Between the hot weather, working too much, son's football schedule, etc. it has been hard to slip away and fish lately. But managed to sneak in a couple of short trips on Friday and Saturday night.

Left the dock both nights about 8 pm, and fished to 11-11:30 both nights. Caught bait - shad around the dock first, and then hit a few spots, based on the wind. Did not take the time to go scan, just hit a few spots close by since it was late and dark. Moon was pretty both nights, and could see pretty good with it.

Friday night, not much wind, but enough to drift with no sock, and average about .4-.6 mph. Ran a couple of shelves off the channel. Bait and fish in 10-12'. Caught 4, all of them looked like the same fish - about 3-4 lbs. Perfect eaters, but I turned them all lose - still have a good supply in the freezer. Had one larger fish on for a while, never saw it. I had 4 rods out in the dark by myself, and this one managed to get 3 of them tangled up good, before it got lose. Decided to go get some sleep.

Worked most of the day Saturday, but did stop and watch the Crimson Tide beat Florida - yea, way to close to make me happy! Saturday night wind was still light but East - ENE then shifted ESE half way through the night. Went up into a big creek, and then started out on a big flat beside the channel drifting toward the main lake. Drifted for about 45 minutes in 5-8' of water, and nothing happening. Moved out a ways, 12-15' and started into a little different area. Marking some fish and plenty of bait... ton of small shad. A few nibbles but no takedowns in the first 20 minutes or so, and was thinking about moving. Then one of the outside rods got smoked! Best takedown I have had in a while... and the fight was on. Thought the fish would be 20+ at least, the way he took drag and shook his head, etc. But, once I got him in the boat and on the scales, it was just a 14 lbs fighter. Still a lot of fun. Fished another half hour and nothing, so cleaned up the mess and went home and to bed. Only 1 fish, but at least it was a nice fish and good fight.

Looking forward to some cooler weather!

Take care all.

Ken

thanks for the report. Good to get out on the water for sure

Sounds like a fun time!

I'll take a 14 pounder and a good fight any day.

Nice post.

Some things make for a long cool down and/or a retie. I've never like a night drift and usually anchor up after dark to try to keep lines separate. Tangled up Carolina rigs is a fate worst than death.

14 pounder cheese a a good time for sure. I think the dark magnifies our perception. Everything gets bigger at night.