then. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

NickAJack Lake 5-7-2009

Since Tim's Ford has been experiencing high water and more to come yet this week I decided to just take a break and fish some where else. So today Mr. David Honey and I traveled down to NickAJack Lake to test the water. The river there is in real good shape and it appears that they are keeping it within limits. David and I pulled up on the first point that he knew and 25 Largemouth later we decided to make a move. These fish would nail a Carolina Rigged Prowler Lizard and a Shaky Head rigged worm. www.prowlerlures.com  Hopefully Tim's will be back in shape soon, but in the mean time I think I will look around some. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford High Water Update 5-4-2009

Just to give you a quick update on the water conditions on Tim's. I fished today again with Mr. Michael Radford. The water at the State Park Ramp is way up and over all walk ways that lead out to the floating docks. Water is over the majority of the home owners walk ways that we fished around today. If the corp doesn't drain the water out of Tim's quickly I would think the fish should be in the bushes and grass within the next couple days. We have more heavy rains coming this week on Wednesday and Thursday. Not much floating stuff on the water yesterday but there will be when they start generation. I have rescheduled my remaining trips for this week just in case. I will update you when I have more information. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-1-2009

It seemed like it rained for 40 days and 40 nights today on Tim's Ford. Water temperatures where we fished was in the 69-71 degree range and the backs of the pockets in the creeks was becoming increasingly stained as the day progressed. I fished with Mark Lanius and Richard Doland and there are holding our two largest Smallmouth that we caught today. Rapala X Rap and a Rapala DT10 www.rapala.com and a Prowler Soft Shad www.prowlerlures.com accounted for all of our fish. More to come next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-30-2009

I fished Tim's today with Mr. Michael Radford and had a decent day on a Prowler Soft Shad www.prowlerlures.com and a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com  We finally got on a good Smallmouth bite to-ward the end of the day on the Soft Shad. We have several opportunities that we didn't capitalize on on both Hybrids and Smallmouth and we also caught several smaller fish that we didn't take pictures. Michael is from Little Rock and I'll be fishing with him again next Monday. I'll be back out tomorrow and will update you then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-28-2009

I fished Tim's Ford today with Mr. James Storie and Mr. Todd Ballard. Action got started out quickly this morning and then die for us mid morning. Todd had his line broken on one of his fist cast-and I did on a Rapala DT10 www.rapala.com later in the day. The 3 fish above are the largest for the day plus a bonus Walleye which was the 2nd that I have caught in the past two weeks. Normally we catch some good eye's on X Raps www.rapala.com  this time of the year. We did have the opportunities but failed to put them in the boat. I had 1 Smallmouth on today that I know of.  Where the brown fish were today I'm not sure but I will be back on Tim's on Thursday and Friday of this week and will update you then. Hopefully James, Todd and I will hook up again in June. Over all it was a tough day but Todd and James hung in there and we fished all the way back to the ramp. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-24-2009

The warmest day on the water this year provided David Kimery, Lyle Smith and I with fun and challenges all at the same time. We did a lot of moving to catch our fish but the moves were well worth it. With the air temp over night holding in the high 50's we started out with 60 degree water temps this morning and as the day progressed we gained another 4-5 degrees. We caught fish on a variety of baits. Prowler Soft Shad www.prowlerlures.com Rapala DT6, Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com and Luhr Jensen Speed Traps www.luhrjensen.com. We saw largemouth on the bed in a couple coves but all of our Smallmouth were spawned out. With the weather holding the way that it is it won't be long before Tim's is going to bust wide open. I still have scattered open dates for May and June and the bite is just going to get better and better. I'm extending the special rate through the month of June so if you are interested give me a call at 615-765-7303 or e mail me at rickm@dtccom.net . I will be back on Tim's three days next week and will keep you posted on the results. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-23-2009

I fished Tim's today with Mr. Greg Cole who is the manager of the Nashville Bass Pro Shop. Greg and I have been friends for several years and it's always great when we can share a boat together. When we got to the lake it was slick as glass and stayed that way for 90% of the morning. A storm blew in and the wind picked up some, but died immediately after it was over. We had several smaller fish we threw back and all of our fish but 1 was caught on a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com  All Pro APX Rods www.allprorods.com and 8 or 10 lb test line. Water temps early was 58 and warmed above 60 by the time we left.  Greg and I are going to do it again soon. I'll be looking forward to that. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-21-2009

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!! That just about sum's it all up in 1 three letter word. David Honey and I were on fish from day break until noon. All the fish you see above are different fish, no duplicates and not all of what we caught (or lost) on a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com. These fish would absolutely nail the bait the big Rock Fish that David is holding weighed in at 23lbs and listen to this. David caught it on 6lb test line and took 45 minute to an hour to land it. No much more to say except I look forward to fishing with David again soon. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-18-2009

I had a great time today with Collin Williams and his uncle Dan Collins from Birmingham Alabama. Two good folks that love to fish.  Dan got started off quickly with a beautiful 4lb 4oz Smallmouth caught on a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com  And then things got tough (at least for us) quickly. We finally went to a Prowler 4 inch Finesse worm www.prowlerlures.com on a shaky head and caught several Spots. I did have one good Hybrid on and it just pulled off...that's 3 good fish this week that I have lost. I better get out the hook hone. More to come next week the Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford W/O 4-13-2009

This has been a challenging week to say the least. I made a tongue in cheek statement a couple weeks ago to a friend that I wasn't going to fish anymore this year if it was cold. Well I had to eat my words this week. I fished Monday with Kathy Landeau and JD Collier. Tuesday and Wednesday with Larry Rentz and today Thursday with Sassan and T.F. Nur. These are some of the fish we caught. Everyone of these fine folks hung in there under some tough weather conditions and it was much appreciated by me. Everyday except today felt like a winter day.  Luhr Jensen Speed Traps and Spinner Baits did the trick on the fish that we caught www.luhrjensen.com We did have on (and saw) 2 Largemouth about the size of the fish Larry is holding in the lower left hand picture. Both jumped a couple times and away they went. I have 1 more truip this week on Saturday and I will update you then. Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-9-2009

I took a few days off to get caught up on all the things that should have been done weeks ago! As it turned out with all the bad weather the first of the week it was a good choice. I did get out yesterday with good friend Jerry Williams. Jerry and I met in Woodbury and road over to the lake together. On the way I told Jerry I wanted to fish water that I haven't been on this winter/spring. So we decided on putting in at Devil's Step and fishing the color. Water temp's was in the mid 50's when we got to the lake and rose to 60.2 in a couple areas that we fished. We caught and released 8 Smallmouth and 1 Largemouth (Jerry wouldn't  let me take his picture) The wind would blow then die and we caught all of our fish before 10:30am. The Speed Shad www.lurhjensen.com was our most productive bait but we did catch a couple on a jig and spinner bait.  I have 5 guide trips next week so I will keep you posted as the week progresses. Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-1 & 3-2009

I fished Wednesday with Chuck  and Robert Campbell and truthfully struggled all day. Water temps were in the mid to upper 50’s and we did have some color in much of the lake. The only real good fish we had on (bragging size) jumped twice and away she went. Last night we have severe storms-tornados and high winds all through Tennessee, so I didn’t know what to expect as the temps dropped as well.  I fished with Marty Youngblood and the numbers were up but the over all quality was down.  Most of the fish caught today was on a #7 Rapala Shad Rap www.rapala.com All 3 of these men were exceptional to fish with  and hung in there through our constant moving trying to locate some good fish. I will be doing another trip with Robert and Chuck late this spring or early summer and with Marty sometime by the end of the month. Until next week...Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tims Ford 3-31-2009

5 of 12 that Jerry Steakley and I caught on Tim's Ford today on a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com  We had to move allot and it was a tough 12 to put in the boat. I'm suppose to be back on Tim's 2 more times this week so I will keep you up dated. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-25-2009

I fished with Brent and Ken today on Tim's and battled high winds and rains all day. We caught and released 10 Smallmouth-Largemouth and Spot combination and we also lost 2 other fish that was much larger than any we caught. These guys were great to fish with and hopefully we will be able to do it again under better weather conditions. Speed Trap have sure been good to me. Until Next week Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Daniel's Spring Break

Yesterday Daniel and I was on Tim's Ford catching 5lb Smallmouth (see post below) today he wanted to wade the river and we caught 1/2lb Bass and Rock Bass. But I want you to look at something. Scan down and look at his smile from yesterday then look at it from today.....exactly the same! It doesn't matter the size of the fish, it just matters that he and I are doing it together. I'm a blessed man. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-23-2009

What a fantastic 6 hours with my youngest son Daniel who is out on Spring break this week. Big fish was 5lb 15oz which is my 2nd all time Smallmouth on Tim's (6lb 2oz largest) We also had a 5lb 2oz and a 4lb 9oz. We lost 3 other fish which one was very heavy and I'm sure it was another Smallmouth. Once again SPEED TRAP!!!!!!!!!!!! www.lhurjensen.com  I always give Daniel his choice on what we do on break so it appears that we will be wading the river for Rock Bass tomorrow. I have another guide trip on Wednesday on Tim's. I will update you then. Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com

FOR MARCH 2009 AND BACK TIM'S FORD PICTURES CLICK ON TIM'S FORD ARCHIVED REPORTS