Launched this morning at 11:15AM into the calm clear waters of Brandy Branch Reservoir - Pirkey power plant lake . There were already a dozen power boats on the water when I pulled up to the boat ramp with my kayak in the back of the truck. I had low expectations for the day and just wanted to paddle around and learn more about a section of the lake. The water was ultra clear, 58DegF, and somewhat calm. Too calm for a spinner bait. Paddling was easy and my drift was slow towards the south. I tried multiple lures and did not get a single bite. This day was looking like a blue sky skunk. I saw a couple bass boats fishing near the dam but didn't see any catching. After about two hours of chunking and winding I was casting towards shore when I heard splashing behind me. I looked back over my shoulder towards the open lake and saw a school of frantic baitfish on the surface. I quickly started casting a shad colored lipless crank into the bait but got no bites. After several casts I decided to switch to a shad colored swimbait. The bait fish continued to surface in a frenzy and then disappear as I watched and tried to run my lure through the school. After several casts with the swimbait I finally got a hookup and it was a big one that made some powerful surges into the deep. At one point the fish had gotten down into the grass but with a little patience and pressure it swam out. The battle continued and I was able to bring it to the net. I felt my hands shaking like a leaf once I had the fish in the net and set down my rod. This was the biggest bass I have ever caught. I took some pics and weighed the fish and then released it to fight another day. The fish weighed 6.06 pounds. I didn't get any other bites after that, but I didn't really care.

Nice job

Nice fish. I’ve fished that lake numerous times, and it is a tough lake because of the water clarity.

I have a Hobie PA 14, and I live just outside of Gladewater. PM me, and maybe we can get together for some local fishing somewhere this spring.

JR

Nice!!
Beautiful day yesterday.

Awesome! Congrats!

Nice work! Some days one good fish is all you need.

Congrats on the catch. Pretty fish!

Nice fish. I would love to have it this coming Saturday, we have a tournament there on the 26th.

Very nice, congrats!

Well if you’re only gonna catch one you sure can’t complain if it’s your pb!!!

Great fish and congrats!

Yeah me too. I was practicing for a TERC tournament that is this Saturday 26. Looks like we will be dealing with cold weather and a crowded lake. I would rather be catching spawning white bass somewhere else than trying to grind out a limit of largemouth bass with 20 other boats. Hopefully this will be the last cold Saturday we have to fish. I'm ready for the trees to turn green and the bass to get mean.

Yep, not looking forward to the cold weather for our tournament. I wish the plant was running.
I am a TERC member also.

Wow, what a great fish and report. Way to go! ! !

And. . . What is TERC? I’ve tried Googling it, but don’t get anything.