Dirtracer35

My biggest was 7lb 12oz. On a spinnerbait dropped vertical on a dock while my dad was hung up on a dock line. I've seen several come out of there over 8-9. The record has to be somewhere between 11-15 and the state record of 13lb 14oz. Which isn't exact. But at least shows what the lake is capable of.

I'm walking away from you. Yes. This forum. Yes. This issue. No. I do show what's in Stockton Lake. But that's not the point of this. And I'm sorry you have nothing better to do. Lol. Shows us all how big of a man you really are. But that's okay. I was raised better. And I cannot judge. And I don't cut lips. But I guess since you'd know.. I'm done with you. I guess at half your age I'll be the better man here.

Lol senile. MDC cannot sample below 10'. Seeing as how they sampled before a number of the fish were caught id say 3013s accusations are false. But from a guy that says he doesn't fish. I'm sure he knows more than us. I like how most don't seem to care but have no problem starting drama like their daughters do. I see where they got it. MDC is watching. And waiting. And counting on respectable anglers for more information. I guess this was the wrong place. I will continue my efforts elsewhere. Thank you for y'all's help and opinions. I enjoyed all of them. I'll start a new username so you can follow me around there too. Thanks.

I just think somebody is mad over something other than this post. IMO. That's okay though. I'll take my kayak and spinning rod elsewhere.

Me showing proof. And you sitting at a round table talking about it are both fairy tales lol. I've proven myself. On a number of occasions. What you choose to think and the truth are polar opposites. I am sorry for that. Your 8lber and mine must have been from my rod too. Lol. I'm not butt hurt at all. I can catch fish. Not just talk like it. I'm sorry my truthful and concerned post about cut fish and posts about catching big fish when all I see are reports and no pics. Or barely keepers. Thought you guys would like to see what Stockton can produce if you know how to go about it. But I guess I'll eat that one too. Murderers.

It was 30 fish? Not 70?? As stated. No. Not all had split jaws. I wish people could read the forum. And 30+ fish with the jaw issues took a while. But 5 weekends with 15+stringers in 5 fish. That's easy stuff. Guess that's why I see it happening a lot on here. Lol. No minnows. I use gizzard shad on a 3.5oz weight on my 4.5' spinning rod. Real sensitive. But what do I know? Guess that I'll never be as good as these pros. Lol. See y'all on the water. Hopefully at some tourneys. Maybe I could lose some money to you?? That would settle it

If the fish has a split jaw like the one shown. They cannot properly open their mouth without one or both sides flopping. And if you watch a bass eat. They suck in with their gills flared. They need a tight seal. Not possible with a flopped jaw. The fish was barely hooked through the slit and the hook fell out after in the boat.

If you can't catch a bass on Stockton. Just go home lol. I don't catfish. But have caught some big ones. Don't fish for crappie or whites. But I've caught some giants. Don't fish for walleyes. But catch a lot of them. Doesn't matter if you have a success rate. You'll catch them regardless. You never know. Somebody may already be a suspect. The person/s responsible may be watching this. Anything is possible. The numbers aren't fuzzy. Just because after seeing dozens of fish like this makes a guy curious doesn't mean there's only one like this. The odds are high that more will be caught tomorrow. Many anglers don't use this forum and still catch fish..

We've found fish like this all around the lake. Not just around Ruark. Bass have fairly small home areas and have not traveled far unless by boat.

Got a call back from the biologist today. We talked about this for almost 20 minutes. He assured me that it is definitely not a what thing. But a who. WP and MDC will be watching and cruising the lake this weekend in the areas fish have been caught. There will be no shocking the water for the lack of effectiveness at depth. They ask that anybody who catches a fish that has damage like the one shown and mentioned. Please photograph and email or call: Fisheries Management Biologist Adam Boman Southwest Regional Office 2630 N. Mayfair Springfield, MO, 65803 417-895-6880 adam.boman@mdc.mo.gov Even got some information on where big females had been shocked and where the next possible record smallie might be haha.

Photograph it, keep a detailed record of where it was caught. Depth, bank, which point or cove. And report it to MDC fisheries biologist.

With the information I gave to the fisheries biologist. They should be combing the area. I left the guy a message and he has not returned my call yet. This would be a serious offense to an individual. And by the words of the biologist. Who says this was intentional. And had NOT. Seen any abnormal markings from spawn. Or predatory instincts of bass after measuring and recording or 600 bass. I'd say he would be the one to know if feeding or spawn caused this.

Got a very speedy reply. Working with MDC to get this narrowed down so they may sample more specific areas. Glad to see how serious they are taking this as this affects our fishery. "Thank you very much for bringing this issue to my attention. From the picture you have provided, I would say that these wounds are an intentional cut of some sort. Definitely human induced and not a natural disease or condition. As far as the reason why, I can only speculate and that would not be productive. What will be productive is letting our agents know where you and others are observing these bass so they might be able to get some clues as to who is responsible. During our spring bass electrofishing samples, we did not encounter any bass in such condition. On the contrary, the bass sampled were in excellent condition. We sampled the first week of May and measured over 450 largemouth bass in the Mutton Creek/Raurk Bluff area and over 175 in the dam area. Do you remember if you observed any such bass before the first week of May? If not, I would say we are safe to say this activity has happen recently, in the last 3 weeks. As you noted, it would be extremely hard for bass to hunt in such a condition and even tougher to actually consume prey."

MDC and fisheries biologist have been contacted.

There's also an app for iPhones called Find MO fish. That shows brush piles and contour lines

The thing to remember is that we've found this in several bass around the lake. It wasn't an isolated incident. Over 30 bass with jaws broken or ripped like this.

Here's pics. Yes the fish was kept due to the health and circumstances of the fish.

To break the jaw and rip it all the way down is something nothing can cause. If you look at how a bass eats a bait. And how we anglers set the hook. Bottom jaw hook ups are near impossible. Not to say a treble hook does not land itself in the bottom jaw. But a straight shank or EWG hook lands itself in the top jaw or sides. Unless swallowed. The amount of force to break the jaw is much more than by holding the fish. IMO

No. The lady that manages the booth will run her mouth. And if your lucky her boyfriend will be there and run you off. Then he will proceed to launch his boat without a problem although he is not a camper. Can't miss the green and white champion and red dodge dually.

Never held a fish by the lip and had it rip all the way down to the crushers...

Okay. So we've caught at least 30+ bass in the past few months. Keepers and shorts that have the bottom jaw either broke. Or completely ripped down the middle. Anybody else seeing this? Caught a 4.5lb largemouth today and her jaw was completely ripped. It was a miracle I even hooked her. I'm leaning toward this being caused by walleye anglers. But who knows. Seems like way more than just an isolated incident. It's from one side of the lake to the other. Seems highly illegal. And if I ever see anybody doing this. WP and MDC will be contacted on the spot.

Amen. Time with my father wether it be tournament, prefishing, or just for fun. Is the most enjoyable time with him I could ever ask for. He's the one that taught me everything. He's the one that put me on the fish lol

Fished anywhere. Honestly. And we threw everything and pretty much the kitchen sink. Haven't yet found the big fish pattern. Boats went everywhere. Sons. Turnback. Little sac. Dam. All brought limits. Little changes can pay big dividends.

We caught tons. Absolutely tons of fish. 90% were keepers. Had a couple over 3. Just not 24lbs lol.

They said big jigs. Where I don't know