Thunderin Gobbler

Just a few days left till our benefit tournament. I'm starting to get a lot of calls finally. It looks like we may have a good turnout after all. Don't forget, like Gilly and Bob said, IT'S FOR THE KIDS!!!!

Thanks Gilly!!!!!!!! We have a few boats in so far, but nowhere near what i'd like to see. We are hoping that some guys show up the morning of to register. I'd really like to see some guys from the forum fish it. For those of you who are curious: It's next Saturday, March 26th, at the Old State Park ramp. Hartley cove. Registration starts at 6:00 with take-off at 7:00. $100 per boat with a 60% payback for top 3 places. optional $10 big bass as well. You can visit our website (yes we finally have one up and running) at www.thunderingobblers.org or call me at (417) 761-1096 for questions. Thanks again for your help Gilly!!!! Jason

Thanks Gee3, I am glad to hear the soft plastics are doing well. They are kinda my "specialty". Well, that's about all I use atleast. Haven't done much fishing with stickbaits so I think I will take your advice.

I am planning on heading up to the lake tomorrow afternoon. I have a safety meeting for the kids in our youth hunt in the morning and then I thought I'd try my luck at finding some fish. I was planning on either crappie or bass fishing. Maybe either Roark or CC. Do any of you have any recommendations? I don't normally get to fish this early in the year, so I know it'll be slower than what I'm used to.

Last I heard it was pretty murky, but Straw hat is up there today, so he can give you a better report later.

Where is the tire bed located at? I've never fished around the state park, so I don't know. I don't plan to jump in there and fish it out or run people off, but it would be nice to check it out every once in a while. I usually fish CC or Roark Bluff. State park is too far to drive most of the time.

Glad you mentioned the yellow string ones Straw Hat. I just started using slip bobbers last year, and boy did it help! I bought a package of those at Walmart the other day and have them on my rods ready to go. I agree about the price being a little high, think I'll try your method eventually too, but for now I may as well use up what I payed for. Hope to get out there for the first time this weekend.

Are you gonna fish the tournament on the 26th up there? It's out of the Old State park ramp, $100 per boat, and the money goes to help fund youth hunting and fishing trips. There is a 60% payback on it as well.

I'm thinking about heading out saturday. I'll either be in a 16ft while lowe v-bottom, ir a 19ft red Nitro. Pulled with a silver SUV.

Hey Bob I'd fish the big bass tournament in March, as long as it's not on the 26th.

Yeah I saw that on the news yesterday morning. SO LONG BASS PRO!!! Academy has much lower prices, and a pretty good selection of hunting and fishing gear.

The last time I talked to him, the ramps were still frozen on Stockton, so at least he's getting to fish down there.

I talked to him a few weeks ago and he was doing ok. He said he was getting ready to head down to the Gulf to do some fishing for a while. I would assume that he's just down there and that nothing is wrong.

Great insight Straw Hat. Thanks. maybe I can get up there soon.

Just thought I'd post on this thread again and move it back up so everyone can see it easier. We are now about a month away from hosting our first ever tournament. This isn't a tournament that's designed for the serious tournament fishermen. Actually I figure most of them will probably be down on Table Rock that weekend. This one is priced and set up for us weekend bass fishermen, that just want to get out and have some fun bass fishing, and help a non-profit youth group at the same time. And hey, you never know, you may just come out of there a few hundred bucks richer too. Our chapter is taking out about 20 kids on this year's youth turkey hunt. We provide all of the necessary tools (camo, shotguns, blinds, guides, land, etc) for these kids to be safe and successful. Another major thing we do is we take 4 of these lucky hunter on an all expense paid hunting trip to Kentucky. The outfitter there takes care of the logding and meals, but it is up to our chapter to cover travel expenses. I will cost us between $1000 and $1500 to take these kids out there for a weekend hunt. If this tournament is not a success, then we may not get to go this year. If any of you guys are on the fence about whether you want to fish it or not, hopefully this will help change your mind. If you would like to help us out but don't want to fish in the tournament, please let me know. Thanks Jason Bussard Ozark Greenway Thunderin' Gobblers

I have never walleye fished with a guide on Stockton. But I did go with Marty Thompson (Thompson's Fishing Guide Service) last year on a bass trip. He's really knowledgeable on the lake and would be a good one to talk to. The other one I would recommend is Bob Bennett (Stockton Lake Guide Service). He would be a great one to talk to as well. Bob has provided us with a ton of insight and tips on this forum and from what I hear would be a great guide to go with too.

Just saw on Bob's facebook page that there are several ramps open now. Haven't been there myself yet, but that's what he's been told. Hawker Point was one of them that he mentioned as open.

One other thing, this doesn't really pertain to the tournament itself, but it kinda does. Our chapter is still trying to find some more people willing to let us use their land for the 2 day youth turkey hunt April 9-10. We take these kids out on private land every year for a few reasons. First, SAFETY! The last thing we want to happen is an accident, and they can happen, especially on public land. Second, the hunters have a much better chance of being successful on private land as compared to public land. Right now we have land, guides, etc for 20 kids. We have a waiting list of about another 50 or so kids wanting to go. We'd like to bump our numbers up to about 25 or so this year, but it still takes more land. If anyone has or knows of any land that we may be able to use for just these 2 days, please let me know! Also, if we get more land, we could use more guides, so if you'd like to help the kids out in this way, please let me know as well. Thanks Jason Bussard

Let me see what I can find out guys. I've had a few boaters say they are interested, but don't have a partner. I will check with them again.

The Cedar Ridge area has always been a good area for crappie for me. I don't ever get to fish it this early in the year, but I've heard that you can get into a lot of crappie this time if the lake is thawed out. Last I heard, that part was mostly frozen over, so maybe one of the other guys can update you on that. Most of the piles that I know of start by the bridge and go on up around into son's creek area. There should be plenty of water for you to find them. Hopefully in a few weeks they will start moving up towards the shallower water. That's when I'll be after them.

I'm hoping to get up there and do some crappie fishing and start finding some bass here in a few weeks. The benefit tournament is just over a month away, and even though I won't fish it, I still want to bring more fish than the tourney guys.

I will check around and see if there are any boaters needing partners. I got a feeling that, on a lake like Stockton, the size of the boat isn't going to matter one bit. The biggest catch may end up being less than a mile from the ramp. Hope to see ya up there either way though.

Yeah Sorry, it is Friday night. The doors open at 6:00 with dinner being at either 7:00 or 7:30. Jason

I know it is kinda last minute's notice, but I thought I'd better post it on here anyway. My Willard NWTF chapter's annual banquet/auction/raffle is coming up TOMORROW night. We will have good catered food, several guns to raffle off, wildlife prints, outdoor furniture, hunting and fishing equipment, guided fishing trips, wildlife sculptures, branson show tickets, restaurants, etc. to raffle or auction off. There is a ton of stuff to pick up for cheap!!! If you've read many of my posts on here, you know what our chapter does with youth hunting. This is the way that we raise the funds to take kids out and provide their equipment. It is at the Willard Community Center, 222 W Jackson, Willard, 65781 It will be a great night, and you're guaranteed to have a blast. Tickets start at $20. Don't forget, it's ALL TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!!!!!! If you are interested in coming, you can call me at (417)761-1096 or text me. I don't know how much I will be around the computer to check emails, got a lot of stuff to put together. Thanks Jason

Awesome Bob. We can definitely use the trip. That makes me want to fish it myself now. We don't have a website up yet, but I do have a chapter facebook page with info on our chapter and the tourney flier. It's the Ozark Greenway Thunderin" Gobblers. I will find you on there today.