junkman

I had a hand crank one time that i used for bass and perch. I had bought it to get a little practice in on one but it got stole out of my truck so I never bought another. But yes I sometimes became frustrated trying to keep the line tight, but I see it was not only me. Didn't know I could be accused of being a heretic for bringing the question up though, so sorry for doing that. Didn't know it was a controversial subject.

Sounds like it is going to be a hand wind then. Less maintenance and break downs sounds like. Like i say never used one. I have used the hand crank ones but just thought the automatic looked like a time saver.

I take it this is a joke? funny if it was.

Was looking to buy one of those cheep automatic fly rod reels like the ones you see on Ebay but I have never used one. Thought I would ask those that have more intelligence on these matters than myself. Would one of those older Shakespeare's or similar reels work fine for a novas fly fisherman? All I have is a cheep 9ft. 5/6 wt. rod that currently has a little finger click zebco on it, but thought I would like to take e trip down to Taneycomo. Any suggestions appreciated.

At least it sounds like you had fun and you gained a little understanding that might help you the next time. I would like to go down there this fall for my first time, but will have to see.

I enjoy getting out in nature and enjoying my self. Yes I like to catch fish which is always catch and release. But I myself also love just being out there even if I catch something or not, but I many times take my 12 year old boy with me and if he doesn't catch anything or the biting is slow he gets board. So when they do bit we take advantage of the situation and have fun. i think that is what it's all about. My nickels worth.

I used to catch them on corn when I was young. Had permission to fish a small lake that was just full of them and they were big. Caught several of them on regular rod and reels with 20 lb. line. We fished from shore so we were at a little disadvantage but we never got one in. We are talking probably 40lb. fish. You could fight them for an hour and still they would finally break your line. Sure was fun, we Missouri kids thought we were fishing in the ocean.

I have always found this time of the year the best for top water. Usually late in the evening works for me. but I don't fish TR. so hopefully some one from there can help you better. By the way, the best top water plug I have ever used was a Chugger Jr. they don't make them anymore but keep your eye out for one.

might be one of those whachamacallit's that someone tried to give a name for they had no idea what else to call it. Or maybe it is that Ozark lingo.

Of all the thousands of times I have went fishing, I can count on one hand the times it was a productive day with a east wind. Doesn't keep me from going, but I know it wont be productive.

Thanks for the info tracman. Going by the reviews on the web, they said they were pretty decent machine so that is why I asked. But their are also those that say they are junk, but I think that can be said for all brands. Keep me posted on the pro's and cons.

i would like to catch one for I never have. but figured I would have to go some ware other then Stockton. For yes I have never heard much about then there.

JD, thanks for the info. That sounds more like something I could use. It's not like it will be used every day or even every week. probably only 5 or 6 times a year for I live a little distance from the big lakes.

Kelroy, thanks for the reply. and yes I think after looking with a little ingenuity a person could use about any of them. Now comes the factor of brand and model. just so many to choose from.

Now this is my first attempt to write a short story so forgive me if punctuation or grammar is not correct, but I hope you enjoy. I wrote a short version out in response to a post the other day, but here is the story version. The day began just like the many previous days had, HOT. I had again found myself amid the hot sticky days of an Ozark summer. You know the ones; the ones that seem to start draining you at about 10 am and never let up till after dark. At the time I had a lawn care business and to be out in the heat day in and day out takes its toll on the human body. By the end of the day you really didn’t feel like doing much of anything: Anything that is except fishing. My cousin and I were diehards for we lived to fish. Every moment of free time we got you would find us in the ten foot boat on a pond or a small lake doing the thing we loved to do most and that is catch fish. And even though the day was over 20 years ago, it is a day forever etched in my mind. I still remember it like it was yesterday. We had permission to fish a seven acre private lake that was just a haven for monster bass, crappie and even some cats. We knew they were biting for we had been making it our routine to catch all the action the dog days of summer had to offer. We had been catching four or five 3 to 5 pound bass an evening using our favorite method which was top water. It was still a hot evening and the water was dead calm as we slid the little Jon boat out of the truck and into the warm murky water. Attached to my pole, I had my most trusty top water plug money could buy, my Chugger Jr. Actually it was a older one, but try as he would, my cousin could not find anything to compare with the Chugger. As we made our way down the shore line and as my cousin made himself busy working his popper along an old dock, I was getting into position for one of those perfect spots. For located on the dam and at the water’s edge was an old dead elm tree that had had the soil undermined away from its roots by the waves that had beat on it over time. Once in position, I set my Chugger just inches from the washed out tree stump and let it set momentarily as the waves rippled out from its presence. Then came that familiar sound that calls to the senses of suspecting bass, pop pop pop. I had popped it about 20 feet away from the stump when I decided to just reel it in and cast it to another favorable spot, when my heart almost stopped from an explosion that had shattered the late evening calm . Instantly my instincts and adrenalin kicked in for I knew the fight of fights was on. I knew that being in a boat gave me an advantage I would be safe with my 12 lb test, but I could tell by the fight and the explosion on the surface of the water that this bass was Huge. With the initial surge of power this big powerhouse tore line from my reel as I fought to keep him under control. After many yards of line had escaped my real, I managed to get him turned and had began the process of pumping him in. But bass don’t get this big without a few tricks up their sleeve any yes he had a few. He decided to make a bee line strait towards the boat as fast as his muscular frame could muster. I was reeling as fast as my Zebco 33 would go but this mammoth bass was built for speed and indeed he could swim faster than I could reel. And just at the right moment the old lunker made his move. The massive hunk of muscle and flesh made his way to the surface and into view of our searching eyes and then to mid air. Oh what a sight to behold; one of the most beautiful sights you ever laid eyes upon. But with all the slack and the velocity of the shake that preceded from such massive jaws, the Chugger didn't have a chance. All I and my cousin could do is stare in disbelief as my lure flew through the air. I have caught a many 5, 7, and 9 lb bass but from sight I would say it was way over 10. Sometimes it’s not the fish you catch that make up memories, but sometimes the misses as well. Just the excitement of being on the water and being in a battle between man and fish creates memories that last a lifetime. Mark Jenkins PS funny how you always remember the ones that got away.

Enjoys 80 mph boat rides??? Don't know if that would be that enjoyably on Stockton. Sounds down right scary to me, at least with the experience I have had with Stockton. Remember several years ago that the wife wanted to go to Stockton for a party. me not really wanting to go told here to go alone. Then I remembered I had never tried out my 9.8 Mercury yet on my 12ft V bottom river runner. I figured hay why not take it down there and give her a try. Now did I mention it was Labor Day weekend? got the boat in the water and wanted to open her up and see how much better she was then my old 5.5 which I did. Plainly said it scared me to death with all the swells from other boats crisscrossing the lake. Didn't take me long to creep back to shore.

On my farm pond excursion this evening, the boy caught his biggest bass to date so I got the scale out of the tackle box. No I have never used one till today and when it weighed 5 1/2 pounds I told the boy; I used to just guess at the weight and if that fish is as it says it is then I have caught some BIG bass before. Them 8 pounders must have been 10 or 12 pounders.

I remember the early 80s quite well was pretty young maybe 12 or 13. Church group was going to Stockton to go swimming, so I convinced my dad to let me go fishing instead. it was evening as we worked our way along 100 yards of shore line on foot. never even got a bite. it was pretty depressing for a kid that had never fished a lake before. Thought I would tear them up but just lost out on swimming. have only been back a couple of times since and fished with the same results. that's why I don't care to fish there. Now put me on Truman and its a totally different story.

Went fishing this evening in my neighbors pond just a 100 yards from my house. I haven't fished it for many years so I figured I would take the older boy and my nephew over and see what was biting. first cast the boy caught a pound bass on a jig. i rigged up a weedless gulp minnow for the nephew and his first cast he caught a pounder. I started catching small one as well after getting everybody lined out, then the nephew caught a 4 pounder the biggest for him. The boy seen the action rubber was having so he brought me a watermelon Yum cray and a 1/64oz weighted hook. Got him lined out and a few casts later he landed a 5 1/2 ponder, his biggest to date. So my nephew ran over to my house to get a camera and when he was coming back I caught a 4 1/2 pounder. now we got a picture of mine and the boys but we didn't of my nephews. but it was not long and he had caught a 6 pounder. so he got a picture of his biggest to date after all. Sure had a blast and turned then all back for some more fun some day. PS don't know if the picture thing worked Mark

Chief, this is what I found. hope its what you were looking for. BASS - Weight Calculation Formulas Length x Girth ÷ 1,200 = weight (length x length x girth ÷ 1,200) = weight You can also use: (length X length X length) divided by 1600

I have been in the market for a fish finder but Kelroy almost scarred me when he suggested the one he had. Looked at the price and said wow, didn't know they cost that much. So I went hunting for something more in my price range and found a couple by Garmin that had good reviews so I figured I would ask and see if anyone out here has had any experience with them. The first was the Garmin 300C and the other was the Garmin echo 500c. any info would be appreciated. Mark

it is always a good day when you can do what you enjoy. figured I would go hit some ponds tomorrow evening and try enjoying my self as well.

Yes I wanted to try night fishing with a light, but with the boat motor on the blink, didn't get to. Guess maybe next time.

Thanks for posting for I have been thinking of going down there as well. Never been down there and have never caught a trout over 4 inches long. figured my odds might be pretty fair down there.