ckjacks

I know that the skeeter or triton used to let you trailer on Eufaula. This lake is huge. When the same trail goes to Grand they don't allow trailering. That might be the one the guy is talking about. These were 250+ boat tournaments, so there were atleast 10 or 15 boats at every ramp to keep the guys from taking off too early. There were also mandatory lie detectors for the top finishers. I haven't fished a ton of tournaments. That being said, I have fished 1 where trailering was allowed. This was because Grand was 7' high, they were sucking water like mad, and the wind was blowing the opposite direction as the current. There were easily 7' waves in the main lake, but coves were pretty calm. So, to keep everyone from being idiots and running to the main lake, the 12 or so boats were allowed to trailer so they didnt have to go into the main lake. Worked well. For your tourney, I wouldn't consider trailering unless your ramp is next to the dam or way up the james. I feel that on table rock, they are better driving their boat wherever they want to go, rather than trailering because the roads are so twisty they aren't going to be saving much time or gas.

I have stated my opinion, but I don't think you have fully comprehended what I was trying to convey. Comparing the 1960's to present day is reasonable, but you also have to understand some other variables. My parents were still in grade school back then, but I would say that it is a safe bet that the number of fish to the number of fisherman was greater. The odds of catching a 10lb bass were greater, just like you said. But, when you multiply the fishermen by 1000%, then there are going to be far fewer 10lb bass caught per person. I understand that fishing isn't a formula, but this is logical. Just like fozzie said, I don't think you can define how good a lake is by simply by the number of trophy bass in it. Sure its a factor, but if you are fishing elbow to elbow...how good is it? I think that there are some other things that we should also consider. If my memory serves me correct, the lake levels of stockton were down over the mid 2000's. Compared to the last couple years of plentiful rains. I think that low lake levels might have had an affect on bass forage due to the amount of cover for baitfish, but hopefully the abundance of cover over the last couple of years will result in larger and more plentiful bass in the near future. However, I could be wrong about the amount of overall lake levels for the last 5 or 6 years. A change in the length limit might help the lake, but it also might be a shock to the system while it is in a cycle of change. I will end my post by suggesting a couple alternatives. -One reason for the massive size of bass in California is the trout that live in their lakes. Taneycomo has a fair bass population, but I would not say an awesome population. I think that this would be a great lake to put very restrictive regulations on to encourage 10lb+ bass. I think that this lake is set up for tourism. It would welcome the added traffic. Rockaway Beach is not the place that I remember when I was little and not even close to what it used to be when my parents were younger. Being known as a place you can catch a 10lber on a huge swimbait would certainly draw people that can't make the pilgrimage to Clear lake. I don't think that you would run into the fuss from tournament anglers about strict regulations, because there aren't many, if any bass tournaments on taney. However, I am sure that there would be some concern over the trout population. This is where you would run into roadblocks. But, I do think it is a reasonable suggestion. I also realize that it would be welcomed by some and hated by many trout fisherman that do not want to see their lake changed. -I believe that Lake Springfield could also be a good place to manage specifically for huge bass. I think that it is safe to eat bass from here, but I would not be disappointed if you told me I could not keep bass from lake springfield. The number of people fishing this lake is astronomical, but most of these are not after bass. There are currently some really nice bass in this lake and the grass is really fun to pitch if you know how, but I think that this place could definately be improved. I think the power plant also adds some resources to the picture. However, since the warm water is next to the dam, the warmwater does not reach the whole lake in the winter time. It might promote big bass if you were to prohibit fishing during the winter months around the plant, but again this would upset some because you are changing something they are fond of.

Regarding the Kentucky's- I lived in Fayetteville, AR for four years and fished Beaver lake often. Beaver has a 12" length limit on KY's and 15" on LM and SM. From what I have seen, the smaller length limit did not improve the LM production. In fact, the LM production on Beaver is not what I believe it could be. In my opinion Beaver is over run with 12" and smaller KY's. My guess is that the 12" length limit on KY's hasn't increased the number of "harvested" fish, but rather increased the number of 12" fish being weighed in tournaments. This being said, I would not be opposed to decreasing the length limit on Kentucky's, I just don't think it would have as great of impact on the LM's as would be hoped for. As for identifying the fish.....I have seen many tournament anglers bring in short LM thinking they were 12" KY's. The smaller fish are the harder it is to tell the difference. I can do it just fine, but there are plenty of people out there that can't. I also don't like the idea of genetically modifying our bass population. If mother nature is struggling I am all for helping, but I don't think thats the case here. I think that Stockton is about as awesome as they come (caught a 5lber out of a 12ft jon on friday). Table Rock is an awesome fishery and when you think about the amount of tournament's, guides, and just number of people on the lake, you have to admit the bass population is thriving. If its not broke, don't fix it. Overall I think the MDC is doing a good job. They don't have the same amount/type of resources as Texas, California, or Florida. I competed in collegiate tournaments and had the opportunity to discuss "Texas Trophy Lakes" with some guys from UT while at a tournament. They loved having huge bass and great lakes to support them, but they also expressed that it was somewhat of a beast of burden. They have those awesome lakes, but the ones that have the huge populations of 12lb+ bass often have funky slot limits or restrictions that aren't conducive to tournaments. Lake Fork is a prime example of this, 16" to 24" can't be kept and only one over 24". So they do have these awesome lakes, but they also come at a price. Now, as far as MDC new draw procedures for some of the duck parks, thats a different story....

Went north of son's creek today. Found a spot in the back of a cove with some crappie and bass. You had to catch all the 8" bass out of it before you could catch the crappie, then a little while later the bass would be back. Was kinda entertaining. It sounds crazy, but the water was less than 6' deep. Out of the 20 or 30 crappie, we only kept 4. Most were 1/4" short and some were just a hair short, but better safe than sorry. Pulled a 10" shad out of there too (pictured below). Anybody know what kind it is? Also, had one nice 3 and a half pound largemouth on a hula grub in about 7' of water on a pea gravel bank, but the guy that I was with had crappie on the brain and didn't want to chase the bass. I have a feeling this spot will get screwed up with the weather on the way. Here's a couple pics from the day. Since sunday, I have caught 7 or 8 3lb+ largemouth pitching and dragging a hula grub & 2 swimming the grub pictured with the shad. I can't really get them patterned out. Some have been on pea gravel banks with no cover around and some have been holding tight to stumps. Best color has been watermelon, but also pbj or rootbeer. Threw my arm off with a husky jerk, rogue, and pointer.....nothing. Threw a wart a little bit with no takers. Haven't seen any whites or walleyes either.

I have one Falcon Original casting rod for trade. It is a 6' MH. Rod has only been used a couple of times. Cork is like new. I would like to trade for a nice 7' MH spinning rod or 7-71/2' flipping stick. I would rather not ship, so if at all possible I would like to meet in the Springfield area for trade. Thank!

I have no idea what the water temp is, but I would say the vast majority are still out deep. That being said, if you do hook up with one shallow this time of year it is going to be a big one. Good luck and tell us how you do.

Caught this dude on thursday night while bass fishing. Caught him on a Double Wide Beaver (huge soft plastic crawdad). Pulled our boat around for a long time. Caught him on a 7'6" heavy rod and 25lb maxima. Had my drag tightened down all the way and he was still taking a little bit. Great end to the night.

Went to lake springfield tonight and did pretty well. Caught a 4lber on a 10" power worm. Caught about a dozen on something else, but none of that size. I believe they really liked the water moving/up. They seemed to be in the backs of pockets or right next to the bank in only a few inches of water. Best day of the year so far at this lake. Also, I would like to say that you should use caution if you put in underneath 65. The current was extremely strong and I had a very difficult time getting my boat to shore.

It took 20 lbs to win with 4 fish and 13 with 4 fish to get a check. What an awesome lake. http://www.falcongrandchallenge.com/2009/G..._Awards-Web.htm

Yeah, but they only close it at night for Cub's fans.

I remember there used to be some night tournaments on lake springfield 4 or 5 years ago during the summer? Are they still going on?

The U of A Bass Team is holding a fund raiser tournament the last weekend of Oct. If you are interested check out comp.uark.edu/~bassteam Thanks

Well, for the last month we've been catching spots and largemouth on eakin's jigs with super chunk trailers in the river. We went yesterday and caught some slow rolling Colorado spinnerbaits. I'd say if its not too cold you could have luck with those in the river in november.

1st place won by drop shotting and shakey head worms on pea gravel 2nd place dropped a rat-l-trap on nests all day

We fished north of Lost Bridge in some smaller coves yesterday around that Big Island. We went in one and looked in the water and saw what looked like grass right under the boat. But, the depth finder said 20'. Stuck our rod down to see if it was moss or something, but it wasnt solid. Its hard to explain what it was. We thought it might be pollen? or something to do with chicken or turkey waste. I don't know what it was, but it wasn't good. Rest of the lake was gin clear up there. Visibility was 20'. Water temps were about 58 towards the dam and then 67 in the White River south of Hickory Creek.

What: U of A Collegiate Bass Tournament When: April 28-29, weigh time about 3 pm Where: Hickory Creek Marina, Beaver Lake Come out and support some top collegiate anglers on Beaver Lake. Or if you are a member of a collegiate bass team and would like to enter pm me.

I went to the twin bridges near Goshen tonight. I caught over 100 whites. Almost all decent size. I thought the run was about over, but man was I wrong. The best part was that I caught them all on topwater. Started about 4pm and fished till 8pm. They completely stopped the topwater bite about dark. Some guys next to me were catching them every cast on small husky jerks. I was tired and my thumb was sore so I left so I could head back out in the morning. Saw one guy hook a striper, but it broke his line in about 2 seconds. The guy next to caught what I think was a hybrid, but I'm not the best at telling the difference. Heard talk of a few yellow bass being caught. Overall, one of the best days of fishing I have ever had. Definitely one of the best topwater days I have ever had.

Good to hear they are taking care of things.

Man, I hope they are just replacing it. Thats the only ramp I've ever used. My grandpa is having knee surgery soon so we will have to have a dock so he can get on the boat, he can't really step up or down, but man that dock was the perfect height for our boat.

Are you talking about the free ramp on the north side of Mutton Creek? The one that was between the two ramps?

The first ever U of A Bass Club tourney was today. Went out and my partner caught 2 pretty nice ones and a couple spots. I caught 2 spots. Today was awesome till about 10 o'clock when the fog lifted and then it slowed way down. Saw a ton of boat traffic this afternoon, so I think that no one was getting bit. Also, I saw probably 50 different striper boats, but it didnt look like they were catching any. Did see two in the 15lb range when we were taking out at Hickory Creek. We saw water temps from 48-56. It really started to get hot this afternoon.

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Thanks for all your post Marty. They are appreciated.

I went today and fished between Prairie Creek and Hickory Creek. Saw water temps in the 44-47 range. Its warming up. Water was pretty clear up past HWY 12, but really dirty around Hickory. Thats pretty normal though.

Went Friday. The water temp was 41-44. We fished from prairie creek to rocky branch. Water was pretty clear as you went up the lake. Didn't really fish too much, just looked around.