Whitewater bassin’ part III

Anglers navigate Moccasin Gap.

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<p>Moccasin Gap is a big shoal that spans across the Coosa River about 5 miles below Jordan Dam. It has been the biggest obstacle for anglers trying to get farther up the river.</p>
Moccasin Gap is a big shoal that spans across the Coosa River about 5 miles below Jordan Dam. It has been the biggest obstacle for anglers trying to get farther up the river.
<p>Scattered around the shoal are big rocks that create rapids and make for a big deterrent to moving up or downstream.</p>
Scattered around the shoal are big rocks that create rapids and make for a big deterrent to moving up or downstream.
<p>Most anglers traverse this area with aluminum boats and jet-drive engines, like this local fishing Sunday.</p>
Most anglers traverse this area with aluminum boats and jet-drive engines, like this local fishing Sunday.
<p>About midmorning, Steve Kennedy shows up in the area, idling toward the shoal.</p>
About midmorning, Steve Kennedy shows up in the area, idling toward the shoal.
<p>He gets close to the shoal and fishes the flooded trees nearby.</p>
He gets close to the shoal and fishes the flooded trees nearby.
<p>He mainly casts a spinnerbait to anything that might be creating an eddy in the current.</p>
He mainly casts a spinnerbait to anything that might be creating an eddy in the current.
<p>He gets close to one of two large gaps and works the bait through the current.</p>
He gets close to one of two large gaps and works the bait through the current.
<p>While he’s fishing the other gap, a local angler in a jet boat jets past.</p>
While he’s fishing the other gap, a local angler in a jet boat jets past.
<p>The boater never notices Kennedy as he speeds by.</p>
The boater never notices Kennedy as he speeds by.
<p>As soon as the jet boat is through, Kennedy starts casting.</p>
As soon as the jet boat is through, Kennedy starts casting.
<p>He works the bait way upriver and brings it downcurrent.</p>
He works the bait way upriver and brings it downcurrent.
<p>The presentation works well enough to produce a bite.</p>
The presentation works well enough to produce a bite.
<p>The fish, though, isn’t big enough to help him.</p>
The fish, though, isn’t big enough to help him.
<p>Kennedy continues to work the shoal.</p>
Kennedy continues to work the shoal.
<p>And after a few minutes, Kennedy decides to test the shoal with his bass boat.</p>
And after a few minutes, Kennedy decides to test the shoal with his bass boat.
<p>He hits the water square in the middle …</p>
He hits the water square in the middle …
<p>Then makes a hard left …</p>
Then makes a hard left …
<p>And within a minute, he has passed the rocks.</p>
And within a minute, he has passed the rocks.
<p>Kennedy and his cameraman, James Massey, cut around the rocks and head upriver.</p>
Kennedy and his cameraman, James Massey, cut around the rocks and head upriver.
<p>While there are still rocks showing, it’s clear sailing all the way to the dam.</p>
While there are still rocks showing, it’s clear sailing all the way to the dam.
<p>In hot pursuit, Gary Tramontina (in red) and Seigo Saito (in light blue) hit the shoals in a jet boat.</p>
In hot pursuit, Gary Tramontina (in red) and Seigo Saito (in light blue) hit the shoals in a jet boat.
<p>An hour later, David Walker idles up to the shoals.</p>
An hour later, David Walker idles up to the shoals.
<p>He assesses his options on the far left side of the shoal.</p>
He assesses his options on the far left side of the shoal.
<p>Then backs off and gets a running start.</p>
Then backs off and gets a running start.
<p>Walker hits the hole ...</p>
Walker hits the hole …
<p>And within a minute, he’s racing toward the dam.</p>
And within a minute, he’s racing toward the dam.
<p>Just as he clears, a pair of canoeists hit the shoal for a rest break.</p>
Just as he clears, a pair of canoeists hit the shoal for a rest break.