Normandy 2-17/18-2014

Today was my first time out since all the bad weather set in and over all I was pleased. I caught 12 Largemouth with the 4 above being my biggest. All of them came on a #5 Rapala Shad Rap RS  Shad Color.  www.rapala.com Water temp at Barton Springs at day light was 38.5 (41 when I left) so I knew right away I was going to have to find some warmer water, and I did in 3 location. As always I threw these on a7' AllPro APX Med spinning rod www.allprorods.com and 6lb test Sufix Mono.  www.sufix.com  This is SHAD RAP TIME on many of our area lakes, If your not throwing one you maybe missing out on additional fish in the boat. More tomorrow unless something changes. (2-18-14) Today it was much tougher than yesterday, only 3 in the boat 1 nice Largemouth and 2 small spots. Same lures etc. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Just Sitt'n And Think'n

It is January 17, 2014 and here in middle Tennessee it's hovering around 30 degrees and is expected to fall into the teen's as the day progresses. We have some snow flurries happening here and there and more on the way in the next couple days. Sunday and Monday might reach the mid 40's and then the temperature takes a nose dive again.  Lake water temps range from the low 50's (after the last southern rain) to the low 40's and even lower. Winter fishing here in middle Tennessee so far has been....uh....what's the right word?  Let's just use challenging.  It's not only been challenging for yours truly, but for the vast majority of the good winter fishermen that I know as well. This is where "misery loves company " fit's just right.  Fit's just like a tick on a coon dog.  But once the feeling sorry for yourself and lack of fin's in the boat ends you have to regroup, rethink, reenergize, and refocus! That would make a good 4 point sermon at church this Sunday! That's what I'm doing this morning "Just Sitt'n and Think'n. Not about my Sunday sermon,  but rather those elusive green, brown or silver swimming creatures.  I've chased after them every since my dad carried me on his shoulders through weeds taller than I was to get us down to the river bank, and nothing has changed in over 60 years. Well in full disclosure, I'm not hardly as agile in body as I once was, but my fishing spirit is as agile as it ever was. Hey! That might make a good country song.  Enough of the foolishness. 

I think that many of us have understandably put our winter lake game plans together based on prior personal historical results.  In years past that has worked. But this year that doesn't (at least to this point) seem to be working consistently. I'm not saying that there aren't fish being caught and even occasionally some good bags. But from everyone that I have talked to , which are many, that has been more of a exception rather than the NORMAL WINTER rule. If our prior historical approach isn't working but we just keep doing it because it worked in years past, I don't think we are going to get any real substantial change in results.  Do You? That's why I'm Regrouping-Rethinking-Reenergizing and Refocusing  BEFORE MY NEXT TRIP!  I recently talked to a Gooood Smallmouth fisherman that say he is only going to fish by the moon phases and barometer until things straighten out.  I hope that works for him, but not everyone can do that. You fish when you have the opportunity. There is no doubt that the moon, the barometer and weather plays a role in where fish are located and and the lures that we use, but I don't think that's the begin all and end all.  Bait, water color, water temps, lure colors, lure action and many others play a part in this also.  It's at about this point that someone says SO RICK  what's your plan. And here it is I'm still Sitt'n And Think'n I will let you know what I come up with and if it worked after my next trip. I'm one humbled fisherman in Woodbury Tennessee. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

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Real Bait Company

Update Jan 2014

I want to give you some information concerning a new lure that B.J. owner of Real Bait Company started making last year and is a super winter bait that you can use RIGHT NOW!!!.  I know what these look like, no they aren't....BUT.....you won't know the difference except when you go to the cash register to check out because you can buy several of these for what you would pay for 1 of the other brand.  For those of you that are use to catching multiple species on these little bait I won't have to sell you on these. But for those that haven't used them your missing out.....on.....Smallmouth, Largemouth, Spots, Crappie, Hybrids I could go on and on but I think you understand where I'm going. Come by Murfreesboro Out Doors Saturday 3-8-2014 for Randy's annual "Cabin Fever Fix" and check them out (SLOW FALL) and we will talk about how to fish them. Also check out all the other variety  of baits that Real Bait Company produces.  100% U.S.A. made with extreme care, that's just the way B.J. operates.  You can get these at Murfreesboro Outdoors....Poindexters...Rock Creek Mkt...and Lil Joes in McMinnville-HWY 41 Market In Manchester.....Rick McFerrin

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Normandy 12-31-13

I met good friend Ronnie Wooten at the ramp this morning on Normandy at 6:45am with an air temp of 24 degrees and water temp of 45.6 (which didn't change while we were there). On our first stop and my second cast with a Red Craw Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com I caught a short Largemouth then Ronnie caught 2 Spots and lost a good fish. We proceeded to our next stop to see if we could get the black nose to cooperate and we caught 4 out of 1 tree. Thinking back on our first stop, Ronnie had 3 hits and I had one. I noticed that Ronnie was throwing a bait that the finish was more of a dull red. So I changed up to the Demon DT6 www.rapala.com and caught 2 in four or five casts. After that we caught 2 more Spots and 1 Largemouth and that was about all she wrote. We stopped at 11:00am with blue bird sky's and a high pressure system sitting right on top of us. I used a AllPro Atlantis Series 7'6" m/L www.allprorods.com rigged with 6lb Test Sufix Mono www.sufix.com for my Crappie and a 7' med APX for my crankbaits www.allprorods.com  Sometimes even the crankbait  finish (bright or dull) can make a difference just like it did this morning.  If you haven't thrown a Rapala Red Craw or a Rapala Red Demon in the winter you are passing up 2 very productive baits. Tanks Ronnie for a good morning and it was nice to be in the back of the boat for a change. Not sure if I will be out any more this week if not I will give you another up date next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

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Normandy 12-19-2013

6 hours on Normandy resulted in 3 Spots, 2 Largemouth, 1 Smallmouth and a net full of big Slab Crappie. All of my bas came on a Green Craw Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com  6lb Test Sufix www.sufix.com and a All Pro 7' APX Med Spinning www.allprorods.com . All the Crappie was on Tuyy's rigged on a VMC Bait Keeper Hook www.vmchooks.com   fished under a slip float, 6lb Sufix www.sufix.com and a 7 1/2 ft All Pro Atlantis Series APX Rod www.allprorods.com.  The gentleman  top center is good friend Ronnie Wooten holding a 4lb plus Largemouth that he caught today as well. Not only is Ronnie a good fishermen but he repairs reels as well. He lives near the Fire Lake ramp so if you need reels cleaned or repaired he is the man to see. Ronnie telephone number is  931-581-6767. Thank you for visiting my site. More next week Lord willing.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

2 Day Report

Normandy/Tim's Ford

I fished Normandy yesterday and caught 4 and lost 1 on a  Green Craw Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com (1 Largemouth 4 Spots)   Water temps ranged from low 50's to 41 degrees. The further up the river the lower the temp. Water level is good and you won't have any problem with ramps. I threw the DT on Sufix 6lb mono www.sufix.com and on a All Pro 7' APX Med spinning www.allprorods.com  Today on Tim's' I had 4 short Smallmouth 3 Keeper Large Mouth and 4 big Black Nose Crappie all but 1 on Tuffy's rigged on a VMC Bait Keeper Hook www.vmchooks.com  and a AllPro APX  7' 6" Atlantis Series Rod www.allprorods.com .  I want to share something with you that might help you the next time your at Tim's fishing Tuffy's. I always have 3 All Pro rods rigged all with 6lb test Sufix mono. 1 rod is rigged with a VMC hook only, 1 with a VMC hook and a small split shot and 1 rigged with a slip float. Today I started out with the first 2 rods and in the first 2 hours only had 1 bite, I changed to the slip float set at approx 10 feet deep and the rest is history. I have had this happen multiple times on Tim's for various reasons.  Just a little tip that might help you the next time out.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-2-2013

I fished Tim's today with Mr. & Mrs. Parker Crist from California.  This is the 3rd or 4th time that I have fished with Parker the first time that we struggled to stay on fish.  For the day we caught and released 2 Hybrids-1 RockFish-7 Largemouth and 1 Smallmouth. Everything we caught was on the 2 baits above. A Rapala Red Craw DT6 www.rapala.com and a Icicle  Trigger X Minnow www.triggerx.com rigged with a 4/0 VMC Wide Gap Hook www.vmchooks.com We used 6lb & 10lb Test Suffix Mono www.sufix.com and either a 7' Med AllPro APX Spinning or a 7' Med/Hvy AllPro Apx Spinning www.allprorods.com I had good time with these "Newly Wed's"  and wish them the absolute best in the years to come.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's/Nick A Jack Combo

The pictures above are from Tim's last week and Nick A Jack today 11-5-2013.  The Tim's fish were caught on 1 or 2 things either live bait or the Hot Tiger Rapala Shad Rap RS. www.rapala.com  6lb test Sufix mono www.sufix.com and a 7' AllPro APX Med spinning rod www.allprorods.com I have struggled on Tim's over the past several weeks. They are pulling the water heavily (which is a good thing) and I anticipate everything will level out shortly. I decided for a scenery change today so I headed to Nick A Jack and found the Largemouth eager to attack a Trigger X Minnow fished over shallow grass. (2' to 3') Every  fish today (17 total largemouth) was caught on the Icicle  Trigger X Minnow www.triggerx.com and a 4/0 VMC Wide Gap Hook www.vmchooks.com  10lb test Sufix Mono and a 7' AllPro APX M/H Rod www.allprorods.com  Water temps on Tim's the first of this week was 64-65 and Nick A Jack was 63 today.  Unless something happens I will be back on Tim's the end of this week and will update you then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-24-2013

I put in at the State Park Ramp at daylight this morning air temp was 43 and the water temps was 65 degrees with a north west wind. They have also dropped the lake about 1 foot since Tuesday. I brought some tuffy's with me today to see if I could coax a Smallmouth into biting.  At my  first stop I caught 1 immediately then lost 4 in a row (^&%$*&) I couldn't believe it. I was throwing the tuffy's on a Real Bait 1/8 ounce Black/Blue finesse jig. (See article blow dated 9-3-2013)   I eventually finished the day catching 8 with the 3 above being my best. Every fish I caught was barely stuck. They will become more aggressive as the water continues to cool down. I was using 8lb Sufix Mono www.sufix.com  Sufix is very strong for the diameter and the G2 winding helps the line come off the spool as smooth as silk. If you haven't tried Sufix you really need to, it is virtually problem free.  I only needed 1 AllPro Rod www.allprorods.com today and that was a 7' Med/Hvy APX. I know I have said this a thousand times but these rods are very very sensitive and when the bite was as light as it was today it certainly helps.  Thanks for visiting my site. Please stay safe we are just a few degrees away from hypothermia

temps if a person falls in. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-22-2013

I fished Tim's yesterday by myself and had a decent numbers day.  I caught and released 11 Smallmouth, Largemouth and Spots basically all caught on 2 baits.  When I put in at the State Park the air temp was 49 degrees/overcast and the water temp was 65 degrees but warmed up to 68 later in the day. Water color from the State park to Winchester Springs is good. If everything works historically we are within 5 to 8 degrees from where things should really pick up . Hopefully the Corp will start dropping the water level which is still at or close to summer pool. The water needs to come way down for our winter patterns.  I had a good  Icicle Trigger X Minnow bite early www.triggerx.com  rigged with a 4/0 VMC wide gap hook www.vmchooks.com and if I had connected with all of the Smallmouth that lunged at the minnow but didn't attack I would have caught 20 early. This isn't uncommon for this time of the transition period on Tim's. For an example a good friend of mine had a real good day last week on a Original 7" Rapala Floating Minnow www.rapala.com  but today they wouldn't even look at it. If you fish Tim's at all you know that September and October can be frustrating (at least for me) . When the Trigger X Minnow bite went away I used a variety of baits and kept down sizing until I finally found one that they would be interested in and that was a 1 1/2 inch Rapala Shad Rap RS in a Hot Tiger finish. www.rapala.com   These are rattling/suspending crank baits that has a real tight wobble and at least yesterday when they hit it they meant business.  If you have the patience and time you can normally figure something out, you just have to keep a positive mental attitude. What I like about these little baits is you can throw them a mile on light line and they will run down to 10 feet or more. I used Sufix 8lb and 6lb test mono for these presentations www.sufix.com and 2 different All Pro APX Rods. I threw the Trigger X Minnow on a 7 foot All Pro APX m/h and the Shad Rap RS on a ALL Pro APX 7 foot medium. www.allprorods.com If you are a live bait enthusiast I "THINK" that might work right now even though that bite will get better and better  as we progress into Nov-March time period.  Unless something keeps me from going I will be back on Tim's or on Nick A Jack Thursday and will update you then. Thanks for visiting my site and for supporting my sponsors.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Recent Trips

The pictures above represent a few fish from different trips I have taken over the past few week.  The majority of the fish were caught on the NEW Storm Arashi Silent 3 in either the Mossy Chartreuse Craw or the Chartreuse Shad. www.stormlures.com  and a Storm SMS05 Smash Shad in the Cheap Sunglass color. I also caught fish on a 3/8ounce Real Bait Spinner Bait and a Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com.  I used a variety of All Pro APX Rods depending on what I was throwing www.allprorods.com  and as always Sufix Mono is my line of choice www.sufix.com . I hope to get things settled down here in the next couple weeks as the water temps fall and we move further into our fall/early winter patterns. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

9-30-2013

I guess I should start the boat picture. I have had several e-mails and calls wanting to know if I was alright from folks that are on my site. I appreciate everyone of them and yes I'm fine. I was off the water because several weeks ago a man T-BONED me  in Manchester on my way back from Normandy. It totaled the trailer and was a mess to say the least. I had the boat and trailer taken to MFI Metal Fabrication Inc. In Winchester and Van Roach the president of the company and his team did an outstanding job building me a new trailer.  If you have any kind of repair or replacement trailer needs call them at 931-962-0025 ask for Van and he will take care of you.  This morning I met a good friend of mine at the state park ramp on Tim's at daylight and we followed one another from spot to spot. The fish that Ron is holding is a combination for both boats. We didn't have any big fish and I think there was 14 total. I caught all my fish on either a 5 inch Trigger X Perl Minnow www.triggerx.com rigged on a VMC 4/0 wide gap hook www.vmchooks.com or a Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com  8lb Sufix mono www.sufix.com and we both use AllPro APX Casting and Spinning rods. www.allprorods.com Good to be back on the water and I hope to send you some additional reports this week.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-6-2013

Mr. Earl Hull and I put in at the Rock Creek ramp at 6:00am this morning and fished until 1:00pm. We saw water temps from 78 to 82 and stained water all the way from Rock Creek to Dry Creek. We caught and released over 20 Largemouth all about the same size as the ones that you see above. All of these fish were in the 3 to 5 foot depth range. We caught fish on a variety of baits including a Blue Gill Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com a Trigger X Blue Gill Probe Worm www.triggerx.com rigged on a VMC 3/16oz Darter Head Jig www.vmchooks.com  and 2 different colors of the 1/4 ounce Real Bait Finesse Jig that you see posted below.  I was using 2 different All Pro APX Spinning Rods both 7' with one being med and the other med/hvy. www.allprorods.com  Suffix 8lb and 10lb mono as always my line of choice. No big fish but a lot of action and a lot of fun.  Check out all the area tackle store for the products listed above, they work for me over and over and if you try them they will for you as well. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

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real bait company

September 3-2013

This is a update on the new line of finesse jigs being manufactured by BJ Adcock owner of Real Bait Company.   They come in 2 sizes 1/8 ounce and 1/4 ounce and 2 head colors Black or Green Pumpkin. BJ also covered the skirt color range extremely well using using 5 colors. Black...Black/Blue...Green Pumpkin w/Green & Purple Flake...Green Pumpkin w/Amber & Brown and Homer which is a Chartreuse, Orange, Green Pumpkin & Brown.  All of the skirts are Round Silicone (not flat like most others) which creates more of a pulsating effect in the water. The 1/8ounce Finesse Jig has a 32 strand skirt and the 1/4ounce a 42 strand skirt. Both sizes have 3D Eyes and here is a real plus both come with a 3/0 Wide Gap Mustad Hook. 

We all know that there are multiple ways that you can fish a jig, from casting to pitching to dragging to hopping and more. But my favorite is "Swimming it" year around. It's no secret that I'm a "light line" 6lb to 10lb Sufix mono guy. I like light line and light tackle and these jigs fit the bill perfectly.  There are times when the fish are very shallow and spooky  that the 1/8ounce jig with a smaller/lighter trailer makes a world of difference. There are times in water a little deeper that you want a jig that has a slower fall rate. That's another application where the 1/8ounce shines. Then there is times when you still  want a "Finesse Jig" that has a little more of a bulky profile.  This is where the 1/4 ounce with the 42 strand skirts and a bigger bodied trailer comes in.  These are my  jigs of choice and my company of choice, no questions asked.

I know some of you are thinking a jig is a jig is a jig. And in some respects that's true. But what about a high quality jig that is "CHEAPER" than most all others?  BJ packages these in 3 packs and they retail for approx $5.00 to $6.00 depending on the location. Not only do you get quality but a break at the cash register as well. Real Bait Company is 100% American Locally owned and operated.  Check these out at the following stores in your area. Murfreesboro Out Doors, Poindexters, Flippers, Hook 1, Ace Hardware in Smithville, Rock Creek Market at the Rock Creek ramp on Tim's, Hwy 41 Market (formally Woods and Waters) on your way to Normandy  and Prowler in Leitchfield Ky.  Rick McFerrin Tennessee Bass Guides.

Normandy 7-25-2013

I haven't been on Normandy since early April. I only had 4 hours to fish this morning so instead of running down to Nick A Jack iI put in at the Barton Springs ramp at day light.  I decided to concentrate on areas that historically have given up fish and all but 2 spots paid off. In the 4 hrs I caught and released  9 including the four that you see above.  Everything was caught on a Old School Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com 8lb test Sufix Mono www.sufix.com and a AllPro 7' med APX Spinning Rod www.allprorods.com Water level is a little high and  temps ranged from 78 to 83 and there is good color as far up as the 2nd bridge. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 7-23-2013

When I got to the river this morning I knew things was going to be tougher than the last trip because there was very little generation. Things started out slowly but when I finally figured out where they were holding it was fast and furious for a couple hours. All the fish you see above was caught on the "NEW" Chartreuse Storm Arashi Silent Square Bill www.stormlures.com that you see pictured above and the OLD RELIABLE  Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com  When they got off the crank bait they would unload on the top water.  There are some very subtle feature in the river channel bends when the water is down like this that makes a big difference. Boat control and positioning is easier with slower current, but I would take all the current I can get (within reason) down here any day.  I think I caught over 20 easy and as I said all on these 2 baits.  I like throwing these square bills on a All Pro 7'6" Blaster Cranking Rod www.allprorods.com and Sufix 832 Braid www.sufix.com . I used a All Pro 7' m/h APX for the Skitter Walk and 10lb Test Sufix Mono. Big fish by the scale 6lb 2oz . Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack (Above & Below) 7-19-2013

I headed out to Nick A Jack to fish the lake side this morning. I put in right at day light and caught several on the new Storm Silent Arashi Square Bill #5 in the Shad color www.stormlures.com and the same Real Bait Pumpkin 1/4ounce finesse jig that we used on Tim's yesterday. I rigged these jigs with a Trigger X Craw Trailer  www.triggerx.com  and fished them around the rip rap areas at the dam and swimming them just above the grass in 6 to 7 feet of water. I loaded back up at 8:30 and put in on the river side at 8:45am and fished until 11:30am and had a ball throwing the same 2 baits on the wing walls. I'm very impressed with this new Storm Arashi Square bill. It tracks extremely well, and the broad lip deflects the bait away from obstacles. The hooks are positioned in a way that they just don't seem to hand up as easily as some other baits. I throw my square bills on a 7' 6" All Pro APX Blaster Rod www.allprorods.com and Sufix 832 Braided line. This combination is deadly, you can feel "EVERYTHING" that even comes close to the bait! I will be writing a article on these in the next couple weeks when I have had more time to throw them. BUT if you like to throw square bills these will be right down your alley.  I'm also impressed with this finesse jig that Real Bait Company makes.  BJ's shop is just up the road from our church so I have the opportunity to visit there on a regular basis. He is a very meticulous about everything that he makes and compared to other companies offers you a premium product at a great price.  More for your $$$$$ which you will need to put gas in your boat! A great day and I honestly believe that I could have stayed on fish below the dam most of the day...but to hot for me! More next week Lord willing.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 7-18-2013

I met Mr. Earl Hull at the Rock Creek Ramp at 5:45am yesterday and we had a fun 5 hours. We caught and released 15 Largemouth all about the size of the fish that you see above. Water is still a little high and there is great color in the river. Water temp was 85 degrees, and was as slick as glass. We also battled mile high blue bird sky's. But here's the kicker we never caught a fish in MORE THAN 3 feet of water swimming a Real Bait Pumpkin 1/4oz finesse jig with a Trigger X Craw Trailer www.triggerx.com  The key was banks close to the channel that had as much wood as possible. You just had to stay persistant and throw at everything you could see. We both used Sufix 8lb mono www.sufix.com and I was throwing these on a 7' m/h All Pro APX spinning rod www.allprorods.com  If you haven't tried these jigs from Real Bait Company you need to pick some up. BJ uses an oversized 3/0 hook and round silicone skirts that have a pulsating effect in the water, these are very well made just like everything BJ makes and you get a great bang for your buck at the cash register. Check you local tackle store in Kentucky, Alabama, and Tennessee. If you live near Murfreesboro Randy carries a full selection of Real Bait items at Murfreesboro OutDoors along with all the Rapala, Storm,Sufix and Trigger X  www.rapala.com  baits that I use.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 7-16-2013

3 weeks ago I was throwing a trash bag into the back of my truck to go to the land fill and "WHAM" there went my back! Down to my knees I went and I didn't know if I was going to get back in the house. But thankfully no permanent damage just some 65 year old mussels in my lower back that stretched the wrong way. Back to 80%!  Last night Daniel my youngest and I went down to Tim's to fish off a good friends dock and try out my MarCum V385 Underwater Camera and the Rapala Jigging Shad Rap www.rapala.com pictured above.   This info will help anyone that loves to vertical jig (day or night) in just about any open water application. If you frequent my site you know that I'm very partial to the bridge columns and docks on Tim's. Through the years I have caught multiple species from Smallmouth, Largemouth, Walleye, Hybrids, Rockfish, Crappie and White Bass on docks and columns  (this is important) 12 months out of the year. A lot of people think they only produce in warm water situations but that's not correct. Also you can use a variety of lures (top to bottom) but one that produces when things are a little tough and the fish are suspended under you is the Rapala Jigging Shad Rap and Rapala Jigging Rap. There is a definite difference in the action of these 2 baits. The Jigging Shad Rap has a tighter/ quicker circle down action when vertical jigged. And with a sharp rod snap it creates a "Vibrating" motion that many times triggers the strike. Their bodies are shad shaped and come in 2 sizes 3/16ths and 5/16ths 12 colors and some have a "Glow in the dark" finish which we were using last night. The Jigging Rap come in sizes from 1/8th to 3/4 ounces and 17 colors had has a Minnow Profile Body.  We set the MarCum Camera V385 at various depths (up to 70 feet) with and without the light function and you could see the fish schooling and chasing shad 15 to 20 feet deep across the screen. These units work extremely well when the water is clear, and with all the rain that we have had Tim's water is stained at best. They also produce sharper pictures  when it is sunny and the light is penetrating the water.  These are additional tools that can be used in many different ways to help you see and understand what is going on under your boat. Although we didn't catch any "Lunker" size fish we did manage to catch 40 or more White Bass and Small Rock Fish in the 4 hours that we were there. All 3 of us was using either 6 or 8lb test Sufix mono www.sufix.com  and AllPro APX Spinning Rods www.allprorods.com . If you have any questions feel free to contact me at rickm@dtccom.net Thanks for visiting my site and Lord willing I will have more updates this week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

2 Separate Reports

Trying to get caught up from having modem problems here in my home.  I met Rick Ship last week for a short 4 hour trip on Tim's. We caught and released several smaller Smallmouth and Largemouth with the 3 fish pictured being our best. These were caught on a swimming a Trigger X Finesse Worm www.triggerx.com on a 3/16th VMC Shaky Head Jig www.vmchooks.com and 8lb test Sufix Mono www.sufix.com  I was using a 7ft All Pro APX medium spinning rod www.allprorods.com. We left the lake around 10:00am when the temps ramped up. Today I met Ken Jenkins and we fished KY Lake. We had to work for everything we caught (12 Largemouth/no big fish) and all our fish came on either a Rapala DT10 Bleeding Olive Shiner or a DT 10 Parrot www.rapala.com Ken was using a 7ft 3in All Pro Blaster Bait Caster and I was using a 7ft All Pro m/h APX Spinning. We left the lake around 11:30am this morning as well. 2good guys to be in the boat with. More next week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Private Lake In Indiana

My youngest son Daniel and I had the opportunity to fish a premier Blue Gill Lake in Indiana for 3 1/2 days last week and we had a blast.  The top pictures are where we stayed and a view of the lake and dock area at the cottage. This is a trolling motor only lake and we fished from a 10 foot 2 man bass boat with a 27lb thrust hand control trolling motor. We caught well over 300 Blue Gill with the largest weighing in at a hefty 1lb 6ounces. The average size was between 12 ounces and a pound. We also caught at least 100 Largemouth with the largest weighing about 3 pounds with most in the 1 1/2 pound range. We used a couple different tactics for the gills including floating a 1/16th oz VMC Chartreuse Orange Hot Glow Jig www.vmchooks.com under a float and throwing one of the "NEW" Rapala Ultra Light Crank Baits in either a silver and blue or Shad colors. www.rapala.com Both tactics worked well, but these big gills would smash the crank bait. We also caught several Largemouth on this small bait as well as the "New" Scatter Raps pictured above www.rapala.com and a #5 Shallow Shad Rap. We teamed these baits up with 6 and 8lb test Sufix mono www.sufix.com a 7 foot All Pro APX Med/Light spinning rods. www.allprorods.com   I can remember many trips through the past 50 years when a smaller bait out performed larger ones and a bait that had a "Different" retrieve pattern like the Scatter Raps made the difference between scatting your head or netting fish . Go by your local tackle shop and pick some Rapala Ultra Light Cranks and the New Scatter Raps. What a great time with Daniel and there are 100's of these types of lakes scattered all across the country that provide a wonderful change of pace from our larger impoundments. Take a kid fishing you will never regret it and they will always remember. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Woods Reservoir 5-17-2013

I slipped off to Woods this morning to see if I could find some Crappie for the freezer.  I checked out several areas that normally hold them this time of the year but with no luck only 4 o5 White Bass.  I decided to see if I could find some Gill beds and  when I found them I had a blast for over 3 hours catching and releasing 75 plus Gill's, Shell Crackers , Crappie and White Bass all on a 1/16th oz VMC Chartreuse Orange Hot Glow Jig www.vmchooks.com rigged on a very small safety pin type spinner. There are several real benefits to using this little jig that I need to point out. The skirt is made of a Highly Reflective Tinsel that WILL NOT come off the jig head. I caught every on of these fish on the same small jig. Will they hit a soft plastic grub "SURE" but how many will you have to replace catching 75 or more? The hook is manufactured with VMC Premium Carbon Steel that has a great bite and is stout enough to put even much bigger fish in the boat.  I threw this little combo on a AllPro 5'6" APB Ultra Light Rod www.allprorods.com a 4lb Test Sufix Mono www.sufix.com  I know it's hard to determine the size of these but many of the Gills were "hand size" the 5 Crappie were all 10" to 11" and the Shell Cracker ran larger than the Gills.  This is a great time to TAKE A KID FISHING. When they bed like this they are easy to catch and the kids will have a blast (we big kids do too!) Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 5-14-2013

Less water, less current, less fish and over all smaller. That just about sum's up my morning below the Nick A Jack dam today. I think I had 20 or so today (Spots and Small Mouth) all on a Trigger X Shiner Swim Bait www.triggerx.com  rigged on a VMC Swim Bait Head www.vmchooks.com  and a  Blue Gill 5 1/2 inch Trigger X Probe Finesse Worm www.triggerx.com rigged on a Real Bait 1/8 ounce Bullet Jig Head (see at Murfreesboro Outdoors) All pro 7' APX Rod www.allprorods.com and 8lb Test Sufix Mono www.sufix.com  The water level had to be down 6-8 feet verses last week and the lack of current sure made a lot of difference.  But!!!!! I enjoyed the day the Lord gave me and I will update you on my next trip. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 5-9-2013

Daniel was suppose to go with me today but he Turkey hunted instead and he flat missed it!!!!  I put in at daylight below the dam and fish 2 spots all day. I could have taken twice the number of pictures that I took but I think the fish above will give you an idea of what happen today. I caught Smallmouth, Largemouth, Spots, White Bass, Rockfish and 1 big Flat Head Catfish all on a 4 1/2 inch Trigger X Shiner Paddle Tail Minnow www.triggerx.com  rigged on a 3/8 ounce VMC Swim Bait Head www.vmchooks.com  Everything you see was caught on a  Med AllPro APX Spinning Rod www.allprorods.com and 8lb Test Suffix mono www.sufix.com . Wow what a great day! Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-29-2013

I headed to Woods Reservoir  this morning to Crappie fish and when I passed over the Morris Ferry bridge it was chocolate brown and rolling, so I cut through Deckard and put in at the State Park on Tim's instead. With the 5 inches or more rain fall we got this week end the water level is up over the wood walk way at the marina. I struggled around for the first hour or so checking out the trees with a Chartreuse/White Terminator Spinner Bait www.terminator.com  and a floating worm with no results. So I switched tactics and went with a "NEW" soft plastic Trigger X Bait called a "SLOP HOPPER" in the Shiner Color www.triggerx.com  (See picture above) This is a 4 1/2 inch swim bait/jerk bait that has a big paddle tail that creates a vibration that you could feel through the handle of the All Pro APX 7 foot m/h Spinning Rod www.allprorods.com  that I was using today. After I switched to the Slop Hopper I finished the day with 6 Smallmouth, 4 Largemouth, 2 Hybrids and 4 White Bass. I used this bait in 2 ways today One as a swim bait rigged with VMC 1/4oz Swim Bait Head www.vmchooks.com and as a jerk bait rigged with a 3/0 VMC Wide Gap Hook www.vmchooks.com .  When used as a swim bait the fish would smash the Slop Hopper, when they came up for it as a jerk bait they would just inhale and swim off. Either way they liked what they thought the saw.  Not sure about the rest of the week, Daniel graduates from high school in a couple weeks and we have several activities lined up. If I get away I will post the results.   Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's 2 Day Report w/o 4/22/2013

I fished twice this week on Tim's both after a front had moved through leaving blue bird high pressure skies and colder temps.  David Honey (pictured above ) and I threw tuffy's  yesterday and caught a mixed bag of Smallmouth, Largemouth, White Bass, Flat Head and Channel Cat Fish.  I was using a 7' 6" AllPro APX Med/Light spinning rod www.allprorods.com and David a APX 7' APX  Med. I honestly  believe that  the 7'6" M/L is the best rod I have ever used for this application. Because of it's length you get more distance throwing a 2 inch minnow on a VMC Bait Keeper Hook www.vmchooks.com but yet it is ultra sensitive  and the extra length gives you a lot of leverage with these acrobatic Smallmouth. By the way these rods are x-strong as well, and when teamed up with 6lb test Sufix mono www.sufix.com it's unbelievable just how strong. Earlier in the week I caught several Largemouth, Walleye and Small Hybrid's on a VMC 1/4oz Swimbait Head www.vmchooks.com rigged with a Trigger X Shiner Slop Hopper Swim Bait www.triggerx.com or a (NEW SIZE) Bleeding Chartreuse Shad #6 Rapala Shad Rap. Just a quick tip for those that might want to try using tuffy's.  On several prior trips (see posts below) the Smallmouth hit these much better using the the Real Bait 1/16oz jig with a brush guard but today they wanted the minnow running free on the VMC Bait Keeper Hook. DON'T get caught up in not changing up.  I keep 1 rod rigged with the hook only and one with the jig.  I can hear someone right now "That can't make that much difference"! Friend you must not fish Tim's much.  When you are dealing with weather conditions like these these small changes can make a big difference. More next week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

2 Day Tim's Ford Report

This report is for 4-15 & 16-2013. Yesterday I fished with Dave and Brent throwing tuffys on the 1/6th ounce jig made by Real Bait Company. (see picture on the 4-12 report) The 3 above (top row) were our best for the day. We caught several others and lost 6 that were just plain good fish. These guys were great to be out with for the day and both good fishermen. Today I fish with David Honey and we had a decent day as well throwing swim baits on a VMC Boxer Jig head www.vmchooks.com  and 6lb test Sufix Mono www.sufix.com . Yesterday we used the 7'6" All Pro APX M/L Rods that are fantastic for throwing live bait and today 7' All Pro APX Med Rods www.allprorods.com . Good 2 days on the water. Just a side note this is the first time that David and I have been able to get out together since March 21st and it was good to fish with him again. We have become great friends over the years and have caught a lot of fish together, Lord willing there should be a few more. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-12-2013

I met Rick Shipp (pictured above) at the ramp at 6:30am and we fish until noon. The fish above are our best that we put in the boat out of many that we caught and released.  We were throwing Tuffy Minnows on a 1/16th ounce crappie jig with a brush guard and a super needle point made by Real Bait Co. (these are available in multiple stores across Tennessee including Murfreesboro Outdoors) (see pictures top row) Our rods were 7 1/2 Ft All Pro APX Med Light spinning www.allprorods.com  loaded with Sufix 6lb test Pro Mix Mono.  When you combine the sensitivity of the APX with the castability and smoothness of the Sufix Mono it makes for a great set up. I did loose 1 other good fish which was my fault. I will be back on Tim's and Nick A Jack  again next week and will update you on the trips. Thanks for visiting my site. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Real Bait Company

I want to give you some information concerning a new lure that B.J. owner of Real Bait Company has recently begun making.  I know what these look like, no they aren't....BUT.....you won't know the difference except when you go to the cash register to check out because you can buy several of these for what you would pay for 1 of the other brand.  For those of you that are use to catching multiple species on these little bait I won't have to sell you on these. But for those that haven't used them your missing out.....on.....Smallmouth, Largemouth, Spots, Crappie, Hybrids I could go on and on but I think you understand where I'm going. Come by Murfreesboro Out Doors this Saturday 3-16-2013 between 10am and 2pm for Randy's annual "Cabin Fever Fix" and check them out (SLOW FALL) and we will talk about how to fish them. Also check out all the other variety  of baits that Real Bait Company produces.  100% U.S.A. made with extreme care, that's just the way B.J. operates.  You can get these at Murfreesboro Outdoors....Poindexters...Rock Creek Mkt...and Lil Joes in McMinnville.....Rick McFerrin

Tough 2 Weeks For Yours Truly

Daniel has been on break this week but decided to Turkey hunt so I headed out without him. I haven't had much to tell you lately. This has been 2 of the toughest fishing weeks for me that I have had in a while.  The fish above are some of the ones I caught on 3 different lakes. On Normandy I caught fish on the same Rapala Red Craw DT6 www.rapala.com that I have been throwing down there for the past several weeks.  On Tim's yesterday Jerry Steakly and I struggled from the get go and only managed to put the 2 Smallies above in the boat. These fish came on  the "New"  1/4oz VMC Boxer Jig www.vmchooks.com that is designed for artificial and live bait applications. I was using it on a swim bait but you can also use them on Umbrella Rigs as well. These are offered in 5 colors and 4 weights from 1/8oz to 1/2 oz. The hooks on these are 1X strong and believe me they will not bend. Today I was on Nick A Jack throwing  a Real Bait Tennessee Rig (these are great/light weight rigs) with the VMC Boxer Head Jig and Trigger X Paddle Tail Minnow Swim Baits www.triggerx.com in the Chartreuse Pepper Glow and the Herring.  My best 2 fish came on this rig and I also caught 2 others on a Olive Green #10 Rapala X Rap. Line choices ranged from 6 & 8lb Sufix Mono to the 30/8 Sufix Performance Braid www.sufix.com .  Rod choices this week was a 7foot AllPro APX Med Spinning for the Rapala crank baits and Trigger X swim baits and a AllPro APX 7'10in Med Bait Caster www.allprorods.com for the Tennessee Rig. Not sure if I will fish any more this week, but if I do I will give you an update (hopefully at better one)  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-21-2013

How many different ways can you spell cold?  How about CHILLY-FREEZING-ICY-FROZEN-WINTRY-BITTER-ARTIC. David and I put in at 7:30 yesterday morning and it was 26 degrees at the ramp. Cold Yes but "No Wind" at least tolerable. We pull into our first stop and on my 2nd cast a nice 3lb plus Smallmouth in the boat. THEN seemingly out of no where a bitter North West Wind started and it was down hill from there. I have fished on and off all winter and up until yesterday never had ice form in my guides even 1 time,  but today it was that way until we loaded out at 10:30am. The areas where I have been on fish had this 15 mph cooold wind that you couldn't fish into and was to strong to fish with.  Maybe I'm just getting Old? This didn't use to be a problem several years ago.  3 hour results 3 Smallmouth and 1 Spot, with the 2 above being our best. Yes I'm glad that Spring Started this week. If you fished yesterday aren't you? Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-19-2013

My youngest son Daniel was out of school today so we headed to Tim's to check out several places that begin to produce for me this time of the year, and we wasn't disappointed. First of all the only DOUBLE PICTURE is the Rock Fish at the top of the post. This is the largest fish that Daniel has caught on Tim's and it weighed in at 24lbs 14 ounces, needless to say he was beside himself.  WE both were using 8lb Sufix Mono www.sufix.com . This line is fantastic, it is small diameter, comes off the spool straight because of the special winding process Sufix uses, and is very strong. All our fish was caught on a 1/4ounce VMC Smoochin Head Jig www.vmchooks.com and a Trigger X Paddle Tail Minnow www.triggerX.com (see top picture above) Daniel was using a 7' All Pro Med/Hvy Rod and I was using a 7' Med www.allprorods.com . Total for the day was 14 Smallmouth (largest 4lb 14oz) , 2 Largemouth, 2 Spots and 1 Rockfish. Water temp was 50 degrees and color was good....no sign of the big rain we had yesterday.  Daniel is a very good fisherman and will be taking over the guide business over time. I hope to get out at least 1 more time this week, if so I will post the results. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Old Hickory 3-14-2013

Ken Jenkins and I put in at Bull Creek at 9am and fished until 2pm. We caught and released either 8 or 9 Largemouth. We never had any "Good" fish But it was fun being back on Old Hickory for the first time in several years. There is a "BIG" shad kill in both branches of Station Camp Creek with water temps in the 49 to 50 range. We also found warm water in pockets above the Steam Plant.  Rapala Caribbean Shad DT6,   #8 Olive Green Muddler  Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com  and a swim bait rigged on a VMC Smoochin Head Jig www.vmchooks.com did the best for me today. I used 8 & 10lb test Sufix mono www.sufix.com and as always a All Pro 7' med action spinning rod www.allprorods.com  Come by and see us at the Murfreesboro Our Doors Cabin Fever Fix this Saturday from 10am until 2pm.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Normandy 3-12-2013

Ken Jenkins and fished Normandy today from 8am until 2pm we caught and released 9 with the ones above being our best of the bunch. It didn't seem to matter what color you used today since Ken caught his on a Bluegill Rapala DT6 and I stayed with the  Red Craw Rapala DT6 that has been so good over the past several week's.   www.rapala.com  Water clarity and temps vary from Barton Spring and on up the river past the 2nd bridge...44 to 50 degrees, fairly clear to almost muddy. I will be at the Cabin fever Fix event this coming Saturday at Murfreesboro Out Doors between 10am and 2pm come by and I will be happy to help you with all your Rapala, Sufix www.sufix.com , Storm www.stormlures.com , Luhr-Jensen www.luhrjensen.com Trigger X www.triggerx.com and All Pro Rods questions. www.allprorods.com  .  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

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2 Day Report

Normandy/Tim's

3-7-8-2013

What a drastic difference in the weather from yesterday and today. It was COLD yesterday and TOO  beautiful today. In 4 hours I had 6 bites on Normandy yesterday and caught 5 with the 2 above being my best. Today Earl and I put in at 9:30am and fished until 1:30 and had 6 Largemouth and 1 Smallmouth pictured above on Tim's.  Today we never got 5 minutes on either side of the Rock Creek ramp and all fish both days was caught on Rapala DT6's either a Red Craw or Perch. www.rapala.com  As you can see the DT6 Red Craw to the (left) has some battle scars. Yes I have others but man this one works. I'm not sure how many I have caught on this same lure. We both use Sufix mono www.sufix.com and both use All Pro APX Spinning rods www.allprorods.com.  Now for the rest of the story!!! Yesterday I didn't have a bite for the first 2 hours, the first fish I hung and lost was (I'm guessing) 7 to 8 lbs easy. I had her up to the boat twice, I reached down to grab the net, she lunged and away she went.  I hit a little stretch shortly after that that gave up the other 5.  44 degree water on Normandy with good color, 44 to 47 on Tim's with slight color in the river. More Lord willing next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Normandy 2-26-2013

I fished Normandy today from 9:30am until 1:30pm. I caught and released 6 Spots, 3 Largemouth and 1 Black Nose Crappie. Water temp was still 44 degrees with good color and all the fish came out of no more than 6 feet of water. I caught these on 2 different Rapala DT6's, a Red Craw and the new Ike Red Demon www.rapala.com. As always I used 6 and 8lb test Sufix mono www.sufix.com and a 7 foot All Pro APX Spinning Rod. www.allprorods.com.  It was cold, rainy and extra windy. And by the way I never saw another boat while I was there.  I will be at Murfreesboro Out Doors for the Cabin Fever Fix event this month and will be glad to help you with all the Rapala, Storm, Trigger X, Luhr-Jensen and All Pro, and Real Bait products. I look forward to seeing you there. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Normandy Feb 2013

My computer has been down over the past couple weeks and I haven't been able to keep up posting my trips. Since this information is 2 weeks or more old I just posted a few of the pictures that I took of recent trips to Normandy.  Everything you see was caught on either a Rapala DT 6 or DT4 in a Red Craw or the Old School colors www.rapala.com  8lb test Sufix mono www.sufix.com and a All Pro 7 foot Med APX Spinning Rod www.allprorods.com Back in business now so I should be able to update my trips each time out.  If your in the Murfreesboro Tn area check out Murfreesboro Out Doors. Randy carries a complete line of all Rapala, Storm, Luhr Jensen, Sufix, VMC and Trigger and APX Rods. He has a great staff that will be welling to help you with all of your fishing needs. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Normandy 2-8-2013

I had to go to Barton Springs this morning but be back to the house by 10:30am. So I towed the boat over there got my business done quickly and fished Normandy from 7:15am until 9:30am. Air temp was 48 degrees went I got there and 44 degrees when I left. I caught all of the fish you see above on a Red Craw Rapala DT4 www.rapala.com. I took a picture of my Hummingbird to show you the depth and water temps that these fish came out of. I never caught a fish that wasn't right on the bank and all came out of 44 degree water.  The DT series baits have so many great qualities but one that should help someone that is just getting started throwing a crankbait is the depth designation of these baits. Pictured above starting at the top is a DT16 a DT10 a DT6 and the bait I caught the fish on today a DT4. The DT4 will run 4 feet deep on 10lb test line and a long cast, DT6  will run 6 feet deep etc. This allows you to select the right bait for the depth that the fish are holding in.

I use either Sufix  www.sufix.com 6lb or 8lb mono 90% of the time when I'm fishing Normandy so with the lighter line these baits will run deeper than their designated depth. If your going to fish Normandy this winter let me give you a quick tip. #1 Look for stained water #2 think shallow 90% of the time #3 put your boat right on the bank and fish parallel # 4 use a med action spinning rod like a 7 foot AllPro APX Rod  www.allprorods.com and DON'T FORGET you Landing Net. You will need it. More to come next week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com Note: The baits above appear to have some orange on them-BUT-that was created by the flash of the camera-These are Rapala DT Red Craw. Rick

Normandy 2-5-2013

Jerry Steakley and I put in at the Barton Springs ramp at 7:30am and fished until 3:00pm. Water temp's ranged from a low of 44 degrees to a high of 47 degrees and had good color from Barton Springs all the way to Crampton Creek, then it began to clear up. The 3 baits pictured above was the best for me.  Rapala DT6 Red Craw, Rapala DT6 Blue Back Herring www.rapala.com and a Luhr-Jensen Root Beer Chartreuse Speed Trap www.luhrjensen.com . 8lb test Sufix mono on a 7' med All pro APX Spinning Rod.  www.allprorods.com  Totals for the day 1 Smallmouth, 2 Largemouth, 9 Spots and I had my line broke one time. Cold water cranking---hard to beat. Murfreesboro Outdoors carries everything that I used today-Check them out.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 1-11-2013

I met Mr. Earl Hull at Holiday Marina on Tim's this morning at 7:00am. This was one of the warmest winter days that I can remember in a long time. It was right at 60 degrees when we met and 71 when I left the lake. Water temps have come up a couple degrees and all the ramps that I have been using are in good shape. The 4 Smallmouth above was our best for the day and each was caught on a 5 to 6  inch creek minnow.  We both use Sufix 6lb Mono www.sufix.com  I know I'm a broken record on some of this, but if I didn't believe it 150% I wouldn't write it. Sufix provides some of the longest, smoothest casts that I have ever experienced on a spinning reel. Plus the 6lb test is only .010 in DIA but yet is extremely tough. Then when you add in the G2 winding that virtually eliminates memory, you are good to go.  Today I switched to a #7105 VMC Wide Gap Hook because of the size of the minnows www.vmchooks.com. These hook are made with Vanadium Steel and have a needle sharp point .  We both used the Med action AllPro 7'6" Apx Rods that worked perfectly as always. 3 different lakes this week (see reports below) 3 good days. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Normandy 1-10-2013

I spent 4 hour on Normandy today and it almost felt like spring as warm as it was. Big fish for the day was a 6lb 6oz Largemouth.  Everything came on a DT6 Red Craw www.rapala.com and a Trigger X Herring Paddle Tail Minnow www.triggerx.com  on a 1/4oz VMC Smoochin Swim Bait Head. www.vmchook.com all on 6lb test Sufix Mono www.sufix.com  and a 7' AllPro APX  spinning rod. www.allprorods.com . Water temp was 45-46 and the air temp got up to the low 60's. I will be on Tim's tomorrow morning and will up date you then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebasguides.com

Center Hill 1-8-2013

I met Ken Jenkins at daylight at the ramp and 15 minutes later we were on fish. Ken is very very good with his electronics which paid off big time. We caught and released 8 that you see above plus 7 others that released themselves. One of which was the biggest Spot that I have ever had on. We caught everything on creek minnows, (see top center picture) 6lb test Sufix mono www.sufix.com  VMC Hooks www.vmchooks.com  and All Pro 7 foot Medium action APX rods. www.allprorods.com. The bite was light today, many times when you lifted the minnow up it just felt as if you were hung then you would feel the slightest tick. That is where the 6lb test Sufix Mono and the sensitivity of the APX Rods shine.  Good day with a good friend. More the end of the week from Tim's. Be sure to check with Randy at Murfreesboro Outdoors for all your winter fishing needs. He carries everything I use.  Rick McFerrin www.tennessbassguides.com

Center Hill 12-13-2012

Ken Jenkins (pictured bottom row) and I put in at 6:45 this morning and had 4 great hours on Center Hill.  Ken told me he had a "Hot Spot" and boy was he right! Ken caught a couple on a Tube but the pay off came on creek minnows. We estimate that our  best 5 would be in the 16-17lb range. We weighed the largest Smallmouth 4lbs even and the largest Spot 3lbs 2 oz. We used VMC #4 Bait Keeper hooks www.vmchooks.com  6lb test Sufix mono www.sufix.com on All Pro APX 7' Med spinning rods www.allprorods.com . This was my first opportunity to get back out  since a young man that lived with us for several months was killed last week in a car wreck. It felt good to spend a day with a good friend. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebasguides.com

Below Nick A Jack Dam 11-29-12

Jerry Steakley (pictured) and I fished below Nick A Jack today and had a good morning throwing a Tennessee Rig and other assorted baits. We caught and released 25 or more White Bass about the size of these that you see above and one good Largemouth and never left sight of the truck. Water temp was 52 degrees and fairly clear. I was throwing a Real Bait Rig with willow leaf blades, VMC Smoochin Minnow Heads www.vmchooks.com  and a variety of swim baits including  4.5 inch Trigger X Paddle Tail Minnows www.triggerx.com . I was using 30/8 Sufix Performance Braid www.sufix.com on a All Pro 8 foot Heavy APX Bait Casting Rod. www.allprorods.com  When you combine the additional vibration and flash of the Real Bait Willow Rig with the sensitivity of the Sufix Braid and the AllPro APX Rod you can almost feel the fish swim by!!!!! Seriously the feel in incredible. Randy at Murfreesboro Out Doors carries everything that I listed above and will be more than happy to help you put together a dynamite winter combination that you can use just about everywhere you fish. Thanks for visiting my site, more to come next week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

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Real Bait Company

For those of you that have known me over all these years, know that I never have endorsed any fishing products unless they work for me and are of the high quality. I have boxes at the house of "stuff" that people have sent me to use that as far as I'm concerned just don't measure up and I just won't talk about them.  But I am proud to tell you about a "LOCAL COMPANY"(100% American by the way)  that makes some of the highest quality baits available in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Louisiana. Real Bait company is owned by Billy Adcock who is "VERY PICKY" about everything that he makes which is a big plus for the consumer. Billy has 20 years experience making baits and does this as a full time occupation which makes a big difference. I will be highlighting various Real Bait products over the next several months and I'll start with those above. Take a look at the RIG HOOK in the top left picture. What makes these out standing is they come  with your choice of 2 oversized  hooks. Either a 5/0 or a 6/0 but yet in 1/8th and 1/4 ounce sizes. This gives you the opportunity to use a lighter head but with a much larger hook than normal. They come in White, Black, Watermelon, Chartreuse, White Pearl and Silver. Below the Rig Hook is a great winter bait. These "Blade Baits" come in 5 different sizes from 1/4 ounce to 3/4 ounce in 9 different colors. These baits comes standard with VMC treble Hooks www.vmchooks.com  and o-rings. These baits can be vertical jigged, yo-yoed, straight retrieved or if your on smooth pea gravel dug across the bottom. The right hand picture highlights 2 different rigs. On the left is a  Alabama Rig which has 5 wires (Tn rig available in 3 wires) and is made with .040 stainless steel wire, snaps, o rings all made in the USA and a 1/2 ounce minnow head. The right rig is a 3 wire Crappie rig made with .035 stainless steel wire and a 1/4ounce head. This is the rig that I personally prefer to throw for bass. I caught the 10lb 12 ounce Largemouth in the picture on the left with this exact rig (without the blade) I like it because I can control the descent rate of the rig with heavier or lighter jig heads. This rig is also made in a 5 wire design. Go to the Archive tab on my site scan back to the reports from last January to see how these 3 wire rigs performed.  In middle Tennessee you can find a great selection of Real Bait products at Murfreesboro Out Doors, Flippers, Poindexters and Grandpas. If you have any question just e-mail me at rickm@dtccom.net Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-21-2012

The smiles say's it all doesn't it. I had a very good day with Earl and Matt Hull today on Tim's even though we had to work for every bite we got. Earl is holding his biggest fish of the day a beautiful 4lb 13oz Smallmouth. We caught several Smallmouth about the size of the two that Matt is holding in the pictures above plus a Big Crappie and a Channel Cat all on Tuffy's.  VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com  6lb Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com and All Pro Float n Fly Rods www.allprorods.com . Matt and Earl also lost a couple big fish as well. Tough but enjoyable day with 2 great guys. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebasguides.com . Hope to get 1 more day in this week with my youngest Daniel, if we do I'll post our results.

Tim's Ford 11-17-2012

Doug Markham and I met at the lake at 7:00am to do nothing but throw tuffy's , relax and just fish for what ever would bite. We caught and released a variety of fish including Smallmouth, Largemouth, Spots, Crappie, Channel Cats and Blue Gill.  We caught several Smallmouth in the 14" to 17" range but never had a "Big" Smallmouth today like I have been having on recent  trips. 90% of our fish was caught using a bobber (see bottom right picture) set at 4' deep or more. I also fished the Tuffy's with  weight to get them down deeper but had very little results using that technique today, because most of our  fish was suspended down 8' to 15' deep. If you haven't actually seen a "Black Nose Crappie" take a look at the top picture. There is a black stripe that runs straight down their body. Many of these black nose we caught today was in the 1 1/2lb to 2lb range and a absolute blast to catch. For you parents  I don't think there is a easier way for you to take your son or daughter over the holiday breaks to catch a variety of fish and good fish on Tim's than using Tuffy's. Doug and I both was using 6lb Test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com  VMC #4 hooks www.vmchooks.com  and All Pro 7' Medium or medium light Apx Rods www.allprorods.com . If you live in the Murfreesboro area Randy at Murfreesboro Out Doors will be happy to help you get what you need, answer any questions and give you fishing information on our area lakes. More next week Lord willing. I think I will make a Nick A Jack Trip and throw the Tennessee Rig next week and will be back on Tim's as well. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com  Oh I for got-You can go to Doug's Face Book page and watch a video of our trip as well.

4 Hours On Normandy 11-13-2012

I fished from 7:00am until 11:00am on Normandy this morning with mixed results. I caught and released 4 Spots and 2 Largemouth all on a Crawfish Rapala DT 6 shown in the picture above.  www.rapala.com  No big fish today-water temp 54 degrees and the lake level is falling.  Sufix Pro Mix 6lb test mono www.sufix.com and a 7' AllPro APX Spinning Rod.  I will be on Tim's again Thursday with Doug Markham and will post our results at the end of the day. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's FORD 11-08-2012

Terry Hicks (pictured) and I tried it again today and had a blast throwing Tuffys on 6lb Test Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com  VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com  and AllPro APX Rods. Murfreesboro Out  Doors carries a compete line of everything that I use on Tim's. And if by chance it's not in stock randy will order it for you.  Terry and I caught 30 or more Smallmouth, 2 Spots, 2 Black Nose, 1 Walleye and several White Bass today. The largest Smallmouth today was 4lb 12 ounce with the next right at 4lbs. The corp is pulling the lake and it appears that winter draw down is well under way. More to come next week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-6-2012

Terry Hicks (top picture) and I got to the lake about 9:15am this morning and was greeted with a great overcast sky gentle winds out of the south east. Everything was moving along well until the rain started and I asked Terry where his rain suit was and yes you guessed it----back home in another boat. The temps began to drop and Terry held out much longer than I would have. I dropped him off at the ramp and fished on by myself. Total for the day was 20 plus Smallmouth with the majority being short, 2 Spots1 Black Nose and 1 channel cat.  The 4 Smallmouth above was the best of the bunch and I did have another one about the same size come off right at the boat. Big fish was 5plus. My tackle will run just about the same trip for trip in the winter.  VMC Bait holder hook www.vmchook.com these hooks have a barbed shank and a very sharp needle point. Terry and I both use 6lb Sufix Mono www.sufix.com and All Pro APX Rods. If you haven't tried Sufix mono you need to pick some up you won't be sorry.  Terry was using a AllPro APX 7' medium and I was using a 7' medium light. You can check them out at www.allprorods.com or stop in at Murfreesboro Outdoors and put one in your hands. Randy carries a good selection and is able to order any All Pro Rod for you. More later this week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-1-2012

I just got back from a weeks vacation visiting my son and grand-daughter in Indiana. David Honey (pictured) and I decided to give Tim's a try today. We caught 15 Smallmouth and 1 Spot. The top 3 fish and the fish in the left bottom corner was our best the rest ran just about the size that you see in the other two pictures. We were on a great minnow bite until the wind just got to much for that type of presentation in the areas where our fish was holding. Water temps right at 56-57 degrees and the water level is still at summer pool. I'm very picky about my winter minnow tackle so I only use  VMC Bait holder hook www.vmchook.com these hooks have a barbed shank and a very sharp needle point. David and I both use 6lb Sufix Mono www.sufix.com and All Pro APX Rods. If you haven't tried Sufix mono you are missing a fantastic line that that is durable, small diameter and comes off your spinning reel like silk. David was using a AllPro APX 7' medium and I was using a 7' medium light. These rods are ultra sensitive when the bite is light and and extremely powerful. You can check them out at www.allprorods.com or if you happen to be in the Murfreesboro area stop in and put one in your hands. Randy carries a good selection and is able to order any All Pro Rod for you. Murfreesboro Outdoors is located on  Broad St. in Murfreesboro. More next week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-22-2012

I met JR. at the Devils Step ramp just before daylight this morning. We had 4 hits on a Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com in the first 90 minutes then only 2 more hits the rest of the day. It had been very slow on Tim's and it seems like every where else in the state with the exception of KY Lake.  The top 2 fish was on the Skitter Walk and the Smallmouth was on a DT6. We both lost a couple good fish one on  top and JR. lost a Smallie on a #7 Shad Rap. I fished Normandy this morning for 5 hours and had 2 Spots and one other blow up on the Skitter Walk....Just tough (at least for me) not much more to say. Sufix 6 and Sufix 10lb test mono today www.sufix.com Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides..com 

Lake Normandy 10-09-2012

I met  long time friend Doug Markham (pictured) at Normandy this morning at 9:00am to strictly fish for Crappie. We  didn't have many, nor did anyone else we talked to. But the ones we had were good ones. Best lure today for me was a 1/16th ounce VMC Dominator Smoochin Minnow Head www.vmchooks.com  and a black and green tube body.  I used 6lb test Sufix Mono www.sufix.com on a med/light crappie rod. All our fish came out of 20 feet of water and around some type of wood. Water temp was 67 to 69 degrees with good color. I think I will give it another shot on Thursday if everything works out and will give you a report then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's  Ford 10-04-2012

Ken Jenkins (pictured) and I put in at day light at the State Park  ramp and could have put the boat back on the trailer by 8:00am and not have missed anything. We have a good 45 minutes early and then it died with a capital "D". No wind, blue bird skies and 78 degree air temps. In that 45 minutes we caught and released he 2 above and several smaller fish not pictured and we both lost 2 big brown fish that we have put a smile on any fisherman's face. Trigger X Minnow www.triggerx.com type bait and a small swim bait did what damage we did. Sufix mono as always. www.sufix.com I had a trip tomorrow but since it is suppose to be a repeat weather wise of today we pushed it off for a few days to let the colder weather settle in which should help. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-1-2012

I fished Tim's today by myself and had a decedent day after I figured out what they wanted. I have been on a good top water bite with the Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com  but today was a different situation. It was pouring rain when I put in at day light and 59 degrees, water temp' was 72 and didn't change while I was there. After working several  areas that has been producing on top with no results I back tracked with Perl 4inch Trigger X Minnow www.triggerx.com rigged weightless with a 3/0 VMC Wide Gap Hook www.vmchooks.com  and a 3 1/2 inch Shiner Trigger X Paddle Tail minnow www.triggerx.com rigged with a 1/8ounce Real Bait long shank Jig head. This jig has an oversized 6/0 hook and works fantastic when you want to use a lighter head but still have a decent size hook. You can get these at Murfreesboro OutDoors as well as the Trigger X. I caught and released 17 Smallmouth/Largemouth on these 2 baits but you had to be very methodical and watch your line closely because many of the hits happened when the bait was falling and all you saw was a slight "tick". As the day when on the bite was a little more aggressive but still not up to the past week or so. I was using 6lb and 10lb test Sufix Mono www.sufix.com today and as always as far as I'm concerned is hard to beat. More Lord willing latter this week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-27-2012

What a fun 5 hours that Rick Ship (pictured) and I spent on Tim's this morning. The 4 above was our best of several Smallmouth and Largemouth that we caught and released this morning on the Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com  and Sufix 10lb mono www.sufix.com This was one of those if we only put in the boat what we had on or if we stuck what we missed the numbers would have been significant. Rick and I both lost a couple bigger fish that pulled off as well. This was the first time I have fished with Rick and we are planning 4 additional trips over the course of the winter. Just a fun time from start to finish. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 2 Day Report

This report is for September 19th and 25th. The top 3 pictures were from the 19th which was the day that the cold front settled in. The bite was few and far between and the ones that I caught was early and I could have gone home by 8:30am and not have missed much. This morning I caught and released 14 Smallmouth and Largemouth combination with the 5 in the 2nd and 3rd row being the best of the bunch.  Water temp is down to 73 degrees and I am still looking for a crankbait bite which hasn't developed at least for me. The Rapala Skitter Walk is still producing www.raapal.com along with the Trigger X Flutter Worm www.triggerx.com rigged weightless with a 2/0 VMC Wide Gap Hook www.vmchooks.com . I can see signs of improvement in the positioning of these fish, we are headed into a fall pattern-we are not there yet but when it happens it will be light turn a light switch on. I'm looking forward to this fall and winter on Tim's it should be a good one. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebssguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-11-2012

I had a great 3 hours on Tim's this morning. I caught and released 12 total mix of Hybrid-Smallmouth and Largemouth with the 3 Smallmouth and 2 Hybrids above being the largest. 6 of those not pictured was about the size of the Largemouth bottom left. Every fish I caught today was on the SW08 Rapala Blue Mullet Skitter Walk www.rapala.com . The Skitter Walk that I have been catching so many fish is battered and bruised but still producing just like it came out of the box. The paint and chrome on these baits is very durable and the #3 VMC hooks www.vmchooks.com  are razor sharp. This is one of the easiest baits to "Walk The Dog" that you can buy and because of the perfectly weighted tail it cast long and straight which comes in handy on a clear lake like Tim's Ford.  I used Sufix 10lb Mono  today www.sufix.com The knot strength that this line has is superior, it handles easy and gives you long casts. Because of the exclusive G2 winding process it virtually eliminates line memory. Sufix mono comes in 4lb to 30lb test to meet every application. When your at your local tackle store pick up a spool of Sufix and a couple Skitter Walks-you will be pleased with your choice. If you have any questions contact me at rickm@dtccom.net Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-9-2012

Saturday Afternoon

I had a men's fellowship breakfast at our church yesterday morning and couldn't meet David Honey (Pictured) at Tim's until noon. All morning long the rain and wind was pushing in the cold front that we are experiencing now. When I got to the lake it was 69 degrees by my truck temp gauge, the wind was 15 mph plus and great overcast skies and rain. We ran immediately to one of my best spots that has been producing over the past several week and "Bam" 4 hits and 1 Smallmouth on the Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com  and David caught one on a Trigger X 5inch Shad Flutter Worn www.triggerx.com  over the next 5 hours we caught several small Smallmouth (not pictured) and had multiple hits but they just wouldn't attack the bait, it was almost as if they had their mouths closed when they hit. During all of this the cold front was getting a firm grip, the winds died and the old cold front skies began to appear. We threw multiple other baits and covered all the water column with not results. Recently I have been able to pick up several on the Luhr - Jensen Krocodile Spoon  www.luhrjensen.com  but  that didn't work either. FYI---For those of you that are out of state, we have been having  daytime 80's and 90's for highs and high in the 60's and 70's at night. Yesterday the high was in the 60's and the low this morning here at my house is 55 degrees and the sky is a very bright blue.  Hint of fall is in the air-and that means things will get better and better. I will keep you posted on my trips and as always on what I'm using. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-31-2012

Mr. Earl Hull and I put in right at daylight and fished until noon today on Tim's and had a blast throwing top water. We caught and released 20 plus mix of Smallmouth-Largemouth and Spots-we never had a real big fish but we had some good ones and lots of them. Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com pictured above was the best for me by far-this bait had produced somewhere between 50-70 total over the past several trips not counting others caught on the Luhr-Jensen Spoon www.luhrjensen.com The action of the Skitter Walk even in heavier waves can produce some violent strikes. We both use the Sufix Pro Mix Mono of varying weights www.sufix.com  Once again if you haven't thrown the Skitter Walk or Use the Po Mix you need to pick them up the  first opportunity that you get-you will be please with the results. Oh yes we caught fish in 5 of the 6 spots we fished today ...Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-28-2012

Another great 5 hours on Tim's this morning throwing the Rapala Skitter Walk (see above) www.rapala.com and the Luhr-Jensen Krocoodlie Spoon (see above) www.luhrjensen.com  11 of 25 that I caught this morning between day light and 11:00am. I also spooned up 10 or 15 White Bass and lost 3 more on the Skitter Walk that just didn't have stuck good.  Water temp was 82 degrees and moderately clear. I fished 7 places and caught fish on 6 of the 7.....If you don't have a Skitter Walk in your tackle box you need to get a couple, they are dynamite and will be from now until the water gets cold. Just a tip....when your fishing a area and the top water bite dies off watch your electronic and scan the same area....many time these fish have just backed off and are suspending out in 30-50 feet of water-drop the Krocoodle Spoon watch it fall on your screen until you reach the fish then jig it and hang on, it will put several more fish in the boat for you.....Sufix  10lb on the Skitter Walk and 8lb on the Spoon....More to come this week unless the weather gets to bad coming up from the gulf....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com 

Tim's Ford 8-23-2012

Fished Tim's today with long time friend Terry Hicks (pictured) . We put in right at daylight and loaded out at noon. The 9 above was our best although we lost several good fish that we just couldn't keep stuck, one was a very big brown fish. If you haven't thrown the Rapala Skitter Walk you are missing 1 good top water bait that will produce for you on multiple species. www.rapala.com We also caught several Whites and the Hybrid above on a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon... www.luhrjensen.com   Sufix 10lb Pro Mix as always Pro Mix is my line of choice www.sufix.com More Next week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-20-2012

I spent 4 hours on Tim's this morning and the 6 above was my best out of 14 total mix of Smallmouth-Largemouth and Spots. Big fish was 5lbs 5oz. I also caught 20 or more White Bass vertical jigging a 3/16th Live Image Chrome Holo Krocodile Spoon. www.luhrjensen.com I hung 2 big fish on the spoon that pulled off that I never saw. All the bass came on a Shad Translucent Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com Sufix 10lb test mono on both baits www.sufix.com Water temp was 82 degrees.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 8-4-2012

Yesterday morning around 10:30am I get a call from my ol' Buddy David Honey and he said man this overcast is suppose to last all day we should have gone to Nick A Jack. Jokingly I said "well let's go" and the next thing I knew we both threw a bunch of tackle together I met David in Manchester and 12:45  we had his boat in the water. On the very first grass area we fished we caught 3  and missed a couple more on a floating worm AND THEN" I looked to the south and here came a huge black cloud, high winds and a wall of rain, thunder and lightening. We scrambled back to the ramp tied up on a pier and headed for cover. The thunder would shake the ground, lightening bolts straight up and down and rain so hard you couldn't see very far. We set it out for more than an hour before it was safe to go back out.  By now it was somewhere around 3:00pm and the fish that we found just a couple hours before had shut down. No movement, no visible bait pods nothing. We moved a couple times and then we got back on fish. The 4 above was the best of 20 or more Largemouth that we caught up to 7:00pm. No monsters but a lot of fun. Floating worm, Sufix 20/6 832 Braid and patience did the trick for us yesterday. One thought about the 832 Braid. 832 is constructed with 8 fibers, 7 Dyneema plus 1 "Gore" Performance fiber and 32 weaves per inch. The Dyneema fiber provides the high strength and sensitivity, water repellence and small diameter while the Gore fiber provides smooth cast ability. And when these fish get burried up in the grass you just simply have to have enough mussel to get them free. If you haven't tried Sufix 832 you need to check it out you won't be disappointed. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Back On The Web

My web page has been down for several weeks but the problem was resolved today and I will be giving you updates again as I have them. Thank you for your e-mails and phone calls asking about the site....Looks like we are good to go again!!!!!!!

Nick A Jack 7-19-2012

I ran down to Nick A jack by myself this morning and fished for 4 1/2 hours. The 4 above was the best of 7 Largemouth I also had a 10lb plus Flat Head Catfish. I caught fish on a Rapala DT Fat Square Bill www.rapala.com and a 5" Perl Trigger X Minnow....to hot to quickly for me. About 6 years or more ago I had a heat stroke on Old Hickory and it changed my tolerance to heat completely. That's one of the reasons that there aren't as many posts here on my site in the summer-Be sure to drink a lot of water and eat a snack or 2 along the way. Be safe fall and winter fishing will be here before you know it. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Normandy 6-12-2012

You can tell by the pictures that I was by myself on Normandy this morning, and what a big fish morning it was. I had 7 total bites and the 4 above was my best. Big fish was 6lb 9oz and all were caught on a #3 Pearl Grey DT Fat www.rapala.com and Sufix 832 6/20 Braid www.sufix.com . I like throwing bigger baits on the 832 and a 7' 8'' cranking rod. The combination gives me a lot of control and accuracy with bigger/heavier baits and the extra length at the boat help greatly with bigger fish. Sufix 832 is extremely sensitive, you can feel every wobble of the bait and the slightest strike, which today however wasn't slight at all. The DT Fat has a square lip that helps deflect off of stumps, rocks and other hiding places and a wide wobble. They come standard with VMC Sure Set Hooks which are razor sharp. More to come Lord willing!   Thanks for checking out the site....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 6-7-2012

David Honey and I got back on the lake today for the first time March 14th and had our normal good time sharing the boat together, We started out quickly and as the day got brighter things slowed down. We caught multiple fish today with the pictures above being our best. Shad Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com Black TriggerX Spade Tail Worm www.triggerx.com rigged on a VMC Shaky Head Jig www.vmchook.com and Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com Our next trip will be to Nick A Jack next week I will post the results then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 6-1-5-2012

I'm a little behind on my posts,  I've been taking some vacation time getting caught up on the "Honey Do's". Last Friday I fished for a very short 2 hours with Mr. Earl Hull before we had to leave the lake unexpectedly. And today I fished alone for 6 hours. Both days we caught a multitude of fish about the size that you see posted above on a variety of baits including a Shad Rapala DT6...Blue Herring Rapala DT6....Shad Pattern Rapala #7 Suspending Shad Rap www.rapala.com and 5 Inch Black TriggerX Spadetail Worm www.triggerx.com rigged on a 1/4oz VMC Standup Shaky Head Jig www.vmchook.com all on Sufix 6lb-10lb Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com . More to come Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-17-2012

I had a great day on Tim's with Mr. Tim Ham and Mr. Michael Morgan from Franklin Tn. Tim's wife bought him a gift certificate for Christmas and we were finally able to get together today. All of our fish came on a DT6 and a #10 X Rap www.rapala.com

We caught fish fairly steady all day on a variety of structure but nothing deeper than 5 feet at the deepest. Water temp was 72 degrees and for most of the day we had zero wind. Michael and Tim I enjoyed my day of the water with you. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-15-2012

I fished Tim's Ford yesterday for 6 hours with Mr. Shane Smith and we had a decent day that could have been better if I didn't break one of the cardinal rules of being a guide. Rule is "You don't leave fish to find fish" and that was exactly what I did. We were on 2 spots that was producing Largemouth in the size range that you see above-there was no problem getting bit....but Shane had never caught a Smallmouth so I left these areas where we could have loaded up in search for Mr. Brown......I caught 3 short ones but no keepers...We caught several other Spots-White Bass and Largemouth as well and everything was released unharmed. Rapala #7 Shad Rap....Rapala DT6 Blue Back Herring...Rapala #10 X Rap was our best for the day www.rapala.com  Sufix 6-8-10lb Test Pro Mix choice of line.......Shane and I will be doing this again soon....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-4-2012

Mr. Earl Hull and I fished Tim's today for about 6 1/2 hrs and had an over all good day. We caught and released 25 or 30 total and lost at least 6 or 7 as well. When the wind blew we caught fish when it stopped so did our bite. We caught fish on the following baits a  DT6 Blue Back Herring --DT6 Bleeding Olive Shiner --#7 Suspending Shad Rap-#8 Olive Green XRap and a #8 Oliver Green Muddler XRap www.rapala.com Sufix 6 & 8lb Pro Mix on all my reels www.sufix.com Earl and I fish together several times a year and he's always a lot of fun to fish with. I think I will take a week off next week but will post my trips when I get back at it. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassgudies.com

Tim's Ford 5-2/3-2012

Day #2 & #3 with Joe and Gary (see day #1 below) Day#2 This was a much tougher day over all with the high pressure system sitting right on top of us. We still caught 25 or 30 total  but the Smallmouth bite was almost non-existent for us. Same baits worked today as yesterday  . The Rapala DT6 Blue Back Herring and the X Rap www.rapala.com . We also threw a mixture of jigs-soft plastics and swim baits with no results. Day#3 We caught and released 20 or more Largemouth today but we lost at least a dozen that we couldn't keep stuck. We quit a little early so the guys could head out for home. All in all it was a great 3 day's with 2 great people to be with. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-1-2012

I fished Tim's today with Mr. Joe Walsh and Mr. Gary Gemmer and we had a great day. We caught and released well over 50 total with the biggest Smallmouth weighing in at an even 5lbs flat. Rapala DT6 Blue Back Herring and a Rapala #8 Moss Back Shiner X Rap www.raapal.com  doing the damage. Everything on 6 & 8lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com We have 2 more days and I will update you tomorrow night. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-20-2012

I fished Tim's today with David and Mark Coleman from Franklin Tn.  If I had to name this day it would be "THE DAY THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN" Meaning we lost 5 "BIG" fish a couple in the 5lb plus bracket easy....they just came undone-this doesn't count other fish we lost as well....1 of those day's-when their gone their gone!!!!!!!.  And somehow I lost 2 of our best fish pictures-must be a full moon. We still managed to catch some good fish-Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spots and as always everything was released unharmed. We caught fish on a Trigger X Paddle Tail Minnow www.triggerx.com rigged on a VMC Smoochin Head Jig www.vmchooks.com  A Terminator Spinner Bait www.terminatorbaits.com  and a Shad Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com  6lb & 8lb Sufix Pro Mix line of choice www.sufix.com David and Mark are good fishermen and a pleasure to share the boat with.....I will be off the water all next week but will update everything as soon as possible. Water temp was 67 degrees-stained turnover water-still 5-6 feet low.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Center Hil 4-17-2012

I has a very enjoyable time with good friend Jerry (pictured) on Center Hill today. We caught and released a lot of fish including the ones above. We also got into one pocket that had some big Blue and Channel Cats in it that would slam our baits....Every fish we caught today was on a swim bait....I was using a 3 1/2 inch Shiner Trigger X Paddle Tail Minnow www.triggerx.com on a  1/4 ounce VMC Smoochin Minnow Head www.vmchooks.com and 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com Just a good fun day on the water. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-13-14-12

I spent the last 2 days with the grandfather/grandson team of Denis and Josh Kellman from Wisconsin. Josh caught his personal best Smallmouth and Denis came within ounces of his personal best Largemouth and broke his personal best on Smallmouth. We caught and released multiple fish each day with the ones above being some of our best. The Rapala DT6 Perch www.rapala.com was by far our best bait for the 2 days. 6-8-10lb test Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com as always.  Watching Denis and Josh these past 2 days brought back many pleasant memories for me fishing with my grandfather and my day.  2 good folks and a pleasure to be with. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-10-2012

Back on Tim's today after Crappie fishing for the past several weeks. We have caught a lot of Crappie on Normandy, Woods and Tim's over the past several weeks. These are 6 of 11 that I caught today on a Rapala Skitter Walk (Silver/blue) Rapala #7 Perch Shad Rap and a Rapala Bluegill DT6 www.rapala.com Everything on 6lb and 8lb Test Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com. More to come later this week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Trigger X

www.triggerx.com

March 23-2012

Rick McFerrin

www.tennesseebassguides.com

I want to take just a little bit of time to tell you about several Trigger X Baits that I'm really impressed with. For those of you that may not have heard about or used Trigger X they are part of the Rapala portfolio which in itself speaks volumes. Rapala www.rapala.com has always been known for crafting high quality fishing lures and products and the Trigger X baits are no different.   All Trigger X baits are manufactured with what is technically called "Ultrabite Pheromones. Which is an attractant that zeros in on "Specific" game fish with scent that perfectly mimics the natural predator vs. prey response. These soft plastic baits have incredible natural motion while releasing  the Ultrbite Pheromones.  Currently Trigger X manufactures  3 distinct formulas. Let's take a look at each of the 3.

First is the Aggression Formula which primarily targets bass. This segment has an extensive variety of baits raging from Creature Baits, Craws, Frogs, Lizards, Tubes, Twin and Single Tail Grubs, 5 different Worms and a Swimming Minnow. The Aggression Baits come in a variety of sizes and more colors than the rainbow. One that I'm very impressed with is the 5 inch Paddle Tail Worm. This is dynamite in a small package. If your a finesse fisherman and love to throw a Shaky Head, drop shot, split shot or Texas rig you will flip over these. This little floating worm comes in 10 different colors, and has a big vibrating paddle tail for the size of the worm. This is a new item so if you can't find it on the shelf ask your local sporting goods store to order them.  When fishing the paddle tail as a Shaky Head  I use the VMC Shaky Head jig that comes in 3 different weights 1/8oz-3/16oz and 1/4oz. The hooks are needle sharp Vanadium Steel, there is a spiral ring to lock the Paddle Tail on securely. And it's hard to see in these pictures but the jig eye is rotated 60 degrees which allows for a great hook set.  For those of you that fish clear deep lakes like we do here in middle Tennessee and are hooked on light line and finesse techniques you need to give this set up a try.....

Seccond is the BIO Walleye Formula. This formula specifically targets Walleyes with the right shapes, sizes and colors to trigger these finicky fish. Once again there is a wide variety to choose from. As an example the 3.5 inch Paddle Tail Minnow pictured to the left and lower right. These baits come in 10 different colors and can be fished on a jig head or a weighted swim bait hook. If you love to throw a swim bait like I do you have to try these. These baits have a great tail swimming action and are extremely durable.  We have caught 100's of fish this winter on swim baits here in Tennessee and these will add to your success as well. I like to team them up with my favorite jig head the VMC Dominator Smoochin Head jig (pictured to the right) www.vmchooks.com These heads come in 4 different color patterns with 3D Holographic eyes and 3 different sizes. 1/8oz-1/4oz-and 3/8oz. The line tie is also rotated 60 degrees and they have some of the sharpest VMC needle point hooks the you can find. The Walleye Formula also offers a Swimming Minnow, Swimming Grub, Jumbo Leach and a Night Crawler. All of the walleye baits are biodegradable. Keep wath on my web site for Walleye updates-I'm getting ready to start targeting them soon.

Third is the Bio Saltwater Formula. Technology that has been developed and patented by the Center For Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science has been utilized in these baits. They are biodegradable, extremely durable and targets saltwater fish. Why am I telling you about saltwater baits? Simple, Trigger X offers a larger 4.5 inch Paddle tail Minnow (pictured right) in this series that comes in 8 different colors and has a great tail thump when retrieved at a moderately high retrieve.  There is no doubt that these will be very effective on fresh water species not just salt water. Once again I team them up with a VMC Smoochin Head . There is also  a 3.5 inch Paddle Tail Minnow in this series. You may want to look at these because there are some color choices that aren't available in the Walleye formula. For those of you that frequent my web site that lives near saltwater there is also a Shrimp, Crab and Minnow available as well.  Trigger X also offers a "Rejuvenator Spray"  (pictured left) in 3 scents. Walleye, Bass and Saltwater that will help you keep the biodegradable and Aggression baits moist and covered in Pheromones.

As you can see Trigger X offers a multi-specie game fish approach with baits that are designed to trigger their feeding instincts. If you fish fresh or salt water Trigger X has a size, shape and color that will fit your need. Any sporting goods store that carries Rapala www.rapala.com products can order these for you if they don't already carry them.  For more information visit the Trigger X web site at www.triggerx.com  and www.vmchooks.com . If you have any questions that you would like me to address e mail me at rickm@dtccom.net  Thank you  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford

w/O 3-19-2012

I had 2 fun days this week fishing with  Charlie Heath on Tuesday and , Larry Lambert and his niece Aja Blumanhoust on Thursday. We didn't catch a lot of big fish either day but we caught a bunch of them. We caught and released Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spots, White Bass and small Hybrids. Charlie and I had more then 40 the day we fished and I think we had that or close to it with Larry and AJA. Aja caught the largest Smallmouth she had ever caught and we all had a great time each day. Best bait both days was the #8 Rapala X Rap Jerk Bait www.rapala.com We used this bait on Sufix Pro Mix 8lb test Mono as always. Aja's smile says it all....doesn't it! Rick McFerin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-16-2012

What a fun day I had with Mr. Earl Hull (pictured) on Tim's. WE fished from 6:30 until 2:30 and caught fish on every spot except 2 all day long. All the fish was caught on the #8 Olive Green Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com  By the way the X Rap in the picture was brand new out of the box this morning and the fish knocked most of the finish off the top and the sides, that's how many and how hard they hit this bait.  It's hard to tell how many 14-17 inch Smallmouth we caught...Our largest Smallmouth was 4lbs 14oz next was 3lbs 4oz and the Rock Fish weight 13lbs 10oz. We also lost 2 big fish we saw and 4 other very heavy fish that pulled off.  Warmest water was 63.9 degrees and there's no doubt that we have Smallmouth on bed now-the new moon is April 6th...so unless I'm way off the April and May moons will get most of our fish spawned out for this year. Sufix Pro Mix 8lb test for line.  www.sufix.com  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 3-14-2012

Above And Below

It had been about 5 weeks since David Honey (pictured) and I have been able to fish together. But we made it yesterday down to Nick A Jack and started out on the lake side. We had good wind and cloud cover for the first 3 hours then it went slick and bright. We caught several largemouth early with the ones pictured above as our best. We caught these on a swim bait and the "NEW Ike's Ink" Rapala DT6 Caribbean Shad color www.rapala.com that will be available the end of March to the first of April .After hitting a couple areas that always gives up fish with no result we opted to move down below the and fish the river and have some "Big White Bass FUN". The current was very strong for a while and hard to hold or even fish some of the areas that we wanted to fish but the eventually the generation lessened and we had a blast catching well over 30 big White Bass and several smaller Spots on a VMC Smoochin Head Jig (pictured above) and a Swim Bait. The swim baits pictured top to bottom are the Trigger X Salt Water 4.5" Paddle Tail Minnow and the Trigger X 3.5" Paddle Tail Minnow. www.triggerx.com The next 2 are the Storm 4 1/2" and the 3 1/2 " Paddle Tail Minnows www.stormlures.com  David and I threw our swim baits on the 1/8ounce VMC Smoochin Head and Sufix Pro Mix 6lb or 8lb mono www.sufix.com . ***Important*** All independent tackle store that carries "ANY" Rapala products can order the items above if the don't currently carry them. Ask your local stores to order them for you. More the end of the week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Center Hill 3-7-2012

Daniel and I had a very relaxing-fun day on Center Hill throwing live night crawlers on a 1/6th ounce VMC Smoochin Head Swim Jig Head www.vmchooks.com and 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono.  www.sufix.com The Spots in the pictures was our best plus we had 22 good Blue Gills as well. A great day with my youngest. More Lord willing later this week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-3-2012

Best Friends means different things to different people. One thing is true though, distance and time cannot separate best friends. You will always feel a kinship with them, and be able to instantly continue the friendship even after not talking or seeing one another for some time.  The guys that you see in these pictures grew up as kids together in a small town in Illinois and now 60 years later and even though time and life has sent them in different directions they are still best of friends and traveled here to spend several days together. Jerry and I had the privilege of fishing with Jeff, Dennis, Pat and "Bucket"  today on a 2 boat trip.  Truthfully as far as fish cooperation was concerned it was a tough day but one of the most enjoyable days that I have spent on the water in some time. As I was listened  to Dennis telling me about some of their boy hood days together it took me back to my early years as well....Time get's by us quickly-it's wise to make the best of them. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 2-28-2012

Good Friend Terry Hicks (pictured) and I had a great day on Tim's. Things started out slow with no wind and bright skies, but when the clouds moved in and the wind picked up everything took a turn for the better. Every fish we caught today with the exception of 2 was on the Rapala DT6 Red Craw that you see in the pictures. www.rapala.com The other 2 was on a Rapala Flat Rap Jerk Bait and a small swim bait on a VMC Smoochin Head Swim Head www.vamchooks.com dipped in JJ's Magic Clear www.jjsmagic.com Big Smallie was 4lb 9oz.....Water temps was anywhere from 49 to 53 depending on location and protection. Sufix Pro Mix 6lb test Mono as always.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 2-21-23-12

This is a 2 day report. Tuesday 2-21-12....What a great 4 hours on Tim's this morning. The wind was blowing 15mph to 25 mph and the Largemouth and Smallmouth would nail a Rapala DT6n Red Craw www.rapala.com and a Luhr-Jensen Texas Red Crystal Speed Trap www.luhrjensen.com The wind got up high enough that I stopped taking pictures to keep from getting blown into the bank.  Big fish was 5lb 6oz . Sufix 6lb Pro Mix was again the line and size of choice www.sufix.com .Thursday 2-23-12 It was a very tough day for Earl Hull and I on Tim's today. Earl is holding our best 2 fish (Smallie was 3lb 4oz) we caught several other smaller fish as well. Everything on a Rapala DT6 Blue/Siver Shad and the DT 6 Red Craw...We threw everything in the boat-jut tough at least for us.  I will be at the Murfreesboro Cabin Fever Fix on Saturday March 1oth and will have some of the new Sufix Pro Mix Clear with me. If you buy 3 Rapala lures of your choice you will get a 400 yard spool of either 6lb or 10lb free. Hope to see you there. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebasguides.com

NICK A JACK 2-09-2012

ABOVE & BELOW THE DAM

David Honey and I left Manchester this morning at 5:15am and headed to fish Nick A Jack above the dam. Water temps was as high as 52 degrees in some areas and the water color was good. We fished the lake until noon and then decided to fish below the dam so we loaded up and made the 5 minute trip to the dam ramp. We caught several fish in both areas, above the dam the Rapala DT6 Red Craw the #7 Rapala Bleeding Chartreuse Shad Rap www.rapala.com and a 3 inch swim bait on a 1/4 ounce VMC Smoochin Minnow Jig Head www.vmchooks.com was by far the best. Below the dam the Smoochin Head and swim bait was the best.  We had another 20 fish not pictured-many of them below the dam was big white bass that we caught on light tackle.....Both of us use Sufix Pro Mix Mono in weights from 6lb test to 12 lb test depending on the situation www.sufix.com  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

3 1/2 HOURS ON NORMANDY 1-31-2012

I had to be back at the house by 11:00am this morning so I only had 3 1/2 hours to fish by the time I got to the lake. I only fished 2 spots and 2 baits......5lb 10oz was the big fish. Just like yesterday I had several Ky's....I think there was 4 more Ky's  that I didn't try to take pictures of.  Rapala DT6 Red Craw and the Rapala#7 Bleeding Chartreuse Shad Rap on 6lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono.....www.sufix.com  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Normandy 1-30-2012

David Honey and I got a late start today on Lake Normand but still managed to catch 10ith the largest pictured above. Ralapa #7 Bleeding Chartreuse Shad Rap did the damage for us today  www.rapala.com on 6 @& 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono. www.sufix.com. There is still a lot of color all the way up passed the 2nd bridge....fish were tight to the banks. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

2 DAY REPORT TIM'S FORD AND NORMANDY

Last week Randy owner of Murfreesboro Out Doors and I spent the best part of a day on Tim's and struggled all day. The 3 fish that we are holding was our best and they all came on a VMC Smoochin Head Jig www.vmchooks.com tipped with a swim bait. Randy has a great store and is able to order just about anything that you need for Hunting-Fishing etc. He carries a great variety of Rapala-Storm-Luhr-Jensen-Sufix mono and braid and as I said able to order anything you need if he dosen't have it on the shelf. Randy and I both was using Sufix Pro Mix -he is a big believer just like I am. www.sufix.com This morning 1-23-2012 David Honey called me and was unable to go because he was sick so I headed to Normandy not knowing what I would find because of all the rain that we had yesterday. The mud line was headed toward the Barton Springs Bridge....The 4 bottom fish was my best for the day-did the best I could taking pictures by my self......We are going to have to scope out the water conditions for the rest of the week.......Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 1-17-2012

I have been blessed through the years to have several memorable day's on the water and today was near the top. Doug Markham and I set out for the lake early this morning to shoot a video for his site. To make what could be a very long story short we caught and released approx 70lbs of Largemouth with our best 5 weighing in at 37lbs with the big fish weighing 10lbs 12 ounces. Everything was caught on a Real Bait Company 3 wire Tennessee Rig, and swim baits rigged on VMC Smoochin Head Minnows www.vmchooks.com  and 65lb test Sufix 832 Braid www.sufix.com . We put the big fish in the live well until we got everything out to measure her for a Tennessee Tarp Certificate then she was released alive a well back into Nick A Jack-you can see the whole process on Doug's video. Doug and I have had some great trips through the years together and this today was no exception. Wow!!! Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com  click on the following link to see the video https://www.facebook.com/people/Doug...type=2&theater
 

Nick A Jack 1-16-2012

My youngest son Daniel was out of school today so we headed to Nick A Jack early this morning and had a great 6 hours on the water. We caught and released 16 Largemouth and Spots along with a dozen or more White Bass most much larger than the 2 white bass that Daniel is holding. We caught everything on a 3 wire Real Bait Co. Tennessee Rig. We used VMC Smoochin Head Minnow Head www.vmchooks.com and a  couple different swim baits including a Storm Wild-Eyed Shad www.stormlures.com  Our line was 65 lb Sufix 832 Braid www.sufix.com ...Daniel caught his personal best today a beautiful 5lb 9oz Largemouth (see top row cent picture)  Murfreesboro OutDoors carries the Real Bait 3 wire rigs as well as all the other products. Good 6 hours with my youngest....He's a good kid...............Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguiudes.com

2 Day Report 1-9 & 10-2012

Tim's Ford-Nick A Jack

This is a 2 day report for Tim's Ford and Nick A Jack. Yesterday I fished with Michael McDaniel on Tim's and we had to hustle to find any quality fish. There wasn't enough wind to blow a feather across the lake all day yesterday and for the first time that I can remember in a long time it stayed very-foggy all day. We caught 5 or 6 Largemouth and 3 big Black Nose Crappie all on a Rapala #7 Bleeding Chartreuse Shad Rap www.rapala.com thrown on 6lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com . This is the 3rd time that Michael and I have fished together and I always enjoy our time together. Today I fished Nick A Jack with Jerry Steakly and we had another fantastic day throwing the 3 Wire Tennessee Rig made by Real Bait Co. with a variety of Swim Baits including a Storm Wild Eye Shad www.stormlures.com  Sufix 832 Braid worked extremely well-it is very smooth and is ultra sensitive www.sufix.com . We lost the first 3 big Largemouth we had on right at daylight 2 on the rig and one on a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon www.luhrjensen.com but was able to catch 3 more throughout the day. In-between we caught at least 100 White Bass that all looked like the ones you see above. These products that I have mentioned above can be purchased at Murfreesboro OutDoors-if they by chance don't carry a particular item let Randy know and he will try to get it for you. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Editors Note:

Tim's Ford 1-6-2012

Terry Hicks (pictured) and I put in at the State Park Ramp this morning at 6:30am and fished until 12:30. Water temp was 47 degrees if they drop the water much more the ramp will be iffy....you can see the end very easily. For most of the morning we didn't have any wind but still managed to put the Smallmouth and Spots that you see in the boat. I also lost a very good fish that hit with 2 or 3 cranks left at eventually pulled off. Best lure by far for us was the Rapala Red Craw DT6 (see picture below dated 12-30-11) 6lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono line of choice. Last post for the week-Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Below Nick A Jack Dam 1-5-2012

Yesterday I met good friend Jerry Steakly in Manchester and we headed out to Nick A jack to throw the Alabama/Tennessee Rigs. This was my first experience with these and I found out a couple things that might help you in the future should you want to throw these type of rig. #1 KNOW YOUR STATE LAWS concerning the use of these rigs #2  If your fishing below a dam like we did yesterday you definitely need some stout line-I used the 65lb test Sufix 832 Braid smmoth as silk www.sufix.com #3 it wouldn't hurt to have a couple different weights of these rigs and here's why. When we put the boat back on the trailer Jerry looked at the rigs I was using and they were much lighter than what he was throwing-what difference did that make? Well when we started out we were in an area that had allot of current and the fish were out in deeper water and he basically caught all the fish because his rig was getting down in their strike zone and my rig was riding to high-in the excitement of catching fish neither of us took time to figure out what the difference was. When we were in water that didn't have as much current my rig worked just as well as his and our catch ratio was equal. This can be corrected either by the weight of the rig it's self or by the weight of the jig heads that you use. #4 You need stout line because you may catch doubles or more on the same cast (as pictured above) #5 watch your electronics and stay in bait....these rigs are heavy and if you can save a few wasted casts during the day when you my age you will appreciate it. #5 I used VMC 1/4 ounce Smoochin Jig Heads www.vmchook.com and a couple different swim bait bodies including a Storm WildEye Shad  www.stormlures.com and they all seemed to work atleast today. #6 Make your center swim bait LARGER than the others-this made a huge difference. I use rigs that were made by 3 different companies Mean Mouth Lures www.meanmouthlures.com Real Bait Company and JJ's Magic www.jjsmagic.com and they all worked equally as well. The result for the day-we figured we had to catch near 100 total fish ....65% of them were Chunky hard pulling White Bass (see lower right picture) the rest was basically Largemouth. Is this something that I would want to do every day? No....I'm a light line (6lb test) guy...........Will I do it again? Yes if the Lord allows-It was a lot of fun and when your fishing with someone like Jerry that knew the technique and spots it helps cut the learning curve tremendously. Jerry thank you for another good day on the water with you....we will do it again............Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-30-2012

I fished Tim's today by myself and had the best crankbait day that I have had this winter. Water temp was 49 degrees and extremely windy...25-30pmh. At times the waves would come over the front of the boat when you were headed into the wind. I did the best I could taking pictures-it was hard keeping the camera on the seat long enough for it to flash....I caught 20 plus today with some great fish not pictured-just to much to handle by myself. I caught everything on the baits that you see in the picture below. Rapala #7 Bleeding Olive Shad Rap-#7 Rapala Bleeding Chartreuse Shad Rap, Rapala DT6 Red Craw and a Rapala DT6 Hot Mustard  www.rapala.com  I also caught a couple on the Long John Swim Bait dipped in JJ's Magic Chartreuse www.jjsmagic.com with a VMC Smoochin Head 1/4ounce Swim Head www.vmchooks.com Everything on Sufix 6lb Pro Mix  www.sufix.com Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Recent Tim's Ford Picture

I haven't posted pictures lately but here are some of the fish that we have been catching over the past few days. There have been multiple  fish caught as well that I didn't take pictures of .  I had the pleasure of fishing with Robert Markham, Joe and Katie Clark and that's yours truly (bottom right) with a fish that Doug Markham caught with me a few days ago. We have caught fish on live Tuffy's, Whirly Bees, Long Johns, Rapala DT 6 Hot Mustard www.rapala.com , Luhr-Jensen Speed trap Root Beer www.luhrjensen.com  and everything on Sufix Pro Mix 6lb test mono www.sufix.com and live bait on VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com Thanks for visiting my site and I will get back to posting more pictures and info after the first of the year. Going to take a little break. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-13-2011

Tuesday we had a 2 boat trip on Tim's with David Honey and the father/son team of Ken and Joseph Jenkins. We fished a completely different area of the lake than I have been fishing preparing for a video that I'm suppose to shoot with Doug Markham next week. The bite was tough for both boats, David and I threw tuffy's all day while Ken and Joseph threw a combination of tuffy's, jigs, swim baits, crankbaits etc. David and I lost 2 other good fish that we just didn't have stuck and caught several other short fish as well. Not much more to share than that. No wind 90% of the day water temps in low 50's.............Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-09-2011

I met Jay Arnold at the lake at this morning at 9:00am and we fished until 3:00pm. Our bite started out very slowly for us this morning but as the day progressed it did pick up some. The 3 Smallies above was our 3 best, we also lost 2 others in the same category. We caught several smaller fish as well and once again (broken record) all on tuffy's.  Every one of our fish was "just barely" stuck, it didn't matter how long you let them carry the tuffy, that's why we lost the other 2 good fish we had on. I had to laugh at Jay trying to break the Sufix 6lb Pro Mix when he got hung up on the bottom-he kept pulling the boat toward the bank.....This line is fantastic www.sufix.com.  We also used another of my regular go to hooks for fishing these tuffys the VMC #6 bait holder hook....if they weren't  needle sharp as they are I'm not sure we would have caught the fish we did as light as they were taking the tuffy in. www.vmchooks.com  More next week Lord willing! Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-07-2011

David Honey (pictured) and I got to the lake at 7;00am and fished 4 hours.  Air temp was 31 degrees and was snowing and sleeting when we reached the lake. The wind was out of the North and we had a hard time staying on our spots. We decided to only throw tuffy's again today and as it wasjust like last week a good choice. We caught several others that are not pictured. We used 6lb Test Clear Blue Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com and #6 VMC Circle Hooks www.vmchooks.com a small split shot and the tuffy. This is a perfect set up for throwing these minnows. The Sufix Pro Mix comes off a spinning reel like a dream and the VMC hooks are needle sharp. Pick some up you will be overly pleased---I have been. David is a very good friend and he and have been blessed to put some good ones in the boat together over the years-and today was no exception. I have 2 more days this week "If"  we can manage the weather. Got to figure out something on my hands.....how many ways can you spell NUMB...NUMBNESS-VERY COLD................Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-01-2011

Terry Hicks (pictured) and I met at Holiday Marina on Tim's this morning around 9:00am. Air temp was 31 degrees and the water temp was just about like it was yesterday in the mid 50's. We decided to only throw tuffy's today and that was a good choice but we (I) blew several of our opportunities. The fish above was our best "that we put in the boat" We lost 6 big fish (I lost 4 of the 6) and all close to the boat . My problem was a reel that gave me fits today that I thought about leaving in the bottom of Tim's. I won't be using it again, it's headed back for a refund. You don't get much for $100.00 these days. We used 6lb Test Clear Blue Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com and #6 VMC Circle Hooks www.vmchooks.com a small split shot and the tuffy. You can't get any easier than that. The minnow bite will be on all winter, it's a fun relaxing way to spend your day on our middle Tennessee waters. More next week Lord willing.  Terry is a very good friend-a good fisherman and a lot of fun to be in the boat with. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 1-29-2011

Thanksgiving travels are over now back to chasing those brown fish. Today Jerry Steakley and I  had a good day on Tim's catching over 15 Largemouth-Smallmouth and Spots (oh yes 1 big Crappie) on a combination of baits including a 018 Luhr-Jensen Tire Tiger Crystal Speed Trap and a Rootbeer Speed Trap. www.luhrjensen.com  Water colors varied from the upper end where there is a lot of color to mostly clear in the middle part of the lake. We saw water temps that ranged from 52 to 55 degrees and the lake is up 3 feet due to all the rain that we have had over the past several days. It rained-sleeted and snowed on us today and the winds were brisk at 15mph plus. As always the Sufix Pro Mix Mono came through like a champ. www.sufix.com Jerry and I always have a good time fishing together and today was no exception. More to come later this week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 11-18-2011

It was a cold 26 degrees when Terry Hicks (Pictured) and I put in this morning on Nick A Jack. Water temp was 56 degrees when we first got there and 58 when we left. I knew that we were going to be in for a tougher day than David and I had on Tuesday because of the cold front and the high pressure system that was sitting right on top of us.  We did manage to catch 15 Largemouth ALL-ALL on a same Rapala Blue Shad DT4 www.rapala.com that I use down here all the time. (See picture of bait in 11-15-11 post). Other than 30 degrees difference in air temps here was the difference from this past Tuesday and today.  We caught all 15 in 3 places only. We hit each of these 3 places 2 times during the 6 hours that we were on the lake. We couldn't by a bite any where else> BUT CHECK OUT THE CENTER PIC. When you got a bite they would nail it. They love this DT4 on this lake. Terry and I both throw only Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com on spinning and bait casters. If your not trying  Sufix your missing the boat. I don't think I'll fish this next week-a lot of Thanksgiving to do.  More in a couple weeks. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 11-15-2011

David Honey (pictured) and I got back on the water today and had a good rainnnnny day. It was raining when we got to the mountain this morning and rained on and off all day. There was a tremendous amount of floating grass every where in the lake but when you could get the Blue Shad Rapala DT4 passed the floating stuff the bass would nail it. www.rapala.com  The great thing about the DT4 is that you can run it just above the grass and fish it in some of the shallowest areas of the lake. We also did well with the VMC Smoochin Head Minnow www.vmchooks.com these come in 4 sizes from 1/16oz to 3/8oz so you can fish all levels of the water columns. We switched between a grub and a small swim bait. We caught and released 15 or more and lost at least 8 or 10 others. The 6 above was our best. Sufix Pro Mix on all my reels....hard to beat. www.sufix.com Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford w/o 11-7-2011

This was a fairly tough week on Tim's for good quality fish. I fished with Jason Lee-James Gillespie and Roger Holt and the fish above was our best. We caught and released several smaller fish on a variety of bait but the Rapala #7 Bleeding Shad Rap www.rapala.com was by far the best bait we also caught fish on a swim bait as well on a 1/4 ounce VMC Dominator Smoochin Head Minnow Head www.vmchooks.com . 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono was the line of choice. Tough over all week-a 3 good guys to be out with.  More next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-5-6-2011

Yesterday I fished 4 hours with Mr. Dick Griffiths with the 2 Smallmouth above being our best. Today I fished with Stephaine Wright and Rhonda Loop and we couldn't manage a keeper fish all day. Both days we caught and released several smaller Smallmouth all on Tuffy's.  I talked with the President  of a bass club on the lake today and there was only 3 keeper fish caught by the 24 fishermen by the noon weigh in. I think we are in the process of the lake turning over and when that happens you are going to have the good day-bad day scenario for a little while. We also talked with a couple guys that have fished Tim's for 20 or more years at the ramp and they didn't put even 1 fish in the boat today.....just plain tough today. Bill, Stephaine and Rhonda were amazed at the strength of the 6lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com that we used. Folks this is some kind of great line, need to get you some. If your local sporting good store doesn't carry the Pro Mix ask them to order it, I assure you they can....3 days next week Lord willing.  2 good days on the water with 3 great people....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Just  A Little Live Bait Information

There are times on Tim's Ford and other lakes and rivers, when fishing "Live Bait" can turn a so-so trip into a good one. To keep from running back and forth to the local bait shop you can make yourself a fairly simple inexpensive system to keep minnows of all varieties and sizes based on your particular need.  I have used the system above for several years and have found it to be very efficient.  Let me explain what you are looking at.

The top left picture: This is a 30 gallon round heavy duty plastic container with a  lid that my father in law gave me.  It sits on an old charcoal grill stand that has a hole in the middle of it where the grill tub set. This let's me sit the 30 gallon tank on top of the hole and allow room for a PVC water line shut off valve and pipe  that I have inserted in the bottom of the tank to easily drain water into the green 5 gallon bucket you see sitting below. ***Important*** All minnows emit Ammonia  from their bodies-this is what will kill your bait if not handled correctly.  Ammonia will settle to the bottom of the tank-that's why I have the drain in the bottom of the container. It's very easy to remove 5 gallons of water then replace it with fresh water treated with a Shad Keeper-Better Bait type product (Bottom Center Picture) These product remove chlorine from the water and helps with the ammonia problem as well.   I plumbed a inside water line down to a faucet sitting behind the tank where I attached a hose. This way I don't have to keep a outside faucet on during the winter and take a chance on it freezing.  **Note** I like a round container better than a square one if you are going to keep bait for any length of time. The round container doesn't seem to stress the minnows as much (more ammonia) as a square one.

Bottom right picture: These are 2 "Dual Line" aquarium aerators. I cut out a hole where I insert the 4 air lines down into the tank...they plug into a electrical outlet that sits behind the tank. I also have the larger aerator (bottom picture left) that I use at times if I am keeping shiners, which for me are touchy to keep at best. 

Top right picture:  I transport all my minnows to the lake in 2 minnow buckets like the one that you see above. The bucket is equipped with a  external aerator that helps keep the oxygen levels up while you are on the lake. This aerator runs' off of 2 D cell batteries.  The warmer it is the more crucial your aerator becomes. Just a heads up----spend a little $$$$ and buy a square plastic milk crate to sit your round minnow bucket in. It will save you from dumping your bait over when running down the lake in heavy waves.  I learned this from experience the hard way. Also make sure you have a small container with you that you can use to dip some of the water out of your bucket and add lake water to help them adjust to the (warmer) or (colder) lake water. I use a 20 gallon tank in my boat when fishing larger bait.

Water Buckets:  You can buy new 5 gallon buckets from almost any home improvement or discount store. I keep 3 buckets that I have marked "MINNOWS ONLY" on them. This keeps me from accidentally killing my bait with detergents and other chemicals that I use in washing my truck and boat.  That's it....then all you have to do is find the fish when you get to the lake......Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-1-2011

I had a great 4 hours with BV and Sharon Johnson on Tim's. In that short amount of time we caught and released a dozen or more Smallmouth with the largest weighing in at a respectable 4lbs 4oz. BV lost two good fish and the action stayed fairly strong all the way through. BV and Sharon I had a get time with you folks....a joy to be out with.  6lb Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com and VMC Baithholder hock tipped with a tuffy........Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 1-28-29-2011

This is a 2 day report for Tim's Ford. Yesterday my clients chose not to fish so since the boat was already in the water I fished about 2 hours. It was the first cold rain that I have fished in this Fall ,  I guess I got broken in quickly. The forecast was for the rain to stop around 8-9 o'clock but it stayed around all day. I caught 4 Smallmouth and 4 Channel Cats in the 2 hours-all on Tuffys. Then said to myself----Self your nuts for sitting out here all alone, so I loaded the boat and went to the house. .....Today I fished with the Grandfather-Grandson Team of Bill and Dylan Williams. It was 36 degrees and foggy when we put it but cleared and warmed up to 57 by the time we left the lake. We caught several Smallmouth on Tuffys today as well.  Dylan is a good fisherman and a very polite young man. It was a pleasure sharing the boat with the Williams today. All fish was caught on Sufix Clear Blur Pro Mix Mono 6lb Test www.sufix.com and VMC Bait holder Hooks. www.vmchooks.com  Unless something changes I will have 3 reports for next week. Until then be careful and enjoy. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Fall Break October 17-2011

Daniel is on fall break this week and our original plans was to spend the first 3 days of this week on Lake Barkley fishing out of Dover Tennessee. After watching the weather forecast of impending bad weather we decided it was best to save the $$$$$ and stay closer to home. So yesterday I asked Daniel what he wanted to do and his reply was go to Tim's and use his fly rod and catch some Crappie and Bluegill.  So we headed to Tim's with his fly rod and a couple of  13 foot telescoping Crappie Rod's, and a bucket of Tuffys.  (No bas rods) It was a very clear, bright high pressure day and at least for us we couldn't find any Crappie on the outside edges of lay downs. maybe we were on the wrong tree. This is where the ol'cane pole comes in handy. The upper left hand picture shows you where we found these beautiful slab Crappie all weighing within ounces of one another....right in the middle of the thickest parts of the trees.  By using the longer rod we were able to stand on the front of the boat, stay away from the cover far enough not to spook the fish but still drop the Tuffy in the smallest of areas.  One trick that I learned from my dad years ago when fishing cover like this was that a "smaller" hook keeps you from getting hung up as much in the cover. So I used a small #12 VMC Bait Holder Hook www.vmchooks.com  8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com  and a float that I could easily take on and off as needed.  Now the fly rod. Daniel must have caught 30 or more Bluegill with several about the size of your hand-and he enjoyed himself big time.....That is what the day was all about-Him and just being together taking it easy.....can't beat a day like yesterday-or the Crappie we ate last night.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-12-2011

I had  the pleasure of fishing with Mr. Leon Wyman today on Tim's. We started out looking for Smallmouth and Largemouth and caught several in the size range that you see in the top upper left hand corner .  We decided to look for some Hybrids and you can see the results. All our bass was caught on a Rapala Fat Rap and all of the Hybrids and Stripers on a Rapala Skitter Walk  www.rapala.com  8lb Sufix Pro Mix  Mono on the Hybrids and 6lb on the bass www.sufix.com  To quote Mr. Wyman "This has been the best day of fishing I have ever had".....Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-29-2011

Mr. Jay Arnold and I had a blast today on Tim's throwing Tuffy minnows. We caught and released well over 20 Smallmouth, Largemouth and Spots with the 3 above being the largest. We also caught 13 big slab Black Nose Crappie. Jay is a great guy, good fisherman and a pleasure to spend the day with on the water. The Largemouth above was caught on a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon www.luhrjensen.com and 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com Evereything else was on 6lb Sufix Pro Mix and a  #2 VMC Bait Keeper Hook. More to come Lord willing. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 2 day Report 9-22-23-2011

Yesterday Terry and I had a great day catching atleast 20 Smallmouth and Largemouth ...But...we couldn't put a big one in the boat. Rapala Flat Rap Silver/Blue did the trick again...8lb test Sufix Pro Mix lis by far the line of choice.  www.rapala.com www.sufix.com Today Daniel was out of school so we teamed up with David ....bought 10 dozen Tuffy's and what a great day. Smallmouth-Largemouth-Hybrid-Black Nose Crappie-Channel Cats-hand size blue gill......we had to catch 60 or more combined easy.  Today we used VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com 6lb Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com and yes ALL THE FISH was caught on the Pro Mix.....if your not using this line you are missing the boat...small diameter-limp-comes of the spool like silk and very strong. The Blacknose were all clones weighing between 1 1/2to 2lbs each. Water temp was 71 with a north wind and air temp in the high 50's and mid 60's. 2 great days. More next week Lord willing.....Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-15-2011

Terry and I put in at daylight again this morning  not knowing for sure what the front that came through late last night and early this morning was going to do to us.  Water temp was 74 degrees and air temp was 65 degrees when we started at 6:00am and the air temp was 58 when we put the boat back on the trailer at 12:00 noon. We had a misty rain all day and the wind blew 15mph for most of the day. We caught and released 15 Smallmouth with the best ones pictured above.  The lure that Terry is holding in the lower right hand picture is what all but 2 were caught on today.  It's the same FLR06 Rapala Flat Rap silver and blue that we have been using the past couple weeks. These balsa wood baits have a distinctive wobble due to their flat sides and triangle lip that rolls the bait when jerked. www.rapala.com  Another thing I like about these is that you can get a long cast even against the wind. VMC Sure Set Hooks www.vmchooks.com  are razor sharp which makes a huge difference when these Smallmouth flash at the bait and not attack it.  All of our reels are filled with  Sufix Pro Mix mono....we used 8lb test mono today.  www.sufix.com  Painters coming next week to the house so I'm not sure when my next post will be....but when I go I will update you as always.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-13-2011

Terry and I put in at daylight and by 6:30am he had already caught 5 Smaller Smallmouth (not pictured) on the Rapala Flat Rap Blue/Silver (FLRO6) pictured above. We moved a couple times and caught the 4 above on the same Flat Rap and a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon www.luhrjensen.com We lost 2 fish we didn't see and put the boat back on the trailer at 11:00am. I experienced steering cable problems and had to leave my boat at the shop. If I get it back this week I will be back on Tim's and will up date you then.  Water temp was 74 at daylight and 75.3 when we left-lake has fallen about 8 inches or so, color is great. More when I get my boat back. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-7-8-2011

2 Day Report

Yesterday (Wednesday)  Terry Hicks and I had one of those "DAY'S THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN".  We lost a mix  7 Smallmouth and Largemouth all about the size of the Smallie in top left hand picture. We probably caught 10 or 12 smaller fish  plus the big large mouth. Best lure hands down yesterday was a Fire Tiger FR05 Fat Rap. We did however catch fish on a Rapala X Rap and DT6. Every fish we caught was just barely stuck and "if " they jumped it was all over.  The big Largemouth was caught vertical jigging  a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon. www.luhrjensen.com Water temp yesterday was a much cooler 75 degrees. (Thursday) This was the tougher of the 2 days for David Honey and I. We ran more today than I normally would in 3 trips. Water temps was 73 degrees this morning and we have a mostly cloudy day to work with. We caught 8 ot 9 with the best 5 pictured above. Shaky Head dipped in JJ's Magic www.jjsmagic.com a DT6 Olive Green Craw www.rapala.com  and a Rapala X Rap in Olive did most of what was done. All of our rods were spooled  Sufix 6lb& 8lb Pro Mix www.sufix.com . More to come next week Lord willing. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-30-2011

This was a tough one on Tim's today for Terry and I.  We actually ran to our first spot before daylight and was poised and waiting for sun rise. We had the opportunity for 5 fish and caught 3 (above) At least in the area of the lake where we were (and did so well last week) it was dead. There was still a lot of bait but nothing in them. We even dropped live bait down on suspended fish with zero results. We loaded out at 10:00am. The big hybrid was caught on a Luhr Jensen Spoon www.luhrjesen.com  and 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com  I keep telling everyone how strong but yet smooth this line is and I'll keep telling it.....you need to buy some and try it....fantastic. The spot  is one of the largest that I have caught on Tim's so far. It hit a Prowler Slim Jim rigged weightless www.powlerlures.com  8lb Sufix Pro Mix and a razor sharp 3/0 VMC Wide Gap Worm Hook www.vmchooks.com. I intended to fish Thursday but the lake is already very busy with ski boats.......might just set this out until after the holiday......Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com 

Tim's Ford 8-25-2011

Good friend Terry Hicks and I put the boat in at daylight on Tim's and wound up having a fairly good 3 1/2 hours before the sun got high and things died down. We started out throwing a Rapala Skitter Walk  www.rapala.com  and I only had 1 bite in the first hour which I didn't land. We then moved to an area where there had been a lot of bait, changed to a #8 Rapala X Rap in Sliver and Blue and Olive Green to match the size of the shad and we never looked back. We caught and released 15 or more Smallmouth with the largest pictured above. All caught on Sufix 8lb Pro Mix Mono. www.sufix.com We also caught a bonus Hybrid on a Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon www.luhrjensen.com  Terry and I was trying to remember if we lost 3 or 4 good fish as well....not sure. I could blame the lack of memory on either the sun or we  both had a senior moments. Either way they were good heavy fish.  After things died down we ran the opposite direction to a long cove where we caught 5 or 6 White Bass (Not Pictured) trolling crankbaits. 11:30 boat back on the trailer, air conditioner on and headed to the house.  1:30pm nap on the couch.  I will be back on the water more as we head into fall.....and will post what I have.  Until next week, be safe, don't take chances on the water and watch out for carless boaters over thge up coming holiday. Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick-A-Jack 8-18-2011

Good friend David Honey and I made a 5 hour trip to Nick-A-Jack today and had a couple good hours before the sun got high and hot.  The first place we pulled into we hung a heavy fish (that we didn't see) and caught one on a Trigger X 10 inch Hammer Worm www.triggerx.com rigged weightless on a VMC 8313 Round Bend #5 Worm Hook www.vmchooks.com  and Sufix Pro Mix 10lb Test Mono www.sufix.com We also had 5 blow ups on a Tigger X Frog that we didn't stick. Just before we left I lost another good fish on a Prowler Drop Shot Worm www.prowlerlures.com  and David got broken off at the boat on a shaky head.  I have had several phone calls asking why I haven't been posting reports. Simple every since I had the heat stroke several years ago on Old Hickory I just can't handle the heat and I don't take chances. Cooler day are coming and Lord willing I will have pic's and info to share. Thanks for visiting my site. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Normandy 8-5-2011

Well Daniel is back in school and it's time that I get back at it again, and truthfully I'm ready. I fished Normandy today with long time friend Terry Hicks and we had a "decent day". We put 12 Kentucky's in the boat all about the same size and I lost one good largemouth as well. I could have taken more pic's but this will give you a good sample. We caught fish on a Spoon www.luhrjensen.com and a Prowler Finesse Worm www.prowlerlures.com dipped in JJ's Magic www.jjsmagic.com The key today with the spoon  was being able to see your line as the bait dropped. Most of the time it was a slight tick and that's where the Sufix Pro Mix Clear Blue 8lb Test worked like a charm www.sufix.com. Many think that a spoon is only a winter bait but they can be very effective all year long. Last week when I got my trolling motor back out of the shop I made a 4 hour trip to Normandy and has almost to the fish the same results throwing a Luhr_Jensen Krocodile Spoon-a Rapala DT10 www.rapala.com and a Prowler Pro Slim Jim. Glad to be back and looking forward to the water temps falling....surface temp was 87 degrees today.   Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Doing Something Different 7-5-2011

Daniel still has 4 weeks to go before school starts again and we are on a quest to fish as much as we can on his day's off from work.  Today we had a blast wading the river and the Flat Head Cat Fish and Walleye  above was our 2 largest fish although Daniel did catch 2 Largemouth in the 2 1/2lb range to far away from me to take a picture. We also released a couple other species, ALL yes ALL caught on a Luhr-Jensen Bangtail In Line Spinner www.luhrjesen.com and on 6lb test SUFIX PROMIX MONO www.sufix.com . Folks I keep saying this but it's true the Pro Mix is soft-very little memory and super strong-you need to give it a try. If your local sporting goods store dosen't carry Pro Mix you need to ask them to special order some for you-this line is fantastic. More Thursday....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

On The Lighter Side 6-30-2011

As I stated in the post of 6-23-2011 below our family is on vacation this week celebrating our 20th anniversary and Daniels 16th birthday. I hadn't intended to fish at all this week but decided to get Rena out in the new boat for the first time yesterday.  Here was the challenge...have you ever tried to talk your wife who is on vacation to get up at 3:30am when she could sleep in to go fishing? Well she did and we got to the lake at 5:30am and fished until 9:15am until the temp began to rise.  It wasn't so much catching a bunch of fish as it was just being together on the water-but here is what happened fish wise. The fish we found were suspended in 10 to 12 feet of water yesterday so I used the Trolls-To 10ft Swimming Minnow, I used my GPS and trolled the same line over and over-Daniel caught the Hybrid and Smallmouth pictured above ...plus...we caught at least 25 White Bass up to 1 1/2lbs and had a ball all in less than 4 hours. No we didn't catch a boat load of wall hangers, but we did have a very relaxing family time together on the lake almost by ourselves. I have all 3 sizes of the Trolls-To Minnow pictured above-20ft-15ft and 10ft. you can check them out at www.rapala.com .  We trolled these baits on 10lb test Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com  using 7 foot med action spinning rods.  By the way I let her sleep in this morning.......Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 6-23-2011

Last Christmas Brenda Cunningham gave her son Sam Scharder a gift certificate to fish with me on Tim's and today was the day. We caught and released several fish not pictured and lost 2 or 3 very good fish throughout the day.  (one on a swim jig that had shoulders plus) We caught fish on a Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com  a McFerrin Swim Jig www.meanmouthlureco.com  and something that I had never tried before a Rapala Trolls-To Minnow. www.rapala.com When the lake began to get busy (I'm glad I don't fish on the weekends on a normal basis)  I took Sam and Brenda to a branch where I knew there had been Hybrids suspended in 12 to 15 feet of water that would have little boat traffic.  Rapala sent me these 15 foot Trolls To baits early this year and I found out quickly they work big time. The ones we were using would run 15 feet deep when we released 100 feet of Sufix 10lb Test Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com  which was exactly where these fish were suspended. These are flat sided Balsa Wood constructed baits with an internal rattle that will troll at a specified targeted zone. They come in 12 colors and 3 depth ranges 10ft-15ft and 20 foot. You can watch a video on them  by going to www.rapala.com click on USA and then BAITS. Scroll down to the Trolls-To baits and click.........For those of you that troll on a regular basis these baits are a must. For those of you that chunk and wind like I do all the time these add another alternative when you are faced with 90 degree air temps, mile high skies and more boats on the water in one day than you want to see in a whole year like we were today. Now to the good part! Why is Brenda smiling so big in the upper right hand picture? Because she caught her personal best Smallmouth that weighed in at a even 4lbs 10 ounces on my digital scales....by the way she caught the other pictured Smallmouth as well...2 great folks that are fun to share a boat with. We are going to do it again late this fall/early winter. On vacation next week....Daniel turns 16 and it's Rena and my 20th anniversary all this week so it will be a couple weeks before I post again. Until then be safe. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 6-23-2011

Daniel and I took advantage of the overcast and 72 degree air temp this morning and fished Tim's from 7:00am until 10:15am. We caught and released a total of 8...both  Largemouth came on a 3/8 Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon www.luhr-jensen.com  and all the Smallmouth on a McFerrin Swim Jig  www.meanmouthlureco.com  and a Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com. with the tail dipped JJ's Magic Chartreuse www.jjsmagic.com  I rig the Slim Jim on a 1/0 VMC Round Bend Worm Hook....these are ultra sharp and you get a great hook up....line as always is Sufix Pro Mix 6 to 10 lb test www.sufix.com depending on what I'm throwing.  All of these great products can be purchased at most local tackle stores-If they aren't carrying a particular item ask them to order it for you to come in on their next order. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 6-14-2011

Daniel (my youngest) , Kyle Perryman and I fished Tim's for about 3 hours or so this morning looking for a good Rapala Skitter Walk top water bite which never happened for us, but it did turn into a Rapala DT6 bite www.rapala.com  on 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com Daniel put it on us in that short period of time, "I taught him well"....Must be that hat he's wearing or should I say part of a hat...There was sporadic top water action but to far away and they didn't stay up more than just a few seconds.  Water temps was 83 degrees, very clear and still holding just a little above summer pool.  Good time with 2 good guys....I will have more to report later in the week......Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Elk River Trout 6-9-2011

Good friend David Honey (Pictured) and I floated the Elk River this morning and what a day we had. David has been after me to do this for the past 2 years and we just never got to it. But today we loaded all the equipment into his 14ft Jon boat at his house at day light , then drove to one area where we left his truck then several more miles to where we put in.  David has been doing this for many many years and knows all the holes and the river extremely well. This was one relaxing day tossing night crawlers on a light action 6ft rod and 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com . We caught our limit within the first 3 hours including the big Brown that I'm holding above. This is the biggest trout that I have ever caught, and after being in a cooler on ice for 6 hours it still weighed 7lb 7oz by my digital scale when I got back to the house. I very seldom keep fish but this one is going on the wall and the other 13 on the grill......This was just a fantastic change of pace.......Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com ***Note From Rick** This is sent to only 1 person and that's the one that sent the hate letter that I got in the mail today. It's always interesting to me that someone with a obvious big mouth like yours doesn't  have the courage to sign his name to the letter. If you have a problem with me I'll be happy to address it with you!!!

Tim's Ford 6-7-2011

I fished Tim's this morning from 5:00am until 10:00am with Jason Lee and James Gilliskie. Lake elevation is still a little high and the water is 84 degrees and very clear. Air temp when we left the lake was 91 degrees and headed to 96 degrees. We had a good top water bite early on and as the day progressed it got plain tough. We lost 3 good fish, 1 Hybrid-1 Largemouth and 1 Smallmouth and released others not pictured. Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com Sufix 8lb Test Pro Mix mono www.sufix.com Prowler Soft Shad www.prowlerlures.com dipped in JJ's Magic Chartreuse www.jjsmagic.com a a 2/0 VMC Wide Gap Hook www.vmchooks.com did   the damage. If you are headed to Tim's anytime soon I would take advantage of the early morning hours (or) plan to fish at night.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Caney Fork/Rocky River 6-3-2011

This morning I had the pleasure of fishing with long time friend and Tennessee Bass Guides Guide Jon Simmons from 5am until 9:30am on the Caney Fork River above Center Hill. . Jon is one of the best jig fishermen that I know of here in middle Tennessee. He lives about 20 minutes from the ramp on the Caney Fork and fishes this upper region at least a couple times a week after work or Saturday mornings. Since the beginning of April through this morning Jon estimates that he has caught somewhere between 150 to 175 bass (of all sizes) on a 1/4oz Black and Blue McFerrin Signature Series Swim Jig and craw trailer. Jon said it is the only jig that I have been throwing and works like a dream. Sometimes Jon would swim it back all the way and at times he would let it fall around the lay down and grass patches. One trip 2 week ago he and his father had 5 fish that would have weighed near 20lbs, Jon said it was the best big fish day that he may have ever had on the Caney.  Today although we didn't put a big fish in the boat we still caught and released 25 on the same black and blue and I was using a Prowler 4 inch C Legs trailer www.prowlerlures.com We both dip our swim jigs in Clear JJ's Magic. www.jjsmagic.com  I was using the same 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono that I always use, this is one tough easy casting line. www.sufix.com  We could have taken more pic's but I wanted you to see a few that we caught today. A list of the stores that are carrying my swim jig is listed above.....check out the other trips below-this is the 3rd different body of water in just the past 18 days that the McFerrin swim jig has produced fish, this IS NOT a Tim's Ford only bait. They will work where you fish as well.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Lake Normandy  5-26-2011

What a way to start your day! I know I have visitors on my site from all over the U.S. and outside the U.S. as well. So I need to explain what we have been experiencing here in middle Tennessee. Like much of our country we have had a series of violent tornados and thunderstorms over the past few days. Last night our family spent much of the night (without electricity) in the basement as these storms and straight line winds  rolled through our Cannon County. I think I slept 90 minutes all night....David had zero sleep at his house.......BUT.......that wasn't going to stop us we were going somewhere fishing, so we met at Barton Springs Ramp at 6:00am.......AND.....sit for 3 1/2 hours (9:30am) as thunder/lightening storms past through over and over. When it finally did break (with mile high skies) we did manage to catch what you see above on a Golden Pumpkin McFerrin Signature Series Swim Jig with a Prowler Craw www.prowlerlures.com  and a Carolina Rigged Lizard.  I was throwing 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono on my swim jig www.sufix.com and David as throwing the New Sufix 832 Braid with a 10lb leader on his rig. But that's not all the story....for those of you that fish Normandy you know what I mean.  We kept looking for that 1 spot that held some of those BIG Normandy Largemouth, and near at 4:30 we pulled up on an area and found them....the only problem we lost all three......between no sleep and aggravation David and I promptly loaded the boat and headed home......At the ramp I think David said that this was another "What Could Have Been" trip.......But in reality what it was...two good friends enjoying fishing together and just having a good time. David and I have managed to put some good (and several) fish in the boat together over the past 3 years and Lord willing we will again....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com 

Tim's Ford 5-23-2011

I fished Tim's today with Eugene and Kent Sissom. Truthfully we struggled all day throwing everything in the boat with the exception of a Carolina Rig and the fish above was it.  Most of the morning the lake was slick as a mirror and if you fish Tim's you know what that can mean. When we did get some wind that was when we caught our fish. All of these were caught on a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com and 8lb Test Sufix Pro Mix Mono. www.sufix.com.   Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 5-19-2011

First let me say there are no double pictures. Mr. David Honey and I had a terrific day on Nick A Jack. We were in fish from the get go and stayed on fish until the time we put the boat back on the trailer.  A Green Pumpkin Prowler Finesse Worm www.prowlerlures.com  with the tail dipped in Chartreuse JJ's Magic www.jjsmagic.com rigged on a VMC Dominator Shaky Head Jig www.vmchooks.com  and 2 colors of the McFerrin Signature Swim Jigs (Black and Blue and Golden Pumpkin) with a Prowler Craw Trailer did the trick today. I had both of the rods spooled with Sufix 8lb Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com . There is s list above of the locations where the swim jig is being stocked.   All of these stores have a great selection of everything you need no matter what lake you are fishing.  More to come. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Lake Normandy 5-17-2011

I fished Lake Normandy today with Mr. Mike Reed. We didn't get to the lake until 7:15am or so and left at 4:00pm. Water temp was 68 degrees and the lake is down a little bit from the time I was here several week agoand has good color. We had a cold North West Wind all day and the air temp at the ramp when we left was 56 degrees. We caught all our fish on a Pumpkin 1/4oz McFerrin Signature Swim Jig (you can get these at Barton Spring on Normandy)  A Prowler Pumpkin Shaky Head Work www.prowlerlures.com on a VMC 1/8oz Dominator Jig head www.vmchooks.com  8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com and a buzz bait.  A good day and a lot of fun-not sure Mike wants me to tell this but he lost a legitimate 7lb plus fish today as well......It will haunt him for a long time. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-14-2011

I fished with Josh Thacker and Gary Bray today on Tim's and struggled to put any good Smallmouth in the boat. We stayed with Tuffys all day and the bite (on big fish) wasn't there for us.  We caught several in the 13 inch and down range. But all in all we had a good day.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-13-2011

I met Tommy Terrill at the ramp at 5:30 and by 5:45 we already had two great Smallmouth in the boat and Tommy had already caught the biggest Smallmouth that he had ever caught....But that wasn't the end he topped the first one later on in the day.  VMC #10 Octopus Live Bait Hook www.vmchooks.com  Sufix 6lb Test Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com a small split shot and a Tuffy. We had an absolute blast-and Tommy was great to fish with, he handled these big smallies with no problem. We also caught several smaller fish the we didn't take a picture of. More tomorrow  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-10-2011

This was my second day with Parker and it was another good one. These are the picture fish we had several other smaller ones as well.  Same baits as yesterday Rapala Skitter Walk and a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com  Sufix  8lb test Pro Mix and the new 832 Braided Line www.sufix.com 2 great days with a very good guy and as I said yesterday a very good fisherman. No double pictures. More the end of the week. Rick McFerrin  www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-9-2001

What a fantastic day with Parker Crist today on Tim's. Parker is from California and we fished together last year when he was here visiting and he is a very good fisherman.   We caught several other smaller fish that we didn't take pictures of and I got my line broke twice.( Need to check those knots on light line 6 & 8 lb test) Rapala Skitter Walk and a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com  did the damage today. We will be back on the water tomorrow  and I will update you then. By the way there are NO DOUBLE pictures Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 5-3-2011

I met Ken Jenkins in Manchester this morning at 5:00am and it was already pouring rain and the air temp had dropped  from 60 degrees to 58 in about 30 minutes. It continued to pour (side ways at times) and when we left the lake at 10:30am the air temp had dropped to 49 degrees......truthfully it was miserable. However we did mange to put what you see above in the boat in 4 1/2 hours on a VMC Smoochin Head Jig www.vmchooks.com and grub combo and line of choice for both of us was 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono.  www.sufix.com We also lost 6 or 7 that we just didn't get hooked up on....We have Revival at the church the rest of the week so I won't have any reports until next Monday. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford  4-29-5-2-2001

Over the past 2 weeks I decided to take a break but did fish on Friday the 29th getting ready for my trip today with Steve and Melissa Postma from Michigan and the fish were where I thought they should be. Today we retraced my steps from last Friday and had a blast.  We lost several nice Smallmouth as well as getting our line broken on a couple big Rockfish. Steve and Melissa are on their 15 wedding anniversary trip and it was a joy sharing the day with them. I fished with this couple years ago when I was guiding Old Hickory and as fate would have it we had great trip both times.  Steve was on fire today-and it was exciting watching him. Over the past two trip I used a VMC Dominator Smoochin Head Jig, Vmc Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com Prowler Blue Gill Grubs www.prowlerlures.com  Sufix 6lb and 8lb test Pro Mix line www.sufix.com  and today Tuffy Minnows. More tomarrow if we don't get ran off the lake because of storms......Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-15-2011

It was a very very short day and these pictures really don't do justice to the time that Dennis and Kyle Perryman spent with me this morning on Tim's. We were on fish from our very first stop and then almost immediately the storm moved through with thunder and lightening. We caught several smaller fish not pictured and lost some on a #10 Olive Green Rapala X Rap that we just couldn't keep stuck. We also caught several on a Hologram Bluegill Luhr-Jensen Speed Trap www.luhrjensen.com Back to the ramp and it was over....I'm going to take Kyle again after he gets out of MTSU for the summer....2 great guys and great fellowship. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

April 11-12-2011

Pictured above are the best fish over the past 2 days of fishing with Mark Crunk, Kevin Thompson and John Wolf.  We also had several smaller fish as well. It has been extremely windy and we had a high pressure system sitting over us for the past 2 days and there was no easy ones for sure. All of our fish came on  a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com Terminator Spinner Bait www.termionatorlures.com  Prowler Grubs www.prowlerlures.com  Luhr Jensen Speed Trap www.luhrjensen.com and a McFerrin Signature Swim Jig (Pumpkin Pepper) tipped with a Prowler Grub.  And of course Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-8-2011

I fished Tim's today with Clint Sholes and Mickey Bald.  We started out with the Terminator Spinner Bait but couldn't get bit so we switched to a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com and a Pumpkin Pepper McFerrin Signature Swim Jig with a Prowler Green Pumpkin Grub www.prowlerlures.com and that did the trick for us. We lost 5 or 6 other fish that came unbuttoned as well. These are 2 great young guys and a lot of fun to fish with.  More next week.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com (list of stores currently stocking my swim jig is listed above.)

Tim's Ford 4-7-2011

I had a couple cancellations the first part of the week due to the storm but yesterday David Honey and I scouted out a lot of water. We ran more yesterday than we would in 5 or 6 trips combined looking for other areas that will produce numbers and quality of fish. And the results are what you see above other than one "BIGGGG!!!  Smallmouth that David had on, jumped a couple times and away she went.  Water temps still in the mid to low 50's with good color and almost to pool.  Terminator Spinner Bait www.terminatorlures.com with a Prowler Grub Trailer www.prowlerlures.com  and a 1/8ounce jig head and Prowler grub did all the damaged what little bite  there was.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.co

Old Hickory 3-31-2011

I went back to my old stomping grounds with long time friend Ken Jenkins today for my annual Old Hickory trip and the water was "cold". Evidently the Corp is letting a lot of water out out Cordell Hull plus the cold days-nights and rains that we have had here in middle Tennessee it has cooled the water temps considerably. But we still managed 7 total on a Terminator Spinner Bait www.terminatorlures.com and a Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com. Ken will be coming to Tim's to fish with me some time in May......Allot of fun with a good friend....More to come next week.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-28&30-2011

I fished the lower end of Tim's Monday with Marty Youngblood and the upper end with Lonnie Darr today. All of our fish were caught on the following. Rapala Shad Rap, Rapala X Rap, Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com Terminator Spinner Bait www.terminatorlures.com with a Prowler Grub Trailer www.prowlerlures.com and a Pumpkin and Black & Blue McFerrin Signature Series Swim Jig with a prowler trailer dipped in Clear JJ's Magic www.jj'smagic.com .(see tips page for swim jig article) list of stores where available below. 6lb and 8lb Sufix Pro Mix mono www.sufix.com Water temps were down about 4 degrees or better since we had the cold from move through. I had 2 good days with these fine gentlemen  Rick  www.tennesseebassguides.com

March 24-2011

We have been on vacation this week but I did manage to get to Tim's today and did I ever have a great time, unfortunately Daniel didn't get out of bed this morning so as you can tell by the pictures I was by myself. I caught and released well over 30 Largemouth and Smallmouth today on the following. Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com White Terminator Spinner bait www.terminatorlures.com  and a 1/4 ounce Blk/Blue and 1/4 ounce Brown  Rick McFerrin Signature Swim Jig  with a Prowler Grub trailer www.prowler;lures.com  dipped in Clear JJ's Magic www.jjsmagic.com   And as always I use Sufix 6lb-8lb and 10lb test Pro Mix line www.sufix.com  The wind stayed brisk all day out of the North and water temps varied between 60.6 and 59.3 just about everywhere I fished.  I had to swim the jig a little slower than I like to today but it was a good thud when they connected. The X Rap and Terminator fish were very aggressive......I like that. More  next week. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford w/o 3-14-2011

This has been a challenging week to find Smallmouth on Tim's for me. Never really got on a good Small mouth pattern but if you want to stay in the upper end you can catch some decent Largemouth. All fish this week were caught on the following. Terminator Spinner Bait www.terminatorlures.com  with a Prowler Grub trailer www.prowlerlures.com  VMC Smoochin Minnow Head Jig www.vmchooks.com with a Prowler Grub dipped in JJ's Magic www.jjsmagic.com and a Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com . Everything on 6 and 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com  Thanks to the Thomas father and son team, Joe Perdzock and Ritchie Hunter for 3 enjoyable days and for their patience. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-8-2011

David Honey and I met at 7:30am and fished until the rain hit about 1:00pm. Water temps had fallen as well as the air temps as the day progressed. We caught fish on the following. Rapala DT6 BlueGill, Rapala  Bleeding Chartreuse #5 Shad Rap and a 3/8 oz Terminator Spinner Bait. We lost 2 smallmouth, one of them was a  good fish and had several shorts as well.  Unless the weather get's real bad I have trips on Thursday and Friday and will up date you then. Keep moving and stay in the wind. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-4-2011

Tim White and I fished Tim's this morning for 4 1/2 hrs and the 5 pictures above was our best fish for the day.  Water temps are still hanging around 49 to 50.4 degrees and slowly rising. For the past 2 days on Tim's and Nick A Jack all the fish we caught were caught on the baits that are pictured above. Rapala DT6 Natural Shad...Blue Shad...and Helsinki Shad also the Rapala #10 Olive Green X Rap www.rapala.com  Yesterday we field tested the "NEW" Sufix 832 Braid...all I can say is fantastic.  Today we went back to the  6 lb & 8lb Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com  fantastic as well!!!! More to come next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 3-3-2011

I fished Nick A Jack today with Rapala Pro Staffer Tim White. We fished from 6:30am until the wind got to much for us to deal with around 1:00pm. Rapala DT 6, DT 10's and Rapala X Rap was by far the best for us today. www.rapala.com  Water was 53 degrees and levels were down about 1 1/2 feet. Plus the Corp was generating full blast. We will be on Tim's Ford tomorrow, Doug Markham's show Saturday morning from 5:00am until 7:00am and then at the Murfreesboro Outdoors Event Saturday from 9:00am until 3:00pm stop by and see us.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com 

Tim's Ford 3-1-2011

David and I put in this morning at 7:30am and was met with a stout cold wind out of the Northwest and 34 degree air temp.  The storms yesterday left almost a 1/2 mile long stretch of downed trees, damaged homes and debris scattered every where on our way to the ramp. Huge trees uprooted like match sticks.  We didn't know what to expect when we got to the lake and we quickly found out that the fish were hunkered down and wouldn't hit any kind of a running bait (at least for us.) That's when David put on a shaky head worm and went to work. We caught the 9 total and had 4 other bites that we didn't hook up on. By the way I was a great net guy-David put it on me.  More Thursday and Friday.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 2-24-2011

I fished today with Mr. David Honey and it was great to be back on the water with him. David has been down for about 4-5 weeks with the crud and is on the rebound.  Winds blew for us most of the day and the rain stayed all morning, water temps in the low 50's and the Rapala DT6 Blue Gill color www.rapala.com on 6lb test Sufix 6lb Test Pro Mix Line www.sufix.com  once again made a great combination. 6 Smallmouth and 7 Largemouth. More tomorrow Lord willing Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 2-21-2011

Mr. Earl Hull and I met at Devils Step at 7:00am and fished until 2:30pm. We caught and released 2 Smallmouth-15 Largemouth and 2 Hybrids. Most of the largemouth was about the size that you see above. Largemouth numbers was good but the quality was lacking.  Rapala #10 XRap and the #5 Bleeding Olive Shad Rap on  6lb Test Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com. This line is unbelievably strong, low memory and small diameter. If you will try it you wont be disappointed. The wind stayed strong all day and the best water temp we found was 52 degrees.  WARNING>>>>>>>There has been 3 trucks that have had their windows busted out at the Turkey Creek Ramp in the past week......Might be good to avoid this ramp for a while until traffic beings to pick up.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 2-14-2011

The doctor released me last Friday from the operation that I had in December and this is the 1st time to run the boat by myself and to fish Tim's since December 10-10.  I got to the Devils step ramp at 7:30am and fish until 1:00pm. I fished up lake and the best water temps that I could find was around 43 degrees. I didn't fish above the bass club where I'm sure the water was warmer, but there was already several boats heading in that direction so I avoided the crowd. I caught and released 14 Largemouth and 1 Smallmouth. I also had 4 fish (1 good one) pull off right at the boat. I tossed just about everything but the #5 Rapala Shad Rap (Bleeding Olive Shiner) and 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com was the absolute best hands down. www.rapala.com  No big fish but believe me it felt great to be back on the water. I booking trips for the spring/summer season. Oh yes before I forget, I talked with a couple gentlemen at the ramp that said they have been catching Smallmouth on creek minnows which this time of the year is still a great option. More to come  Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com

Guntersville 1-31-2011

First I need to let you know that the dates on the pictures are wrong. My batteries died and I didn't notice the change in the dates until I got home. Last week long time friend Billy Campbell asked me if I wanted to go to Guntersville with him today. This is my first trip out since my operation and I still haven't been released from the doc to run my boat on my own-so I jumped at the offer and was happy to hold down the back of his boat. Billy and I caught and released 22 Largemouth (12 pictured above) These fish would nail a Luhr-Jensen Texas Red Speed Trap www.luhr-jensen.com Water temps ranged from 49 to 52 and was dingy. A great day on the water with a very good long time friend.....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-10-2010

I spent a  very enjoyable day on Tim's with Michael McDaniel from Dallas Texas.  The minnow bite was tough again today (at least for us) but we did manage to put 7 or 8 in the boat plus some Channel Catfish. Anyone that thinks that catfish won't bite in the winter needs to come to Tim's with a bucket of minnows. Michael is not only a very good fisherman but a new father as well.  Congratulations Michael!!!! Tuffy Minnows 6lb Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com and VMC #2 BaitHolder Hooks www.vmchooks.com   We will see what the weather brings next week...I have 4 days booked and I will update you each day. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-9-2010

The bite was tough for David and I today but there was 2 very good bites. 5lb 8oz Smallmouth and a 5lb Largemouth. All of our fish today was on the Tuffy Minnows 6lb Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com and VMC #2 BaitHolder Hooks www.vmchooks.com  More hopefully tomorrow. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com By the way I was a good net man today!!!!!

Tim's Ford 12-4-2010

Is this a young lady having fun catching Smallmouth or what!  I fished Tim's today with the father daughter team of Chad and Lauren Fox. Lauren had 2 yes 2 big Smallmouth on at our first stop before Chad and I could turn around.  We caught several smaller fish as well as the one pictured above.  Chad and I had a big time watching Lauren fight these brown fish. She did a great job! Once again live Tuffy Minnows on 6lb Test Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com  was the ticket......More later on next week. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-02-2010

This has been a very interesting three days. I have been anticipating being able to fish with long time friend Tom O'Neal and (New Friend) John Griffiths from Lacrosse Wisconsin for weeks. Tom and I did a weekly "Live" fishing show together as well as being tournament partners back in the 1960's and 70's. Several months ago Tom ran across my web site and the old friendship was renewed. Like all winter trips that you plan out of state you roll the dice weather wise and this time the numbers didn't add up. From tornado warnings, huge downpour, high winds and dropping temps of Tuesday and Wednesday to the slick water of yesterday it was a challenge to say the least.  But this trip wasn't just about catching fish it was more about catching up and we accomplished that.  Lacrosse is 880 miles from Tim's Ford and "IF" things work out I'm going to head that direction next year with Daniel to fish Tom's  home waters. The fish above was our best for the 3 days.  We connected on live Tuffy Minnows on 6lb Test Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com  Storm Mad Flash Wiggle Wart www.stormlures.com and Luhr-Jensen Speed Traps www.luhrjensen.com. Tom and John I enjoyed your company more than I can tell. The Lord willing we will do it again.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-23-2010

This was WOW DAY 2 in a row for Mr. David Honey and me on Tim's today. Once again we caught fish on every stop we made and barely got out of sight of the ramp.  Tuffy Minnows and 6lb test  Sufix Pro Mix line www.sufix.com VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com again scored big time for us.  It rained hard for an hour or so then it cleared of and got slack but that didn't stop our bite. We had several fish not pictured as well. I have several open dates this winter and the Smallmouth bite is good RIGHT NOW!  More to come after Thanksgiving. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com  By the way if your not using the Pro Mix your missing one great line.

Tim's Ford 11-18-2010

This was a WOW day on Tim's today with Mr. David Honey. We caught fish on every stop we made with the exception of one. Water temps stayed around 58 degrees and we had a very slight wind the blew on and off.  6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com VMC Bait Holder Hooks www.vmchooks.com and Tuffy Minnows once again.  We caught over 20 Smallmouth with the best pictured above. We also caught 15 big Channel Cat in the 3lb to 5lb range as well. Oh yes one big slab Crappie. I have dates open through out the winter. This is a great time to catch some fantastic brown fish.  Pro Mix line is available at Murfreesboro Out Doors...and to quote David Honey "This line is unbelievable, it's strong with a small diameter and casts like a dream" More to come next week.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-15-2010

I fished Tim's today with Mr. Jeff Rozell. Water temp was 68.5 when we got to the lake and we had a decent wind. It wasn't long before most of the wind was gone and the the bite slowed for us. Our fish came on a Luhr-Jensen Speed Trap www.luhrjensen.com a Rapala Skitter Prop www.rapala.com and my signature swim jig. Sufix 6lb and 8lb test Pro Mix Mono did the trick www.sufix.com as far as our line was concerned. I enjoyed fishing with Jeff and hopefully it helped him for future trips on Tim's. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-12-2010

I fished with Mr. Earl Hull today on Tim's and it was a decent day for what we had weather wise to work with. Earl is a great guy to fish with and we always have a very good time. We caught 7 Smallmouth-2 Big Channel Cats . Same approach today as yesterday Tuff Minnows, 6lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com  and VMC bait Keeper Hooks. www.vmchooks.com  I have scattered dates open through the winter and like I said yesterday things will be getting better on Tim's week by week. If you need a break from the bad weather up north come down a fish a few days this winter with me. If you need a place to stay I can arrange that as well in some beautiful cottages right on the water. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-11-2010

Another blue bird hot November day here on Tim's Ford. I have a trip tomorrow so I came down to see if a Smallmouth could be coaxed into hitting a Tuffy minnow. I caught 8 Smallmouth-1 Spot-1Crappie-1 Channel Cat and 1 White bass in the 5 hours that I fished. The bait shop was out of the larger minnows so I had to use the small ones and if you fish live bait for Smallmouth you know what that means. I lost 1 bragging size Smallie that just came undone at the boat, it stayed on my mind all the way home. I just kept it simple today 6lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com  and VMC bait Keeper Hooks. www.vmchooks.com You could carry all your tackle in your shirt pocket. I will be doing the same technique tomorrow since it will be a carbon copy of today. with Earl. I have scattered dates open through the winter and things will be getting better on Tim's week by week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford Update 11-9-2010

Just a quick update on Tim's. I put in at the State Park this morning to check out my new boat. Runs great-but like all new things nothing is where I'm use to it being. Left 2 boxes of baits and the camera at home-you know the drill. I had 2 Spots-1 Smallmouth and 1 Largemouth a couple were nice fish. Water temp was 60.2 and zero wind at least on the end of the lake I was on.  More to come this week. Pictures and all.   Thank you for visiting my site.  Rick

Tim's Ford 10-26-2010

I was suppose to fish with a gentleman yesterday and we moved the trip to today because of the thunderstorms in middle Tennessee. This morning he decided to reschedule again due to the high winds and tornado warnings that are moving through. So,  having a bad case of I have to go to the lake I went by myself as you can tell from the pictures above. Let me say this.....this is the first time in a long time that I fished with my life jacket on all but when I was in the state park bay. When I turned the boat into the wind the waves would come over the front of the boat and it took all 80 pounds of thrust on my trolling motor to hold on several of the points I fished. I had 4 bites and caught all 4 on a Rapala DT Thug pictured at the left. www.rapala.com 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com .I put in at 6:30am and finally loaded up  at 10:30 after 4 phone calls telling me to get off the water. These fish would NAIL the DT Thug. I did throw a variety of other baits but no takers. More to come the end of the week I have two men from Atlanta with me on Friday and it appears it is going to be mile high blue sky's.....Don't forget this is the last week of the Buy 2 Rapala DT Series baits and get a 400 yard spool of Sufix Pro Mix Free at Murfreesboro Outdoors.   This is a great deal don't pass it up! I have scattered dates available through the winter-See the can't miss offer above. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Lake Barkley 10-19-20-2010

Daniel and I fished Lake Barkley yesterday and today and had a blast. We met good Friend Ken Jenkins and his daughter in Clarksville early yesterday and followed them to the ramp at Dover Tennessee. This is only the 2nd time that I have fished Barkley, the other was Oct 2009 with Ken. (See Tim's Ford Archive Pictures) It was overcast all day long, Daniel and I caught and released a mix of 45 Largemouth and 15 White bass. This morning it was very foggy, we caught 25 Largemouth 4 White Bass and 1 Sauger before the sun broke through. When the sun came out everything came to a halt, so we packed up and came back home. If you look at the top rows of pictures you can see why these fish got all over the #5 Rapala Shallow Shad Rap and the Rapala #8 X Rap www.rapala.com they matched the shad size perfectly. We used 6lb and 8lb test Sufix www.sufix.com Pro Mix Mono and as always it worked perfectly.  90 total in a day and a half, no monster but a lot of them and a great time on the water with my youngest. This reminded me of my guide trips on Old Hickory days as far as the Shallow Shad Rap is concerned, it is one of the best shallow water crank baits that I have ever used hands down. We stayed in a log cabin at the Dover Inn and I would recommend their facility no problem. It was clean, reasonable and close to the ramp.  More next week, Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-18-2010

If you want to have fun and enjoy someone else catching the fish....take a couple of young people fishing. To day I had Dillon (13yrs 0ld) and Drew (11 yrs Old) Corley with me on Tim's and I had a blast watching these two fine young fishermen catch and release all the fish above plus some that we didn't take pictures of.  It was their first all time Smallmouth and Hybrid and they did an outstanding job using light line. 6lb test and 8 lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com .  Rapala Skitter Props and #7 Shad Raps www.rapala.com did the job today> Daniel (my 15 year old) id off this week and he and I will update you as the week progresses. I have some scattered dates open this fall and winter and things are going to get better the colder that it gets.....give me a call. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-15-2010

What a difference a day makes. I had a decent day Monday (see post below) then a tough as nails day  yesterday when the cold front moved into middle Tennessee. I was a little gun shy today when I met Earl Hull at the ramp but things got started out quickly and we caught and released 15 or 16 Smallmouth-Largemouth-Spots and Walleye mix. Water temps stayed around 68 degrees all day and we had a brisk North West wind. Rapala DT Thug www.rapala.com and a Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com If you haven't tried the Slim Jim you are missing a very productive soft plastic bait that has multiple applications. They fall a little slower than comparable baits and when the fish pick them up they just don't want to let go.   The DT Thugs are rated to run 7 foot deep on 10lb test but I throw all my crankbaits on 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix mono www.sufix.com which will give me another 12 to 18 inches in depth on a long cast. This line is fantastic with high tensile and knot strength, low stretch, low memory which will increase the distance on your casts. More to come next week if there is a next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Fords 10-11-2010

I spent a very enjoyable day on Tim's with two great people Russ and Cindy Bounds. We covered a lot of territory and managed to put 5 good fish in the boat all on a Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix mono www.sufix.com and 3/0 VMC Z LOKWorm Hooks www.vmchooks.com  Cindy caught her first Largemouth and Smallmouth and you can tell by the look on her face that she was excited. Russ, Cindy and I are going to do a creek minnow trip this winter which will be a lot of fun. The picture on the bottom right was the largest of the Smallmouth that David Honey and I caught one day last week when we fished Tuffy minnows only. All I took to the lake was hooks-sinkers and a rod. As it turned out the bait was to small and the wind was to strong but we did put some in the boat including the one that David is holding.  More to come later in the week. Water temp back up over 70 degrees. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-1-2010

I spent to tough but enjoyable day's with Mr. Parker Crist from California. This is the second time we have fished together and he is very good to be in the boat with. We caught several Smallmouth, Largemouth, Spots and 3 Walleye's over the past two days but I lost the only 2 good fish we had on both days. A Root beer Chartreuse Luhr-Jensen Speed Trap www.luhrjensen.com was by far our best for both days. I throw all my crank baits on 6lb Test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com . If you haven't tried Pro Mix you are missing one of the finest mono's you could ever put on your spinning or casting reels. Smooth, limp. small diameter, low stretch and strong. And if your in the Murfreesboro Tennessee area you can get some free at Murfreesboro Out Doors. (See promo ad above)  Parker and I started out quickly both day's but continued to slow gradually as the day progressed.  Water temp this morning was 71.9 and water level is slowly falling. It's just a matter of time now since our nights and days are staying much cooler. I have scattered open dates yet this fall and winter. Give me a call and I will work with you on trip. Until next week....if there is a next week.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-28-2010

Well, you see 4 of what should have been 10 or 12 easy. We had some violent top water strikes on a Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com they would knock the bait out of the water but yet no hook up. I had this same thing happen on Tim's last fall, it's almost like they hit the Skitter Walk with their mouth closed. A lot of fun to watch....BUT.....The 2 largest fish came on a Crawdad Brown Storm Wiggle Wart www.stormlures.com The other 2 on a Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com. Water temp was 78 down 1 degree since last Saturday. We also had a couple fish on a Rapala X Rap.  More to come the end of the week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-25-2010

I had a great but very wet time on Tim's Ford today with Mike and Sharon Taylor. This was there 5th anniversary and they decided spending it together on the lake. It was raining on me when I got to the lake at 5:15am this morning and it never stopped until 1:30pm. The fish above were caught on a variety of baits including Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com  Rapala X Rap, Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com and a Storm Mad Flash Chug Bug www.stormlures.com . We lost several and Sharon had her line broken as well. These are two very nice folks that I enjoyed sharing my boat with. Mike and Sharon happy anniversary!!!  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-23-2010

The 4 pictured above was our best of 9 that David Honey and I put in the boat today. I lost a fish that was much bigger than any pictured above when she got wrapped around a cross member on a dock and broke off. Had he up twice but she won the battle.  Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com VMC Z  Lock Worm Hooks www.vmchooks.com and Sufix 8lb Pro Mix Mono  turned out once again to be the best for us. I saw some very encouraging signs today we are close to things opening up some. More to come later this week.  David J....David Honey said "Thank You" Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-14-2010

A little tougher but still productive on Tim's Ford this morning. I met Mr. David Honey at the ramp at 5:30am and we headed down lake to where I had found surfacing fish last week. Guess What? Your right, no fish so we began hitting several new areas and by 7:30am it was bright the water was slick and we not only didn't have a fish but not even a bite.  After throwing several baits I settled in on the Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com and all the fish you see above and a couple smaller ones not pictured were caught on them. The weight distribution of these baits are wonderful and the largemouth engulfed them every time. It was hotter and much clearer today and any wind we got sure felt good to us, all we need is some cooler days to go with our cooler nights and we will be in business. Once again 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com and VMC Z Lock Worm Hooks www.vmchooks.com  help us seal the deal on the fish above.  If you haven't tried the Sufix Pro Mix you are missing one of the best lines I have ever had on a rod, unbelievably smooth, strong and ware resistant even in the smaller diameters. More to come the end of the week. Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-10-2010

I finally made it to the lake this week, Daniel has had the Strep Throat so I have been staying close to home. I fished today by myself....not hard to tell when you look at the pictures. I caught 16 Largemouth-2 Smallmouth and 4 White Bass. Most of them were about the size of the pictures above, no big fish but several of them. Water temp at daylight was 78.3 down another 3 degrees and was 80.5 when I left at 12:45. Lake is slowly dropping.  All of the fish were caught on the 2 baits above. A Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com and a Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com . I rigged the Slim Jim with a 3/0 VMC Z LOCK Worm Hook www.vmchooks.com and 8lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com These fish were very aggressive, no doubt when they when they hit. More to come next week if we can keep everyone well. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com Time to book your fall and winter trips, I'm offering a discount if you book  multiple days. The days do not have to be taken together. Call me at 615-308-9936 or e-mail rickm@dtccom.net

Tim's Ford 9-2-2010

David Honey and I spent 6 hours this morning on Tim's Ford checking out areas of the lake that I haven't fished in a while. We were able to put a couple good fish in the boat plus several smaller fish not pictured. But that's not all the story. David had the most hits today by leaps and bounds. I was just a good trolling motor guy. But at the same time he had a tough day as well. Let me explain, I think his exact words as we were standing in the parking lot was. "If I only put in the boat the fish I had on we would have had a sack full." He was right...3 of the fish were good ones. I've had several days on Tim's like that before....But it sure beats not getting bit.  Prowler Slim Jims  www.prowlerlures.com a VMC #3 Z LOCK worm hook www.vmchooks.com and Sufix Pro Mix 6lb test www.sufix.com worked well today. Things are slowly looking up on the daytime fishing. It was still hot today though...air temp was 92 when we left the lake.  More after all the holiday folks pack up and go home. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-31-2010

I fished Tim's Ford today with Mr. Arnold once again in search of the Hybrid and RockFish. Jays pontoon boat is equipped with down riggers so we used his boat today. We also had several Blue Gill that we just knew would do the trick but.....but.....1 hit on the Blue Gill and zero hits trolling with the downriggers. We spent at least 2 or more hours trolling with no success. We caught the 2 fish above on a Luhr-Jensen 1/2 ounce Cast Champ Spoon www.luhrjensen.com and 10lb test Sufix Pro Mix mono www.sufix.com plus several smaller white bass. Water levels remain the same but the temp is coming down.  It was 81 this morning and 85.5 when we left at 1:00pm. 5 full degrees cooler than a couple weeks ago. Temps are headed in the right direction, IT WON'T BE LONG!!!!!!!! I will be back on Tim's Thursday and will up date you then. I can feel the weather change coming-book your fall and winter trips now. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com  ***Ask about multiple trip discount.....

Tim's Ford 8-17-2010

I fished Tim's this morning with Mr. Jay Arnold it rained on us all day and it was a blessing. I decided recently to take a little time off because of the heat and today was a pleasant change.  Jay is a Rock Fish-Hybrid nut and the whole emphasis of our trip today was to put some of those hard pulling critters in the boat. What's the old saying "Best laid plans of mice and men".  We spent (my mistake) 90% of our time trying to make them bite and we zero success. We were all over them on the graph but could find very few in bait. You could watch the lure fall straight down in them with no takers. We did hit a couple docks and that is where the two above came from we also lost 2 others. Being rather stubborn (that would be me) I should have abandoned the Rockfish and concentrated on more docks. Jay and I are going to do it again in a couple weeks. I was using a Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com a VMC #3 Z LOCK worm hook (extremely sharp) and 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com. I will be on either Tim's or Nick A Jack Thursday and will update you then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassgudies.com

Tim's Ford July 25-2010

I fished Tim's 5 hours this morning with the Grandfather/Grandson team Of Mike and Grant Disser. We only managed 2 good fish in the boat. Mike lost 2 other Rockfish and we also lost 4 Smallmouth/Kentucky's early on. Grant is 7 years old and did a great job today, he is going to be a real fisherman in the years to come. Mike and Grant thanks for a good morning with you. The other 2 pictures are ones of Daniel that I didn't post from last week. It will be nice when the weather breaks but until them (at least for me) early on the lake and early home. Storm Mad Flash Chug Bug www.stormlures.com Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com did the trick.   Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 7-16-2010

I had a great morning with Mr. Earl Hull today on Tim's Ford. We started out with some great action a Prowler 5 inch Slim Jim's www.prowlerlures.com rigged on a 3/0 VMC Fastgrip Hook www.vmchooks.com worked around some docks that are beginning to produce for me.  I always throw this type of bait on 10lb Test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com, it gives you plenty of strength to pull a fish out from under docks-wave runner platforms and other obstructions. We had 8 to 10 Spots flash at our Slim Jim's that wouldn't slam it.  We very easily could have had near 20 before 8:00am. Later in the day Earl managed to put 2 nice Rockfish in the boat and your truly managed to loose 3 heavy fish (most likely Rockfish) and 1 great Smallmouth.  One of them was on a Rapala DT16. www.rapala.com All I can think of he must have hit it at an angle, I fought him for a couple minute and then he just came undone. Just a word of caution from a guy that didn't do what he preaches-----check your knots-recheck your knots and watch your drag on light line. You would have thought this was my first day with mental mistakes like that. Earl is great to fish with and we will be doing it again in September. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 7-9-2010

For the past 2 days I have had the absolute pleasure to fish with the Grandfather/Grandson team of Eric Sherman and Charles Sherman on Tim's Ford. Eric called me a few weeks ago and was going to be in town from Texas and wanted to see if we could put his grandfather on some good fish. Well let me tell you that Charles is 85 years young and will hang right in there with you and today he put a "whuppin" on Eric and me. He caught on quickly o the deep water technique and then away he went. I had the pleasure of being the net man! We also had some Kentucky's and a couple more Largemouth that we didn't takes pictures of and 90% of our best fish were suspended in 40-80 feet of water. By the way these are all separate fish. It reminded me of many trips I had with my father.......Day's like this you don't forget. Charles and Eric thanks for a 2 good days. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 7-1-2010

I fished Nick A Jack with Mr. David Honey today and we struggled after 7:00am big time. We had 5 bites between daylight and 11:00am fishing about everything that we could throw.  We loaded the boat and put in below the dam around noon and caught 6 White Bass 2 Small Rock Fish and had my line broken by something that was in control from the get go. VMC Smoochin Head Minnow Jigs www.vmchooks.com and a Prowler 4 1/2 inch Grub www.prowlerlures.com and a tail spinner did the trick below the dam. Both of the largemouth came on a top water bait. No bite, no runs, no errors on anything else. Tough day at least for us. As the weather moderates I'll be back on the water more but until then I'm not pushing it. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 6-25-2010

My client for today decided that he would reschedule because of the heat so I fished Tim's this morning from daylight until 10:30am by myself...you can always tell by the pictures....hard to do when your alone. I caught 6 Smallmouth (the 2 largest pictured) and 2 Rockfish. All the Smallmouth was caught on a Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com and the Rockfish on a Prowler 4 1/2 inch grub www.prowlerlures.com on a 1/4 ounce VMC Smoochin Jig Head www.vmchooks.com. I know that I have told you about the Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com that I'm using before but let me tell you again that this is some great line. Small dia. limp and strong. I throw all my crank baits on the 6lb clear blue and today I caught the Rock fish on 8lb test clear blue. I'm a line watcher and believe it or not all that I could see when the Rockfish hit the grub in 80 feet of water was a ever so light "Tick". You can see all of these products at Murfreesboro Out Doors in Murfreesboro Tennessee. If you local sporting goods store doesn't carry the DT's-Sufix Pro Mix or the Smoochin Jig Head they all belong to Rapala and can be ordered no problem when they order from their distributor. . If you store doesn't carry the Prowler Grubs they can contact Prowler via the web or at 1-888-385-8737 ask for Mr. Van Meter he will take good care of you and ship you. You also can order directly at the same numbers. More tomorrow when I get in from by trip. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 6-17-2010

My youngest son Daniel and I had a great time on Tim's this morning.  Every summer I always tell him we are going to more than just bass fish...in the past I haven't done that but this year we are. Our intention was to bass fish the first hour of daylight then see if we could catch some good blue gill and catfish. We started out throwing one of the new Storm Chug Bug Mad Flash www.stormlures.com and immediately hooked up on a Spot and lost a nice Smallmouth that got hung up in a rope against a dock. We had a couple other rolls at the bait but no hook up's. We switched over to our other game plan and caught 5 nice channel catfish and 10 blue gills in the 7 to 8 inch range (no big gills) on 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com VMC #2 Bit Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com and a night crawler. By that time the sun was high and we decided to head to the ramp but we stopped one more time and for the next 45 minutes had a blast catching and also losing several Rockfish and Hybrids on a VMC Smoochin Minnow Head Jig www.vmchooks.com and a Prowler Smoke Glitter Grub www.prowlerlures.com . We lost 2 heavy......let me say again heavy Rockfish when they got us around a bridge pilling and just sawed the line into. A great day with my youngest that is getting ready to get his drivers licenses this month...I want to take advantage of these opportunities while I have them. Rick  www.tennesseebassguides.com

Combination Report w/o 5-31 & 6-8-2010

This is going to be a combination report on Normandy and Tim's that covers portions of the past 2 weeks. Normandy: Daniel and I met Doug Markham at Normandy last week early one morning to help him find some Walleye....Daniel and I fished 3 1/2hrs and had zero Walleye but Daniel had a nice Largemouth and 5 Spots....After we returned from a short vacation I went to Tim's Yesterday by myself (4hrs) and with David Honey today. Our largest fish are pictured above.  Rapala DT6 and DT10's www.rapala.com accounted for the bulk of the fish with some being caught on a shaky head as well.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 5-25-2010

I had a good but "TUFF" day on Nick A Jack today with Mr. Ken Jenkins. We caught and released 25 Largemouth but as I said we had to work for every one of them. There was NO easy ones not even 1. Rapala DT 6 and DT4's www.rapala.com and a Prowler Finesse Worm www.prowlerlures.co on a VMC 1/8 ounce Shaky Head Jig www.vmchook.com did the trick for me today. All of my fish was caught on a new Yank Um 7'3" Spinning rods with either 6lb or 8lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono, this makes a great combination of sensitivity and strength. Check out all your fishing needs at Murfreesboro Outdoors including a complete line of Rapala-Sufix-Prowler and The New Yank UM Rods. Tell Randy I sent you....... If you purchase a Yank Um Rod at Murfreesboro Out Doors between now and the last day of July you will be entered in a drawing for a Free Guide Trip" with me on either Tim's Ford or Nick A Jack. See the store of all details and rules. Rick McFerrin www.tenneseebassguides.com.

Center Hill 5-24-2010

Other than picking his final grades, Daniel is out of school for the summer so we took advantage of his first day out. We put the boat in the water on Center Hill at 5:45am and loaded up at 9:30am with 47 big blue gill and 1 flat head cat fish in the well and headed for hot grease at the McFerrin house. I don't do enough pan fishing but I plan on changing that this summer while Daniel is out of school. More to come this week from Nick A Jack and Tim's ....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 5-20-2010

I fished with Doug Markham today on Nick A Jack and film 2 great videos for his web site. All the bass we caught was on a Rapala DT4 www.rapala.com  6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com Red Breasted Sunfish and all Gills on Sufix mono VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com and power baits. All of my bass was caught on a 7'3" Yank Um Spinning rod. These rods are as light as a feather-super sensitive and powerful, check them out at Murfreesboro OutDoors. Doug will have these videos on his site soon. Great day on the water with Doug and a mixed bag to boot. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 5-13-2010

This was a very short trip today on Nick A Jack with Mr. Wesley Dale. The 2 above was our best of 25 that we caught early this morning before we had to leave the lake due to Wesley's son getting sick at school. The over all size of the fish today was smaller. The best bait was a Prowler Finesse Worm www.prowlerlures.com on a VMC Shaky Head Jig www.vmchooks.com Zero wind and bright blue skies...on Tim's tomarrow....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 5-11-2010

Another great day on Nick A jack with Mr. David Honey. We caught and released 52 Largemouth and still took time to find some big Blue Gill and Shell Cracker for an upcoming video that I will be doing with Doug Markham Out Doors. Rapala DT4 www.rapala.com Storm Kickin Minnow Swim Bait www.stormlures.com Prowler Finesses Worms www.prowlerlures.com  on a VMC Shaky Head www.vmchooks.com did the trick today. I will be back on Nick A Jack Thursday and Tim's on Friday and will update you then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-27 & 29-2010

I spent two great days this week  with Mr. & Mrs. Dale Abbott from Chicago Illinois. The two days that we spent together were as different as day and night as far as the weather was concerned. Tuesday it rain and stayed cloudy most of the day and today it was bright sunshine but that didn't stop us from putting some great Smallmouth in the boat. Prowler 4 1/2 inch Grub www.prowlerlures.com on a 1/4 ounce VMC Smoochin Minnow Head Jig www.vmchooks.com 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com paid off on Tuesday. The Abbott's like to throw live bait so today we did just that and it worked like a charm. VMC Bait Keeper Hooks-tiny split shot and a Tuffy minnow worked for us today...good change of pace and a lot of fun to. More to come next week.  These are some of the fish we caught in the 2 days. I look forward to this fall when I may be fishing with these good folks again. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-26-2010

I fished Tim's today with Mr. Parker Crist from California and we had a great time even though the air temp had dropped considerably. (Almost felt like winter again)  The pictures above were our best fish that we put in the boat. We also lost almost as many as we caught. Prowler 4 1/2 inch grub www.prowlerlures.com on a VMC Smoochin Minnow Head Jig www.vmchooks.com and a Terminator Spinner Bait www.terminatorlures.com  did the trick today. Parker was a very good fisherman and I enjoyed the day big time. More to come tomarrow. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-24-2010

For the past 2 days I have fished with a great group of guy's on Tim's Ford. Sometime ago Danny Collins who I have fished with before contacted me about a trip using my boat and his as a trailer. So I had the pleasure of fishing with Stan Forston-Michael Forston-Brian Collins-Collin Williams and Danny.  The fish above was from Friday the 23rd (date stamp was wrong)  6lb  Sufix Pro Mix mono www.sufix.com Prowler 4 1/2 inch Grub www.prowlerlures.com on a VMC Dominator Smoochin Minnow Head www.vmchooks.com  did the trick again over the past 2 days. Thanks guys I enjoyed fishing with you. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-20-22-2010

For the past 3 days I have had the pleasure of fishing with  Mr. Joe Walsh and Mr. Gary Gemmer. This is the 3rd time that Joe and I have fished together and it was a great trip. Pictured above are some of our better fish that we put in the boat....not pictured is the 20-yes-20 Smallmouth that we lost over the past 3 days. These Smallies are wild and come straight up out of the water instantly when you stick them. Best baits for the 3 days was a Prowler 4/12inch grub www.prowlerlures.com on a 1/4ounce VMC Dominator Smoochin Minnow Head www.vmchooks.com  a Prowler Slim Jim rigged weightless-Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com Rapala DT6 all on either 6lb or 8lb Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com   Joe and Gary look forward to fishing with you again. More to come this week if the storms don't get to bad. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford  4-19-2010

I fished Tim's with Mr. Jason Foster and Mr. Chris Daniel today and had a great time. The only problem was that we lost 3 Smallmouth in the 4 to 5lb range plus 4 others that were great fish as well. The Smallies were wild this morning and would slam a Prowler Grub www.prowlerlures.com on a 1/4ounce VMC Dominator Smoochin Minnow Head www.vmchooks.com come straight up out of the water and tail walk half way back to the boat. I'm using the Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com in either 6lb or 8lb test to throw the Prowler Grubs and as I have said in the past this is some fantastic line that you have to try. Randy at Murfreesboro Out Doors has a full selection of the Pro Mix check it out there. More to come tomorrow-Jason and Chris I really enjoyed fishing with you. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com 

Tim's Ford 4-16-2010

I don't know about anyone else but things tightened up for me considerably on Tim's this past couple days. We have fish on bed now all over the lake, the water temp is in the high 60's and even some low 70's.....unbelievable temp change in 3 1/2 weeks. Yesterday I fished with the Wolf father and son team and today with Earl Hull. Both days our fish came on a Terminator Spinner Bait www.terminatorlureds.com  a Terminator Jig with a Prowler Craw  a Prowler Grub www.prowlerlures.com a Prowler Shaky Head Finesses worm. And a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com We had other fish but these were the ones I took pictures of. Adjust-adjust-adjust......More next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 4-13-2010

This was my 2nd day with Tim White and a great day it was. We caught and released 32 Largemouth (17 pictured above)/ Big fish was 4lbs 14 oz and we had numerous 3lb plus fish today. Best baits was a Terminator Jig www.terminatorlures.com and Prowler Craw combo www.prowlerlures.com  a Prowler Creature Bait and a Rapala Shallow Shad Rap. www.rapala.com . We had a great day shooting these over the past two day and look forward to having Tim in my boat again sometime this year.  55 Lar5gemouth in 2 days.....I'm back on Tim's this Thursday and Friday and will up date you then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 4-12-2010

I met Rapala Pro Staffer Tim White at Nick A Jack this morning and we fished from 6:00am until 12:45pm and caught  21 Largemouth all about the size of the 9 above. Our largest fish was 3lb 8oz and all but a couple were caught on a Terminator Jig www.terminatorlures.com . I did loose 1 big fish that got me into some lay downs and I couldn"t get her out. We didn't have enough wind today to blow a feather across the lake....slick-slick-slick.........Tim and I will be back on the water tomorrow on Nick A Jack and i will update you then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-9-2010

I fished today with Mr. Brian Fultz and Mr. Mike Napier on Tim's Ford and had a fantastic day. We caught 25 total....22 Smallmouth-2 Largemouth and 1 Kentucky. The 2 largest Smallmouth were 4lbs 10 oz and 4lb 2oz. We also had 10 other Smallmouth over 3lbs each many of them in the 3lb 8oz to 3lb 10oz range. Terminator Spinner Baits www.terminatorlures.com and the old reliable Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com need the job again. Brian and Mike you were both great to ffish with. I look forward to another trip with you.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguyides.com   Note: Mike Napier is the owner of a Marina in Jasper Tennessee located just 3 miles from Shell Mound Ramp on Nick A Jack Lake , His office number is 423-942-2694 and his cell is 239-878-4686. Mike works on all brands of outboard motors. Give Mike a call for more information.

Nick A Jack 4-8-2010

What a day on the water with Mr. David Honey. Honest truth...I just stopped taking pictures. We caught and released 60 (no misprint) Largemouth 17 pictured with the big fish being a great 6lbs 4oz. These fish would nail a Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com  David and I have had many great trips together but this was fantastic. Back on Tim's tomorrow. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-6-2010

I spent a tough but very enjoyable day with the father and son team of Ted Reed and his father Ted Sr. They both are great guys that hung in there all day inspire of it being as tough as it was. We started off quickly with 2 Smallmouth at our first stop and then it just continually got tougher as the day progressed. We caught and released a total of 9 for the day ( 1pig) right at 5lbs on a Prowler Soft Shad www.prowlerlures.com rigged on 10lb Test Sufix Pro Mix Mono www.sufix.com with a VMC 5/0 #7316 Wide Gap Worm Hook www.vmchooks.com  these VMC hooks are unbelievably sharp and is the 1st hook to have 3 microbarbs that helps with a quick hook set and a Terminator Spinner Bait www.terminatorlures.com. I will be on Nick A Jack Thursday and back on Tim's Friday so I will update you then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 4-5-2010

Pictured are 6 of 14 that Jerry Steakley and I caught on Tim's Ford today on Spinner Baits www.terminatorlures.com . The Smallmouth would absolutely unload on the blade today.  Water temps ranged from 59 to 61 degrees and at last it was hot....a nice 85 when we left the lake. More to come this week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-30-2010

Ronnie Richards and I made a bee-line to the areas where I have been on fish and.....zero...let me say again zero. We struggled for several hours until I made a change that turned out to be the answer at least for us today. We caught several more fish than the ones pictured above. We also lost 3 big fish and 1 that Ronnie lost was a very big fish. We were throwing a 1/4 ounce VMC Dominator Smoochin Minnow Head www.vmc.com with a Prowler Grub www.prowlerlures.com and a 1/4 ounce Rocky Top Custom Jig with a Prowler Flappin Craw Trailer.  This warm weather will help things considerably as the week go's on. More on Thursday....Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-29-2010

Mr. David Honey and I put the boat in the water this morning at daylight and could have ramped out at 10:00am because the bite died on us quickly. We lost a great Smallmouth at the boat (I guess it to be) around the 4lb range and we caught several other Largemouth not pictured.  Terminator Spinner Bait www.terminatorlures.com  and a Luhr-Jensen radar 10 www.luhrjensen.com worked for us today. More to come tomorrow........Rick Mcferrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 3-26-2010

I had a great time with Earl Hull and Larry Harvin on on Tim's today. It was coooold...... to say the least and the wind stayed 15mph plus until the front moved through around 1:30pm. Big fish was a 6lb 14ounce Largemouth and a 4lb 4 ounce Smallmouth.   90% of all of our fish was caught on a 3/8 ounce Terminator Tungsten Series Spinner Bait  with Nickel and Gold blades www.terminatorlures.com and they would hammer the bait. The tungsten series Terminators create a great deal of vibration and turbulence that seemed to be the answer today. I use 10lb Sufix Pro Mix mono on my spinner bait rod for Tim's www.sufix.com and it is unbelievable how strong-limp and powerful this line is for it's diameter. If you live in the Murfreesboro  Randy at Murfreesboro Out Doors is carrying a full selection of the Pro Mix......If you try it you won't be disappointed. More to come next week. Earl and larry thank you for a cold but enjoyable day on Tim's. Earl I look forward fishing with you again in April. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Center Hill 3-23-2010

Daniel is on spring break this week and he wanted to try to catch some of the spots on the Hill so we headed that way this morning and he caught and released 1 Smallmouth and 6 Spots all about the size of the ones pictured above. DT 6 Crawfish Brown Orange Belly is still a good choice. www.rapala.com We had a great time and it's always a blessing to be able to spend a day out with your kids.....Tomorrow Tim's Ford-I will give you an update then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguide.com

Tim's Ford 3-19-2010

I fished Tim's Ford today with Ron Kairdolf and we pretty much struggled all day. When we put the boat in this morning at 6:30am in Turkey Creek the water temperature was still 43 degrees and the air temp was 40 degrees. I wanted to focus as much as possible on Smallmouth only today and the 2 above was our largest. We fished from Turkey Creek all the way to Wagner Creek and numerous places in-between. We threw just about everything today except a Carolina rig and I wish we had stopped long enough to do that. The warmest water of course is up lake and there is still good color in much of that area. All of our fish was caught on 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com and the #5 Shad Rap www.rapala.com  that you see pictured above and as you can see it is very near the size of the shad the fish were feeding on. We had 6 total and all were released in good shape. I talked to friends on Normandy-Guntersville and Center Hill today it it sounded like it was slow just about every where-at least for them. I'll be back on Nick A Jack tomorrow and will update you tomorrow night. Come on constant warm weather!!!!! Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com  Nick A Jack Update: Good friend Jerry Steakley ask me to fish a Warren Co. Bass Club tournament with him on Nick A Jack yesterday. This was the first tournament I have fished in over 20 years...but I did have a good time. The result went like this 1st place was 5 fish @ 16lbs 11oz...2nd place was 5 fish @ 16lbs 4oz....3rd place was 4 fish @ 11lbs 4oz....and I'm not sure of the weights after that. Jerry and I finished 3rd and our big fish was an even 5lbs....big fish for the tournament was 5lb 2oz..2 ounces larger than ours...Thanks Jerry for the invite...Rick

Center Hill 3-18-2010

It only took 3 years but good friend Roy Armistead and I finally hooked up on his home water "Center Hill". It seemed like every time we scheduled a trip something always came up to keep us from going but today was the day and Roy did good. We were on fish right away and stayed busy from 7:00am until 2:00pm catching and releasing 20 Spots and 1 Smallmouth.  It felt good sitting in the back of the boat-having some one else put me on fish and he even brought me a Sub Way sandwich. I was in hog heaven all day.  The is a great time to be throwing crank baits like the Rapala DT6 in the Dark Brown Craw and the DT6 Chartreuse Brown www.rapala.com  it seemed to be their favorite colors today. Roy was also bragging about the Sufix Pro Mix 6lb test www.sufix.com that he has been using to crank with. To quote a man that has most likely bought every brand of line available over the past 50 years...."Rick this is some of the best mono I have ever used-I don't get the loops like you do with other lines and the strength and durability in unbelievable."  If you live in the Murfreesboro area Randy at Murfreesboro Out Doors has put in Pro Mix in 6lb through 14 lb test....I also know in the Cookeville area that Outdoor Junction is carrying Pro Mix as well. I did some lake hopping this week but will be on Tim's tomarrow. Roy thank you-your a great host...and a good friend......Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Nick A Jack 3-16-2010

It was a tough day on Nick A Jack for David Honey and I. We put the boat in at daylight and fished until 1:00pm. We caught and released 6 Largemouth- 3caught on a Prowler Lizard Carolina Rigged-1 caught on a Rocky Top Custom Tackle Jig with a Prowler Flappin Craw trailer www.prowlerlures.com and 2 on a Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com Big fish was 5 plus only problem they were few and far between. Most of the trucks were gone out of the lot when we came in so it looks like it was tough all the way around. Misery loves company! Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassuides.com

Tim's Ford 3-11-2010

I had 5 good hours on Tim's today catching and releasing 16 Largemouth on a #5 Rapala Bleeding Olive Shad Rap and 1 Hybrid on a Rapala Parrott DT6.  www.rapala.com I also had 3 other fish to the boat that I lost and a couple short strike that I didn't hook up on. I have some open dates this spring and things are going to break loose on Tim's within the next couple weeks. We soon should be on good Smallmouth-Largemouth-Walleye and Hybrid bite, give me a call.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 2-26-2010

I met Mr. Ronnie Murray at the State Park ramp this morning at 10:00am and we fished until 2:15pm. All we used was a Float N Fly and fished 5 spots in the 4 hours we were out. Water temperature when we got to the lake was 39.7 and when we left 41.3. If you haven't fished this rig your missing a fun/relaxing way to catch these Smallmouth. Many guys use braid tied to a 3 way swivel and then Fluorocarbon down to the fly.  I simplified that a little bit for me and use 6lb Sufix mono www.sufix.com straight through. Sufix offers a variety of  small diameter low memory strong lines that work in all weather and cover conditions. What ever your particular need is on the waters you fish Sufix has a line that will do the job. Check it out at your local tackle store.   Until this water temperature warms this technique is still a good one to go to. Ronnie and I are going to fish again here in a couple weeks and hopefully the water temp will be warmer. More to come next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 2-12-2010

I rescheduled  my Thursday and Friday guide trips this week for later in the month so I ventured out on Tim's Ford today with Mr. Jerry Steakley to see if we could find a Plan B for the tournament that he was going to fish on Saturday.  Jerry had found a few fish in another area of the lake so our goal yesterday was to find a backup just in case. The tournament is going out of Rock Creek so we put in there and was greeted with 38 degree water and the warmest we found any where in the river was 41.  For the day we caught 6 largemouth (3 keepers) and 2 big crappie. All of our fish came on the 4 following Rapala crank baits.  a DT4 Helsinki Shad......XRap Shad Sliver......Black& Silver Shad Rap www.rapala.com and a Luhr-Jensen Root Beer Chartreuse  Speed Trap www.luhrjensen.com.  We tried several other baits but no takers. We didn't see many boats on the water today but I did talk with a gentleman at the ramp when we were leaving he said that he didn't have a bite 1 all day. Air temp when we put in was 29 degrees and it was 33 when we loaded the boat.  The color is good in the river and if we could get just 2 or 3 warm days in a row you wouldn't even need hooks on your Rapala crank baits to catch them......Good to get back out-I have a jam packed week next week but hope for at least 1 day on the water maybe in Brazil....By the way I talked with Jerry Williams from Outdoor Junction in Cookeville and Randy at Murfreesboro Out Doors they both have a good supply of the Sufix Pro Mix in stock www.sufix.com . Check them out....You owe it to yourself to try this line...it's great! Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com  UPDATE: Jerry and his partner finished 2nd out of 50 plus boat in the tournament Saturday. The pattern we found held up..I think they had 5 fish that weighed a total of 12 pounds plus and was 1/2 lb from winning it all!...Jerry congratulations

Tim's Ford 1-22-27-2010

I'm late getting one of my posts up so here we go. I fished last Friday the 22nd choosing to throw Tuffy Minnows only. I got to the bait shop and they were out of Tuffy's and had about 2 dozen Shiners so I bought them. I don't know about you but I would much rather have a good Tuffy or Creek Minnow over a Shiner any day. Just a personal preference.  I moved several times before I got my first bite which promptly hung me up on "something" and broke me off.  I moved down the bank hung a big fish, fought him out into deep water and then.....nothing.....I reeled in with a bare hook. Moved a short distance and caught the Smallmouth in the top left hand corner. I lost 2 more fish in short order-then caught a Largemouth that I didn't take a picture of.  By then I had used up the Shiners so I headed home rather frustrated. (1-27-2010) Yesterday I got to the late late...lost my cell phone somewhere...Put in and ran up lake to my first stop. Caught 3 nice (3-3 1/2lb) Largemouth on a Luhr-Jensen Speed Trap www.luhrjensen.com Reached in dry storage for my camera only to find out that I had left it in the truck. Later I headed back toward the ramp picked up my camera and took pictures of the 3 different Largemouth above that I caught later in the day. I also hung and lost 2 other fish that I didn't see.  By then the 1/2 day was gone. Yes these things to will pass. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 1-19-2010

I'm almost ashamed to put these pictures up....to say the least it wasn't my best effort in photography. But they are what they are and here they are!!! I caught 1 Smallmouth-1 Largemouth and 4 Spots. 4 on Tuffy minnows-6lb test Sufix Pro Mix www.sufix.com #2 VMC Bait Keeper Hooks www.vmchooks.com and the other 2 on a #8 Silver Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com. Water temperature was 38.3 when I got to the lake and only 41 when I left at 2:00pm.  The water temp 10 feet and below had to be very cold because it would stun the Tuffy's  within the a couple casts. I haven't had that happen in many years.  More to come latter this week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 1-14-2010

I'm out of hibernation and Daniel is back in school and what a great day to get started back again here in the new year. It was 19 degrees this morning when Mr. David Honey and I slipped the boat into Tim's Ford.  We actually had to break ice with the boat in several areas this morning to get from spot to spot. We fished from 7:30am until 2:15pm had 9 bites and put the 6 in the pictures above in the boat. All 3 of the top 3 Smallmouth was over 4lbs with the largest weighing in at 4lbs 12ounce.  5 of the 6 fish were using 6lb test Sufix Pro Mix line www.sufix.com VMC #2 BaitHolder Hooks (#9291BZ) www.vmchooks.com and Tuffy minnows. I did catch a 4lb 6ounce Smallie on a Float N Fly Rig. Once again I need to tell you about the Sufix Pro Mix line that I'm using. If your tired of line that kinks up and is stiff you absolutely need to get a spool of Pro Mix.  It has tremendous low stretch properties-low memory and comes off a spinning reel as smooth as silk. I use the Clear Blue so I can see even the slightest of ticks when fish are finicky.   The #2 VMC Bait Holder hook that I'm using is made with high levels of carbon which increases the strength of the steel and provides a cutting edge point that is razor sharp. When you set the hook it's going to do it's job. I've always been amazed at some folks that pay high $$$$$ for rods and reels then want the cheapest hooks that they can find at a local discount store. More to come next week. If you want an opportunity to catch Smallmouth like these above give me a call I have scattered open dates. More next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford w/o 12-28-2009

I fished Tim's Ford twice this week. Once with Mr. David Liu and once with Mr. David Honey. I have other pictures that's in David Liu's cell phone that I will post when I receive them. All in all it was a tough bite for me this week. I struggled getting on any kind of a pattern that lasted. All of our fish were caught on either a Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com or a Rocky Top Custom Lure Jig www.rockytopcustomlures.com  with a Prowler Flappin Craw www.[prowlerlure.com More to come next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com  By the way I have had several people asking about where they can buy the Sufix Pro Mix line that I have been using www.sufix.com . If you live in the Cookeville area Rick Reed at Out Door Junction has it in stock as well as Randy at Murfreesboro Out Doors in Murfreesboro. Both stores carry a great selection of Rapala, Storm, and Luhr-Jensen baits as well. Check them out!

Tim's Ford 12-14-2009

It's good to be back on the water after battling a sore throat all lat week. I put in this morning right at day light 6:15am and fish until 11:30am. I had 12 bites and put 9 of the 12 in the boat. These fish would hammer a Luhr-Jensen 014 Orange/Red Speed Trap (color # 0863) www.lurhjensen.com Big Smallmouth  was a 4lb 4ounce and the largest Largemouth was 3lb 15ounces. Two of the three fish I lost (both Smallmouth) was as large as my best two. Water temp was 50.5 degrees and for most of the morning I didn't have much of a wind. I have a few scattered days open this winter at the discounted price. If you would like a chance to catch a big Smallmouth now is the time. Give me a call at 615-765-7303 or e-mail me at rickm@dtccom.net  Thank you for visiting my site. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-04-2009

Have you ever had a sleepless night? Well last night was one for me. Looking back at yesterday if I had it to do over again I would have made some different decisions.  Over the past several weeks  I have been on a good live bait bite (see posts below). So when we got to the lake yesterday I had all the confidence that it would be a repeat. The truth is that at least for us and the locations we fished (I covered a lot of water) the live bait bite was off. I don't know if you have ever felt like you could "make" fish bite a certain bait-if you have you know what my mind set was yesterday. I don't want to make this sound like it was a bust....we caught 9 Smallmouth for the day with the 2 in the picture above being our best and they came late in the trip on a Buck Eye Shad.  Any time you can put a 5lb plus Smallmouth in the boat it's not bad. But we should have been throwing these more throughout the day. By the way I forgot to reset the date in the camera when the batteries died. These guys were great to fish with and Rick I hope we are able to do this again....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 12-1-2009

It's good to be back on the water today after traveling to the in laws for the holidays.  I fished today by myself getting ready for my guide trip later this week. I caught everything today (14 Smallmouth-3 Black Nose Crappie and 4 Small Hybrids) on 2 things.....a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com and tuffy minnows...More to come later this week. I have scattered dates open through the winter at the discounted rate and things are just going to get better and better. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-20-21-2009 Tow Day Report

I fished Tim's the past 2 days with Mr. Mark Lane and Mr. Dana Adams. The fish above was our best and we did have several others that we didn't take pictures of.  We lost several good fish over the past two days that either jumped and threw the bait or got us under brush. Mark and Dana it was good fishing with you. I need to tell you again about the Sufix line that I'm using that is fantastic called Sufix Pro Mix. It has a small diameter, very limp, extremely strong and comes off a spinning reel like no line that I have ever used. For my live bait rig I'm using the 6lb test Clear Blue and a #2 VMC Fast Gap Live Bait Hooks. These hooks are super sharp and keeps a good point even in the rocks on Tim's. Click on the Sufix and VMC logo under my sponsors tab to view these great products.  I'm taking all of next week off for the Holiday's but will be back on the water on the 30th. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-16-2009

Mr. David Honey and I had a great trip (BUT) today on Tim's Ford throwing Tuffy minnows. Now I'll explain the "BUT".  We hung and lost at least 6 big fish in brush that we couldn't get out, plus David lost two others that we saw. One was the biggest Smallmouth that I have seen for a while on Tim's, two jumps and away she went.  We caught and released 6 or more smaller fish that's not pictured as well.  All this happened within 5 minutes or less from the ramp we used.  More to come later this week...........................Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tims Ford 11-13/14-2009

(13th) I spent a beautiful day on Tim's Ford today with 2 very nice folks, John and Karen Roberts who live near Atlanta.  We struggled with "NO WIND" all day but still managed to catch and release 12 all caught on a Shad patter Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com  We only had 4 Smallmouth and the rest were Largemouth. Water is still falling and water temp stay just under 60 degrees all day today-it's heading in the right direction. Karen and John your great to fish with. (14th) I fished with the father and son team of Greg Johnson today on Tim's we never fired our big motor until 8:30 because of the fog.  We found it much tougher today than yesterday with zero wind 90% of the day. The two bottom pictures are our best two. Greg you have a good boy there and a good fisherman as well. I'll be fisting with Greg and Nick in July when they are back in town. Until next week.  Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-9-2009

I fished Tim's today by myself and had a great 4 hours on a Rapala DT6 Shad pattern. www.rapala.com This was one of those you didn't have to wonder if you got bit day's -they would hammer the DT. I took 6 pictures of the 14 total that I caught, all the fish were about the same size that you see above. I will be back on Tim's 2 more times the end of this week. Water is continuing to fall and the temp is still hovering around 60-61 degrees. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 11-6-2009

I fished Tim's today with Mark Lanius and Richard Doland and caught fish on a variety of baits including a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com  Prowler Baby Brush Dawg www.prowlerlures.com and live creek minnows. www.creek.com  Water temp was in the low 60's and still falling and we had basically no wind at all today. We had several fish we didn't take pictures and the 4 above was our best. Mark and Richard it was good fishing with you again. Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-29-2009

Another good day on Tim's Ford with Mr. David Honey. The lake continues to drop, I'm not sure how much we are down but we still have a long way to go to winter pool, but at least it is going in the right direction. Water temp was 63 more or less just about everywhere we fished today. Those brown fish sure do love that Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com . X Rap and a rig did the trick today. More to come next week......Great day David! Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

October 26-2009

I had a very pleasant day on Tim's Ford fishing with Charlie Pike today. When I got to the lake I found out that the Corp had dropped the lake almost a foot over night and it's down about 18 inches or more from last week. It took perseverance and moving quite a bit but it paid off. We caught fish today on a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com a Luhr-Jensen Radar 10 www.luhrjesen.com.  We also lost 2 very good fish that just came unbuttoned. Charlie it was a pleasure fishing with you. Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-19-2009

I had the pleasure of fishing today with Mr. Dale Abbott  and Mrs. Joy Castillo from Chicago Ill. Dale has several family members down here for a week and unfortunately they have ran into high water and tough times on Tim's. The water may have come down 8 to 10 inches in the past 2 or 3 days but it doesn't appear to me to be much more than that. Water is still over many of the private dock owners walk ways and the main walk way at the State Park Ramp is a foot under water. I talked with 3 different people that fished Tim's this past week end and it was tough going them with most of their fish being caught on a jig. We started out slowly but then I switched to a Rapala XRap (XR08) www.rapala.com which is the smaller 3 1/8 inches long size in the silver/black shad pattern. The shad in the areas where we were fishing were small so I tried to match their size the best we could which paid off almost immediately.  The results for the day was 4 Kentucky's-1 Largemouth-1 Smallmouth and 1 small Rock Fish. Not a tremendous day but under these changing conditions on Tim's not bad either. Dale and Joy were great to fish with and hopefully they can repeat what we did and finish out their vacation by lifting some over the rail. Daniel is on fall break and we had planned 2 or 3 days on the water the rest of this week (BUT) he is in bed with a temperature and sore throat so it looks like we will be close to the house. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Lake Barkley 10-15-2009

For the past 2 or 3 years good friend Ken Jenkins has asked me to go to Lake Barkley in October to get in on some of the hot top water action. We finally got together yesterday knowing that we had a chance of muddy water due to all the heavy rain we have been having here in Tennessee but we headed out anyway. Barkley was clearing but still had a stain and Ken began to catch a few short fish on top. Then I started tossing the NEW Rapala  Helsinki Shad pattern in the DT10 & DT 6. and the bass would absolutely nail the Helsinki Shad but when the occasional bass would strike short they were stuck anyway with the super sharp extended VMC Surset Treble Hooks which are on both the front and back of these baits. This is only one of several new colors that we have at Rapala this year and I can tell you that the Helsinki Shad is going to be a "Big Time Winner" check them out at your local sporting goods store or on line at www.Rapala.com If you live in the Murfreesboro area Murfreesboro OutDoors have these in stock now. I also need to tell you about some fantastic Sufix Line called "ProMix" This line is Extra Limp and comes off a spinning or casting reel as smooth as silk. It is also unbelievably tough and abrasion resistant. I was very impressed with the knot strength.  ProMix is manufactured in various strengths and is offered this year in "Clear Blue" or "Lime" By the way Ken and I lost track on the count somewhere around 50 bass yesterday. Should be against the law to have that much fun. Thanks Ken for a great day. Rick www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 1--06-2009

I fished Tim's Ford today with Jon Simmons and truthfully we struggled all day.  We caught fish on a variety of baits including a Rapala X Rap www.rapala.com  a Rocky Top Custom Tackle Jig www.rockytopcustomtackle.com  with a Prowler Flappin Craw trailer www.prowler;ures.com. and a swim bait. The two above was our best but we also had some smaller Smallmouth as well. 71.6 degree water temp....It will get better. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 10-2-2009

I took several days off preparing for revival at our church but was back on Tim's today. A quick update: Tim's Ford has more water in it for this time of the year that I have seen in a long time.  I don't want to mislead you, we aren't at a flood stage,  but several of the walk ways going out to the docks are under water which is unusual for this time of the year.  The water temperature was 73 and stayed there all day with a stout south west wind. All of our fish we caught (and lost) was on either a Rapala DT6 www.rapala.com or a swimming Rocky Top Custom Lure Jig. www.rockytopcustomtackle.com  with a Prowler Flappin Craw trailer www.prowlerlures.com I had a good time with Bob Cunningham and Ron Taylor and we are going to do it again this winter. More updates next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-23-2009

What a great time today with the Hybrid on Tim's today. They would absolutely try to destroy a Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com .  I caught 9 total today and all ran about the same size as the 5 in the pictures above. I also caught 4 small Largemouth 2 small Smallmouth on the same bait. I got to messing with the Hybrid and I abandoned everything else, they can sure stretch your string. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-21-2009

I was suppose to shoot some video this morning on Tim's but the weather shut that down quickly. I thought I might at least avoid the storms and did for a couple hours. Then it was heavy rain and lightening and my boat back on the trailer sitting in the parking lot waiting for it to clear. (I finally gave up and headed home)  But before all that happened I did manage 4 bites (caught 3) swimming a black and blue Rocky Top Custom Tackle Jig www.rockytopcustomtackle.com with a Prowler Flappin Craw trailer www.prowlerlures.com. The 2 above was my largest for the day. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-14-2009

Ron Kairdolf and I met at The Cracker-barrel in Manchester this morning at 4:45am and headed down to Tim's. We slipped the boat in the water just at daylight and headed to our first spot. We had 5 blow ups on top water within the first 15 minutes and didn't stick a fish. We moved to another area and had several other missed opportunities. The 2 above was our best of 8 total for the day. Ron caught either 4 or 5 on a Prowler Slim Jim www.prowlerlures.com rigged wacky style later in the day. Off the water by noon and back to the house in time to take a nap.  I will be fishing with Ron hopefully a couple times this winter. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-11-2009

At the last minute my clients for today had to cancel so I fished Tim's from 6:00am to 10:00am this morning by myself. I decided just to throw top water baits and that's what I did for the entire 4 hours. The Rapala Skitter Walk www.rapala.com  produced some decent fish today and had several blow up's that missed. I lost one very good Smallmouth and 1 good Largemouth as well. Big fish was 5lb 4oz on the digital scale. If you like throwing top water baits Tim's is good to go.  More next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-9-2009

Between the holidays and trying to get things done here at the house I have taken a little time off from Tim's.  But this morning I put my boat in right at daylight and caught 1 Largemouth and 1 Smallmouth almost immediately swimming a Rocky Top Custom Tackle Jig www.rockytopcustomtackle.com with a Prowler Flappin Craw trailer www.prowlerlures.com. Water temperature was 76.6 degrees and as you can see from the picture very little wind. I went 2 1/2 hours without a bite throwing a variety of baits and then I switched to the Rapala Skitter Walk (SW08 Holo Silver) www.rapala.com pictured above.  My second cast down that area and "Wham" the 5lb 1oz Smallmouth engulfed the bait. I caught and released 8 more Largemouth and Smallmouth on the Skitter Walk before I put my boat back on the trailer. All in all not bad for bright sun shine no wind and 80 degree plus day. I need to bring you up to speed on the new line that I'm using.  Rapala purchased Sufix line sometime ago and they have a great variety of line to fit any condition. I'm very impressed with the Sufix Pro Mix that I'm using. (6lb-30ln test-3 colors)This line has very low memory, low stretch and comes off the reel as smooth as silk to give you extra distance on your cast. When your fishing a clear lake like Tim's on a day like today the extra distance means a lot. If you haven't tried Pro Mix I urge you to try it. Well....2 drive ways to seal yet this week and then my big jobs hopefully will be completed...Sometimes work gets in the way of fishing....Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 9-1-2009 Looking For Walleye "BUT"

I fished Tim's this morning with the intention of trying to find some Walleye and zeroed out. I took advantage of the early hours checking out some areas for bass and caught the one's that you see in the pictures above. The Rockfish picture is from last week, I thought I had lost it.  I trolled multiple areas of the lake for Walleye with a variety of baits but to no avail. I should have stayed with the bass bite they were very active in the areas where I fished. I have noticed that the Spots in Tim's are getting bigger every year. I lost one this morning when I tried to sling it into the boat that was a solid 3lb fish. (I know better with light line) I will be back on the water Thursday and will give you an update then. If your throwing them in the right place it's hard to beat a Prowler Soft Shad www.Prolwerlures.com and A Rapala Skitter Walk on Tim's right now. Not sure why the camera jumped dates on the pictures, they were from today.  www.rapala.com on Tim's Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-27-2009

I fished Tim's Ford today with Mr. David Honey and had a good day. Our day started out kind of funny, we had several blow up's on a Prowler Soft Shad www.prowlerlures.com  and just couldn't get a good hook up. We caught fish on a Prowler Slim Jim a Storm Mad Flash www.stormlures.com a Storm Swim Bait and top water. Rapala makes some great top water baits like the X-Rap Walk, Skitter Walk and Skitter Prop that will do the trick on Tim's www.rapala.com.  David had 4 GOOOD fish hung on the Swim Bait and they just came off. One almost took the riod away from him right at the boat. Great day with a good friend. More to come next week. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-25-2009

I fished Tim's today with Mr. Jerre Morton and his son-in-law Mike Dowsett from London England. We started out with 3 short Smallmouth and Mike lost a Smallmouth the size of the one pictured above. It was another challenging day on Tim's but ity won't be long before the leaves will be falling the winds will chill up and the water temp change. Storm Mad Flash Crankbaits www.stormlures.com  and Prowler Slim Jim and Soft Shad www.prowlerlures.com did the damage today. More to come Thursday. I will be fishing with Jerre and Mike again in December when Mike is back in the states, I'm looking forward to that. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-18-2009

I fished Tim's today with Mr. David Honey and had a interesting time. By the way I forgot to set the date on my camera these were today's fish.  These 2 Largemouth above was our largest fish that we put in the boat. We also had some smaller bass and lost 3 good fish and it's hard to tell how many short hits we had throughout the day. This would have been an easy 20 fish day if it had all come together. (IF IF IF) Prowler Soft Shad was the best for me today. www.prowlerlures.com Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tims Ford 8-14-2009

It was hot (92 degrees Air-85 degree water) and a challenge for myself, Jay and Caleb Satterfield today on Tim's.  For two days this week the majority of our fish were caught on a Storm Swim Bait www.stormlures.com  Dog days of summer are on us and you just have to keep moving, switching up baits and stay focused. It can be slow, hot and frustrating but don't give up. You have to be mentally tough on Tim's this time of the year or you will go home with your tail tucked between your legs. This was a good father and son team and a pleasure to fish with. . And Caleb caught the first 2 Smallmouth of his fishing career today.  Way to go Caleb!!!!!More next week Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-11-2009

I fished Tim's Ford today with the father and son team of Russell and John Wright. Truthfully it was tough for us all day until we switched to a Storm Swim Bait www.stormlures.com . We had a storm blow through around noon so I dropped Russell and John off at their truck and I stayed under a boat slip for 45 minutes until the storm passed through. I stopped at a couple places on the way back to the ramp and caught the two fish in the bottom pictures. Russell and John were great to fish with and they hung in there even with things as slow as they were. Two very nice people......Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Tim's Ford 8-7-2009

By the look of how Daniel was bundled up it would make you think it was winter-but no it was a very chilly August morning here in middle Tennessee instead. This is the only day this week that I was free to fish so Daniel and I ran down to Tim's for  5 1/2 hrs to see if we could find any Hybrid and Rock Fish. But our first priority was to make a quick check on 1 particular spot that has given up some great Smallmouth over the past several weeks and the results was (Daniels holding it) This is 7 Smallmouth over 4lbs off the same spot and all were caught on a Rocky Top Custom Tackle Jig www.rockytopcustomtackle.com and a Prowler Flappin Craw trailer www.prowlerlures.com  We caught 10 total Hybrid and Daniel is holding his two largest. If your on Tim's and locate suspended fish try vertically jigging a Luhr-Jenson Krocodile Spoon www.luhrjensen.com and hold on. As we were going down the bank Daniel spotted a mother Raccoon and 1 of her young ones.  I have two trips next week on Tim's and will update you then. Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com

Week Of July 27-2009

This has been an interesting week to say the least. First of all I had problems getting my pictures to upload so I'm several days behind getting these reports up.  I will combine the 3 days that Daniel and I fished into 1 report. Daniel is going back to school starting the 7th so we decided to fish 3 different lakes this week. Monday the 27th Daniel and I fished Nickajack lake with very little success. We caught and released 8 small Largemouth in the 12 to 14 inch range. Tuesday the 28th we fished Old Hickory and caught 12 Largemouth and Daniel is holding the 2 largest that he caught swimming a Rocky Top Custom Tackle 1/4oz jig www.rockytopcustomtackle.com with a Prowler Flappin Craw trailer www.prowlerlures.com . Also take a look at the snapping turtle in the lower right hand picture that picked the same jig up. This guy must have weighted 25-30lbs easy-check out his claws. On our 3rd day I couldn't get Daniel out of bed on the 30th so I fished Tim's by myself. The Smallmouth in the center picture weighed 4lbs 4oz I lost 3 other Smallmouth the same size when the jig just came loose right at the boat. I kept looking and looking at the jig and trailer and then I figured out what I was doing wrong. I was throwing the same Rocky Top jig but with a larger trailer. What was happening these fish weren't  getting the entire jig in their mouth so I was barely getting the hook in them-I shortened the craw and 3 casts later....4lb 4oz in the boat. I won't wait that long again I assure you before I switch up. I also caught several Hybrid and Rock Fish about the size of the one pictures on a Luhr-Jensen 5/8oz Krocodile Spoon www.luhrjensen.com  and a couple other baits. I will miss my fishing partner when he enters his Freshman year of high school.  More to come next week Rick McFerrin www.tennesseebassguides.com