The actual "tradition" part of it is the wee-hour gravel bar party and fish fry.... And here's the scenario:
A group loads up the boat(s) with a chainsaw, cooler, grease, fire starter, and stuff to prepare and cook with. It's getting late, everyone is hungry and pretty buzzed, but they've only seen a few decent sized Suckers. Are they going to just forgo the gravel bar (or island) fish fry and go home hungry at 4am...or are they going to stick whatever they can and complete what they set out to do ?
I know they "prefer" scoring some Suckers, and probably wouldn't choose to stick bass or trout....but on a slow nite with few or only smallish Suckers to be found they aren't going to pass on the island party and a meal of Bass or Trout, and just call it a night. They brought along all the stuff for a big gravel bar fish-fry...and byGod they are gonna have one.
At least that is the way it plays out on the Niangua.