redshad

I still think the Yamahas are great outboards. I just don't want one in this neck of the woods.

I have running a Yamaha outboard for the last 22 years. For the last 2 years I have been running 521C with a 250 Yamaha. I moved to this area not long after I purchased my new rig and have had nothing but frustration trying to find oil get service etc. I have tried to deal with Sports Boat USA but they are the worst boat dealership that I have ever dealt with, for one they are never open. My frustrations with service and etc made me make a big decision. I sold my 521C with the Yamaha last week and I will be picking up my new 521C with a Merc this weekend. After 22 years of running a Yamaha I am done for as long as I live in the Springfield, MO area. In Texas we had many great Yamaha dealers that were great to work with but I have not found it to be the same around the Springfield, MO area. I now know why one tournament days there are 50 Mercs, 20 Evinrudes and only a hand full of Yamahas. I guess now I will fit in with all the other Merc guys.

The camp ground boat ramp is open to everyone since the day ramp is closed. I have put in there many times since they closed the day ramp. As far as water color. Last Sunday the dirty water had made it down almost to the 245 bridge. Saturday it was only down past high point a little ways. I imagine that the water is not to dirty until you get close to high point. It was quite muddy last weekend past High Point. I went up passed High Point on Sunday and didn't stop to fish. The water was very muddy and I decided to go back down to some clearer water.

Last weekend I put in at CC. It was probably 1.5 miles down before I started getting into some clearer water. With all the rain this week the dirty water has progressed further down the lake. I imagine it is pretty dirty right around the CC area.

Thanks Zara! I didn't want to be a pygmy sunfish for life. I agree Hammer this weekend could be good. I hope it is not to stormy Saturday. I am not a big fan of lighting around with me standing on a deck swinging a 7ft lighting rod. I will fish around the storms but try to take cover if the bad stuff come in. Better to be safe than sorry. I was fishing a tournament when I lived in Texas and two boys got killed by lighting during the tournament. They were sitting in the running seats not on the decks but it got both of them. They found their boat stuck in the trees after the storm. We had taken shelter in a little café right off the water.

I have a question about the form. I am a, Banded Pygmy Sunfish, How do the names get assigned?

I agree with Jim. Sounds like you guys had a good time even without a good bite. Hopefully the wind will back off a little for the weekend. Thanks for the reports guys.

Awesome report, Hammer. We all dream about those days when they are hitting like that. Those are the times that keep us coming back after the days when the bites is tough. I am glad to hear they would hit a bladed jig, one of my favorite baits to fish. Just so you know reading your report will make my week seems even longer. I can't wait until the weekend. Weekend warrior here. Thanks for the report and keep hammering them.

Thanks for the report, Hammer. We put in a Cedar Ridge Sunday around 11:00 and fished to around 6:30 on Sunday. Fished for the ramp up to the High Point area. The bite was slow for us. We caught around 20 bass but they were small only had one keeper. We did have two eyes that were 18" they came home with us. On the calm side we could catch them on brush hogs and on the windy side we could get them to bite a crankbait. Water temp up around High Point was 53-54. Down by Cedar Ridge it was 51-52. Saturday, I launched at Raurk Bluff and fished in Son's most of the day. I had 17 Saturday with 6 keepers. One that would go 3 and the others 15-16 inchers. Saturday I catch most of the keepers on a jig or creature bait. The warmest water I fund was way up Son's it was 54. Sunday I had the wife and kid so it wasn't a very serious fishing day, Saturday I was by myself. This warm rain might bring some up to the bank.

I heard that one guy had some luck snagging them with a shaky head.

I was up that way Sunday and temps were running 51 to 52 in that area. I didn't catch much up there water starts getting dirty where you head up river past High Point.

Turkey Creek has 500 yards of dirt and rock before you get to the bridge. You will have to go on foot. I haven't been up Maze lately mainly because it is pretty scary running up Maze with the water this low. I haven't taken the time to idle all the way up there. I doubt you can get to the bride if you can the water is going to be pretty skinny before you get there.

Thanks for the report Skeeter. I am sure the walleye appreciates your respect for personal space.

Thanks for the report. The weather report for Saturdays is putting the breaks on me.

The channel bank right by High Point boat ramp is a good bank fishing area. The ramp is closed due to the low water level.

Dprice - It's a little hairy up maze with low water. I know you know where your going but if you are not super familiar with Maze Creek I would recommend idle speed. There are trees right in the middle at the mouth of it that you cant see good yet but can hit them with your motor.

Nice one. I am jealous couldn't get out Sunday. Thanks for the post.

Great report. You guys showed-off. That a great sack anytime of the year. What a way to start 2017. Wishing I could have been there.

Braid does have its quirks. I use braid a lot when I lived in Texas and I guess I am use to the quirks. I use mainly flouro these days but still use braid mostly on spinning tackle and tie a short flouro leader. I seem to have a lot less problems with line loops and twist on spinning reels with braid and I think I get better hook sets with the no stretch. I have braid on 2 bait casters one for A-rig (65 lbs) on with 30 lbs for fishing heavy cover or I use it with top water or buzzbait with a momo leader. I like the braid when I have a spook out about quarter mile from the boat on a long cast.

Thanks for the report Jeremy. Busting off 2 A-Rigs in 10 minutes, ouch. What size line are you throwing them on? I usually use 50 to 65 lb braid and can straighten out the hooks and get them back.

Thanks for the report D. Looks like you guys figured them out. I have to busy with all the holiday stuff to get a chance to get on the water. Hoping I can get out this weekend. I have tried to make myself fish the A-Rig all day but I have yet to become a big fan of it. On Stockton, I seem to de better with a stick bait or wart. On other lakes I have had better success with the A-Rig but its still not my favorite way to fish.

I saw him sitting on my favorite spot just whacking them.

Well said DPrice. The bigger tree does make a bigger brush pile.

Thanks for sharing. I looking forward to getting out a few times this winter and I appreciate the info. I think I'll wait for the warm up that's coming. Riding across the lake on a 5 degree morning isn't in my future. Hehe Good Luck guys and everybody have a merry Christmas.

I am curious on how many of you guys fish in the cold winter months and if you have much luck when you go? I don't fish much during the dead of winter, one, I am a little thin blooded and, two, I haven't had much luck when I do fish when the water temps get into the low 40s and upper 30s. I hear guys talking about really smacking them in the middle of winter. Is this just talk or can you really catch them in that cold of water temps? I would love to hear about your experience in cold water and what areas do look for to fish and what baits are effective. Any thoughts?????? Jeff