Pepe

Thank You, Gentlemen, I appreciate you sharing the negatives. Are there opportunities to rent or buy a boat slip? Does it even make sense if it is inaccessible due to extreme water level changes?

That sounds great. Thanks for taking the time to respond. I have a 17 year old Triton with a 225 motor. Are there any launch ramps mid lake that are a reasonable drive from Lakeview?

I bought a house on “the quiet side” of Table Rock (Shell Knob) 10 years ago. At the time it was not overcrowded but it is now too crowded for my taste. Selling the house now with closing in a few weeks. Currently, my friendS tell me, The launch ramps all over the lake are full to overflowing again. I am seeking some serenity & solitary enjoyment on a far less crowded lake. I have been on Bull Shoals only a few times but have fallen in love with it. Now I’m seriously considering a house in Lakeview to enjoy my retirement. I did ask some questions many months ago and your replies were generally encouraging, but I would love some more input before I sign on the dotted line. Does the lower end get a lot of traffic due to the marinas? How far do I need to run up lake to get away? I would truly welcome your input on the area and density of boats on the lake. thank you

Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate you taking the time to help. I would welcome recommend guide(s), places to stay for short visits and a place to store my boat while I look around for a place to buy. I drive from St. Louis and the time is the same as to the place I am selling in Shell Knob. I’m hoping to find a place to buy with a budget of $125k. I’m a retired contractor and don’t mind, in fact usually prefer a fixer-upper. I’m really looking forward to making this move.

Thank you, gentlemen. When I was on the lake, this past Thursday thru Sunday I saw very few fishing boats on the lake, but noticed that of the fishing boats observed in dock stalls about 75% were deep V multi-specie/walleye boats. I may get to a point in my life where I enjoy trolling, but I’m not there yet. I do have a MK trolling motor with spot lock and it is awesome. Depending on wind direction I have fished from the back deck to really work a high confidence spot with accuracy. I never fish tournaments and value the experience of relative solitude on the water. That is no longer available on Table Rock most of the year - the primary reason I am selling my place there. Is this a lake that requires excellent electronics to find the fish? Mine are older and may need replacement if so. I have never been tempted by power poles. They suck for the person fishing the back deck. i intend to utilize guides, in different seasons, to at least learn the fishing basics of this beautiful lake. I deeply appreciated your help. I know the Bull has a reputation for being a difficult bass fishery, so I will need to learn all I can.

I am relocating from the western end of Table Rock to near Oakland Marina / Point 9 and interested in making the adjustments to fish this lake. Hoping to catch Bass, Walleye, BlueGill or ? I welcome your suggestions regarding best boat type for this lake.

We tested and found the 5 Fish Ultimate Ned Jig design does not seem to offer a performance advantage in weight lighter than we make, so we have no plans to make 1/16 oz. .

https://m.facebook.com/FiveFishLures/posts

Please know that I have a financial interest in 5 Fish Lures. 5 Fish Lures now has “Ultimate Finesse Jig” in 5/16, 7/16, & 9/16 oz. These were designed by local pro Bobby Albert and are selling very well. Bobby meticulously detailed this jig for our local lakes and has great tournament success with them. colors include, Black & Blue, Green Pumpkin, Brown, GP Orange, PB&J, Missouri Craw, Brown Purple & Magic Craw 5 Fish Lures now has “Ultimate Ned Jig” in 1/8, 3/16, , & 1/4 oz. These were designed by local pro and guide Pete Wenners. These have a unique hook, are not mushroom heads and come through rocks very well. 5 Fish Lures has the “Ultimate Cover Jig”, designed by B.A.S.S. Elite Pro and local guide Brian Snowden in production, expected to be on shelves by mid-March. These Jigs are sold in area stores such as Sportsman’s in Springfield, Extreme Outdoors (next to Ulrich Marine) in West Branson, Harter House & Pro’s Choice in Shell Knob. They are not available for direct online purchase - we sell wholesale to stores only. The jigs are made 100% locally. Due to a commitment to consistent quality we have tightly controlled production procedures that are time consuming and limit how many we can produce. It has been a very busy winter, building these jigs but we have built up our stock for our current store clients, and perhaps a few more. We hope you will give them a try and let us know what you think. Please know that I have a financial interest in 5 Fish Lures.

A couple years ago, while doing some contract work for COE, I learned that a complete topographical survey was commissioned by the War Department to include all areas under consideration for flooding related to proposed Table Rock lake. I posted advertisements seeking a copy of the maps and was successful in finding and purchasing one in good shape from a gentleman who had kept it from his grandfathers estate effects. I made full copies and a single copy is about 2” thick on standard half-sized blueprint paper. I have experimented with colored pencils to better illustrate current normal (935’) pool levels and deeper water. I only did this on a few pages and was considering hanging on the wall at our cabin. I came across the maps while cleaning up a spare bedroom that had become our “junk room”. This map is of interest to me because our cabin is at the junction of the White & Kings River. I welcome thoughts and ideas for these documents. Brown is land. Where there is dark brown the topography is steep, as in bluffs. Light blue is, arbitrarily, “normal fishable” depth, dark blue “deep fishable” and non-colored white is very deep.

It is worthwhile to scroll to the 3 related articles, with respect to the web link. There are some solid tips and all of the cases mentioned are related to actual damage claims against the insurer who write this blog.

You bring up some very good points. I have extensive experience in Risk Management and dealing with insurance law and insurers standard practices. I hope the following sheds some light on the issue. 1) New Legislation is not a practical solution. It is a public waterway and they have as much right to it as anybody else. New Legislation is not necessary to address the problem, either, as there are ample statutory means for redress of damages incurred. 2.) Civil law (Torts) provides the means to seek compensation for damages. We typically carry insurance against most things that would expose us to facing a Civil Court Action; vehicle and other types of liability insurance being a primary example. 3.) There are precedent cases in Florida where plaintiffs (the damaged party) have been paid for damages caused by another boats wake. https://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/magazine/2015/october/boat-wake-damage-liability.asp 4.) While a watercraft operator is responsible for his wake, he is also required to consider the effect of his wake in concert with other existing conditions, such as another boats wake and take action to prevent harm. (Standard of Care). Having said all that, it is by no means an easy, or in my opinion a recommended, process to bring a claim unless there is substantial damage and/or injury. You are, almost certainly, going to need video recording and the first step would be to make a claim against the offending party’s insurance (not your own). Finding the offending boaters insurer starts with knowing the boats registration number. I certainly hope and pray none of us ever encounter serious damage beyond extreme annoyance and taking on water. Avoidance is certainly the most prudent action.

We have a 15 year old Triton and had been shopping for a new boat in the past year. After looking at new and slightly used boats and the prices we decided to restore our TR22. We put a new lower unit on the engine last year and know there is a power head to buy in our future but I never run the boat above 4,000 rpm and cylinder compression is still good on our 225 Merc. We took it to Arkansas Boat Restoration in Rogers and could not be more pleased. For 6% of the cost of a new boat we now have a fully restored boat that we are familiar with and like. I was also able to “de-badge” and remove the excess branding that was plastered all over the boat. They polished the motor cowling and put on new decals, restored the swim ladder, repaired some significant dings, restored the bottom; making it like new, put in new carpet with front deck padding, all new seats, new edging at carpet/gunnel junction, new locker seals, restoration of trailer including bunks, fenders, bearing buddies and some miscellaneous details. They kept me in the loop with progress reports and verification of details, made excellent suggestions and got the project done in 4 weeks.

what is the wing ding little george thing?

They are designed for finesse applications so they have a softer weed guard and a very sharp hook. I stole a trick learned from a renowned older local gentleman and used a fluorocarbon “flipping line” that has a foot of bright chartreuse and then 3 feet of clear line. That line size is pretty big but I tie about 5 feet of 8# mono leader and I can really keep an eye on my line. Many of the best fish just make the line “tick”, especially on the fall and I can actually see things like that with this stuff. I was given a couple spools in trade but don’t remember the brand name. Lily and I have had our best luck on the Brown skirt because we like the versatility of trailers we can use. After the sun came out and the topwater bite died out, we had a great day pitching them on the shady side of docks with different Elaztech (Z-man) trailers. 3/4 to 2/3 of a Zinker Z was very popular and we got a bass grand slam, 2 catfish and a huge gar.

I want to thank the folks from OA that, over the last few years, have fished with and helped improve the jigs I’ve sent. Your feedback and the knowledge gained from some professional tournament sticks who also tested and helped improve the product has resulted in what I think is ideal for this area. Tournament results with this jig have been impressive - So the product is finally out. 5 Fish Lures Ultimate Finesse Jig is now available at local tackle stores including Extreme Outdoors in Kimberling City, Pro’s Choice in Shell Knob, Sportsman’s in Springfield. I’m strictly selling wholesale lots so these jigs will only be available in retail tackle shops and are competitively priced. The Ultimate Finesse Jig is available in 5/16, 7/16, and 9/16 ounces. Colors available in Black & Blue, PB&J, Brown, and Missouri Craw. The jig comes through chunk rock very well and tends to stand up with a variety of trailers attached including smaller Paca Craws and shortened Zoom Speed Craws This jig would not have been possible without the assistance gained here. Thank you.

I’m looking at Arkansas Boat Restoration in Rogers, AR. Any thoughts?

My boat is 15 years old and in need of new carpet. Seats have some rips too, and some dings is the gel coat. Looking for recommendation(s) for a nearby shop. Thanks

Feeling like we had gone to heaven, Lily & I just weren’t ready to come home. We had arrived in Mazatlan fleeing from single digit temperatures and cold wind in Missouri to fish at Anglers Inn, Lake El Salto. We have been here many times before and know all the staff. Fishing had been excellent, the weather perfect, and we were pretty spoiled by the attentive staff. unfortunately, the lodge had other guests coming in who needed our room and our 5days on the water would be ending soon. Jose, a wonderful man who has worked for Billy Chapman more than 24 years was scheduled for several well deserved days off before having to meet a party of 20 fly fishermen at Picachos in 4 days. All the guest at Picachos were scheduled to be gone for a couple days before then, allowing for Jose’s scheduled holiday. We didn’t know these details when expressing our reluctance to go back home. Jose generously offered us a 3 night stay at Picachos where we could fish for 2.5 days more. We changed our flight date, gladly paid the extra fees, and took the van to Picachos, several hours closer to Mazatlan. The lodge at Picachos is less developed and fairly Spartan, yet comfortable. There are 10 small cabins along the shore and an open kitchen/dining area. Modesto was our guide and we wore him out, catching fish at a rapid rate but also routinely getting hung up in thick cover. After dinner, we briefly met a party of 4 California guys who were leaving the next morning and we would then be the only guests in camp for 2 days. Worn out from fishing El Salto in the morning, traveling, and then fishing Picachos until dark, we went to our snug cabin with 2 twin beds. I took the one nearest the door. Later events would make me very glad that was the arrangement. Sound asleep around midnight I am awakened by a husky American man who is climbing into bed with me. WTF was my immediate and understandable response, but the man kept pulling at the covers trying to get into a small bed already occupied by a large man saying “it’s just me”. when I asked him what he thought he was doing. Finally I forcibly push him off the bed and in my most commanding voice say “GET THE F*** OUT OF THIS ROOM NOW”. He responded the same way, trying again to get into the bed, saying “Shh, it’s just me”. I am now fully awake, on my feet with the light on and preparing for a forcible eviction while the bedcrasher is almost under the blanket. Remember when I said there were 2 beds in the room? My wife was in the other one and she was about to make her presence known. She is an amazing lady who has put up with me for 40 years, raised 4 kids rarely raised her voice and never cursed or used vulgar language. I thought I had been pretty compelling when I told this nutjob to get the F out, but I was about to learn a new definition of compelling. Suddenly from behind me comes a command with the force of a howitzer. “DID YOU HEAR WHAT MY HUSBAND SAID - GET THE F*** OUT OF THIS ROOM NOW!” from my petite wife. Nutjob immediately responds to that as if he has been hit by a tazer. He jumps up onto his feet with a panicked look of pure fear, then looks quickly at me and says “ Dad??” to which I replied ( in a lower tone of voice) “Im not your Dad, now go”. He then turned and sprinted out the door, which I locked behind him. Mind you, i’m a veteran and still vividly remember my boot camp drill instructor Sgt. Livingston, USMC and I have worked in construction with rough men all my life who kicked and spit and cussed like sailors on a biker holiday but I had never heard anyone issue a more undeniable and powerful command as my wife just turned loose. As I sat down on my bed shaking my head, she had already rolled over and only asked if I had locked the door. “Good” was all she said when I answered that I had and then she was asleep. This should be the end of the story, but it is not. Awake at 4:30 AM, I reach for my I-Pad with a thought to check the time and turn off the 5:00 AM alarm I have set. But my Ipad is not there. A complete search confirms it is missing. The only logical conclusion is that the bedcrashing nutjob took it. Out of respect for Jose, I tell him the story and what I plan to do. I told him if my plan did not work or it got ugly he should call the local Policia. Those who have fished Mexico know there is a knock on your door every morning at 5 AM for wake up and hot coffee delivery. Instead of the shy lady who typically does that job, I brought the coffee and stood outside the cabin where Jose told me nutjob was. At 5 AM I heard the alarm on my Ipad go off playing “Hit The Road Jack” by Ray Charles. The sound was coming from inside the cabin. I set the coffee tray down knocked hard enough to wake everybody in there and just shy of permantly damaging the door while saying “That song you are hearing is from my Ipad - bring it to me - NOW”. Door opens, nutjob hands me the Ipad and I ask “ Why did you take my IPad?”. No response and the door closes. We ate breakfast and went fishing. We later learned that this guy who I have unkindly referred to as “nutjob” has a sleepwalking problem when he travels. For all the fears I hear expressed about going to Mexico, this is the worst and only bizarre or scary experience we have had in the 54 trips we have taken over the years - and it was from a gringo.

I am happy to provide unbiased assistance / information if your thinking about going. We have been very fortunate to be able to take tips for LM bass fishing in Mexico a lot this year. I have taken trips in November (El Salto), December (Bacarrac) and January (El Salto & Picachos). Lily has been with me on 2 of the 3 trips and I would not bring her there if it didn’t feel safe. These lakes are a fisherman’s Disneyland and will certainly spoil you.

That Snowden Jig is superb, as is the BA Finesse jig that Pigsticker sells. We just returned from 9 days fishing in several Mexican lakes and I’m sorry to admit that none of the jigs that I made was better than those 2 jigs. Picachos lake is jammed with trees and is Pitching heaven, something I rarely get to do in heavy cover. El Salto is a steeper and rockier lake and those jigs performed great there as well. Just so well balanced. Keep going Pigsticker!

1/4 oz. $25 per dzn shipped

El Salto Report November 7, 2017 Today is our second, of six days of fishing here. This is my 7th trip here in the past 3 years. I am fishing with my favorite partner, my wife of 40 years (a country girl who got this city boy interested in the sport). We have bass fished in Mexico, almost exclusively in the winter months, for the past 20 years at Huites, Baccarac, Guerrero, Picachos and El Salto. This is the first time we have fished in November. One of the first things that is obvious is that it is warmer, but the topwater bite has been better than it usually is in Jan & Feb. The lake is at its fullest this time of year; the rainy season having just ended with little irrigation demand. The rains weren't extremely heavy this year so the lake is at 70% We are up at 4:45 am and on the water at civil twilight, around 5:30, after breakfast. We have been doing well on popper baits, worked with short pulls, until the sun becomes a factor. With cloud cover it lasted until 8:30 today with very few, if any, short fish. Best this morning was a 6.67 followed by multiple 5’s and many feisty 3 - 4’s. Texas rigged green & green red 8” lizards were most successful after the topwater bite ended, though I did catch some fish on a white mag fluke and 6” green/red senko. Another first-time group caught 48 fish on a lipless crankbait this morning, though many were small. This is a lake that rewards very much according to your skill level. The guides will quickly assess what level you are at and are very instructive, to the degree you are willing to accept guidance. For instance, we caught very few shorts because we are able to cast to targets, fish deep & shallow and detect light bites. It is a great place to hone technique because you know the fish are there. With respect to size and number of fish expectations - always a controversial subject, you will need to decide for yourself what stories/reports to give full credence to. My advice is that if you want to be absolutely sure to catch a double digit fish, leave your scale at home. Having said that, if your prime motive is to have (very) strong fish on the end of the line there are many legitimate 3.5-6’ bass that, in my opinion, are the best size for pure sport. Getting here is easy, as there are direct flights to Mazatlan from several USA hubs including Dallas & Phoenix. We leave STL at 6 AM and are on the lake fishing by 2:30 PM. We always feel safe and have not had any problems with stomach bugs.

Justin Bateman is the Producer and Star of the show and the screenplay was written by a guy who worked at a LOZ resort as a teenager decades ago. The show liberally applies negative ignorant Hillbilly stereotypes to offset the "much smarter and sophisticated" big city folks. There is a funny but powerful message that these are Hillbillies NOT Rednecks. The book and movie "Winters Bone" is set much closer to TR and portrays rural poverty, family oriented organized crime & despair in a very powerful way. If you have not read the book or seen the movie, I highly recommend it. "Winters Bone" & "Ozark", give us a look at how much of the country, and the world for that matter, view us. I find it, at once, interesting and instructional - in that it illustrates how I need to be deeply suspicious of, or outright reject, the other media stereotypes we are regularly exposed to. In other words, it reinforces how full of s**t much of our media programming is. I need to turn off the idiot box and go fishing.

If you liked Breaking Bad you may also enjoy this 10 episode series, but the depiction of LOZ is hilarious. They show it as a sleepy & calm body of water, even less traffic than TR, lol. Turns out they filmed it mostly in Georgia at Altoona & Lanier. Makes me want to go spend some time there.