Feathers and Fins

, You do understand that keeping a limit of 15inch bass will also keep them from getting to 8lbs don't you? game fish noun an edible fish capable of affording sport to the angler in its capture. sport fish Definition of SPORT FISH : a fish important for the sport it affords anglers

I could see requiring all vessels to have tags but not a fee for floating, you might as well require a fee for walking in parks or sidewalks. But a boat registration fee regardless of size or propultion i could get behind.

Not profiling one bit, just a general question because I see people go off on people who keep bass, but they dont do it for other species. What makes BASS more important or vital then any other species swimming in the lakes? I use to tournament fish for them, I hated to see big fish taken as i would think that could be mine in a tournament. Thing is when i quit tourney fishing i had to look back and think how many times I had said and thought the same things i see posted. Then come tournament day I would be back in the pack at take off go to where i saw a good one caught and someone would be on it so odds were I wouldnt have got the fish anyway. Also made me remember the resource is there for everyone to utilize as they see fit within the laws and I or no one else had the right to make a negative comment if a person chose to keep a fish or not.

The more I read this thread the more I just have to ask two questions, but first let me background it first. I have tournament fished for Bass, Striper, Kingfish, Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Shark and Billfish. I always understood the need to release Billfish and Tarpon, Billfish taste horrible and are by all the science in decline. Tarpon just are to boney and the one I did try made me want to eat dirt from a sewer treatment pond to get a better taste in my mouth. The other fish above were awesome eaters and excluding bass they were brought in and eaten. I have also seen “open” tournaments for bottom fish and multiple pelagic species where it was a catch and eat as well. No one ever complained or mentioned CR for them. So here is the questions; Why is it that BASS fishermen seem to have to get all high and mighty about CR and basically belittle people and make negative comments or wishful CR comments on people who keep BASS? A bass is a fish it is edible and it is fun to catch, outside of it being the most heavily tournament pursued fish with more shows and magazines devoted to it, why is it such a heinous crime for someone wanting to keep them?

Politics are where this will end up is my fear and we all know they cant use the brain god gave them to scratch their butt's! I really think the simple solution to the waterways is simple (1) if it is floatable/navigatable the water and the bank below the high water mark is public domain. (2) the property owners own the land to centerline of the stream and maintain access and uses of the water. (3) The landowner MAY NOT impede the use of the waterway by the general public nor harass those using the waterway below high water mark. (4) On posted property above the high water mark tresspassing is punishable by current Missouri Tresspassing Law. (5) Any person caught below high water mark damaging property shall be charged with destruction of private property. Just off the top of my head. I think that would address landowners and public interest.

One word.... Greers!

I said it before in the super long thread on this subject and i will say it again. I am all for gun rights and right to defend self and property but this sure does not look like a case for defense of self or property. Looks like a land owner who has had enough of people (in his eyes at least trespassing ) and trashing his property and he took to vigilante justice. I think its clear now they will be going for a self defense Castle Doctrine defense

Here try these links they might help cut down the curve

Combination of several things, Migrating fish from up-river will hit Rocky Branch area about that time combined with it did not suffer a shad kill as bad as areas closer to the river area did so its holding threadfins and gizzards. You could also try around Starky and Fish-trap its much closer but I don't think the whites and stripers will be in any numbers there, you may find a few smallmouth and perhaps a walleye ore two. If you are really wanting a fun experience for the kids, trailer your boat to Houseman access below the dam and let them catch trout on the river for a while.

Greg, I do think it does to some degree with all fish but especially so Stripers, The reasoning is they despite being raised over numerous generations are still an Oceanic fish and Hardwired. Part of their natural diet is Squid it makes since they would eat it. I catch many of them on Keitechs and im sure the squid scent is part of it. I also catch them on Sand Eel soft plastics baits and DOA Shrimp.

Squid just works the scent is very strong and the flavor must be as appealing to fish as it is to me. Its why I use Keitech the squid scent. I haven't found a fish yet who doesn't like it.

If we only had a source for Anchovies and Sardines out here the damage that could be inflicted would be unreal.

KJ you should see some of my creations, I get board and start playing around I have a few that I still ask myself what was I thinking.

Yes they do!!!!!! Both Pounds and Adoption agencies I feel are to eager to save a dog at all cost letting emotions get in the way of their brain. I had a friend that picked up a Boxer from one and was not told it hated cats and didn't do well around small children something every type of shelter should know. He got it home it snapped at his daughter and that dog never saw sundown. When I asked him why he put it down his answer was short and simple NO ANIMAL snaps at my family will not live to do it again just not worth the risk. I asked him about his cocker that had snapped at his son a few months earlier and he said if my son wouldn't have hit him with the wiffle bat he wouldn't have snapped. A provoked attack is one thing but an unprovoked is another. My personal thoughts on Shelters is they should be held liable for attacks, due diligence should be mandatory in assessing if a dog has aggression toward other animals, men or women or children. It is not hard to do and if they do shows signs put them down. If they release one that does attack hold them liable. Of course this does not hold to puppies as there is no way to know how it will grow up but dogs over a year old it should apply.

Water temp Saturday was 67.8 at 6am and 73.4 at 2pm when I pulled off the lake.... By June you are looking at 70 in the morning and 76ish by noon depending on where you are it could be a little more or less. Lost Bridge in June can be good for Bass and a few Stripers showing up some Walleye off points and Rocks and Crappie suspended over timber. If your boat can make the run from Lost Bridge to Rocky Branch that is where I would go. Water temp in the back of RB will be warmer as its a flat so the kids will enjoy it more and the fishing will be better there with Striper, Walleye, Whites Crappie much more accessible. By about 1 or 2 pm the lake will be very very busy so keep that in mind.

I am always leery of new baits but "Parsons" has for years been associated with something special in the walleye world and unlike many pro's who just stamp their name on things he doesn't. I have had the pleasure to talk to him a couple times and he just gives me the feeling that in no way would he allow anything he has worked on to be put in the publics hands if it isn't the best of the best. Granted these were at shows but something about him had a trust factor. The baits release date doesn't bode well for southern walleye anglers but does for the northern boys, so I don't think we will see their true effectiveness until next fall or spring I will be buying #7's for sure but not certain on the #9 I want to see it first and compare its profile to the forage fish size's. The #9 Flicker-shad is a good but limited bait it is most effective when you are around Gizzard shad. Nail if the Minnow is similar to a reef-runner but the characteristics of a Flicker then you better buy them before I find them lol.

KJ, I on occasion I will take a Kokanee clip and put it on my downrigger line 5ft above the weight and other bait.... typically a small 2'' crappie swim bait and up to 3'' works great on crappie.

Great fish, I truly do not see the difference between a guy who keeps a limit of Walleye or a limit of Bass! if he is keeping them to eat them then its his business and he is legally allowed to. No right or wrong in keeping fish to eat and a hell of a lot better than Tilapia or any store bought fish.

Ya this didn't make it any better lol. Though the text was perfect lol.

Thanks, that tells me the walleye will be patrolling the shallows for a few more weeks

12bridge... area look for crappie suspending over the flats this time of year they will suspend in 7 to 15 fow in 20 to 30ft bottom depth. Islands are a good area to look as are the docks north of 12 bridge... Beaver shores is another great place to look for them suspending. I catch more suspended crappie on Beaver than in brush or cover unless im up river then they like cover.

Thanks James, Did you find fish relating close to the buckbrush on points or more just roaming them looking for a place to make more fish.

Yes they do and so do some monster largemouth, seen it on the graph then verified with the camera. Problem with setting up the double rig is whites will make quick work of the idea I tried it a few times and same results. Now if you can get out of the whites it works great on crappie and walleye. Rig a Rapala SR9 and 5 feet above it tie the three-way off it go 3ft leader and tie on a plastic swim bait either straight hook or 1/4 jig head. Another option is a version of the Donkey rig with 2 1/4 plastic swim baits tied two feet apart in the same manner its devastating on smallmouth and I cant wait to try it for other species

Great report, I have caught several bream lately that are Pumpkin colored to a light green/pumpkin in color which is perfect interpretation of what you are saying.... Are you actually seeing the bream on the beds or just making beds? And are you seeing schools of smaller ones running the banks yet?