Feathers and Fins

Ok last ditch resort pull out the NED if you cant catch a fish with it you need to take up Golf.

So long as a drag is set right and of good quality there is no reason that going lighter cant be done and done with great effect. I use between 6 and 12lb line and frequently land large fish including a 38lb striper last week on 12lb line. The fight is much better IMO and puts the advantage two the fish but increase bites. The draw back is in structure it can break easier also in summer if you plan on catch n release heavier cuts down on the fight and mortality. All things considered light IMO is better and much more fun.

Stuart here is my major argument to leaving them. A; Unattended lines pose a hazard to watercraft as they can easily especially on windy days or nights be missed then hit and damage the props of boats. B; They pose a very real danger to people using the water in a skier or tuber or jet skier could be seriously injured by them or worse entangled in the line and killed. C; They are a danger to the public and to property when left unattended and to the wildlife in that the struggling of the fish is inhumane as it is the responsibility of outdoorsmen to insure a swift dispatch of the game. I have also seen other wildlife snagged on them such as turtles ( way to small to eat ) Herons who speared the bait then fowl hooked themselves and several coons and minks. Though not common it happens. The real possibility of damaging to property or life and limb is there and I see no reason that conservation departments cannot take the simple step to require they be monitored during use. I am not saying illegalize them im saying require they be attended is all for safety of the public and for the ethics toward game.

Im with John, they seem very thin and over battered, either that or they are the smallest catfish on the planet because even 1lb cats I catch have more meat on them.

Yup shared that one fast lol.

I am no warden but logic would dictate at least on one end of a trot line and on all buoys. No different than on a stringer it must be marked. If I was doing it I would have it marked on both ends of the line so the CO would only need to look at where the line is attached. The law is clear the tag must be made of "durable metal" on trot, limb, throw lines and on jugs it must be on the jug. I don't think its hard to understand that. Again those are Missouri regs Arkansas is different. How do you avoid getting them cut or picked up? Well with Jug lines you shouldn't have the problem as the law requires you monitor them. Trot Lines I would probably do the same thing but if I did leave them I would attach a buoy to them with the info and have one at each end and one in the middle. Though this may not keep them from getting cut it might help. When they get cut is when they are not marked and a angler of any type snags one and pulls it in or looses a bait on it. Cooperation between all anglers would go a long way and doing your best to show a line is set and not hidden would probably keep people from hanging up on them and prevent ethical anglers from casting on them and then getting mad and cutting them, though im sure some less than ethical people will still do it and to that the solution is to monitor them from nearby. In all honesty I would like to see the law changed that they must be monitored at all times and removed when you leave or if you have to leave.

For jug lines ; Jug Line Regulations Anchored jug lines may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours. The anchor must be sufficient to render a jug immobile so that wind, current, or large fish will not move the jug. A line that does not meet this standard is considered unanchored. Under normal fishing conditions, a 2-pound weight for a 2-liter soda bottle would be an appropriate anchor. Use a heavier weight to anchor larger floats or during times of high wind and current. Keeping track of your unanchored jug lines reduces catfish waste and jug-line litter. Unanchored jug lines in streams must be personally attended at all times. Unanchored jug lines in lakes must be personally attended at least once per hour. Anglers who cannot personally attend their jug lines can still enjoy jug fishing by using anchors. Personally attended means that the angler whose name is labeled on the jug line: ◾ Is in visual sight of and close proximity to the jug line, ◾ Can see the jug line bob and move when a fish is hooked and can retrieve it, ◾ Can see and talk to a conservation agent checking the line, and ◾ Can get the attention of or deter anyone who is tampering with the jug line. That is pretty simple to me If you are not attending them ( unless anchored ) you are breaking the law. As to Trot Lines the regs again are clear. You must place a tag of a durable material with your full name and address, or Conservation Number on live-bait traps, trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, and live boxes. Your Conservation Number is nine digits long and can be found on your fishing permit or on the back of your Heritage Card. If it is not properly marked you are breaking the law and you must also refer to the Jugline regs stating they must be checked every 24 hours though MDC does suggest checking more frequently in hotter months. I guess the best thing to do is for all of us to start taking pictures of it get the gps number and report them worse case the agent will go remove it best case we make a little chaching in our pockets for turning in poachers

If you want to stay on the lake Coppermine isn't a bad idea but if you like comfort there is a bunch of places to stay in Rogers near the lake and that gives you the options of trying some of the local food places, I suggest staying off restraint row and hitting the downtown area places.

Great little animals, I have had them and sure many others have some are treasured family members. I haven't had on in my garden this year but what is up with all the rabbits.

Bill this is one time I am forced to disagree with you, I've been on the rock 6 times this year and saw this each time some of the lines were very old as the rot to the cord showed. The areas were Big M up and in to the White. I see it on Beaver so often It is sickening limb lines that are years old, Jugs unattended and trots in the same condition or unmonitored and AR has even more defined regulations. It has gotten worse the last three years we just had a thread on it in the Beaver forum even. As to respecting the game that is something I am all for. I keep enough to see me through duck season as im to busy chasing birds than fish typically and its only enough for my wife and I to have fish once a week for 3 months 2 fillets a week for 12 weeks of Striper, Crappie and Walleye then its back to fresh stuff. If I get a Big striper I typically share the meat with whomever went or call friends who I know will use it fast. I just never have got the big deal about keeping more than you can use or will need in the future.

Channel cats 2 to 5lbs for frying 5 to 10 for baking and 10 to 15 for smoking never keep bigger than 15 Bluecats 2 to 10lb for frying BBQ or Baking, 10 to 20 lbs for smoking nothing over 20 Flathead 2 to 10 for frying, everything over 10 was BBQ, or smoking For just all out eating seems 2 to 5lb is the best for all species and me I really like 3 to 4 lbs. I have a buddy that takes the big ones and puts them in a run he built that's clear well water and he cleans them out for a month and those taste great but I doubt many of us have a run and clean well water to change out every couple days that's nice and cold.

There is one in Monte Ne that will do that as well been there three years and I see him on occasion. No fear at all but does know how to stay out of traps.

A recent thread got me thinking and wondering, Do people think Beaver lake would be ready for a Marble eye tournament and would you get involved in it if it was open to amateurs?

You are going to have to get her up during the run it gets pretty exciting and a ton of fun catching big whites and crappie with a spoon. Winter time is also a great time to catch them, stripers and the sleeper is Crappie! Beaver is a year round fishery and unless the roads are iced over there is no reason to not be fishing.

I wish you would have got one as well but it was great meeting you and your wife. I shouldn't have messed with that one and at least netted it to show you whats possible, my bad lol. Let us know next time your coming down and we can try it again. Glad you got in to the whites at least.

I'm jealous, beautiful country without doubt

Well ATTA, how did you do?

Congrats, Dreams do come true.

Im not saying anything but I know a guy that knows a guy that's friends with a guy that knows a guy who has bait for this morning and ATTA knows where that guy is going to be Im not saying he will catch fish but he his track record is pretty good lol. PS sidescan is a great tool if you understand tree's go up and down fish go side to side but 300 is getting out there in its usefulness but under 200 ya its useful.

It is a commercial business John and yes a good guide should be on the fish if they only guide one certain body of water. But they do not have the capacity to harm a resource in the limited numbers of fishing guides we have and short of striper guides most guide trips are catch and release. AGFC does keep an eye on the amount of guides and the resource.

striper bait.

You one superstitious puppy.... Nice fishies.

John im working from 6 to 11 today swing in and ill give you a couple of spots I like to rod and reel them, its not easy so I don't give the info out openly but can be done. My bait of choice is bass and brooder minnows and produces some nice cats. You will need a stiff action rod with a minimum of 15lb line and 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook, don't expect to get a ton of catfish but 4 or 5 nice sized fish should be no problem in a decent day. If you cant make it in shoot me a PM and I will do my best to get you a map of a few of the spots later.

Yes sir that be the zone......

If its Rocky Branch use the back ramp to launch not the front ramp.... Leave the ramp proceed North till you clear the cove, Make a Right turn go to Point 5 and turn around and start fishing up towards point 6, when you get to point 6 turn around and repeat... that is the zone for stripers.