It has been over a month since I was on pool 14 due to health concerns, but finally felt good enough to hit the water for a few hours on Sunday. I shared the boat with my brother-in-law Jerry Houston.
We began the day before sunrise, working a favorite wingdam, first casting crankbaits, then jigs and bait, and finally worked it a 3rd time with 3 ways and crawlers. We where able to pick up a couple nice eyes on the 3-ways, one 19+ which was released, and one 17" eater. Both fish where in stronger current near the channel end of the dam. This first picture is of Jerry with the eater.
With the wing dams in the area filling up with boats, we opted to try our hand at trolling cranks on a couple flats that had been producing fish a month ago. It took us some time to dial them in, but we found fish in 10-12′ of water, trolling at 2.0-2.4 mph with a number of different cranks paying dividends. Shad Raps in #5 size, Hot-n-Tots, and Wally Divers all put some fish in the boat. The bite slowed and the mercury was getting too high when the tuna boats began their onslaught mid-morning. We called it a day with several catfish, a few drum, two nice saugers and three more legal eyes, as well as a couple of slot fish. The largest, at 24", is pictured here.
The fish where not concentrated as they where on my last trip out in July, but, staying on the move and being flexible will pay dividends this time of year on Pool 14. There are some very nice fish to be had, if an angler wants to put in the time and keep looking!
I would like to close with a big thanks to drewsdad for the kicker motor I was using. My first time out with a 4 stroke on my boat, and it was fantastic! Thanks Joel!
That’s the best report I’ve heard from pool 14 this summer,I’m glad you guys got on the fish and even a real nice one.I hope your health continues to get better John.I haven’t been out since the last time we bumped into you,hope to get out more towards fall.
Rick,
Thanks for the report John, and it’s good to see you got out there! I hope you are feeling better!
John, good to see you back on the water
Glad to hear you are doing well. Nice report 
Thanks for the report John, I’m glad you were able to get out and get a few and sure glad to hear your feeling better.
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get out for awhile now, have to go have the doc rotor rooter my heart. I thought that was stuff they did when ya got old! Is 45 old?!?!?
and 
!
If all goes well I’ll be back to work and back on the water in a couple weeks
John
Take care and hope to meet you out on 14 soon as your feeling better.
Hey John!
Glad to hear the kicker is working for you. And I will do a prayer for your ticker as well. Take care sir! Oh! Nice report too!
Joel (dd)
Keep in touch John…Were all looking for that next report buddy !!
Did someone say CATFISH?
Good to hear your feeling better John!
Three 16-20″ channels and a 4-5# flathead. I believe those are all still bait size fish for you Brian! Feeling o.k., just have to take it really easy until the doc does his thing!
Settle down Brian.
Great report John. Who’s that ugly guy in the back of the boat? Just kiddin’ Jerry 
. It was good to see you last week. Hopefully my boat will be out of the shop by the time you can go fishing. You can even bring that guy in the back of the boat with ya’. Talk to you later.
Good to see you got back out on the water John! Take care my family and I are keeping you and yours in our prayers.
I just had to add a photo of Jerry’s 29″er he got today trolling a #5 Wally diver. Weighed in at 8.35#. Really nice fish, unfortunately it inhaled the crank into it’s gills and suffered extensive damage. Could not be revived. He also reported catching several 22-24″ fish, lots of dinks, and he brought home a few eaters as well. Sure wish I could have been out there!
Thanks to everyone for the prayers and well wishes. I really appreciate all the support and encouragement I’ve recieved from my friends on IDA!