buckcreekmike

Nice report

I was at big cedar from Monday thru Saturday and saw a lot of those boats in the lot and some our on the water. Most seemed to be from Texas and Louisiana. Probably need that kind of boat for the swamps. They were loud and I did see the lights and hear one at about 10:00pm, but I thought it was kind of a cool novelty, then again, I was on vacation and didn't have to work the next day. By the way I did horrendous fishing, brought one small spot to the surface on a stick bait and had another bite and that was it, didn't actually land a fish. I didn't understand why I was so terrible but after reading on hear about the shad kill I guess that explains that a little bit. Was the first time I have been skunked on TR in a while and that after three days of fishing. I did go to LOZ and caught one in the first 30 minutes so I don't have to give up fishing for good, because I was pretty dejected after my showing on TR. that cold front really hurt my fishing.

The newest in fisherman has an article about using rattle trap style cranks in cold water (low 40's), for smallies. Does anyone use these at TR, or are you better off with the suspending stick baits? I think the article was more geared towards up North where those guys are from, but I wondered if any of you have had success with them. I'll be there next week and really have cabin fever. I fished two weekends ago at LOZ and caught two bass with one 16" keeper on a pro blue lucky strike Rick Clunn. The water was 42 degrees and it was windy.

You would be kicking yourself if you didn't take the boat. I doubt the outdoor pools will be open at big cedar, and there is only so much shopping you can do.

I am headed down next week and hope to have some luck too. I was there last year at this time and all I used was wiggle warts, green phantom and brown phantom and I did really well, at least really well for me anyways. Granted last year it was 80 degrees while I was there and really dirty (1' vis or less in spots). I still think i will have a wart hooked up at all times. I would also say a suspending jerkbait in the clear water would be good. I don't have any a-rigs and dont plan on buying one, but I think they should do good as well. Godd luck.

This is a little late, but I fished from about 1:30-5:00 on saturday 3-9. I was fishing the main lake around the 8 MM. I was trying bluffs with a stickbait, but the only success I had came in one small (probably 300 yards long) pocket/cove off of the main lake. This cove had very few docks and I caught one keeper and one short. My dad caught one later off of a brushpile in Buck Creek with a shakey head (non-keeper). That was it, I love cathinc them with a stick bait, but I had very few bites to get my fill.

I don't know about whether or not it will be open to the public or not, but I wouldn't hold your breath either way. I have been going to Wilderness Club for over 5 years and they keep saying it is almost ready to open, but never does. I'm sure it will cost a fortune to eat or play golf once it opens as well. Have you heard a real date as to when it is supposed to open?

I have the picture at home, but my biggest smallie is also my biggest bass period. It was from a Kansas lake and weighed 6.17lbs and was just shy of the state record at the time. It was a little over 20" long, but fat as hell. I let it go. By the way I have been to Canada and caught lots of big smallies, but I didn't have to drive 2 hours to catch my biggest.

I have had some for about 5 years and love them. Invest in a leash so that you don't lose them in the water or leave them somewhere etc. I'm about to get another pair. I have the dark lenses and wear them daily.

My mother in law was at TR last week and said it was way down. Granted, she probably doesn't see it from a fishing or boat launching perspective, so her "way down" is a subjective statement, but I do know it is low. Do they bring it down for Winter Pool or is it just the drought or other natrural reasons it is low? I will be ther the end of March, and I know a lot of things can change until then, but will they raise the leve by then anyways. I know on LOZ they bring it down in the winter for maintenance etc, was wondering if that is the same situation.

Thanks all of you for the advice. I will let you know what happens.

It is an EFI. Like I said, we replaced the fuel filter and it kept beeping, I guess that is not to say there could be moisture in the fuel. What do you do if that is the case?

Has anyone had to replace the oil reservoir on a Mercury that is oil injected? There was beep that go on at 4 minute intervals, so we inquired as to what it could be. Was told either fuel filter or oil tank. Replaced fuel filter an dstill had the beep, so I guess it's the oil reservoir. I just don't understand how replacing the tank would do anything, there doesn't appear to be any wires or anything. Any help is appreciated.

Ironic isn't it?

YEs, exactly what I had in mind. Like someone said, it won't stop you from getting wedged in the rocks, but it is surely better than open hook altogether. I have noticed a higher percentage of thrown hooks if or when the fish jumps with a tube jig. I would consider that a drawback.

I used to usa a tube about 95% of the time. I caught my biggest smallmouth ever on one - over 6lbs in Kansas! There used to be jighead that I liked made by Oldham's that had a wire that you tuck behind the barb and make it extremely weedless/hangup-less. Once they stopped making those heads I stopped using tubes. I have thought about using them again, but never got around to it. They can be skipped really well which could work on LOZ I suspect.

I'm sorry, I should clarify that I caught a few kentuckies and smallmouth, not whites.

I was at Table Rock over the 4th of July and didn't bring the boat this time, but I did bring a few rods. I fished in the evening about 45 minutes before sunset until dark. I caught probably 6 fish in 2 nights fishing near a marina dock, not on the dock, but along the walkways, as close as possible to the walkway. I used a 3/8oz football jig with twin tail trailer and a shakey head. I figured it was the only form of structure that I could get to from shore, and I probably casted as far as I could an got it to maybe 12' deep. You might be able to catch in the morning on a topwater on a point or something too.

I was at the 7mm on the 14th and it was pretty clear as well. I remember thinking that it was more clear than I remembered it being for this time of year.

I guess it's a good thing I didn't enter that tourney!

I went at night on Friday 11pm-1am and Saturday 8:30 -10:30pm. I didn't do too great, I had one keeper about 2.5 lbs on Friday on a jig, and my dad had a non-keeper on a shakey head, both out of brushpiles about 15-20' deep. Same basic pattern on Saturday, but I only landed one fish (non-keeper), and missed a few others. It wasn't the greatest, but night fishing is kind of relaxing (at least compared to the daytime).

... YES! I knew it! All I really wanted to know was the water clarity which Bill stated a few posts back. I didn't want to cause a new geographical survey to be undertaken and have the maps changed.

Thanks for the info, I may keep some stocker rainbows, I just need to find a way to get all of the bones out, that's the thing that I don't like about trout.

Well, even on the maps on this board it lists middle Long Creek as the state line area, therefore I figured the lower end would be from there to the dam. Sorry about the confusion.

Ok, so if you head south from the dam is that not considered the Long Creek Arm? I guess I must be real stupid, because I have been calling it that for years. It sure seems to be longer than 5 or 6 miles too. Guess I'm screwed then, thanks for the help!