Goggle-Eyed

I will be back in the USA and HOME on Wednesday, can't wait to get out and Fish on Thursday!!! Been almost a year since I have Bass fished the lake so I will definitely need a little practice.... Can't wait for the Niangua to come down a little and then really have some fun, floating/camping/fishing!!!

LOL, didn't global warming start the day the Ice Age ended? Now the effects of man are surely speeding it up! Here is a photo showing the pollution in a small city in Northern China. In the fall I visited and loved the city because the skies were crystal blue. was looking forward to this trip last week but when I arrived this is what I was faced with. Because of the NW winds blowing the pollution in from a larger city. One hour outside, washed my face and turned the wash cloth "black"

I really hope you would not intentionally try to ruin this guys career over some misguided comments on an internet forum. I know you are retired and don't need a job, did his comments really inflame you to the point you want to possibly ruin the guys life??? I surely hope not. I really would like to know whether you followed up on your threat. It will definitely change the dynamics of this site and forum if you did.

An important question before anyone can answer accurately. How do you like to fish? Example: I can take 2 - 2.5 days to fish an 11 mile float.. Someone Like Al A. probably does that in 10-12 hours. So if you like to stop and fish every possible fish holding area that is important to know. I have spent an hour sitting below one riffle and kept fishing until the fish quit biting before moving on. If I do really good on a spot I stop/back up and fish it again. Some people are throwing fast reaction baits and barely slow down to fish an area that might take me 30 minutes to fish. It is all a matter of preference on how you like to fish. Both ways can produce awesome fish count's so it is just up to your preferred style. Joe

This post Reminded me of watching the X-Games and hearing the description of the tricks the skaters do!!! LOL Made me laugh a little since I didn't know what a Ned Rig was, then I found out it was just a jig with part of a worm... Still don't know what a fish doc is or what scrubbing a grub is!!! Now I am off to google "fish doc". I already googled how to "scrub my grub" and that produced some very disturbing images!!! LOL Seriously though, thanks for the report. It's guys like you and many other's on here that share there knowledge and keep many of us coming back to the site!

I would think it would be much easier to list the brand new battery for sale at $50 and then take that money and go buy the proper battery. A small battery will cost $30-40 and not be ideal situation. if you sell yours for $40-50 you would be at the same money and less headache!!!

Well Said!!! LOL

Went to Lead Mine CA, on Saturday around 11am and walked the bank.... It's kinda a Spring Time "flood stage thing" Normally I do this with a buddy of mine and it is a saturday afternoon "booze cruise" with his wife driving. Anyway, he is out of state and I am only here a few days this spring... I parked at the lower access and started fighting the mud down the Peninsula fishing the deeper/slack water along the cut bank... Only caught 1, but it was about 14" and it was my first Smallie of the year... Unfortunately, it will be my last until the end of May or first of June. I will be back in China until then and only thinking of my smallie passions.... I only had about 4 hours of extra time during this trip home and managed to actually fish 3 hours so I am HAPPY!!! I will be home again around May 20th and plan to spend at least a couple of weekends on a river bank!!! Joe

I follow the striper guides on Texoma now... I used to buy the "name brand" knives....after watching the guides cleaning hundreds of fish per day with a "wal mart" special, that is good enough for me... The guys I talked to go through two per year... I have been on my same knife and blades for three years and it still cleans as good as any other electric fillet knife I have used.... If 12 volt is important then I suggest the Rapala set, I had one last several years.... I clean over 500 crappie per year, not a huge amount but probably more than an average user! I can knock out 30 crappie in about 20 minutes.... I am slow compared to those striper guides!!!! Joe

Do the math on your weight to HP. A 40/29 will effectively plane up to about 1,000lbs. Need to calculate boat weight, Fuel, Gear, accessories and passengers. Approximate weight of Hull/Engine/2 Batteries/Fuel = 750lbs - that doesn't leave much for passengers/gear/trolling motor ect.... Chris is an expert on OutBoard Jet's and wrote this article several year ago. http://www.fish.state.pa.us/anglerboater/2002/S-O02web/jetboat.pdf I have made the mistake of under powering and it sucks... Oh Yeah, I would also plan to add an aluminum floor to that boat. As clumsy as I am it is a requirement for my boat!!!!

Smallie, I just PM'd you....

I ditto what Al Said! I am planning on upgrading my current hull to a 1652 from Joe. He recommended the Blazer hull for me and my tiller steer Honda 50/35... I am going to be back in the USA next week and plan on meeting with him to discuss layout etc. Based on several recommendations I am also going to contact Ernie's Sales and Service to see what they can offer.

nice rig!!!! i have looked at them for a couple of years... just a little to heavy for where i run, I fish alone and don't think i could get "unstuck"if i had a problem....

I am wondering about Leech? The Mn DNR says there are ver few Smallies in Leech, also saw that on a few forums I have read.... My original trip plan included Leech but then I read there are very few Smallies... From MN. DNR Leech Lake also provides quality angling opportunities for largemouth bass, black crappie, and sunfish in shallow, vegetated bays. These species are not effectively sampled with gillnets. Anglers also occasionally report catches of smallmouth bass, which have always been present in low numbers. Is this the making of "Smallie Gate", or are there really very few in the lake???? If there are a ton of Smallies it would be great. I always tell people there are no Smallies in the Niangua!!! Thanks, Joe

Just saw Hydro-turf being used on a boat build on another forum I frequent. The guy spent quite a bit of time researching before settling on the Hydro-Turf, and they have some pretty cool colors. Probably worth checking out. www.hydroturf.com Joe

I too am in the planning stages for a trip. I have settled on Mn. (end of June). I plan to stop in the St. Cloud area hit a few of the rivers there. I ended up choosing the area because it will allow the "women" to go to the Mall of America. I am also planning to go further up north to the Ottertail River and also a couple of small lakes that I have fished in the past - 18" fish have been more common than 12" fish in the past two years for me while fishing this area.... Anyway, it would be nice to hear what you decide to do. Joe

Earlier there was a reference to Nascar drivers. I guess I look at it a little different than some. I remember back in the 80's and 90's when Nascar was just getting wildly popular. The interviews of drivers were just as "bad" as this guys. Yes there were one or two that had the flair and came across perfect on camera, but most just blurted out whatever came to mind when they were being interviewed, whether it was for crashing on the second lap or winning the race... I think BASS fisherman as well as sponsors are about where Nascar was in the 90's. Yes it is getting more popular but the importance of sponsors hasn't hit the level that Nascar drivers are at. Yes a few of the fisherman are "perfect" on camera, but as someone said Nascar drivers now have "training" on how to talk on camera. Very few BASS fisherman have that kind of training... Watch the interviews of Nationwide or Truck Series drivers, let alone ARCA and on down. And back in the day these guys thanked sponsors that did nothing more than give them some free tools or oil to go in their car (Like the majority of today's BASS fisherman) they weren't paid much if anything by sponsors. As my first post said, I just think some people were a little fickle with their criticism of a guy that was standing on the Stage at the Classic. Maybe he did practice his "lines" and just got "excited" and forgot his "lines". Unless you have stood on the Stage at the Classic and handled it perfectly, I don't feel you should criticize them. NOW - Personally, I hate the sponsorship plugs that dominate interviews. I much preferred NASCAR before the sponsors took over the interview topics, whether the guys had public speaking training or not. I like the old days when Cale or Bobby would get up there and just tell you "facts" (at least as they saw it!!!!). As for BASS fisherman, I would really just rather hear them talk about the fishing and not get hung up on plugging the sponsors, but it is the world we live in and will only get worse as the sport continues to grow. It is probably headed down the same path as Nascar, just on a smaller scale. Did this guy handle his sponsor plug appropriately, maybe not, again I just think it was unfair criticism, unless you have stood on stage at the Classic and handled it perfectly.... That stage is a lifelong dream for many fisherman, obtaining you life's dream can make you a little goofy when you are caught up in the moment. Anyway, none of this is really important and I don't have any issues with you guys that posted the negative, just think it was a little fickle.

No Jerry, I was only referring to the guy standing on the Stage at the Classic not all the other guys.

You guys can be pretty fickle sometimes!!! The fact that this guy is in the Classic and is paid by a sponsor to get the word out gives him the right, and I am sure that Shimano would fire him for NOT getting the word out. Bringing up Nascar, I have watched them interview the "no name" crashed in the first 10 laps guys and they always thank their sponsors. It is what they are PAID to do. If they are fishing in the Classic they have earned the right to promote their products however they want!!! When some of you are fishing in the Classic you can just walk up, weigh your fish and walk off the stage... However, Bill if I am ever looking for a guide on the Rock you will be my first call! We just won't talk about sponsorships!!! Joe

If you share the honey I might even call you Sexy!!!! LOL, did i just cross the line?!?!?!

And the same has been said about you! Not by me but by some!!!!

Just reading your posts over the past year. Here and on other sites. No different than republicans and democrats. Your view is as skewed as Dablemonts, just on the opposite side. Just like normal politics, I think you both have valid points! No offense intended, it's just that both of you are blinded by your beliefs....

Chief, I have read your posts. It is obvious you love the MDC. Your rants against Dablemont are proof of that. I think you are both extremist and need to get a grip. You defend beyond reality and he attacks beyond reality. You are the same character just on opposite sides. You are both extremist. Get a grip.

One Shot. In my opinion nothing beats a double ended paddle jon for the river. I often run my old 56/58 Johnson 3hp/5.5hp motors on the boat. If I am floating overnight I only take the trolling motor and a two batteries. Many times I will drag the boat up over the riffles and I like the double ended for floating since it is not pushing water and I can just "back" right back up the holes while fishing... I also run a 16' 50/35 jet on the Niangua but only from Tunnel Dam to about the old Ed Dampier property. For me a good jet boat run is from Lead Mine up to the eddy right above the old Blue Springs Resort. Either way, Jet is great for being able to fish many places, paddle jon is great for floating and fishing out of! Take Care Joe