Cold start on Cherokee

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Jacob Wheeler started his morning out looking down at his electronics. By the time we found him, he had two small keepers. You'll notice that many of the anglers on Cherokee are working fish directly below them in a vertical manner.
Jacob Wheeler started his morning out looking down at his electronics. By the time we found him, he had two small keepers. You’ll notice that many of the anglers on Cherokee are working fish directly below them in a vertical manner.
John Hunter is fishing right next to Wheeler, and they are seemingly working the same pattern. The temperatures were hovering around 33-34 degrees this morning making it hard to recognize the anglers beneath all the layers.
John Hunter is fishing right next to Wheeler, and they are seemingly working the same pattern. The temperatures were hovering around 33-34 degrees this morning making it hard to recognize the anglers beneath all the layers.
Brandon Card was in the vicinity working on a limit.
Brandon Card was in the vicinity working on a limit.
He said the cold is bearable when you're moving constantly, but the he was concerned the wind would pick up and make it feel much colder. He was correct!
He said the cold is bearable when you’re moving constantly, but the he was concerned the wind would pick up and make it feel much colder. He was correct!
Card fished the area for a few minutes before moving on.
Card fished the area for a few minutes before moving on.
He relocated about half a mile away and went back to work.
He relocated about half a mile away and went back to work.
Meanwhile KVD blows by ...
Meanwhile KVD blows by …
And Skyler Hamilton is looking for the next spot to put down and put a bass in the boat.
And Skyler Hamilton is looking for the next spot to put down and put a bass in the boat.
We found VanDam just a short run up the lake doing what he does best, working a crankbait and moving quickly.
We found VanDam just a short run up the lake doing what he does best, working a crankbait and moving quickly.
He thoroughly fished the area.
He thoroughly fished the area.
He worked a point with boulders and stumps.
He worked a point with boulders and stumps.
It wasn't long until he pulled up his trolling motor ...
It wasn’t long until he pulled up his trolling motor …
And headed to the next spot.
And headed to the next spot.
Russ Lane was just across the creek working the opposite shoreline.
Russ Lane was just across the creek working the opposite shoreline.
But that didn't last long either before he picked up intending to relocate.
But that didn’t last long either before he picked up intending to relocate.
Off he goes.
Off he goes.
Bradly Roy was also fishing in the same creek. He asked me if I thought he looked cold. I quickly replied
Bradly Roy was also fishing in the same creek. He asked me if I thought he looked cold. I quickly replied “No.” We were both freezing.
Behind us Dave Lefebre was on the move.
Behind us Dave Lefebre was on the move.
Among other anglers, as well. This was a very common theme with all the fishermen we saw today. They'd fish a spot for only a few minutes before moving on making it clear that staying on active fish in the frigid conditions was key. Moving on ...
Among other anglers, as well. This was a very common theme with all the fishermen we saw today. They’d fish a spot for only a few minutes before moving on making it clear that staying on active fish in the frigid conditions was key. Moving on …
Randy Howell (L) and Greg Hackney were fishing near each other, but giving a wide berth.
Randy Howell (L) and Greg Hackney were fishing near each other, but giving a wide berth.
Who Dat?
Who Dat?
Justin Lucas was bundled up beyond recognition this morning, but who can blame him? With increasing winds, the temps felt in the teens. Like the others, Lucas didn't waste any time and was on the move shortly after we arrived. Cold ...
Justin Lucas was bundled up beyond recognition this morning, but who can blame him? With increasing winds, the temps felt in the teens. Like the others, Lucas didn’t waste any time and was on the move shortly after we arrived. Cold …
Gone.
Gone.
Hackney was working the shoreline without much to show.
Hackney was working the shoreline without much to show.
But, you can always count on Hackney to find hungry fish.
But, you can always count on Hackney to find hungry fish.
Randy Howell is cold, too. And seems to be wondering where all the fish are hiding.
Randy Howell is cold, too. And seems to be wondering where all the fish are hiding.
He keeps his chin down and continues to work the shoreline.
He keeps his chin down and continues to work the shoreline.
Cast after cast.
Cast after cast.
Shortly thereafter, we found Shaw Grigsby working a marina.
Shortly thereafter, we found Shaw Grigsby working a marina.
He kept his eyes on his electronics looking for marks beneath that might be willing to eat a vertical presentation.
He kept his eyes on his electronics looking for marks beneath that might be willing to eat a vertical presentation.
Jordan Lee was a short drive down the lake.
Jordan Lee was a short drive down the lake.
Fighting the wind and watching his graph, a common theme today.
Fighting the wind and watching his graph, a common theme today.
He must have found what he was looking for, because he hooked up shortly thereafter.
He must have found what he was looking for, because he hooked up shortly thereafter.
The fight continues.
The fight continues.
He reaches down for the scoop.
He reaches down for the scoop.
But the fish had other ideas.
But the fish had other ideas.
The smallmouth bass looks to be a quality upgrade.
The smallmouth bass looks to be a quality upgrade.
He goes to work culling out a smaller bass.
He goes to work culling out a smaller bass.
And right back to the front deck to keep chipping away at the day's objective.
And right back to the front deck to keep chipping away at the day’s objective.