Good friend Ken Jenkins and I put in at Fate Sanders this morning around 8:00am left at Noon,. We had 6 bites and put 5 in the boat that weighed in at 19lbs 2oz and the big fish was 6lbs 4oz.  4 was caught on a Rapala #5  River Shad Shallow Scatter Rap in 3 feet of water or less and the big fish hit a Rapala  #7 River Shad Shad Rap in about 5 feet of water. www.rapala.com  As always I was using 6 and 8lb test Sufix Mono www.sufix.com. Man this is some great small dis. abrasion resistant strong line.   I use to fish Priest almost exclusively 20 years ago and the Rapala Shad Rap series was always dynamite on this lake and it appears that it still is today.  If you haven’t picked up this River Shad pattern you really need to this is a bait that I believe you can go to year around. Thanks for visiting my site  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Ronnie and I hooked up this morning for 4 hours on Normandy. They are pulling the fire out of the lake and dropped another 3-4 inches while we were there. We caught and released 10 this morning with 5 above being our best.  Rapala DT6Red Craw scored again www.rapala.com Love Those DT’s   Now for the rest of the story. Tuesday (see report) I found some fish in a very small area and caught 18-I told Ronnie where it was and he got 25 there yesterday and we had another 10 there today  (53 total) from an area no longer than 3 good long casts in distance.  Seems the air temp was dropping today as well while we were there-hand warmers came in handy.  HAPPY NEW YEAR from the McFerrin Clan to you and yours. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

9 of 18 that I had on Normandy yesterday. As you can see no big fish although I did loose a (estimated 5 + ) at the boat because I was fiddling with my landing net.  Everything was on the Rapala DT6 Red Craw www.rapala.com and Sufix 6lb Mono www.sufix.com.  No matter what lake you are fishing here in the south this winter the DT6 Red Craw will help you put more fish in the boat.  No doubt in my mind. There are times that the fish seem to want  the DT6 Demon more than the Red Craw-BUT-so far at least for me the Red Craw has been the best. This time I put in at Barton Springs .  The water is up over the concrete walk way, well past summer pool.  Color is great and maintaining the mid 50’s in temp.  Every fish I caught was right up on the bank-none more than 3-4 of water at the deepest.  Be careful running I had one stretch that I had to idle for 200 yards or more because of all the logs and trash. Happy New Year-hope to see you on the water! Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

I fished Center Hill today from 7:00am until 12:45pm and had a so so day. I caught and released 8 Spots with the 6 above being the best plus another Big Crappie, a 10lb Blue Cat and a Huge Drum-All my fish came on either a Rapala DT6 Red Craw or a DT10 Red Craw.www.rapala.com  8lb Sufix Mono www.sufix.com. Water temps still in the low 50’s and plenty of color up lake.  When the Spots hit the DT there was no doubt-and they are fat as butter balls. Thanks for visiting my site and Merry Christmas.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

I rarely fish Center Hill because I focus more on Normandy-Tim’s and Nick A Jack but the trip over there today was well worth it. First of all I should have had my limit in the first 45 minutes easy. But I lost my first 3 then I set a personal best a 4lb 2ounce Spot-man what a beautiful fish. She is back in the lake swimming around as I’m typing.  I should have had either 8 or nine on the Rapala DT6 Red Craw www.rapala.com The first few just kind of held on but as the day progressed they were more serious. The 4 Spots and Crappie was my best. I put in at daylight and left at noon.  It was cold-cold. The air temp was 31 when I put in and 36 when I left with 15mph winds and spitting snow.  Water temp was mid to low 50’s with a lot of color-JUST RIGHT!!!!! For the Red Craw!!! I was throwing the DT today on 6lb Sufix mono www.sufix.com which helps get the bait down to 8 feet or more on a long cast. Shallow winter fish-always the case here in Tennessee. Thanks for visiting my site Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Before I talk about today, I need to cover yesterday first.  Ronnie and I put in after the rain passed through around 9:00am. The wind was 25 to 30 mph easy and blowing straight down the lake. We  ran up river into the colored water and was able to catch 7 or 8 Spots and Largemouth mix but no keepers.  Today of course the front was gone and the 25mph wind turned to zero “Slick as Glass” and mile high skies. and they are pulling the water big time. I think levels had to drop 6 inches or more while I was there today.  I fished alone and was able to manage 8 Largemouth(5 above the best) -No Spots and 1 big black nose crappie all caught on a Rapala Demon DT6 www.rapala.com 8lb Sufix mono www.sufix.com  For those that might not know the difference I posted the picture of the Red Craw (top)  and the Demon to help you out. (you need both believe me) They both will run 8′ or more on 6/8lb test an have a hard wobble and as with all our baits the have super sharp VMC Hooks www.vmchooks.com  I appreciate you visiting my site. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

I had a good day on Normandy yesterday throwing the Rapala Red Craw DT6 www.rapala.com  on Sufix 6lb Mono www.sufix.com.  The fish I caught were scattered not holding to any particular pattern or place-and you had to slow your crank down (which is hard for me) I think I missed the first 3 or 4 hits because I was moving the Red Craw to fast.  The Largemouth and Spots above are 8 of 14 that I put in the boat-all chunky and well fed on the abundant shad that is in the lake.  Water temps in the low 50’s-just fantastic for winter cranking.  Thanks for visiting my site. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Ronnie and I fished a couple days together this week and put a few  Smallmouth and Largemouth in the boat . Nothing to speak of size wise but fun never the less.  Rapala Red Craw DT6 www.rapala.com Craw on a VMC 3/16 Stand Up Shaky Head Jig www.vmchooks.com and Sufix 8lb Test Mono www.sufix.com . Water in good shape and temps coming down. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Best 3 of 8 today on Normandy. All caught on a Rapala Red Craw DT6 www.rapala.com right up on the bank. Water temp is coming down and the ramps are in good shape.  8lb Sufix mono www.sufix.com and a All ProAPX med spinning www.allprorods.com. Hope to have a couple more posts this week before my vacation ends. Thanks for visiting my site .Rick www.tennessbassguides.com