Tennessee Grabblin’
Hillbilly Hand Fishing Trip
I knew exactly what I wanted to do when it came time to pick our trip for the year. Since it was my turn there was only one logical choice. I told Joe he was going noodling with me. Now I’ll be honest about it, I’m from Florida so in my mind I had visions of me sticking my hand in a catfish hole and getting my fingers (or hand) bit off by any number of Florida aquatic critters. I could just see my hand get chomped on by an agitated turtle or if I’m lucky, just an ill tempered water moccasin. We also have plenty of alligators back home so I was amped up to do something I thought was a little crazy. When I tell people about the trip, I always get a bit of a look like they are mentally saying (without saying it) “My god I didn’t realize he was such a redneck”. I’ve grown to really enjoy the look I get when people think I’m too city for hillbilly hand fishing. Oh but I’m truly not.
What I didn’t realize when we arrived in Knoxville Tennessee was that I was about to have the freaking time of my life. Let me start by saying that I had a remarkable misconception about noodling. The style of fishing we did in Tennessee was infinitely more safe than I had in my mind. First of all our guide Spencer Hardin is probably one of the foremost noodlers on the planet and his technique really makes sense once you’ve grabbed (see what I did there) the concept. What Spencer explained to us is that they fish two types of structure, man-made structure (underwater boxes they have built) and natural structure. The natural stuff can be anything from a hollowed out rock cave to an underwater road bed to a blowed out boat ramp concrete pad. For all intents and purposes, the process is pretty well the same for both.
Here is what they do:
1) If it is man-made structure, the guide places a board in front of the hole of the box. If it is natural structure we wedge our bodies in the hole opening so that we block the exit.
2) Once the opening is blocked off, we take a rod and dive down to the opening. Then we place the rod inside of the hole and fish around the area hitting each corner to see if there is a fish present. Bear in mind that these are spawning fish and they are extremely aggressive to ANYTHING that comes into their space and puts their eggs at risk. If there is a fish in that space, he is obliterating your rod and there is absolutely no mistaking it. This is important to note because there will be nothing else in that hole with that fish.
3) Now that you know a fish is present, it’s time to do battle. We are talking hand-to-hand combat here. You dive down and while the guide slips the board aside just enough for you to reach in there, you stretch your arm out into the hole and wait for the catfish to bite down on your hand.
4) When the fish bites you, they have a bony plate in their mouths that you can grab onto. When you have a good hold on his lip, you will then pull him towards you and rise to the surface. All of this is done while you are holding your breath underwater.
5) VERY IMPORTANTLY, when you get the fish out of the hole bring your hand to your chest immediately so the fish does not have leverage on you. By bringing him closer, you can pin him against you and keep him from spinning and turning your wrist. I lost one this way and it taught me a valuable lesson.
I can tell you this, the first fish is a bit intimidating but after you know what to do, each fish builds your confidence a bit more. As I figured out on the second day of fishing, a little liquid courage in the form of a few beers goes a long way as well.
Hillbilly handfishing is without a doubt the most physically exhausting type of fishing I can imagine. I have never been so sore as I was after the second day. I do recommend if you book a trip to do it in June during peak season and to schedule one day with the guys. It’s a day you’ll never forget and if you love fishing, should 100% be on your bucket list.
