wdberkley

Champ, you're spot on. My father and/or I have graced the deck of Mr. Babler's rig for a day of our trip each of the last 3 years. While we tend to spend the majority of the day laughing at each other’s ridiculous stories or comparing gear, we do typically manage to boat a few decent fish, and take enough knowledge from the day to apply to the rest of the trip on our own. Bill's always a good time and has taught us more about that lake in the 24 some hours we've been able to spend with him than we would have learned on our own in the 3 weeks time we've spent on the water in the last 3 years. I'm sure we'll see him in April 2013.

Thanks for the info Bill. Guess that should have been the first question - where's the best place to be fishing around that time. We did well last year with a few 5lb + fish, and a handful over 4lbs, but that 8 pounder has been illusive. Of course, we also don't mind the occasional smalljaw, that's why I was thinking more toward Indian Point and the Dam Area. Luckily, we've got time to plan!

Thanks for the info Git'n! Already looking forward to April.

For the last 3 years our group from Chicago has headed down the second week of April for 5-7 days to fish the Rock. We've always stayed up Aunt's Creek. After the gas bill for 3 boats last year - we ran from Aunts north to Cape Fair, west to Big Creek, and east to Cow Creek - we're looking to move more main lake. Wouldn't mind staying east of Kimberling City to have a reasonable run to get to either Baxter or Long Creek. We typically have 4-6 guys. 1 group tows a boat down the 500+ Miles. The other 2 groups rent boats. The key to this whole thing is finding a resort with 2 above average Bass Boats - as you can see we tend to cover some water, and a 16 footer with a tiller on it ain't going to fly. What I'm looking for is suggestions. I need a place to accomodate 6 men, hopefully in 1 or 2 cabins, with solid boat rental options, in the general area I mentioned above. I typically book this time of year for next spring, so if we're going to make the move I'd like to set it up soon. Thanks!

Spent 5 long days chasin' em on the Rock last week. Managed to put together a few patterns and figure a little out. Caught some decent Brown ones from Kimberling City to Baxter, mainly hoppin/draggin a tube on pea gravel with the boat in 15 - 25 fow. Caught a few largemouth between 4 and 6 pounds fishing bluff walls and transitions from Kimberling to up the James near Piney. Even found a few that wanted a Wart or a Square Bill on gradual sloping banks with chunk rock. One or two in creek arms, but most came on main lake points, secondary points and pockets. All in all this year was the best quality fishing we've had in the last 3 years we've been making the run. Only downfall was the lack of crappie and whites - didn't get a fish fry in. *Although some pictures were taken at our dock, all fish were released to fight another day*

Sure seemed to me Mr. Babler was only pointing out that the rod (a Shimano) which has a manufacturer's OTC warantee would have been replaced regardless where it was purchased. Didn't seem like an attack on Bass Pro Shops. That being said, they're just like any other Big Business - they do what they do for one reason - to make money. They know they can piss people off because there will always be someone else to take their business. I for one don't care much for them as a whole, for a multitude of reasons. BUT you better believe I was there this spring for the reel trade in. I may not agree with some of their actions, but a sales a sale.

I was unable to listen using Google Chrome as my browser, but I opened the link in Internet Explorer and had no problems. Cap'n, for starters, open Internet Explorer, click Tools, then Windows Update. Let the update process run. The reports are uploaded as a simple .wav file which should play without error if you're running a current version of Windows Media Player or Quicktime. If Windows Update doesn't fix your problem, try downloading and installing Quicktime from Apples website. Phil, this is a great feature to the website, thanks for all your dedication.

Don't know what your budget is, but the Shimano Stradic CI-4 is a great mid level reel and will pair nicely with your new Falcon!

Check out http://www.tungstenweights.com/ they're a Keitech dealer. They carry tungsten weights and Keitech products. Good pricing and quick shipping!

I hope everyone's staying high and dry in this mess down there, it's pretty crazy to read all this from a distance in Chicago. To think Table Rock was 20+ feel lower when we were down 2 weeks ago...crazy stuff. I hope everyone comes out of this OK. As for BPS/their dock/the Fish House...wonder if they need a few gallons of gas to help move 'er back upstream. Oh...wait...

BASS's home page now states: "Continued storms in the Table Rock Lake drainage has forced the Army Corp of Engineers to revoke the license for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open. Story to come." http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/index

I wish it was only a plead at the dock. We were tied up and I went in to talk to them. They weren't hearing me or the $100 billS I was waving around as I told them we couldn't make it far without fuel and had made it a point to come to them for that very reason. In hind sight I could have and should have stayed tied off right there and made the call before everything went to hell on us. Had we bit the bullet and made the run back up to Indian Point, we woulda made 'er for sure, but instead the feller @ Big Cedar sent us to Long Creek Marina, and we know how this story ends. If anything, this should be a lesson to those traveling from points near and far to fish the Rock. Maps and Planning will only get you so far - just because a map shows fuel at 4 places near where you're fishing that day doesn't mean you can get it. Common sense prevails. Having good people around to save your butt when you get in a bind helps too. Thanks again Bill

If I had a pair of sharp scissors my BPS Visa would be in pieces right this minute. Considering the $$$ I've spent there they just lost a great customer....

Launched this morning @ Indian Point. Caught fish early on Warts & Jigs. Moved South, picked up a nice Smallie on a tube. Looked @ the gas gauge, noticed we were under 1/4 tank, and headed toward Big Cedar. Unbeknownst to me, they only see fuel and ALL PROVISIONS to paying guests. After making a legit plead and getting shot down, we tried Long Creek Marina, only to find it closed. Same with the State Park. Tried to motor back to Indian Point, but ran out of gas near the Dam. Used the Troller to get to get over to the western shore and make an emergency SOS to our other group who was out with Bill Babler. Within the hour that White Champion blazed up with 5 gallons and saved the day. To anyone ever considering a day out with a guide, Mr. Babler will not only put you on fish - group #2 had a good day - but he is a 100% Class Act. Bill, I cannot thank you enough for bailing our butt out today. We made a costly mistake that could have ended BAD. William Berkley

I have a Stradic 2500 FI, a Stradic CI-4 2500, and a Stella 2500 FD. I bought a Stella 2 years ago when Tackle Warehouse did their 25% off sale. It was right before the Stradic CI-4 came out. Had I known how awesome the CI-4 was going to be I would have bought 3 of them instead of one Stella.