waterpossum

Table Rock may have gotten a new stocking of trout.

I am partial to setting up fairly close to a river channel in about 40' of water. If you have a decent depth finder you should be able to see a lot of shad schools before dark. To anchor, wind is your biggest concern, so I would have an idea before you go what areas would be somewhat protected. Two heavy anchors with plenty of rope are a must if you do this. Otherwise you can tie a rope around a bridge pier and tie up. Note, you will have to tie your own rope around the pier, since the water probably has any existing ties submerged. If the fish are cooperating your family may have a great time with the crappie and white bass. Lively minnows would probably be the best choice for bait (aerating is a must)

The lake is about 7' above normal level at present making bank fishing very difficult and limited. There is a fishing dock at Ruark Recreation area on the east side. Take H highway north out of Greenfield about 9 miles to get there. Some of the rip-rap around the various bridges might hold the best fishing, but it's kind of hard walking to.

Grand hands down is the best bass lake in the area. The main feeder arms of Grand insure that every year there will be new fertility flowing into the lake. The Neosho river flowing out of the farm lands of SE Kansas, Spring river starting around Verona in SW Missouri, and the Elk river also flowing out of southern Missouri rejuvenate this lake on a yearly basis. Beaver, Table Rock, and Bull Shoals on the White river chain are more rock laden lakes that lack the same characteristics of Grand lake.

Can't give you the exact weights, but first 14 lbs second 13 lbs third ??12

Sac River and I never met in person, but had recently communicated via phone. He was passionate about his fishing, knew a lot about the area and was a real joy to talk to. Prays to the family so sad to hear this news about him.

It looks like after tomorrow summer will start hitting hard so I don't think it will rise too much. The key is to watch Truman which now stands about 10' above normal and has risen at a faster pace than Stockton in part because of the release from Stockton. If they feel Truman is getting too high and needs to release into the Lake of the Ozarks then Stockton might have to hold more water.

I was putting in at the ramp before you were taking off. Fished about an hour with little luck, but decided to head back in just before the deluge. Sat on the bank about an hour to see if it would let up. Turned tail and headed home. Buddy has ATT cell phone, me T Mobile and we always lose signal at the lake. Is Verizon the way to go in that area?

Enjoy reading all these thoughts presented. Sac River is so right about the highs and lows involved with this sport. I usually try to have a plan before a tournament to hit certain spots in an order, but there are so many variables a plan can blow up in a hurry. Over the years the fishermen I have encountered that get the most upset are the ones that really need the money. I have known some really good fishermen that have given the big circuits a try with some success, but still have hit rock bottom from a financial standpoint. I really respect you dprice for keeping your priorities straight. You are presently where I was about 30 years ago when my first child came along. I have never regretted foregoing any dream of making this a profession.

From all I can gather this is about the time of year that they start spawning. Used to see a lot of heads on the fence posts when you turn on RA to Cedar Ridge. I guess whoever was catching them is no longer around.

I have fished at night four times this summer and have seen a bow fisherman every time. Last summer I was fishing Maze creek and they motored right up to me with lights blinding me. Encountered some bow fishermen at Big Hill in Kansas a couple of years ago that were all too proud to display the pictures of a couple of flatheads. I'm afraid the temptation is just too great to keep everything legal.

I have never really fished for them. I've caught a few by accident over the years. I would never keep a big one, but am intrigued that apparently there is possibly some big ones still around. I think there is still a few old timers up around Taberville that still catch some every year. Your right, black perch is the bait of choice for most people

A friend was by Buds Baits in Carthage today and saw a picture of a very recent Flathead catfish out of Ft. Scott Lake that weighed 86 lbs and the owner said a 76 lber. had been reported caught at Stockton. Anybody still fishing exclusively for flatheads on Stockton???

I have a floating light , but haven't used it in years. I submerge two green lights. This type of fishing can be a blast. A good way to fight the summer heat and sit back and help the kids and wife catch fish. A big cooler with ice to throw the fish in makes the cleaning job much easier.

Jim, do you make spinner baits? I have a friend that loves them for night fishing, but doesn't like the heavier gauge wire in use today. He used to get the thinner gauge wire spinner baits from Rogers baits in Lamar, but cant get them anymore.

I have some Bagley square bill baits made of balsa that I like, but haven't thrown in a long time. They are very buoyant. I prefer throwing them in off colored water on mud flats and narrow creek arms.

Dale and Sandy Jones owners 417-637-5505.

Thanks

Just a completely unrelated question. is this blog operated out of a mountain time zone. My post shows a time of 7:18 when in fact I posted at 8:18??

I'm not sure if a Florida strain/Northern bass stocking is a viable option for this lake. It's hard to duplicate the success other more southern lakes have been able to do, but progress has been made with this cross. Even though Stockton is a relatively clean fertile lake, it lacks some of the qualities that a few area lakes offer in that respect (larger more fertile feeder arms, year round water temp and a threadfin forage base) to name a few. As a comparison the weights shown by Frysmallie of the May tournament on Stockton first, second, and third place would have been good for 31st,47th,and 51st at a recent tournament I fished at the same time on Grand. This is an unfair comparison,but I am just using this as an illustration about the natural conditions that a close area lake offers.

Sorry I didn't meet up with you and btl2short. The deluge of rain kept most in their vehicles till take off.

Sorry for not responding yesterday. The winning stringer was 5 fish about 14.5 lbs. Only two lunkers (4+ lbs) weighed from 58 anglers. Pretty much the norm. Last week there were 4 lunkers from 68 anglers. As I stated earlier the numbers of bass are great, but quality is poor. Week after week the tournament results will substantiate this. The 1.5-2.5 fish are healthy. There is a void in 2.5-4.0 fish.

There's a tournament out of State Park tonight from 7-1

Good summation. I am more interested with input about thoughts about maintaining or improving this fishery. My perspective about the present bass population is, that there are plenty of keepers in the 1.5-2.0 lb range but a void in the quality 2.0-4.0 range. The conservation Dept. surveys on yearly bass classes of fish have been very good for a number of years, but currently there seems to be a void in larger fish. This is pretty well substantiated with an endless list of fishing tournament results.

I have had good luck at Bass Pro-Tracker on S. Campbell in Springfield. 417-887-3832.