littlejasper

Wasn't rumor Hazbin. It weighed 10.73, but it was his brother Chester that caught it.

Had a good friend of mine, James Miles , call me yesterday. He told me a fish story that I just had to share with you all. I called James back and with his permission, here goes. He was fishing near Eagle Rock throwing his A-rig on eighty pound braid. On his third cast he hooked what he called a monster. Peeled thirty yards before slowing , would run at the boat and then make more hard runs. Said it took him about ten minutes to get the fish to the boat. If you have ever fished 80 pound braid, you know that is a long time. And if you know James, he is a straight shooter. When he finally got the fish up to the boat he reached to grab it behind the gills because it was so big. As he did, the fish rolled and immediately pulled one of the remaining A-rig heads thru the knuckle on his middle finger. James said he immediately threw his rod down as he was kneeling near the front of the boat and grabbed hold of the trolling motor. He told me at this time he was afraid the fish was going to pull him over. I was confused and a little skeptical, until he told me about the fish. It was a GIANT striper. James eventually managed to drag fish, A-rig, and hooked finger into the boat. Had to push the hook on through the finger and cut it off with his side snips before pulling it out! After getting the fish to the bank, it was weighed and verified by a local friend he had called and pictures were taken. The friend weighed it AFTER it was gutted, and it showed an amazing forty-seven pounds!!! James told me that if he had not grabbed the trolling motor when he did, he believes that fish could and would have pulled him over. James is a little technologically challenged (just razzin you buddy) but I am in the process of trying to get the picture. Will try to post when received. Just to good not to share. Lengthy, but what good story isn't ?. Happy Thanksgiving and hope you enjoyed!

Champ, you need to take a break for a while. You just sound like a grumpy old man. Your way or the highway. So much sarcasm and it really isn't called for. Bo just making a good post and you gotta get all sideways. If you can't say anything good.....

You,re so short you can't tie your own shoes...

Bo, You are giving up your age!!! Nice collection. That stuff was top notch back in the day. Seen my dad land many big deep bass on those hellbenders. Trolling bluffs mainly in the summer.

I have fished the jig, black widow spinnerbaits, and their version of a chatter jig. All three performed above my expectations. The jig is virtually snag proof and with a decent hook set, that fish is pegged in the roof of the mouth and coming in the boat. Quality components on all of the Nu Tech baits. The bait I am growing most fond of is their chatter jig. Awesome vibration at any speed and again quality components. Best part about all of them...their business originated right here in the Ozarks!!!

Champ, you have obviously not fished a Nu-Tech. If you had, you would not have made that post. Try pulling your Jewell through cedar after cedar and see how long it takes to get your plug knocker out! If you guys haven't checked out the Nu-Tech's, you are missing out.

Or my favorite -- "T-Rock".

Just watch the PBR Rodeo a couple of times! Great names for their bulls.......

Dave, been reading your post for weeks now. Most all of them mention the "Ned rig". I think everyone gets it by now. I am sure all appreciate your advice, and glad you contribute, but give Ned a rest. Now you post we are late to the party??? Come on. Been using it before you left Kansas! So have many others. Lots of different ways to catch em. The little worm is just one of many. Start talking about a grub or something......

Dave, been reading your post for weeks now. Most all of them mention the "Ned rig". I think everyone gets it by now. I am sure all appreciate your advice, and glad you contribute, but give Ned a rest. Now you post we are late to the party??? Come on. Been using it before you left Kansas! So have many others. Lots of different ways to catch em. The little worm is just one of many. Start talking about a grub or something......

Darters and lil tubes.

Several ways, mainly depending on water temp. and wind. Most of the fish came on a Strike King Bitsy Tube or a darter bait. Did catch a few on the jerk bait and some on A-rig. Throwing 10# braid with about a 6-8 foot leader of 10# flouro. Gain a lot on your cast with the braid using small baits, 1/4 and smaller. Important when water is gin clear at 20'. Most fish were in the 6-14' range, waiting for water temps to rise. When it gets right, the fish literally move into the bays by the thousands. Some locals say it looks like a green wave when they go shallow. I was about a week early due to the cold winter. My buddy in the pic stayed for another week. He fished a little local tourney on Sunday, weighed 25.45 with 35-40 boats. Did not cash a check. Said there were several 27# bags weighed. It is a big fish Mecca for brownies. Definitely hope to go again.

You could not have thrown that one in my live well, Quill. If you remember.....

Could see them laying on the white sand trying to warm up in about 8' of water. Flipped past the sand patch then drug it into the sand. Soon as it came off of the rock onto the sand, BAM!!! Mostly darters and tubes. I was told that it is not uncommon for tourney guys to weigh in five above 40#. Lew's spinning reels with 10# Seagur.

Sorry...

Made it back to God's country after seven days on Lake Michigan. What a fishery!!! Arrived about a week early, but still whacked em pretty well. Seems like every fish caught was big. Smallest brownie weighed 3.2. Had five in the Cabelo's tourney on Sat., May 10 that weighed 21.00#. Finished 24th!! 30 # won the thing. Four best for the trip between my partner and I were 6-10, 6-1, 5-8, and a 5-3 in the tourney. Water temp. between 38 - 53. Find warmer water and you could catch them. The "Walters" weighed 29.98. Biggest of five was 7.2#. Had a great trip and would go back in a minute.

Made it back to God's country after seven days on Lake Michigan. What a fishery!!! Arrived about a week early, but still whacked em pretty well. Seems like every fish caught was big. Smallest brownie weighed 3.2. Had five in the Cabelo's tourney on Sat., May 10 that weighed 21.00#. Finished 24th!! 30 # won the thing. Four best for the trip between my partner and I were 6-10, 6-1, 5-8, and a 5-3 in the tourney. Water temp. between 38 - 53. Find warmer water and you could catch them. The "Walters" weighed 29.98. Biggest of five was 7.2#. Had a great trip and would go back in a minute.

Heat screw lock with a lighter, then twist it on. Problem solved....

Quill, I am going to Sturgeon Bay next week. Will give you a report when I return. Haven't seen you much since you threw the walleye in my live well!!! Bo, will see you when I get back.....

CPA on Lake of the Ozarks..???

Water temp 48 at 8:00. Caught fish on first stop. Jerk bait was the thing. Transition banks near deep water. Fished from Cape Fair Marina to Flat Creek bridge. Stained water. Water temp was two degrees colder up flat than near Bridgeport?.. Caught several on rig up Flat with 2 nice smallie keepers. Went up James and found mud line and clean water about two miles up from Pt. 15. Threw Wart very little but did catch shorts on it. Ended with water temp at 51.5 at ramp. 7 keepers and a mixed bag of 15 shorts. Biggest was a 3.5 Brownie. Going to get good real quick up there. Good luck....

Looking for boater or co-angler to share lodging costs. Near dam, resort, room for four. March 26,27,28.

Attended the seminar last night at Springfield Library hosted by Mr. Lilley and also in attendance Mr. Babler. Decent turnout and if you missed it, your loss!! It was great. Detailed info with a lot of knowledge and experience mixed in. These guys went out of their way to share specific information when most guys won't even tell you what part of the lake they fished. Thanks to both of you gentleman for your time and effort. Try finding a better fishing site anywhere in the country.