skipjack

I've been reading and watching what is happening in Joplin. A person can never understand unless they've been through it themselves. Our prayers go out for everyone in Joplin.

I've heard from a reliable source that all the fish have left Aunts.

I would just try staying in the clearest water you can find. Typically going up the James towards 11 and up will be more muddy or stained. From what I've noticed the fishing seems to be better the closer you get to the dam, where the clearer water is. Watch what the rain does and that should give you a clue with runoff and water clarity. Don't discount the James though, but you better be a good caster who can get shallow and not worry about a few scratches on the boat. My 2 cents for what its worth.

Got down to Aunts Creek on Wednesday against Techos wishes. Unpacked the van and headed down to throw the boat in. Had to pull a little john boat back and forth to get to the dock but no big deal really until one of my buddies slipped and fell in getting from the dock into the boat, hilarious and we got a good laugh. Fishing was fair for us but when you get around them you can load up pretty quick. We caught all three species, mostly small jaws, on grub and tube. I threw a shaky head almost the whole time but had 1 on a scrounger head with a small fluke. We fished around point 9 from wolfpen towards Mill Creek. We fished mainly in the 25-35 foot zone. My friend lost his biggest bass ever, we guessed at 6lbs., she loaded up on a clear silver flake grub and did a tail dance right in front of us before it dove right under the boat and broke the line. He took it well but by the time we got back to the dock it grew to 12lbs. Good time, great food, hated to leave.

The BASS Open was rescheduled for October 20.

I know this is the Rock and you really never know but, do you think the warm weather coming plus the lake level being somewhat stable will send these fish to the bank next week. Thats what I'm kinda thinking but it could be one of those years where the spawn happens 25 feet deep.

Thats why this is the best fishing forum out there, thanks fellas. I can't wait to get down there next week, I probably won't go to Aunts because Techo always says there's nothing in that creek.

What ramps are the best options right now? How is Aunts Creek ramp looking?

Thanks for your posts and pictures, very good information. I've heard those fish were eating all the crawlers with the high water, you definitely confirmed that. Sorry to hear about Ish and yourself having the "boat flood", I thought Rangers were tougher than that! I'll be there next week, I'll give it my best and report what I find.

If there aren't kids involved throw her stuff out in the yard and change the locks. I would say get a lawyer but that would be money you could use to fix the boat and get back to what really matters, FISHING.

We all know about the shaky head, or dragging a rig around with centipedes and fish drs, but does anybody throw the old texas rigged plastic worm anymore. It seems like maybe it's not en vogue or "cool" to use anymore but I remember years ago catching the hell out of em up by Indian Point on a 6-7 inch motor oil or brown worm on a 1/4 ounce bullet weight.

I'll go with 7.95

With the upcoming tournament season about to get into full swing I wanted to get some opinions on pressure and what it does to the fishery. You got this KVD Big Bass deal, BASS, FLW, CPA, and that just names the bigger ones. With the ones happening end of April beginning of May (spawn) how do you think it effects the lake? Also, forget the "spawn tourneys" just in general do you think tourneys redistribute the fish too much back to the weigh in sites like Ahoys, State Park, etc. Or is there so many fish in this lake that it doesn't matter. I'm not against tourneys, just wondering what you guys and gals thoughts were.

On a side note, Jack Nicklaus is better than Tiger.

You know I just hope people don't start hating on KVD like people hate on the NY Yankees, Patriots, or Duke basketball. But I guess when your that good for so long it comes with the territory. What an incredible amount of weight came out of that area, I can't wait to see it on TV.