powerdive

Good to know there are people like you two out there, rps.

rps, some things you can try (I assume you're still trolling no-stretch braid) to keep the hooks from working out: --Add a 10-15 foot mono leader --Add a mono/fluoro leader AND a snubber --Use a longer, softer rod --Don't reef on the fish, just reel him in steady, rod tip high, stopping when he wants to shake --Switch out the trebles for Triple Grips--they hold better --Double-ring your trebles (add an extra split ring between the existing split ring and the treble)--gives the fish less leverage Something's bound to help! I'm using 8.5' rods with trolling actions--they're pretty good at absorbing those head shakes.

We were checked by Missouri's finest last Sunday. He didn't ask for registration or life vests, but did look at our permits and actually measured the fish in our livewell.

Nice going, rps!!!! That 23 is one fat eye. Note: the fish we caught last week were right on bottom.

Both ramps at Cedar Ridge are open, have parking and have the courtesy docks placed. Best ramp by far right now is Masters, though. Two lanes, courtesy dock, lots of room to maneuver, plenty of parking and nobody in the way (Cedar Ridge South is a circus on the weekend).

Great report! Thank you.

I didn't mean to be thorny, but the guys who caught them are friends of mine and those WERE the fish of a lifetime for them. They were walleye fishing with light baitcast gear, and it took at least half an hour to land each trophy. Congrats to two well-respected, resource-conscious guys who were out there, putting their time in, earning the hot bite, and making their own informed decisions about what to do with their legal catch.

Dutch, you might want to reword that, unless of course you were there and you know for a fact that those fish were actually releasable in the first place, and that they were not the "catch of a lifetime" for those lucky anglers.

Not in the trees this time, rps??????? Nice going, by the way!

Hey rps and H91, seems like the walleyes are still kinda scattered. Are you seeing any more shad starting to collect in your spots yet? Gotta start happening soon...then maybe we'll find more consistent fishing.

Nice going, rps!!! Trolling in timber is tough, unless you happen to like retying! And as we were reminded yesterday, leadcore and timber absolutely don't mix. Fishing in the Eagle Rock area, we only managed 2 walleyes, 11 and 18 inches. Both hit Walleye Runners at 29 feet on the edges of flats (we didn't have the patience to stay with timber). A good day for swimsuit monitoring, not so great for fishing, but it was good to be on the water.

As long as people are within their legal limits, they should never be hassled. After that it becomes simply a moral issue. Too many people have adopted the narrow view that the bass is a gamefish ONLY, and that C&R is the only acceptable practice. Fact is, to many people bass are (and always have been) table fare. Give the tourney biz its due, they have brought the benefits of selective harvest and C&R to the fore--and there's no doubt that they have had a positive impact on the fishery. But total C&R is an extreme view, and it is NOT what the law supports. Yes, the guides depend upon this self-renewing resource for their living, and so it's to their advantage to TEACH, to lead by example and to enlighten through their experience. However, they have no right to say that a license holder fishing for bass with live bait and keeping a limit for the table is doing anything wrong. Meanwhile, I happen to believe that if you're fishing a tourney and catch a fish of another species, it should NOT go in your livewell. But the law doesn't state that. Until it does, I have no business trying to force my views upon you.

ryan, just look at the Point 7 area on a lake map and you'll find plenty of flats!!!

I'm not a bass fisherman, but I stand amazed. That is one incredible report, Bill. Hats off to you! Mike

I'm a walleye fisherman. I believe in selective harvest--keep a few, eat those you keep, release the rest. This catch and release thing has gone a bit over the top with respect to bass fishing. Compared to other species, not a lot of bass actually get harvested these days. To my mind, it has put fish populations out of whack; there are simply too many bass out there. If the mortality concern is valid, then tournaments are actually performing a biological favor by helping to limit the bass boom. Ever hear of MDC stocking largemouths? Of course not. So...of the 25 bass you'll catch next time out, how many will be "keepers" (that's a bit of a misnomer these days)? My guess is only a couple. Somehow we've made the mighty bass a hallowed creature, and I don't think that's such a good thing. If you're really and truly worried about reproduction, (1) don't fish for bass during the spawn; target bluegills instead, and (2) urge your lawmakers to follow the northern states' lead, and close the season for ALL gamefish during the spawn. (gasp!)

Bunch of us tourney guys are having an informal outing out of Beaver this Saturday (between storms). Meeting for breakfast at the Wagon Wheel about 7:00, then down to the ramp by 8 or so, back in at 3 or 4. Banker's hours. Come on down, say hi, talk walleyes a bit!

Good for you, vonreed! I love walleyes as much as anyone, but I sure as heck won't begrudge anyone's right to keep a legal fish. Especially a trophy.

Fox, all species use that bar. We took 2nd in the MWAA walleye tourney last month fishing that area. The Little Sac channel runs about 60 feet deep through there, and actually brushes against the nose or tip of that bar. Crappies, shad and white bass are continually migrating past, so it can be a great spot at times...

Has anyone had any success fishing under lights in this stretch? Thinking of giving it a try... Thanks!

Willie O, is that you??? (The moon talk, y'know.) My tourney partner, John E, was talking about you up on Stockton. Shoot me a PM, please! Mike A

Dutch, for what it's worth, I caught a 10" white while trolling for walleye at K Dock last week. Didn't see any surface commotion that day, except carp and gar of course.

To me (a walleye fisherman), the bluegill is the best tasting fish in fresh water. Although I've gained a big-time appreciation for crappies since moving down here...

Great report, SKMO, thanks!

I've never had a problem with them either. (Although I do wish they'd open earlier on the weekends.) It should be pointed out that there are "No Fishing Within 50' of Dock" signs posted. But if that story is true, well...that's just crazy and needs to be legally addressed. The steep bank and flat edge on the east side of the marina used to be one of my favorite spots for walleye when the water was running hard, and it was always good for some bass--caught my personal best right there. Since they put that dock extension in, it's pretty much ruined, at least for me, because I will always respect the 50' rule as posted.

Sam, I don't know the answer, but I'm not real happy about the Hwy K Marina either. Not only did they take away my walleye/bass Rogue hole when they built that new dock extension out to the edge of the flat, but they absolutely won't open until 9:30 a.m. even on weekends!