Daryk Campbell Sr

I went fishing for the 1st time this year. I tried a new spot with my 5 year old and and old fishing buddy. We went to Morse Mill Park. It has rained off and on for a couple days, and the river was up, along with a strong current. I walked up river a little bit to find a boat ramp :-) (very nice surprise). Just past the ramp was a calmer area just outside the main current. This was our spot. I caught about an 18 inch channel cat at approx 7pm. As dark was coming upon us, and we were cleaning our spot, my son wanted to fish off of the boat ramp. He managed to catch a fingerling size flathead catfish. He was as happy as a clam. We were using nightcrawlers as bait. Water was very muddy. Both were released for others to catch. The channel cat seemed to be holding eggs. Good luck to all.

Good videos guys. I really enjoy the MDC ones.

Thank you for the follow up. Good to get info.

:-) LMAO Probably catch a few browns, I have second hand info that they are good that time of year. ;-) Never been able to fish that one, pretty exclusive from my understanding. Back to the real topic. You guys have a neat idea with a community float. I would like to attend for a day or two, if I can make it happen.

Yea, the guy that was there kept saying that it was huge for a ground hog, before we seen its tail. :-) I'm just a city boy, Ive seen many rats, possums and roaches, but this is the first beaver (except on tv, or the zoo). (edit) Oh, I get it (second time I read your post). Nah, the creek was MAYBE 25 feet wide is how it should be read. (doggone public education)

I see, shows that I have not done it before.....

So, if they are releasing, why are they gigging so many? I believe someone earlier in the thread mentioned the tags being paid for. How about making a requirement for the tagged ones, the bass must be photographed, with the tag attached, in order to be paid. I am sure there are ways around this, but the people looking for a quick buck would be dettered. I believe we must come up with solutions, not just complain to the MDC, in order to be heard. Just thinking outloud.

I took the kids down to the creek to play, (have a 2 year old so I didn't expect to fish) at West City park in Festus. There was a family fishing and splashing in the creek. The dad caught a (I believe) Hybrid/striped bass, and a very dark colored spotted bass. They were about 8-10 inches the ?Hybrid/striped bass? being on the smaller of the 2. The father let my 5 year old use a rod and reel, and gave him a few worms to use. Very nice guy. Specifics: Time was about 6:00 pm, no clue on water temps, (kids were playing in the water), both were caught on live nightcrawlers slow retrieve. Approx 8 feet of water. The bass I not sure on had dark stripes going longways, maybe 1 broken line. Side note, while the kids were spashing and others fishing I noticed a large ground hog (so I thought) directly across the creek (maybe 25 feet wide, MAYBE). It paid us no attention. As it moved around, I seen its large flat, black tail and knew I was wrong in telling the kids it was a large ground hog. It stayed on the bank for a good 5 minutes that I know of, then got in the water and swam about 30 feet, and went under comming up about 40 feet away from where it submerged. Good times with the kids, met a very nice family and my son got to try to fish. He zero'ed. OH well, maybe next time.

Second that one, and Welcome.

Neat idea, thanks for sharing. I especially like the shrink tube handle idea. Good job!!

Glad to hear that you were able to go, and are still in good spirits. That is the sign of a GREAT FISHERMAN.

Thank you Wrench for the update, and No, I do not have a waterproof toolbox, maybe I should look into one. Thank you Scott, for your update, That is exactly what I am worried about.

It just amazes me that a tree can get that large with all of the rock, and lack of soil around. Not to mention all of the floods it has had to endure. Maybe there is a scientific reason that sycamore trees can survive with those conditions.

nice pics, nice fish.

That is a difficult question to answer. I believe I would rather catch many vs 1. But, put me in a situation where all I am catching are small fryes, then I will probably say, I would trade them all just for 1 large fish. Short or long, that depends on too many factors, generally I will go for short. I can extend it if I am having a good time.

I recently registered a used 10' jon boat. Per the Missouri DOR website, I should have recieved a "Pocket Card". http://dor.mo.gov/motorv/watercraft/ Pocket Card: is the certificate of number issued to a vessel. must be available for inspection at all time while the vessel is in operation. is printed at the same time as the certificate of title. is printed when the vessel registration is renewed. When I asked the clerk at the counter (who was extremely helpfull by the way) about the pocket card, they told me that MO is no longer using this. My question is, Does anyone here have any experience with this? This is my first time owning a boat of any kind, and I really don't anticipate any problems, as I will be on small private ponds and possibly a couple slow streams, but I don't want any just the same. I registered it because I would like the option to use a trolling motor if I decide to on public waters. 3 years for approx $30 is a cheap option as far as I'm concerned.

if you have 5 minutes, watch and listen.

Oh, I see now that you told me. Thank you for the quick response. I may one day need one.

OG, other than $90.00 and color, what is the difference in the apex and the castaway 100's? Just being nosey, not into buying a Kayak right now.

Thank you for the invite, I may just take you up on that. I live in Festus, Grew up in South St Louis, and work in Affton. I have seen the products of the rivers, but have not gotten the pleasure of hooking up the bigguns.

ONLY 14 pounds? I know there are some monsters in the Mec, but 14lb cat, for me is something to brag about. Just getting out of off the banks this year, maybe this boy will become a man.... ...... Getting excited like a 10 year old who gets his first bb gun.

Good point Tim. I appreciate an explanation vs, a putdown. I did look at the link before that post, Was just kinda thinking out loud per say. I am also curious if they are using steel shot instead of lead shot. It was not mentioned. You can get a picture and post it for dramatic reasons and change how people think about something that may not be the real problem. My point being the birds pictured may only be 2 of millions, and they are poster birds, but the real problem may not be lead sinkers, but lead shot. Which is harder to identify. As noted in prior post, I am aware that we here in MO do have problems with lead affecting our birds and I do understand that we need to adapt new ways in order to help slow down the negative reactions. I have no problem using a different source to fish with. I have been trying to think of different things that could be used for years, as I have heard of lead being a problematic item for our fish/wildlife. I just don't seem to have the resources or outlets. I have found many different outlets since joining this website, and may look into them. I think this is a good topic, and appreciate the feedback.

Great contribution Clayton. Thank you.

Mighty fine boat you have in the works. I am still in the dream mode. I will have something this summer, but nothing compared to that. I have so far enjoyed your progress reports and hope that you keep them comming. Even though this thread doesnt get as much buzz as others. :-) PS Nice of you to give credit where it is due. Wish more of us could do the same in the world.

I think the guy in the pic on top and the guy in the picture on the link are two different people. Maybe there were 2 record fish caught in neighboring lakes? Or, maybe the guy kept evading the police so they set him up on a sting operation with a trophy fish, so they could bust him. LOL