ALLSTAR1

it is important to get a fixed spot. If you are swinging around and drifting a lot it is hard to keep the baitfish under you. If you can tie off to a couple of trees or one and a big anchor that will work. We do best in no less than 15 ft of water up to 30. If it is a still night a really good spot is where the channel goes through a flat. Anchor on the edge of the channel. Start one crank up then as the night goes on shallow up. Lots of white bass on the flats to but a kink in your line! Fun but they like to tangle in the anchor line, submersed lights, other poles etc... If you can be patient, go out when you can see what you are doing and set up. Be aware that 11 to 3am may be the best bite. Plan on sleeping in the next day..

With the water the way you described, a bait not used as much at Meramac Sprngs, can be a real killer.. Minnows! You can free float with a small split shot like fishing a trout worm or under a float like for crappie. A deep back water below the riffles is a real good spot either way. Don't laugh... give it a try.. not so effective later in low and clear but early in the year can yield some really nice fish..

Fished this afternoon for a couple hours in zone 2. Did well on large glo-balls, white and yellow/red dot. Also 1/64 oz sculpin jig and black/yellow jig. All under a strike indicator on fly rod. 2 lb leader.. Water was up about a foot. Off color to dingy, Not many out for such a nice day. Size was on the small side from the stringers I saw. Released all mine.. had one maybe 15 in. most were 12 +/-. Caught about 10 from 3 to 5 pm.

use two pound test line for, at least, a leader.

No info on Missouri but if you are out west, my brother said the bite was on at Clinton Lake near Lawrence Kansas. He got his limit of 3-6 # ers in an hour. Could not keep 3 poles baited.

San Juan worm, Kapok and leather guts?

I think they released those over several days. I was not there so would have no idea if they reacted to the weather forecast but I would think they have them ready and go ahead and let em go. I should have gone Monday...too old and lazy. Darn shame... but at least I didn't get hit on the head by a dead limb!

I was trout fishing and a guy caught several catfish he did not want. He ended up giving 3 limits to other fisherman who all said after seeing him throw one back; " hey, I will take em if you don't want em.." Were there 4 violations? The giver and 3 takers or just 1; the giver? Or none?

C and R is over.. that is why they will be releasing them

On a related issue, on our last few trips to Taneycomo, I have noticed that boaters seem to have become more "polite" for lack of a better term in the upper reaches of the lake. Perhaps because changes in the depth etc have forced a more restricted speed. Anyway, again, not 100% but appreciated and I try to acknowledge that as they pass with a wave and a "thanks".. That said, the Narrows is still a tough place but mostly, I think due to the topography; i.e. the Narrows..

It may be that more people are joining the ranks of trout fishing and, with less water for all, are over anxious to catch something... Sometimes this is a self correcting problem, as they realize that fishing is more than catching and gain experience with others doing to them what they did to your. Not 100%, which is why it is important for our State and others to continue adding and enhancing trout fishing opportunities in all suitable areas.

My wife and I will be going down in April. We would appreciate recommendations on a place to stay at least 2 nights during the week. The closer to the fishing area the better! Thanks for your help!

This is a really good program. Had 8-10 nice afternoons with catch and release. Then able to keep a few for lunch. I do still throw a lot back if not deeply hooked. Lots of folks take advantage. Even on a miserable day I would estimate about 200 anglers hit Bethel Park and most left happy, maybe a bit wet but happy. The fish get caught out pretty quick if the weather is good but they will only die eventually. Kinda wish we could get one more stocking for march', april but I know that is not in the budget.

What would stop them from breaking the law is; there would be no reason to be out on the river at night! Anyone along the river or overhead can spot the activity and alert law enforcement. I think it would be an easy bust. I am sorry that some people will be hurt but they are the ones that could make a difference. I bet many of the worst violators are well known in the gigging community. I am not a gigger. I have done it. Love to eat suckers and love to catch em but like smallmouth more. Hopefully, this will encourage everyone out there to step up and obviate furher regulations..

This is the worst kind of idiocy. Gotta say it.. gigging has gone over board with all the big jet boats, ridiculous light banks and excessive kills.. time to put and end to it. You can catch all the suckers you want to eat on worms in the spring. It has to end it is an archaic tradition that is no longer sustainable in todays environment. Easy to bust violators when they light up the river.

I see it tihe other way... if it is catch and release why NOT stock some more fish. There is plenty of food... plenty of weeds, anyway, why keep feeding them when we could be having fun catching them????

I was very disappointed with my first and only trip to BSSP in the winter. Not many fish and too many fishermen. The guy selling trout stamps said they stocked no fish since the No Creel started. Saw guys throwing crank baits and spinner baits in Zone 3 for smallmouth, I did not think it was legal but not really hurt anything they were throwing them back.

I moved to Farmington from Cuba MO in 1973 and there was a public fishing lake west of the Hiway 67 that we caught some Warmouth in. I thought they were Goggle eyes like we had caught in the Meremac but a knowledgeable fisherman pointed out the difference. Later I caught one at Duck Creek. Seems I remember they had some blue color mixed in.

The reports on the DU site have been poor but with the fronts coming in it could change. I used to hunt taney (a lonnnngg time ago) but the development of the shore and the amount of winter fishing has been a deterrent. Table Rock might be an option but seems like more and more winter fishers there too.

We stayed with some friends in their home and they wanted to fish the lower lake and we used Scotty's., they were very helpful and would recommend them.

There actually are 3 sizes of magnets. The largest are crappie magnets, next are trout magnets and there is also a really tiny one that I cannot remember the exact name. They are so small it is actually hard to get the plastic tail on them correctly. I catch more on the "regular" size trout magnets. I would think there are situations where the crappie magnets would be good in running water,etc. It is called a mini magnet.. here is a link... https://www.troutmagnet.com/store/Mini-Magnet-c-71.html

Taneycomo is a unique fishery located in a unique vacation setting. The ability to bank, boat, and wade fish, go to shows, stay at great resorts, etc etc would be compromised by such an undertaking. Lots of better ways to improve Missouri fishing to dream about!

Yes! you can take a kayak to Thomas Hill and get into some fish. I have a friend that goes up a couple times in the winter. You could take it up the warm water outlet and fish some of the coves and backwaters. It is a bit crowded in the warm water arm when the fish are really biting but usually it is the early bite and it clears out by 10 or so. Some leave with limits some just leave. Hybrids and catfish usually cooperate if the crappies dont but my luck is they run on the small side. LM Bass can be good too if you are inclined., you usually can find sheltered water in the warm water arm. If you go during the later winter and the main lake is frozen you may run into goose hunters..

homeowners insurance? Boat insurance? Can't hurt to check

Is a hp limit an option that might be acceptable to both sides in this issue? Or is that just begging the issue. If anyone wants to vote I would vote for that. Or second a ban.