Pedestrian Bridge 9-1-2014

[Allen Morgan]

Went fishing this morning.  Hit up the Pedestrian Bridge.  I wanted to get there before sunrise, but, well, it's hard to get out of a warm bed that early unless I have to go to work.

As I expected, there were a few people already fishing, from the banks, from the platforms, and from the "island" I was headed to.  Holiday weekend, I wasn't surprised.  At least it wasn't completely crowded, although it did get that way a couple hours later.

I started off by catching some Shad, and using those as cut bait for Catfish.  As usual, I caught a decent one within a couple minutes.  It's nice to have a spot/pattern figured out.

After the catfish bite petered out, I switched over to some various lures.  I knew from last week's experience that there would be mostly small fish here, and I needed some small lures.  I started out with one of my own in-line spinners.  I managed to catch a small Sand Bass / White Bass with it. 

After a few minutes of no action, I decided to switch over to custom-tied jig I did .  White marabou and UV Krystal flash tail, marabou-rope-dubbed body, and a little bit of dyed-red ostrich herl just at the head, giving it that classic "white body w/ red head" that you see on a lot of plugs. Fish the jig under a weighted balsa float.  Action was slow on that jig, but I did catch a fish, I think it was a White Perch.

Now, that jig was tied on a 1/32 oz jighead.  I decided to switch over to a different custom jig I had tied up early this summer.  1/80th, white ostrich herl body, with two splayed chartreuse saddle hackles and some chartreuse Krystal Flash for a tail.  I wanted a slower fall, and I wanted to try that color combo out.  Again, under a float, so I could slowly twitch it back.

Second cast caught a nice-sized Sand Bass (White Bass).  I was completely surprised to see a fish that big in this spot with the water flow as low as it was (200 cfs).

Well, the next hour was pretty much non-stop action.  Especially when I realized that the 8 lbs test mono wasn't helping with a jig that light-weight.  I switched over to a leader of 4 lbs test mono, and boy, did that help.  I caught about 7 - 8 White Perch (they're getting THICK in here), one really spunky Longear Sunnie, and so many tiny Sand Bass (White Bass) that I lost track.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

GGGGGGGGGREAT REPORT ALLEN AND ALSO NICE PICS BUDDY ........

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Nice report Allen.....

[carl hendrix]

THOSE JIGS LOOK GREAT ALLEN!!  YOUR MAKING ME JEALOUS BUDDY!!

[Allen Morgan]

Take the ones I made you down to Reelfoot!!!!  Give them a workout!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Pretty little sunny

[Allen Morgan]

I have always liked Longear Sunnies.  Scrappy, spunky little fish with intense, vibrant colors.  I've had them hit crankbaits, live bait, jigs, jig-spinners, even live minnows.  Sometimes you just never know....

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Nice!

[carl hendrix]

Allen;; ive got ALL of the stuff you gave me;; and tooty;s  and Dick Tabberts;; and Mark Steine;s as well!!    never go fishing without all your weapons!!  is my motto!!!