Fished NAJ today  from 7am until 12:30 with long time friend Jay Arnold.  What you see above was the best of 14 that we put in the boat-we also had several get off.  Everything we caught was in 5 feet of water or less and most on a square bill——and I think maybe 2 or 3 on soft plastics rigged on Sufix 20lb Yellow Performance Braid and a 12lb Sufix Fluorocarbon leader www.sufix.com.  I was using a VMC  #2 Worm Hook and a VMC 1/8 Tungsten Worm Weight pegged with a VMC Sinker Stop www.vmchooks.com.  Thanks for visiting my site—more to come Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

I love May and June for pan fishing. So I fished Center Hill Monday looking for Shell Crackers and big Blue Gill. I caught and released multiple (What dad called) SNUB NOSED BLUE GILL. At least 20 or more bigger than you hand-BUT only 1 Shell Cracker. I looked for them until it was getting hot around noon (near 90) and decided to head back in. As I was running toward the bridge at Siligo I saw a nice size bust  out in the middle of the Chanel. I had a 1 inch Shad color Jigging Rap tied on a light action rod with Sufix 6lb Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com  so I stopped dropped the Ultrex and there they were 20 feet down in bait. I set the spot lock dropped the Jigging Rap made 2 or 3 snaps and wham one of the Large mouth you see above-2 more drops 2 more hook ups 1 more large mouth and I lost 1 of the biggest Spots that I have had on on Center Hill. Then it was over! It was a matter of the right place at the right time using the right lure. I started fishing a Rapala Jigging Rap www.rapala.com back in the 60’s and 70’s Ice Fishing in northern Indiana and Michigan and caught a ton of fish. BUT I soon learned that the Jigging series lures from Rapala works in open water applications just as well.  Rapala offers a Jigging Rap-Jigging Shad Rap–Jigging Snap Rap–Jigging Flat Rap and a “New Jigging Shadow Rap” Each with their own techniques—-multiple sizes weights and colors. There are also all kinds of videos on the Jigging series on our site at Rapala.com and on line as well.  If your a Walleye fisherman you need to check out some of Al Linders videos on Jigging Rap Walleye. No matter what lake your fishing having a Rapala Jigging Rap on when you leave the dock for deeper suspended fish is a very good idea. Check them out at Rapala.com “NOTE” with gas prices the way they are I will only be making 1 trip a week-but I will post what ever the results. Thanks for visiting my site  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

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