What a great week!!!!! No not because of the size or numbers of fish BUT it is my first time on Tim’s for over 3 months because of my total knee replacement. To say I’m excited doesn’t come close to how I feel.  I fished Monday alone and today with long time friend Jay Arnold in his new boat. The 7 above were the best of 12 for the 2 trips.  Could not get a moving bait bite either day everything on Sufix 10lb Yellow Performance Braid and a 8lb Sufix Fluorocarbon leader. www.sufix.com  I rigged soft plastics on a 3/16th ounce VMC Weedless Finesse Jig–www.vmc hooks.com I hope to fish at least twice next week-I’m still taking therapy and will for the next several weeks  AND THAT’S OK!  Thank you for all your patience concerning my site hope to give you new info each week. I also want to thanks Dan at Rapala for hanging in there with me during this down time. Many companies wouldn’t have done that.  More to come next week Lord willing.  GUYS don’t for get Mothers Day. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Recently I was asked if I intended to keep the site going  YES when I get back actively fishing again. I’m close to being able to do that to at least some extent.   I appreciate the interest—–believe me no one wants to get going again more than I do.   Rick

I appreciate the messages asking about my knee. I’m taking therapy 3 days a week and making progress.   Still not sure when I will be back on the water—my goal is by the end of the month-I just will have to see how it go’s. There is a lot of fish being caught every where……………………….Thanks Rick

Sorry I haven’t taken time to update my site. On March 1 I had a total knee replacement.  I developed a blood clot in the lower portion of the same left leg. I have been on blood thinners and the normal pain meds that are associated with the type of surgery. Was unable to do therapy for more than a week and a half-but thank the Lord I get to start back tomorrow.  If you believe in Prayer I would appreciate you remembering me——Hopefully I will be back on the water mid April—most likely in the back of some ones boat WHICH WOULD BE GREAT.     Thanks again   Rick

I don’t have a lot to share but here is what I have. I’m looking at soem pictures from Billy Campbell of 5 that was weighed in at over 15lbs.  All stages of color om Center Hill—fish (mostly Largemouth) being caught on Jerkbaits Jigs and Crankbaits. A few Smallmouth are showing up mostly on Cranbaits. Water temps in the mid 40’s . The fish that are being caught are “Good” fish—not a lot of bites but the quality is very good.  A lot of suspended high in the water column fish.   Woods I’m looking at a photo of 4 “NICE” Smallmouth that was caught last Saturday 12th on Woods. At the bottom of the picture it says Heartland Anglers Division. You might be able to pull up their site for more info. Folks  is  all I have for this week.  If you have any reports that you want to share send them to rickm@dtccom.net and I’ll be happy to post them. I have 12 days until knee replacement -then rehab–hope to be back on the water by mid to late April. Rick

Until I can go again myself I will continue to pass on any information that I get from people that I know I can trust. Yesterday Dale Hollow was 39-40 degrees and in the area where they were at a lot of color. Mix of 5 Largemouht-Smallmouth and Spots all caught in 30 feet of water on a variety of jigs. A lot of fish showing up on Pan Optics close or on the bottom around wood of some sort. Center Hill  mix caught on crankbaits more associated with main river channel than the creeks. Best 5 approx 15lbs water temp up to 45 more or less by 3:00pm when they left.  Not sure of locations on either-but a little info that might help you.  Rick McFerrin

Just a FYI     I am having a complete left knee replacement on March 1-2022 . Obviously I won’t have any new posts from my trips but will post any information that I might get from friends that are fishing.

I should be back on the water sometime late April or maybe before if all go’s well.   Just want to give everyone a FYI   Rick

I’m excited to tell you about the OG Series of baits from Rapala.  For many years as a full time guide I made my living  year around with a Rapala crankbait of some sort.  I can tell you from experience “You Want These In Your Boat” The OG Slim 6 has been available for several months and the “NEW” Tiny 4 is begining   to be available on several web sites. Both are silent/non rattle flat sided balsa  baits. The OG Slim 6 is 2 3/4 inches long and weighs 1/2 ounce and has  #2 VMC Black Nickle 1x Strong Hybrid trebles  . The new Tiny 4 is 2/14 inch long and weighs 5/16th and has 2 #5 VMC 1X Hybrid trebles.  The both come in the same fantastic 19 detailed colors- they both have a nose line tie and circuit board lips that are very thin yet very strong and sensitive.

The OG 6  has a medium wobble and a tight side to side action where the Tiny 4 is designed to be more of a finesse crankbait with a wobble that is similar to a Shad Rap.   In the pictures above you can see the difference in the thickness of the 2 baits and the side by side view  size difference.  Ott Defoe who designed these bait says that he can reach 6 deep on 12lb test on the Sim 6 and using spinning tackle and Sufix Braided Line 4 foot deep on the Tiny.  Another great aspect of the OG Series is that they are year around baits not just cold water.  Buy 1 tie it on and see.

“IF” you like to throw your crankbaits on light line like I do I would suggest the 2 Sufix lines above. These are the 2 that I use  exclusively.  80% or more of all crankbaits that are designed to run 10 feet and less (which is where I concentrate) I use 6lb test. This allow me to gain a little more depth that I can use to my advantage when needed.  Baits that run 10 feet deep or in special circumstances I will use 8lb test  and I use 10lb test very seldom.

Any one that has been on my site over the years know that I am very partial to Sufix Clear Blue Pro Mix. It has high tensile and knot  strength-low stretch and is VERY VERY strong but yet casts great and has low memory.  I like to watch my line when I’m cranking and the clear blue allows me to see even the slightest difference in my retrieve.  The new Sufix Advance mono is a clear  Hyper Copolymer line that has superior abrasion resistance-sensitivity-low stretch and low memory as well. On ultra clear lakes like Dale Hollow or at times Tim’s Ford when we get real clear water I will switch over.

I always use a VMC Snap and never tie directly to the crankbait. By doing this it allows  the crankbait to have a more natural presentation. I took a picture on the 3 snaps that I use- 2 are specifically designed as crankbait snaps The other is a standard #2 Duolock Snap  which I use the majority of the time. Old habits die hard. I found that you don’t want to “Over Power” you crankbaits with a snap that is to big. Stay with the ones above and you should be good to go.

You can view all the product above (better pictures as well) by going to www.rapala.com   Thank for visiting my site-If you have questions just send me a email I will be happy to respond.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

I fished the last day and a half with some old friends  the father and son team of Terry and Logan Siberry from Greenville Ohio. Terry’s  family and I go back 40 years or more. They have always been close to us and I always enjoy them coming down to fish. The ones you see above was the best of 12 yesterday. We had an additional 16 this morning between 7:00 am and 11:30 am but all were very short.  We lost 2 good fish-1 yesterday and 1 today.  Everything on a VMC Finesse Weedless Jig Head www.vmc hooks.com and soft plastics.  Water temp up a couple degrees today. The ramp situation is getting a little touchy——State Park is border line-Tim’s Ford Marina is a NO—-we put in a Holiday today and my trailer dropped off the left side looking down the ramp—–stay as close to the middle as you can. I saw a couple boats in the Turkey Creek parking area that put in there—-just be careful.  Thanks for visiting my site Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Fished Center Hill today with long time friend Terry Hicks. We had 14 total mix of Spots-Largemouth and Smallmouth with the ones above being our best. Caught several on the “New” DT6 Green Gizzrd Shad and a OG 6 Citrus Shad www.rapala.com . 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Clear Blue mono on the crankbaits. The others came on a VMC Weedless Finesse Jig www.vmchooks.com and soft plastics.  10Sufix Yellow Braid and 8lb Sufix Fluorocarbon  leader. www.sufix.com  Water temp 51–52 good color in some of the creeks. More to come next week after Christmas Lord willing.  Thanks for visiting my site and Merry Christmas have a blessed time with your loved ones. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides,com