Just a brief update. I started cardiac rehab at St Thomas in Murfreesboro . It’s a 12 week course 3 days per week-and being the early person I am I chose 6:30 am as my start time. My blood pressure has been running exceptionally well and my cardiologist said that my sternum is healing as it should. I finally able to mow my own yard on my tractor-and pick up 10lbs. To quote my doc I can go out on a boat “But no wave busting” and Im not to “resume casting” (Spinning or bait cater) until after Thanksgiving. By that time my chest should be pretty much healed. Just in time for winter smallies! Other than bouts of boredom everything is moving along. Everyone take care-and I appreciate all the calls and messages. Rick
All posts by Rick McFerrin
Health Update 7-13-2024
It’s been 7 weeks since my by pass surgery and everything is going well. I had my first Surgeon appointment this past Monday-they took a chest x ray – which showed that my chest was healing normally and that my lung capacity is much better than prior to the operation. I’m able to drive for the first time in 7 weeks-which is a blessing-some of the weight restrictions was changed from 8lbs total to 10lbs per arm. There was a little adjustment on my blood pressure meds and I am waiting to be enrolled in the Cardiac Rehab program at St Thomas in Murfreesboro as soon as possible. I’m still focused on being back on the water early fall. All in all going great Praise The Lord! I appreciate all the calls-and prayers. Rick
Health Update June 8-2004
A couple times this past winter by the time that I go to the top of the ramp to load out I had a “Tightness” in my chest. When I got to the truck I would take a couple aspirins and the tightness would go away. The same thing happened walking up our stairway from down stairs. I talked to my doctor about what was happening he set me up with a cardiologist from Vanderbilt and sure enough “A Heart issue” On Saturday June 2nd I had a Open Heart 3 By-Pass surgery at Vandy. Back home on Wednesday the 5th and Praising The Lord that I am able to sit here at my desk and write this to you. Don’t guess I am 10 feet talk and bullet proof after all.
When the tightness happened I didn’t have any other “HEART PROBLEM SIGNS” that most of us look for–Take it from me don’t risk it. Lord willing I’ll be back on the water this fall-Time will tell. I’m so appreciative of all the Prayers that have been prayed-the calls that has been made and the concern from so many. Rick
Lake Haetwell May 13-16-2024
I made my annual trip to Hartwell to fish with old friend Tim White. We fished 1/2 day Monday Full days Tuesday and Wednesday and 1/2 day Thursday. We caught and released 76 Spots and 3 Largemouth. The pictures you see will give you a good idea of the over all size that we caught. The biggest spots were 2lb 9ounce and 2lb 2 ounces. We had alot of 1 1/2–1 3/4 size fish. It rain and stormed on Monday and Tuesday–wind blew 15-20 on Wednesday and it was blue bird sky on Thursday. Everyday was different. We both used a variety of Sufix Braid-mono and fluorocarbon www.sufix.com VMC Weedless and Non Weedless Finesse jigs. www.vmchooks.com My best soft plastics was the New Crush City BLT in Ghost Morning Dawn—Albino Pearl and Green Pumpkin Magic www.rapala.com A few was caught on a variety of crankbaits and zero on top water of any kind. Another fun trip with an old friend. Thank you for visiting my site. More to come Lord willing in the days and weeks to come. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com
Rapala Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Promotion
Just want to bring your attention to some great $$$$ savings on all the Rapala items pictured above from May 1 through May 15th. 20% off regular retail price. This is your opportunity to try some of the best new items that have hit the market this year. Crush City-OG Crankbaits-DT series baits The new PXR Mavrik -New Jigging Magnum Rap–Shad Raps-The New Red Line VMC Hooks-Sufix line and more. Check it out,,,Check out your nearest Bass Pro or Cabela’s. You can also research all of these items on the Rapala Web site. Thanks for visiting my site. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com
Center Hill 4-25-2024
Ken and I fished Center Hill yesterday morning from 8 until noon. WE didn’t have a lot of time so we stayed in Holmes Creek and moved around here and there. The 2 above was the best of 6. VMC Weedless Finesse Jig and soft plastics www.vmchooks.com and Sufix Yellow Performance Braid with a Sufix fluorocarbon leader. Hope to have more next week. Thanks for visiting my site Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com
Tim’s Ford (Crush City Ned BLT) 4-15-2024
Fished Tim’s from 7:00 am until 12:15 pm caught 12 with the 5 above being my best. I had 1 on a swim bait and the rest on a NED. www.rapala.com Green Pumpkin Magic and “Pink”. I have used pink floating worms-jerk baits-pink on a spinner bait-pink on several crankbaits and more but I had never thrown a pink ned until today. I can honestly say that the “Bite” was far more aggressive on the pink than other colors. I’m not entirely sure why, but it was. I rigged these on the VMC Weedless Finesse Jig that I always use www.vmchooks.com Sufix 10lb Yellow Braid with a 8lb Sufix Fluorocarbon leader. Hopefully I’ll be on Center Hill this Thursday and will let you know how it went. Thanks for visiting my site. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com
Center Hill 4-12-2024
I got to the ramp this morning at 7:30 and almost couldn’t find a place to park. There is a High School Tournament tomorrow and this appeared to be a practice day—I knew that the creeks would be covered up and I didn’t want to fight the crowd so I concentrated on the larger cuts off the main river channel that could get me out of some of the wind. The wind got up to 30 plus (what did we do before spot lock?) I used several different baits but the the Crush City Pumpkin Magic BLT www.rapala.com rigged on a VMC Weedless Finesse Jig did the job. www.vmchooks.com I was using 10lb Yellow Sufix Braid with a 8lb Sufix fluorocarbon leader . Water temp in the areas where I was at was still in the high 50;s. I had 9 total with the ones above being my best. Thanks for visiting my site Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com
Center Hill (13 Fishing) 3-20-2024
Marshall my grandson (5yrs old) was on spring break last week so we headed to Tim’s to spend a day trolling and getting him some practice casting. As you can see he was proud of the fish he is holding and is ready to go back when things warm up a little more. He is learning and is very good in the boat. And thats not just a Grand Pa story. DT Red Craw on 8lb Sufix Clear Blue Pro Mix www.rapala.com www.sufix.com I fished Center Hill today with good friend Ken Jenkins. The 4 above was the best for the day. Spinner bait was the lure of choice. One here and one there. 52 to 55 degree water, And I was a good net guy!!! Ken as always was great to fish with.
This was the first opportunity to try out a couple of my “NEW 13 FISHING REELS” If you didn’t know Rapala has purchased 13 Fishing. And you can view the entire line at Rapala.com I’m going to give you some info on these- I was very impressed with both the spinning and casting. #1 Modus C2 features high-spin spool bearings, and many features found in our higher-priced models. It has a HD Aluminum Chassis creates a super solid feel under pressure and houses a Japanese Hamai cut aluminum drive gear and 18 lb Multi-Material Drag System. –Integrated Hook Keep–Modus Handle Knob Arrowhead Line Guide System–Ported Aluminum Spoo Dead Stop Anti-Rever–6-Way Centrifugal Braking System–7 Total Bearings. This is a very smooth, well built reel at a reasonable price.
#2 13 Fishing AXUM This is a dual purpose Fresh/Salt water Reel that si silky smooth Ultimate Cut Drive gear with Hyper Brass Pinion. The many saltwater performance upgrades include a Sealed rotor, Ceramic Line roller with 100% corrosion proof CZB bearing, and Black Seal Performance ball bearings. Tested in saltwater around the world, Cast Iron Carbon Frame and Rotor–Patent Pending Coolstop Drag System–Hyper Brass Pinion Gear–Ceramic Line Roller with ZERO Corrosion CZB Bearing–Ultimate Cut CNC Aluminum Drive Gear–Hybrid T-Handle Knob–9 Total Ball Bearing–Dead Stop Anti-Reverse–Advanced CNC Spool Design
Once again take time to go to www.rapala.com Click On 13 Fishing and check out the entire line up. Thanks for visiting my site Rick McFerrin
Normandy 2-21-2024
I had a very enjoyable 5 hours on Normandy today with my oldest son Rick Jr, On the very first stop I connected with a good fish on a Rapala Clown X Rap that got hung up in some brush and got off. Counting that fish we had 7 total bites the ones above being our best. I laid out the baits that we caught fish on today. A Rapala Clown X Rap-a White X Rap and a “NEW” PXR Mavril 110 (white) Snow Storm www.rapala.com A Terminator 3/8 Spinner bait www.terminator.com with a Crush City Sight Flash Freeloaded and last but not least a Crush City Ned BLT Coppertreuse rigged on a VMC 3/16 ounce Finesse Weedless Jog. www.vmchooks.com Ofcourse line of choice always is Sufix hands down. Water temp 47 to 50 while we were there. Good to have by son out with me today. Thanks for visiting my site Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com