UPDATE:

We made it home safe and sound. Sadly not everyone did. On the first night of our trip we were fishing just north of the 431 Bridge and a barge passed us. A few miles up river a fisherman was killed when he was hit by the barge. Two other people in the boat jumped from the boat and were able to swim to safety. The fella that died was trying to get the boat to start and couldn't. I pray for his family. Tragic way to lose your life.

Full report on our trip coming later this morning.

I made a light hearted comment in another thread about Texas fishermen not having to worry about barge traffic. But it is also a true statement. Barges cannot easily stop or steer. If you are boating in the designated channel, you have to be aware of this. Sad deal for the Scottsboro community.

They say you want to keep your audience wanting more... Mission accomplished! Sorry for the delay fellas.

Sunday was a better night. We went up the river to the Stevenson area. We were just south of the Tennessee state line. We fished our way from the state line back to the ramp. We got off the water about 1:30 am and had to drive back to the hotel near Gadsden. Plus I had to stop at Waffle House to feed that boy. Lord can he put the food away! So, it was 4:00am before I hit the sheets. Monday was a travel day, we got back to the great state of Texas about 7:30 and got home an hour later. I was cooked. So here it is Tuesday morning and I'm just now getting this post together. We didn't manage any river monsters, but we did get some quality fish. Plus, one of them was a 24 pound flathead!

We fished Guntersville proper Saturday night and it was tough. Between the yacht club and the ell grass it was hard fishing. The grass made it hard to keep the planer boards out. The grass would pile up on them and they would start to sink. It made it tough to keep a sent trail going. All we got the first night was two five pounders.

Josh got us some fresh skipjack for Sunday and we went to a section of river that was practically deserted. We only saw a few boats and there was no grass. Much better conditions and the results proved it out. We missed on a couple, one good takedown B got on didn't stay buttoned. Bait looked like like it was a short bite. I had one that got snagged. We were fishing over a sunken wooden barge. He hung us up and we broke off.

Watching Josh use the side scan was very educational. The resolution of his Hummingbird was amazing. I can't wait until I get my new chart. After Sunday night we ended up with two 5s, a 20, a 24, a 27 and a 33. And a weekend full of great memories!

Tight lies and God Bless y'all.

Thanks for the update and thanks for sharing Tim. Sounds like you had a good trip.

Pictures on the first of your video bring back some good childhood memories. Grew up outside of Gadsden out in the country on the Coosa river. Fished and hunted Guntersville and Scottsboro, along with Weiss Lake. Those rock face bluffs were magic for fishing in the spring when the mayflies were hatching... find a little bush on the side of a rock bluff and shake it, flies hit the water, and fish were everywhere. Never knew what you would catch.

Ken

Looks like a great trip!

Trip of a "Lifetime" ! Nicely done.

Thanks fellas! I'm already trying to set up another trip. Gonna try for a Wilson/Wheeler trip this winter. It was so much fun and the flatty made the trip for me. That and getting B a new personal best...

Don't ignore Nickajack. Stay in Chattanooga. Nice scenery and offers excellent trophy catfishing as well.

More 100 lbrs come of of Wheeler than anywhere else in the country the last 5 yrs. Hope y’all hang a century fish Tim! That is my dream!!

We were so far up the river Chattanooga was a lot closer than Gadsden where we stayed. I've seen a lot of big flattys pulled out of Nickajack...

Mine too brother, mine too. It's exciting soaking baits where you know those monsters are lurking. I love going over there...