nomolites

I still see whites, striper, and hybrid surface activity although I will agree and say it is not what it once was - I have attributed that as much to boat traffic as anything. I do not keep many whites but I don’t recall seeing many “mutts” as you call them and I catch hundreds a year from the Gravi and lower end; but that last photo IS interesting - you sure you didn’t pick that fish up after it has been floating for a day or so? 😉 I will say this, I will be looking more closely at the whites I catch this year and rest assured that I am doing my part as ❤️ me some hybrids and harvest and eat a good number every year from the Gravi. Those stripers should be in the 22” range this year and will be more fun to catch but I intend to continue letting them grow to adult gizzard eating size before I put any in my freezer. Mike

I fish for stripers in LOZ a LOT and it seems they are stocking more stripers than hybrids recently...like BH I like them both in addition to whites and other native species. LOZ has a seemingly unending supply of shad hence the great fishery she is; can’t see as they have made much of a dent in them - I personally believe they help keep the gizzard shad in check where the LM and Blue Cats alone can’t. The overall mild winters and lack of shad kills also has the baitfish booming. I know the hybrids and stripers will run up river in a false spawn but I have seen no indication of success - how are you IDing the progeny fish? I would believe a striper male being capable over a hybrid male...but both are supposed to be shootin’ blanks. Mike

Thanks for sharing-was curious how fast you were trolling. Used to catch them the hard way from the Mississippi but you have that deal down! I hope that mud doesn’t make it down to the lower end... Mike

Unfortunately just cuz we can see them doesn’t mean we can catch them. That said, I think good electronics make a big difference; as Zara says with SI, DI, and 2D views of one spot you can pretty much ID a fish return - learning to read what species of fish you are seeing and their mood is next. Certain returns on the 998c get me really excited...kind of like one of Pavlov’s dogs.... Mike

My policy has a valuation associated with “contents” which includes tackle/electronics and is adjustable. Good idea to have photos and a list should they ever be needed... BTW-I would not dream of operating somewhere like LOZ w/o coverage; as the song says people are crazy, and just to confirm I see it most times out... Mike

I travel 2-3 wks/mo for my job and am knocking on some serious wood here... Mike

I don’t believe anyone is zero, although my picks are sure trying...🙄 Mike

If you want clear water mid way in the creeks is the best place to find it; pretty good stain up and down everywhere I was last week. Mike

Si is a game changer - look out fish! Mike

ConorSixta and I bass fished the north side of Soap Creek Saturday and the crappie were scattered all over the first large shallow flat toward the back on that side...lots of guys fishing below it but it would have been easy pickin there with the float and jig rig. I caught a couple good ones on the jerk bait before moving on. ConorSixta had the only decent bass of the day below that on that dang a rig. Mike

25 is a good sack anytime. Have seen a few 8s but none of the 9s I hear about this time of year - they are definitely in there. Mike

I catch lots of whites and crappie in 45 degree water...don’t do much good on walleye and stripers until 65+. Mike

I mostly fish LOZ but usually whites and crappie can be caught easily trolling once the water starts warming in the upper ends of the creeks. They will suspend and feed in the upper basins on the way in and out of their spawning areas. I usually don’t do well trolling for walleye until after they finish spawning. Mike

Correct. They were a bit cheaper a few years back..

I run 2 series 31 AGM batteries with my Ulterra and a 27 AGM cranker; have never run low on juice with them and that’s why I run them. Just had to flip a switch on my MK charger when I went from wet to AGM. I bought my batteries at a wholesale club for a good price and have not been disappointed. Mike

AFGC did as well...do a search for last year. Mike

Driftmaster Pros. If you go this route make sure to order reverse thread for your port side mounts and you will have no worries even with a 50# Blue Cat or 30# Striper trying to steal your gear. They have numerous angles and duals - I run neutrals on each side and angled in the front(boards)and rear. Easily removed and stowed. Mike

Most stock props are marginal at best unless you upgrade from the start; if you appreciate good performance you won’t be sorry to invest in a spec’d prop for your rig - what works for one may not work as well(or at all) for the next due to boat weight, design, or boater needs. I run a lower pitched larger prop on my rig(and love it) so I can maintain good lift and control on Lake of the Ocean but I give up top end speed - an excellent trade off for me. Mike

Looks like I fantasy tournament fish about the same as on the water.......not so well. Mike

This is what I do, but after a few actual vs map comparisons. Mike

If you want to fish Udall or Tecumseh area you would be better off trailering...38 miles from Quarry to Udall and a couple more up to Tecumseh. Agree if you want walleye that would be the best bet, some hybrids and stripers may run up for a false spawn too depending on weather. Mike

They are less sensitive to boats, but fishing docks in rough water can be a losing proposition - for the finish on your boat for sure. That doesn’t mean you can go clanking around and not spook the fish though. I am no professional biologist but my observation is LOZ is simply more fertile than some others and sustains a larger population of forage and therefore healthy predator fish as well. I have been on all of the major reservoirs in the Ozarks and the difference there is it is hard to find a place on LOZ without shad, but finding those quality fish is more about locating the RIGHT forage at the right time and place. They have plenty to eat, catching them is connecting the dots. Mike

X2

I would also add that there is a full moon 03/31 and there could be a night bite for walleye and stripers in the dam area...again wind blown banks with a mix of rock. Mike

I have fished that area in warm months but not that early in the year. There should be catchable fish but Norfork likes to make you work a bit; I would definitely be prospecting in wind blown pockets and banks....find the shad and game fish won’t be too far away. I would start farther back in Big Creek looking for baitfish. Maybe have a few size spoons tied on for sure, grubs, and bottom bouncers for walleye. If the shad are shallow in open water I would troll cranks with a couple out on planers...be open to whatever you find. There could be warmer colored up water back there that can be good near the transition to clear. For crappie trolling/strollingin those areas may be the best bet, but on that lake you best be prepared and have the drag very light - you never know and there are lots of hybrids and stripers about. Mike