Yellows at Guist

Went to Guist yesterday with just the trolling motor. Outboard's in the shop. Temp was in the mid-80's and water was its usual stained self. Went to the spot by the dam where we've caught a lot of catfish before, and ended up catching yellow bass instead. They were small, but really fun to catch. Pound for pound, or should I say ounce for ounce, they're some of the best fighting fish I've ever caught. I guess they're like their cousins the stripers and hybrids in that regard. When they first hit, they take off, and more than once had us grabbing the net. Then in about five seconds they slack off, and you realize you've got a bluegill-sized fish. It can be kind of embarassing, when you've said, "Honey, grab the net!" and then reel in a 9-inch fish :o We kept fishing the same spot, hoping that maybe some catfish or even maybe a hybrid might show up, but ended up catching about 30 yellows. Oh well, it was a beautiful morning, and we had fun just being on the water.

Have any of you guys ever caught any decent-sized yellows at Guist? I kept thinking that if only they were a couple inches bigger, maybe 11" or 12", they'd probably be really good eating.

Actually Toad ... they're supposed to be good eating, at any size. Just cut out the red meat area, on the sides, and cook 'em up. What you lose in cutting off the red meat ... can be made up with the numbers that you can catch. (never eaten one, just what I've heard) Used to hear people down at KY/Barkley talking about them being some good eating.

Used to get into them in Oct/Nov, down at Watts Bar ... bustin shad back in the back ends of bays/creeks. 25 Yellow Bass, then maybe a decent LMB, 25 more Yellow Bass, then maybe a SMB ... LOL !! Got into them one time, and caught so many, so fast, that I plum wore my arm out and had to quit. Put my rod down, to rest my arm, and accidently let my Kastmaster hang over the side of the boat (about 6-8 inches deep in the lake). Dang near lost a rod tip .... hehehehe ... little rascal came up and grabbed it, and had the rod bent over the gunnel and down into the water. They're much like a SMB, in that they don't give up pulling/fighting very easily. One thing a man has to remember, though, when dealing with these guys ... them gill plates are sharp, and they'll puff them out (and close their mouths tight) when being handled !!

... cp

They are great eating...maybe not from Guist?

Crappie... I'm assuming you catch some SMB occasionally.....u don't cut on them do you.....that would be a major violation in my book. "Save the Smallies!" j/k
M

No worries Bassman30 ... ALL BASS are returned to the lake from which they came, right after I slip my hook outta their mouth - except those that are worthy of a quick picture taking session, then they go back home, too.
My tablefare fish of choice is Crappie, and has been since back in the 1950's
All my Bass fishing has been C/P/R, since the 1980's.
And ... you assume correctly. Though, I do seem to catch "bigger" SMB when Crappie fishing ... than I ever did when actually fishing for "them" ..LOL

... cp

Good man CP! Watch out for those Yellow's....they'll poo on you...nasty for the boat carpet....yuck!