junkman

It has been a big inconvenience that the one in Joplin got destroyed. I hope they re open it as well. I thought they had fair prices on allot of their stuff.

Sorry guys but you will have to call me a heretic now for I took the plunge and bought a rod and reel. and you guessed it, a Shakespeare auto reel and a 8ft 4wt rod. But before you burn me at the stake, I will tell you that I bought it from the local rod and reel man including a new box of line for a whopping $17. Figured for that price I could at least use it for practice.

I seen a picture of whistle bridge on the web and figured I could get it unloaded there, but riffles are a different story. That's why I asked for it looked like on a map that there were a couple narrow places on it. Guess I'll think of something else like a canoe. figured fishing would be better up that way then on LOZ for I have never fished LOZ and I think it would be more peaceful as well, I would think.

Guys thanks for all your help and info. The lead mine area looks nice, but was wondering for my first trip to just set in at whistle bridge and go to my destination on LOZ. This would be nice if I could get my 12ft V bottom with 9.8 hp. motor down that stretch of river without having to drag it. Is this feasible? If I did this, I wouldn't need to park a vehicle or have someone pick me up. But if you think I can't get a small v bottom down this stretch of river, then I will have to look at the canoe thing.

i have caught blue gill and red gill, but don't remember catching a pink gill. plus it's whole belly was a shade of pink. Thought it was kind of pretty. It was starting to get dusk, so I had to use the flash, so you can't see the pink perfectly.

I have caught a couple of nice ones lately but not at that depth. caught one on a rage craw and another on a yum lizard. Seem to look like they were hungry. might try night crawlers or small minnows for they might do the trick as well.

bought a new camera the while back for taking with me fishing for it was one of those Fujifilm water proof cameras. Figured discounted for 43 dollars at Sears, it would work for taking along on my excursions. went out this evening and did pretty good on the bass but did catch one pink perch that was of good size, but can anyone tell me a name for it besides perch. Actually wanted to catch a big pumpkin seed perch but didn't catch one.

Wayne it really doesn't matter were i go, just figured a lazy trip down a stream that looks like it goes through a beautiful part of Missouri sounds like a really nice thing to do the first of Oct. when the leaves start to change. But figured for a added benefit it would be nice to catch a few fish as well. I have a heavy duty aluminum 12ft V bottom that would be nice to take since it is already fitted for fishing, but could get a canoe if I had to. If I go it will be because I will have to spend a weekend at the Baptist camp in roach Mo. so figured I would just go south from there. But to where depends on you guys expertise.

I finally see what confused you for I thought it ran north to south but dummy me was wrong. so I guess it would be the tail waters and not the head waters. sorry for the confusion.

Sorry Wayne for i am asking on assumption. I assumed that it was the Niangua river between ha Ha Tanka and Lake Niangua, but I might be wrong. maybe this is considered LOZ. Would this stretch be float-able of would it be better below lake Niangua? Would like to catch a small mouth for I never have caught one. but don't want to be dragging a boat half the way.

I thought about taking a trip over to the upper Niangrua river between LOZ and Niagrua lake, but didn't know if it would be a very good place to fish? Don't even know what kind of water or fish I would be looking at. Don't even know if it could be floated? Would a person expect to catch anything in the lake, or would it be better to fish LOZ? sorry for all the questions, but have never been in that part of the country. Figured there wouldn't be the traffic down that way as up around LOZ. any info appreciated.

I would imagine it made for a great day. Always when you wench in a lunker of that caliber, it puts a good feeling within and gives you a great story to repeat for years to come.

Thought I would go and try to catch a fish at Stockton yesterday. for I said I would go and try it again. Turned out to be one of the worse fishing excursions this year. the weather man said the wind was to change after midnight so I figured since there was going to be a new moon I figured it might be a good day. Nephew talked me into going to Stockton since we haven't been there this year. Figured I needed to test the boat motor out anyway since putting in a new water pump. headed out about 2pm. for the headwaters end of the little sac arm. Got almost to Cane Hill when we ran over something and punctured a tire. pulled over and jacked it up and took the tire off the rim with only a stubby screw driver for I didn't have a spare. Pulled it to Cane Hill on the rim to a friends house and left it till I could get something to fix it. found a plug kit and a can of fix a flat at the store south of Cane Hill so we got back and plugged it then re mounted it with the screw driver. had a strap so got it to take air. But from the initial flopping it took, it looked in bad shape. figured we would make it to the convenience store and see where the best place would be to find another 12 in. tire. But low and behold we had it blow out as we were pulling up to the store. The lady in the store was real nice but was new to the area so couldn't help much, but she did offer to watch the boat as we went to look for a tire. Decided to go to Bolivar Wall mart which we did. well come to find out the had discontinued the plain 12 inch tires and only carry the tire and rim. But with a 75 dollar price tag I was skeptical about buying it so we went looking for another placed with no luck. finally went back to Wall Mart which by now was after 6pm. Got the tire but had to take it up to the front counter but when she scanned the bar code it rang up $17.98. the only good thing of the whole trip. as we were leaving Wall Mart i noticed the wind had already switched to the East and new what that usually means, but yet we went and put on the tire and made it to the boat ramp 30 minutes before sundown. Thought I would try fishing what i thought was the channel. we threw about every lure and jig we had and even changed different spots but to no avail. Told the boys that since it was dark we should go and work along a steep rock bank and see if it might hold anything, but after throwing out a jig I realized the water that looked real favorable was only 4 ft deep. figured that was the sign to head in. Did throw the cast net in and caught some shad so we figured we would try a little cat fishing while there and again no luck. called it a night and got home at 11:30. I mentioned I would try and fish it again even though I never have any luck. Well I did but with the same results. It seems to me here are much better lakes then Stockton for a novice fisherman to have fun on, for what I experienced yesterday was far from fun.

Thanks for the post for I was thinking about going over that way and trying it. never caught a small mouth before.

the only thing better than snagging a line with a fish attached is snagging a line with a pole attached. Been there, done that. great catch without the proper drag.

they seem to be longer then your American carp. but again I never got one in to look at it close. sure would be fun to catch on a big fly rod. For I think carp put up one of the best fights, but add a few inches to the length, and a few more pounds and hang on!

Well Anthony let me say welcome. About having fun on here, I don't know. From what i see it is bunch of guys that take their fishing seriously. You will find some humor mixed in but most are on here to learn from others and post their own knowledge and experiences. If you are in to fishing you can find plenty to sharpen your skills to make yourself a better fisherman. I can say I like math but it doesn't like me and as well I used to be a head banger myself but that was many many moons ago. Good luck.

Flysmallie, you sound like my wife. take lots and lots of pictures. or make me take lots and lots of pictures. LOL

Wayne, I think your right. I think I will try to pick up an American made Pflueger 1494. look to be fairly cheep on ebay. thanks guys for all your advice.

Kind of hard to believe a large body of water like Stockton being free of gar. I know it cannot be said for Truman or LOZ. man have I seen some big ones in them.

Looks like you did get a pretty nice rod from what I see of them on the web. now that you have a good rod and reel, now for the hard part. Good luck.

ain't got no idea what small-jaw means. guess ain't Ozark enuff.

It might be harder to stop then we think for I was reading the other day somewhere that fishing in Missouri brings in a Billion dollars in revenue each year. I imagine they have known about the problem but with that kind of money at stake, it might be hard to act on making the necessary corrections.

Stockton Lake Guide Service, I imagine fishing is much better now then it was 30 years ago but when I can drive 45 miles and reach Stockton or 45 miles and reach Truman, I choose Truman just for the fact it seems pretty easy to fish even without a fish finder. Also I don't think there is nearly as many skiers and pleasure boaters on Truman. But yes, the next time the wife wants to go to a party down there, I plan on throwing in the poles and giving it another try.

Welcome aboard ciRe. Can always use one more's knowledge and impute into outdoor matters. I have found this site to be a great source of information as well as a little humor and entertainment. I hope you find it the same as well. Again welcome aboard.