sms_alum

You are correct, next year you can use a crossbow without a doctor's note.

Nice job, I'd say you had an efficient weekend hunting.

Got this guy on Friday evening about 6:00. Not the biggest, but my first buck with a bow. Him and a smaller one came in to check out the rattling. I would say they are starting to get interested in the rut. Didn't see much daytime activity yet, everything was at dusk or dawn.

I think I saw you from the highway. I was thinking it would be a nice day to be walking the river. Glad someone was out there catching a few.

Well, we had a great weekend at Bull Shoals. We stayed a Bull Shoals Resort around the 1 mile marker. The lake was very clear and clean, not crowded at all even though it was labor day weekend. The kids had a great time swimming and tubing. The fishing was tough. I could only get a out for an hour or two in the mornings but I wasn't really able to locate many fish or patterns. Fished crankbaits for a while but never picked anything up. Caught a few shorts and sunfish on ned rigs and grubs but that was about it. Next time down I think I will buck up for a guide to learn the lake some before I start taking the kids out fishing.

I'm headed down Thursday for my first time on lower Bull Shoals. Fished the pot holes area some in college but that been 10 years ago now. I hope to get out in the mornings and evenings. I will have some younger kids with me most mornings so I was thinking about trolling some crankbaits with them. Not really targeting a specific species but I thought that might be a good way to learn the lake some and bump into a few fish. If you guys have any suggestions let me know. If you out there this weekend we will be in a blue and white Skeeter Fish n Ski.

Any idea on draw length and pounds?

The pool where the Meremac elbows right before suicide hill is always loaded with gar. It's not far from where you were fishing just below the springs.

A good friend of mine owns a condo in the building next to the one that burned. Same builder and complex. I have stayed there many times, but it is on the ground floor so I never thought much about it. The condos themselve seem reasonably well built, but with one exit they are fire traps. These condos have exterior wood stairs as the exit. Other condos I have seen have concrete stairs and that seems alot more logical, maybe give people a little more time to get out.

Fished a few hours Friday night and found a nice mixed bag of fish fishing the twin bridges area and the flats. Saturday morning was tuff but we focused on bass fishing early. We tried to stay off the lake during the heat of the day and went back out Saturday evening. Sunday morning caught a few bass off the bridge pilars but only one keeper, mostly short kentucky's. We did catch more walleye this trip than I ever have in a few day period. We had probably 20 over the weekend, but hardly any keepers. They are mainly in the 12-14 1/2 inch range. All came on crank baits in the 15-22 foot range. Mostly long line trolling. Caught several whites in the evenings, but never found them on top. Also, had some channels, bluegil, and largemouth trolling. Not one crappie caught all weekend. Lake was busy this weekend but everyone seemed nice and friendly. We had hoped the whites would be ganged up and on top when we planned the trip but they are probably a week or two away.

Forgot to give an update on this after the trip. We ended up just doing the party boat thing on Sweet Jody. It was the first couple days of snapper season, but I guess that boat has a special permit so it really didn't matter if snapper season was open or not. We caught fish, it was fairly in-expensive, but I would rather do a smaller boat. We had a few first timers in the group and didn't want to spend a lot of money for them to hate it. Probably a good move since my nephew started ralphing as soon as we left the jeti. I brought gear down planning to fish the surf some but just never had time with all the kids stuff. There are some really cool places to fish freshwater, bay, and deep sea down there.

Fishing MS friday morning and the place was empty. Similar conditions but had a light drizzle. Caught most of ours on trout worms down by the bridge.

I was told it is back down and fishable now. They said water was cloudy but beyond that pretty close to normal.

I haven't fished Table Rock as much as most of you guys, but I usually get a few goggle eye fishing grubs and jigs in the Indian Point area. One year we really got into them and had a nice little fish fry. They seem to run larger on Table Rock than on the rivers.

I'm confused why that would be the case. Scuds seem most prevelent in the trophy area where water temps would be cooler. Why would a rise in water temps create more scuds down at your ramp?

Looking for recommendations, I am looking at bringing the family down for a 3 day weekend later this month. I was curious if you guys have any recommendations for a place to stay with a dock. We have 2 young kids so the closer the ramp and dock to where we stay is important. Obviously clean and nice is a priority as well since the wife is coming. Thanks. Jason

I have the same boat, only one foot shorter. These are are great boats to fish and still do all the family stuff. Did you add the break-a-way tongue on the trailer? Looks like it would fit in standard garage, which is a huge selling point to all of us living in the suburbs.

Forgot the pic.

Didn't fish long with the rain, but the little guy had a good time. Tons of kids down there and a bunch of kids with lunkers. Maramec Springs/MDC did a great job!

This sounds pretty cool. I think I might try to head down with my son, if the weather cooperates.

Exactly what hoglaw said. I have had my Yeti for 3 years now and it is indestructable. Keeping beer cold when you are opening it every 15 minutes won't change, but you could run over them with a truck. That being said you could buy a new coleman once a year for the next 10 years and still have some money left over.

Thanks for the tips. I think I bought myself an extra day of fishing by leaving the golf clubs at home this year, so I might be able to get out and do some exploring. I'm always amazed at the verity of species in salt water.

Headed down to destin in 3 weeks and I was looking for fishing suggestions. I usually take a surf rod to mess around with on the beach and end up going on a bottom fishing trip or two. This year I was thinking about booking an inshore trip. If any of you have a boat or captian suggestion let me know. Thanks.

Mine is a few years old but tows great. I have an 09 with the 5.4 in it. I talked to a few people who are not big fans of the eco boost for towing, but I think they made a lot of improvements to the newer versions. It seems like may only offer the eco boost in a few years. I have never driven a vehicle that gets the advertised MPG, but definately love the ford over my old dodge.

I am by no means an expert in the area, but when I was down in Springfield they didn't seem to get up to the dam until very late season or after the season closed. Also the water had to be pretty high. I'm not sure of the conditions now since I'm in St. Louis, but I would think you are a little early still. Hope that helps.