hog_wild

So it is my birhtday this weekend and the wife told me I could make any plans I wanted for the weekend and of course I chose to go fishing. I was having an itch to maybe do some trout fishing. Does anyone have an idea of what they might be biting on this time of year or if it would even be worth the trip? I dont eat trout so the catch and release wont be a problem. Any thought would be much appriciated. Thanks!

thats awesome! i hope it is as good as it sounds!

I havent had a chance to post again but last friday (5/25) went out on the same float but in the evening started about 4ish...the fishing really picked up. We took it slower and hit a couple extra holes and it really paid off...I only threw two baits, white slider and mini swimin fluke. most all fish were caught on the slider. I caught 4 good size smallies all in the 2-4lb range. man they faught hard and were smacking the crap out of the bait. I caught 2 13-14inch crappie, which surprised me but they were in the same hole. Then I lost track of how many goggle eye. I did however hook into something large in the same hole that I was catching the bigger smallies that had broke off at its will, so no telling what it was but it can always help make a story.

Dave, we will just get dropped off at riverdale. dont really feel like messing with the land owners about vehicles. A buddy of mine lives just up the road towards 160 from the bridge so it usually works out nice. I hardly ever leave a vehicle, even if I am fishing from the bank.

Went on a little float with the wife on Saturday from Deleware to Shelvin Rock. Awesome day. Water was only low in a couple spots. As it was mostly a test run, I still manage to catch 5 fish. 2 river trout, 2 smallies, and 1 spot. All but one fish came off a wihte slider, the other was on a yellowish WW. We didnt really hit up that many holes but the majority of the fish came from a hole on a side creek. Saw a bunch of Gar and carp surfacing and swimming up river. I think next week we will put in at Riverdale and see what the finley has in store.

I am planing on taking the wife on this float tomorrow. How long did it take you? I plan on taking a few small shad colored cranks, some craw plastics, maybe a spiner bait, and of course some tiny brush hogs...dunno if ill do any good but at least we'll be on the river.

I am heading out tomorrow, weather permitting. I might throw a couple jugs out but mostly ill fish rod and reel, I will more than likely catch my bait if I want some perch prolly bring a lil liver and stinkbait, and hell maybe even some shrimp. I use to the slay them on shrimp when I fished for them more...that was mostly on Truman but I think they will still work. If I get to go out Ill let cha know how it goes.

Fellas and lady fellas, The wife, mom, and grandma have been on my case to catch them some catfish for frying. So I thought I better get out there before they realize that they are basically telling me to get on the lake so this brings me to my question. I was thinking about grabbing the kayak and heading to table rock (more than likely bridgeport/cape fair/flat creek). Does anyone know if the cats are on the move at all? I was considering liver, catching some live bluegill, stinkbait, or goldfish for bait. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appriciated. Thanks!

I grew up about 10 min from that bridge, for me, it usually is hit or miss...some days its like they have a gaurd watching cameras (which they do have down there) and others its like the dont really care...I have found if I get dropped off and stick to the water most times is ok...I have gone down below the dam and killed SM under the building, have also seen an alligator snapper as big as a tire come up for air in same area. Anyways, it really sucks the bad apples of the area have ruined many places like this and like lindenlure lake. I understand for the most part why they are so stingy but they should at least cut a litte slack...but if you parked anywhere near the bridge more than likely boys in blue will be called or a tow company. but honestly before to much longer the snakes will be out in full force, I stopped going down there last year becuase they go so bad...

thank you for the heads up...I was planing on floating that stretch, 1)for fishing then 2)to gather golf balls...looks like I may think twice...

Has anyone been fishing around the flat creek area? When I was younger I can remebr the fishing being pretty decent just havent heard many post yet...I was contaplating trying to get on some crappie or whites down that way...any thoughts?

Thanks for the link, I'll have to check it out, I never thought about the gas expenses and such, good stuff...thanks

Hey guys, hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful, I should have called in a sub and went fishing...aw well spring break is next week and it looks like we are going to have great weather most the of the week. My question is regarding fishing tournaments. I am by no means am a pro, but I have a couple buddies tell me about pro-am tournaments, where amatures are assigned with a pro and fish usually the back of the boat or something along those lines. My buddy told if you are assigned the right pro then you can learn a great deal about how to fish a tournament or specfic lakes. I assume there tournaments like this across the state but are any scheduled in at TRL or surround lakes close to Springfield? Are they really worth the time and money? I have always wanted to fish tournaments, seem like they could be fun. But I dont know if I should find guide first and learn a little bit more before I go that route...any thoughts or ideas? Not sayin I am clueless when I am on lake but I am not afraid to say there is a bunch I dont know yet.

i just dont trust MO weather...worst job in SWMO is being a weather man...

So I have never fished linden before or the been to the area that is been spoke but it sound similar to what they did down at riverdale. It is almost impossible to any fishing or put your boat in the water there now...has anyone been fishing at linden in the past 30 days? jus curious if they had any trouble...Im interested to see how this plays out...I understand wanting to get the bad apples out but trying to ban everyone is rediculous....

very interesting, thank you for sharing the info with us. much appriciated. I may have to look into my senko collection and try it out next time, was he using pink?

any particular reason? or are you just a river rat? some people prefer river fishing is the only reason I ask. any tips on what you have luck with on that section? I was thinking the year after they get done with new bridges at 65 and james river, that section could have some new ground work that could be good for fish habitat.

That is kind of what I am begining to think reading back over some older posts...I think next time I will put in at the marina and fish around that area...from what I have read it seems the best spots are from the RR Bridge to the main lake...I have heard some guys talk about starting at the bluffs near the marina...are the ones they speak of more towards the dam and power plant or upstream from the marina? I know if I am going to take the yak out into the open lake the wind better not be 30mph I know that haha

I went out yesterday for the first time with my Kyak. Weather was awesome besides the wind. I spent more time dealing with that than fishing, but since it was the first expedition out, I wasnt expecting much. I was happy to get out. I put in at 65 bridge and fished between that bridge and the RR bridge towards the marina and main lake. I didnt catch anything but like I said the wind was a lil tough when I was out there, I could have found a better location but I was also on a time limit from the wife and baby...I threw a sexy shad rattle trap, wart, watermelon seed tube. they might have worked if I spent more time but I was surprised at how shollow the water was in that stretch. Has any one had much luck in this section? Is there better fishing towards the marina? Im thinking next trip put in at 65 bridge and floating down to the marina. I would like to learn the lay out of the lake itself but its just going to take some time. Sorry I dont have more for ya...

Anyone been down around powersite fishing? was thinking about going down sometime in the next week, didnt know if it would be worth the trip yet...

I am more familar with the James but am curious to know, is the fishing better above the bidge and upstream in ozark on the finley or below the bridge and downstream? I have heard where the james and finley meet is a really good spot but I was curious what most people thought was better water for fishing...

Has anyone ever started floating from the dam at springfield lake and finished at the opening of table rock lake? When I looked up the numbers online I think its like a 40 some odd mile stretch to cover. I dont even know if its possible. But i bet it would be a good time..

well dang it guys, I didnt start a post asking where cant I fish with my kyak haha side note, where does everyone think the best fishing is on springfield lake? between the dam and marina? between marina and 65 bridge, or 65 bridge on up? I was considering taking a float from 65 bridge to the marina for test ride when the it warms up in the next couple weeks. Also I have heard people talk of a backwater run off below the dam that is good for smallies and such. Is that section connected to the river or almost a separate pond like structure? on google maps is looks like a pond almost. Just curious, may haave to go exploring a bit...

well that sucks...I bet there are some lunkers hiding away up there....

Hey guys, I have posted already a couple times but I thought I would go ahead and introduce myself. I have lived in Nixa all of my life, grew up fishing james and finley daily after school and what not. I finished school over at Drury University and now am teaching and coaching at Kickapoo High School here in Springfield. I coach football and wrestling. I love to fish any type of fresh water. I have been fortunite enough to fish in the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Gulf, but really prefer our waters here in the Ozarks. I ususally make at least one trip to Truman and stay at Bucksaw resort there out of Clinton. then ocassionally Ill hit stockton up if that particular buddy calls, but for the most part I fish Table Rock. I usually put in at Cape fair bc from where I live I can have the boat in the water ready for fishing in about 45 min. I would say I am an amature at best, so I am always looking for good info to better my fishing techs...thanks for reading and look forward to getting to know some of yall better. Coach B