magicwormman

Well said Champ!!! Thank God that many like to fish deep, or the shorelines would be very crowded. I would prefer to fish shallow, all the time, but the Rock has taught me to follow the food supply. I know there has to be plenty of food shallow, but conditions usually send me deep in the summer. Now, if I could only figure out where those 3-6 lbers go in the summer.

Good job Champ!!! I was also surprised not to see a picture of Donna, is it possible that she outfished you again??????

Great report! There's nothing like catching them shallow and on topwater. Good job!!!

Good report Bill!!! Isn't amazing how so many people are so resistant to change, even when you show them how to get er done!!! Do you have success with both the chrome and white Dixie Jet?

Welcome Ken and thanks for the report. I live for topwater, so it's nice to hear a few are biting. I fished in the rain yesterday morning around Kimberling City with very poor results. Had two 11 year old boys, who were eager to catch a few bass. We tried spoons, dropshot, and topwater. It just wasn't happening for us. We finally took them back to the dock and let them catch a few gills. Still a great morning on the water with two great young men. Good luck to all, Ken

I had always heard that the lake record was over 12 lbs. My personal best was 9.1 taken on a pig/jig around midnight, in April, back in 1985. The water was about 20 feet low and the fish was caught in dogleg cove near point 5. My partner had a similar fish to the boat, that broke him off. They were the only two bites that we had that night. Since the fill kill of 99, big fish have been hard to find for me. My best is 8.8 post spawn fish taken on a jointed thunderstick, near Kimberling City in early May.

Tell them that Spoony sent you and he'll probably give you a discount.

You might want to call Joe McCord at 417-230-1605. He runs the dive shop at Indian point. I bet he would charge you way less than the cost of a replacement.

I talked to Stacey, last night, and he said he is feeling better and has got his voice back. He has even been out fishing a little. He is going back for surgery to remove some of his lymph nodes in his neck very soon. He sounds very positive that he can lick this bump in the road. I ask that you continue to keep him in your prayers, to help him thru these difficult times. I don't know if I've ever met a finer gentleman than Stacey King.

Thanks Jason for posting the results! Its always interesting to see how the night bite is versus the day bite. Back in the 70's and 80's, we only fished at night. This paid off for us many times, as my personal best on the Rock (9.1) came at midnight in late April on the old pig&jig, back in 1985. Got your plastic and will be making a few of your favorites. If you want any other colors or sizes, just let me know.

Good report Dave!! Glad you got into some active fish. I was gone to WI. for a week, but my brother-in-law and his grandson fished and house sat for us. His results were similar with a few fish on the rig and other small finesse baits. Top water non existent and nothing over 18 inches. Have you tried the Magic Worm yet???

I think you guys have it figured out perfectly! The top water bite has been almost non existent this year. I had one great day in the rain, back in April on the fin, since than I can count on one hand the number of top water fish that I've caught. Just maybe the shad kill was severe enough this year and the crawfish numbers are high to justify the bottom feeding activity.

All they did was cut the transducer wire and take the motor. They didn't take the bracket or damage the boat, thank God. They just pried open the one rod box, which just bent the plastic latch. They never broke open the other rod box or any other compartments. Maybe someone came around and scared them off. The biggest problem is that they got my favorite spinning rod, custom made G Loomis GLX with Spoony written down near the handle. I've never made any claim with any Insurance company, so it will be interesting to see how they handle everything. I have Progressive insurance and so far they have been great. They had someone out in two days to take pictures and get information. I know they have pretty good rod locker bars on the market, has anyone ever had someone break in to one of them. I may have to padlock the trolling motor to the boat, in hopes of slowing them down. I also installed a security camera, maybe next time I will get a picture of the scumbags. I just hate to have to lug everything up and down the hill.

I know, Babler has warned all of us many times, about leaving items stored in our boats and in our docks; but it is such a hassle carrying it back and forth to the dock (especially for us old guys). The thefts occurred Tuesday night in Buzzard Branch on the James River. They took my neighbors and my motor guide trolling motors. They also broke in to my rod box and took 6 bait casters and 2 spinning outfits. My neighbor lives in Illinois, so is not sure what is missing yet. He has a camera on his dock, so maybe we might get a picture of these scumbags. This just shows how morally screwed up our society really is. Get a job to support your dam drug habits!!!

Great fish!!! I love when a plan comes together. It's amazing, the older we get, how much pleasure we get from seeing others catch a big fish. Bill, let me know, when you figure out this topwater deal. I've had one (1) good topwater day, in the rain, and that was pre-spawn. It might be one of those years, when it just doesn't happen. Usually, I can find some whites, at this time of year too, but not this year. I guess that's why we love this sport..............it ain't easy.

I feel that 90% of the bass have completed their spawn, however last Friday we caught two spots that looked like they were full of spawn. I'm sure there is always a few late bloomers, especially some spots.

Congrats to you both!! What a great story!!! It sounds like the perfect woman, and she like to fish too. You're a lucky man!!!

Bill, I also have noticed very few spots...........mostly jaws and LM. The few good spots I've caught recently, still had eggs, so hopefully the spots are still spawing or resting from the spawn. We will have a answer very soon. This might also explain the slow topwater bite.

Great fish! Those smallies really give you a ride, especially on light tackle. Glad you had a good trip. You can't go wrong with a guy like Babler to put you on fish.

So sorry to hear about Stacey. He is a first class gentleman and one of the finest guys I've ever known. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Stacey. God will help you whip this.

Thanks for the report. Sounds like you had a great trip. What was the best bait for this time of year?

Thanks for the congrats!! I didn't weigh her, but would guess her at 5 1/2 to 6 lbs. It was definitely my best fight of the year with 6 lb test line and a medium action rod. I've struggled this year catching any big fish, even throwing the crazy umbrella rig early this year. Maybe some of the big girls will start to come out to play. What I like about it, you can fish it so many ways, and anyone can catch fish on it. Thanks to all the great fisherman who post on this forum to help so many of us catch fish.

Got a couple of rigs from Dave and decided to give them a try. I was fishing between point 9 and 16 on Wednesday. Caught lots of fish, but mostly shorts. I found out Dave was right on about the brown fish. They go crazy over that bait. Took a couple from Sheridan, WY this morning from 9 to noon and had his wife throw the rig the entire time. Yes, she out fished me with 3 keepers. Took my wife out after the rain this P.M. and both threw the little rig for about two hours. Several shorts and only two keepers, but this 21 inch beauty happened to be my biggest this year. She was caught in five feet of water on a secondary point up the James. All the bass were released to fight another day. Thanks again Dave for the lures and advice. You are my new hero.

Great report Champ! Glad you had a great day!!

Great report!! Thanks for sharing!