I would like to start this report as to what I call a day on the lake making Memories. (Big Daddy refers to us as Striper heads) on this wonderful forum and this is probably very fitting.

So this is how the story begins. After receiving an invite to fish with Mr. Tom Blackburn, my lovely wife Jan D and myself, were only too happy to accept.

We discussed our game plan, and after weighing in on our thoughts, we knew that we would be approaching this day of fishing from two different distinct patterns. We both had been out on Friday and both did pretty well. I think Jan and I had 11 or 12, and Tom did pretty good as well.

First off Tom's pattern of fishing 70' to 90' of water and truly the more traditional pattern for this time of year. Secondly my pattern of fishing half way back in pockets fishing the 38' to 60' water. So the day will become a Captain and Co-Captain kind of sharing.

The day starts out with lots of laughs and a few early fish running Tom's pattern, and his spots as the Captain of this day. I then boated the first fish in 70' on the first drop, only didn't even have the sinker 4' down when a small striper hits on the drop. Then Jan D picks up a good fish in 90' with a 40' drop, we then make a move as we were hearing on the radio that it is showing signs of being tuff on the lake for many astute fishermen.

Arriving at the second location Tom makes the call to try a spot that he had left weeks ago, but in the true sharing spirit, he decides to try my pattern on his hole. Bam! we hit 2 nice fish in a short time, but the fish broke up quick.

We then move again and try some deeper water, but the fish were not cooperating where they were the day before. Tom then as the gracious person he is, says to me here take the trolling motor and you captain the boat. I thought this would be a good break for Tom, as you guides know sometimes its fun just to fish, and not have the added stress of running everyting. LOL

So we try the shallower approach and it is not long before Jan Jan is hooked up with a good fish, now this is funny!
Tom is up front and rod #3 takes off he does a great job of handling this fish, and as he is releasing it, I yell! fish on #4 he then throws the rod down and dives across the boat, but unfortunately we missed this one. I really got a kick out of watching Tom fly around and pop these fish.

By this time we are almost out of bait and get a call from fellow friend Flat crk Bob, he says do you need any bait, I just finished a trip, so luckily we meet up with him (Thanks Bob) and head up the lake for a while. Now here is the gem in this day, We collaborate the next spot and by now it is lunch time. Tom finds some fish over deep water and we have a couple of lines going off, and these are good fish! as Jan D puts another good fish in the boat, then another and another.
The fish quit and we try a little shallower and Bam another good fish!, and Tom has a real nice fish on, and then the fish strips him in the trees, but as fate would have it he expertly muscles this fish out and he wins!!!

I do not remember or care how many fish we boated, but it was enough I lost track!!! LOL

Folks I could have made this report short and sweet as we all usually do, but this was a Great day catching fish, and getting to know one another and Making Memories. This in my book is what life is all about, so with that said many thanks to Tom Blackburn for another great day on the water, in the life of fishermen. I hope I didn't bore you fine people, but sometimes a few words just won't do!!! This was a great day! of sun, and fun, caring and sharing, and a blessing from god, otherwise it would just be another fish story.

So many thanks to Mr. Tom Blackburn for a very memorable day on the water and building a friendship.

Sooooo Thanks again........Dan and Jan D.

That's just awesome! Congratulations on a day that was great in so many ways!! Great report and pics, too.

This is precisely what fishing is all about.Great day Dan and Tom.

Sorry and Jan D too

Great day with great friends. Thanks for report Dan.

You guys are awesome. A good day for all. Tom, I like your gloves. LOL Your pictures are great. Maybe too great. I can see all your fishing spots. Way to go Tom, Dan and Jan.

Friends, Family and Fishing - doesn't get much better. Congratulations on a great day.

Congrats to all! You have a great time with great people - DOES NOT get better then that!!

Sounds like you guys had a blast. Congrats on a great day. Brett and I fished the new boat for the first time. Saw a few fish out there but just couldn't get them to bite. We each took one fish. Spent a good deal of time just trying to get used to the new equipment, bait tank, trolling motor, sonar etc. Always enjoy just getting out there, good seeing some of you out there.

Great job, guys!

Dan, this is too cool. It's late couldn't sleep so clicked on the old lap top and there you guys are with the best "striper head" night night story I could ask for..Thanks and pleasant dreams, Big D

Tom is a great guy full of knowledge and always willing to share. He is one of the best about finding fish that will bite when others of us may may struggle to get them to bite. The deep water just off the channel seems to be the ticket lately however it was pretty crowdwed around two and six mile Saturday, looks like Tom had y'all in some pretty uncrowded areas; that why it pays to fish with someone with his knowledge. Glad y'all had a memorable day. I'm gonna take him saltwater fishing one day where maybe I can have the advantage.


Capt. Scott

Panama.You are right on about Tom. I have known him a long time and he is one of those guys that is always glad to share some knowledge. He is not the kind that says "hey, this is how it's done" but just watch how hard he works and the results. Like Brother Dave Gardner said about Yon Cassius, "man he's about half smart"

I can see he, and Mr and Mrs D made a hell of a team. Dan, great story and pics, I know you had fun letting Mr. T. man the reels for a change. Those early morning light stripers have that beautiful blue tint. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks everyone for the positive comments! and Big Daddy Stan the Man!!! I am glad you were able to have the "Striper Head" night night bedtime story, Help Rock you to sleep. LOL
Bid Daddy, You are right about one thing, We worked well together.

Big Stan you would have been proud to have seen how fast Mr. T was covering ground to get too the rods. He was rushing one time to get a big one, and kicked the Rail tube for the T-Top. He was not real happy with that move.

Panama, you are right about his ability to find out of the way places with fish that are not molested into submission. This at times can be paramount.

Dan, Thanks for the reply. I'm all grins. I hope it wasn't the same foot he black and blued a couple of weeks ago.
I'm trying my best to get on the lake by end of week. Glad to say we have gotten buzy again so I'm planning to go in the late afternoon, Thursday or Friday. Maybe I'll get some afternoon fishing updates. As always all info is appreciated.

Yes Big D it in fact was the same foot!!! but he said it wasn't his fault! ROTFL it is always better to find someone else to put the scapegoat on, if you know what I mean.

Oh Yea! most importantly If this put all grins on, and rocked you to night night, then its a winner.

About four years ago, the Umbrella Man, our hunting buddy from Savannah, and I were trolling in the river channel from Mud to the Bridge. We were killing them. About 9:30 A.M., the Umbrella Man pulls out a swim bait and asks if he can swap the swimbait for a jig; the two compartments of my small brain wage a brief debate and the winning argument resulted in a not-so-sure response of "yeah, let's give it a try". Well, within thirty minutes or so, we had both leadcore lines and both downrigger lines rigged with the swimbaits and the action was as hectic as I have every experienced! What I learned from this event and other similar fishing trips like Saturday's trip with the Dan/Jan Team is that you should be open to other peoples' ideas and methods.

So, on Saturday morning, when Dan suggests trying some shallow water fishing - my quick response is yeah, let's try that. The good news is that we were successful. Later in the day, I find myself in the front of the boat and in looking to the stern, I see Janet holding her rod versus securing it in a rod holder. She asks, "Can I hold the rod?" My response is "yes, I have no problem with that tecnhique." Next thing I hear from Jan is "Fish On".

Unfamiliar fishing techniques and methods --- Yes, I would like to see them in action and the good news is that I have adoped many of them.

On to some "lighter" subjects - Bob, you boys from above the Mason-Dixon Line are full of "digs" - the gloves help keep the sun of the back of my hands and they protect your hands from the "sandpaper" effect of the stripers mouth when you handle them. And, yes you gotta go with a wide hat to keep the sun off of the ears/face.

Victimology is the latest thing in America, as many of you know - so, when Janet yells "BIG fish on - I need some help" and Dan is fighitng a big fish, I spring into action. Unfortunately, the toes of my right foot slam into one of the legs of the t-top. Hobbled the rest of the day with a mentally acued and impaired brain, gut-wrenching/throbbing pain and less than full strength, I became the "victim". It was Janet's fault - she caught the big fish! I have already prepared my closing remarks for the Fulton County jury. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dan and Janet, thanks a million for a wonderful, jam-packed day of striper fishing - the memory will live on.

tom

I don't understand why Dan fishes the TX"s with Vick. Jan can out fish the both of them and is a whole lot prettier too. Have you seen Dan in a speedo??????

Please don't post a pic.
Please PLEASE don't post a pic.
Let's not even use the word speedo any more, really.

Actually if that was the price I had to pay for Dan to show me how to catch these critters, I'd learn how to live with it - somehow

I have been secretly thinking all along that Dan should add Jan as a fishing partner. He could keep Vic on the boat but Jan knows how to CATCH the fish. Why did I just say that?? He is already kicking my tail.

It will never be the price on this end!!! No way in hell would I even want to see myself in one of those stupid things. LOL

I have a no speedo policy in this life. In fact I have never seen anyone in one of those things, that even remotly looked good.

So Charles rest at ease, I can assure you there has never been a photo, for me to be afraid of surfacing, Thank Goodness!!!

Whew!

Team Duncan.

Picture of Dan's shallow water fishing strategy.