Travis Swift

I have a 1989 Ranger 360V for sale. Don't let the year fool you it's in very good shape. It is one of the best hulls ever built and is extremely solid. NO weak spots in the floor or transom or anything. Garage Kept. 1989 150 HP Mercury Motor 24 volt foot control trolling motor Recessed Trolling Motor Tray Extended Flipping Deck Lowrance Down imaging at the front Lowrance Down imaging with GPS on the console 24p Mercury Trophy Prop Swimming/Safety Ladder New Spare Tire (other tires are in good shape) New Wheel Bearings replaced last year Custom Cover New Lower End Unit with less than 10 hours on it. This is a very good solid boat and motor. I simply want to down size back to an aluminum boat. This boat is located in the Wichita KS area. $8000 or willing to possibly trade for a Tracker or other Aluminum Bass Boat call or text 316-640-2645 or email swiftcustombaits@gmail.com

It was great to finally meet the great Phil Lilley. Ironically the day we were able to put the name with the face Phil had just brought back to the dock his huge rainbow so we were able to see it in person. What a beautiful fish. It was also great to put a name with the face of Duane Doty. Let me tell you folks there isn't a nicer more helpful guy around. Lilleys boats were top notch as always and they go out of their way to help you catch fish. I had couple guys in our boat that had never trout fished before so we had them watch some of Phil's youtube video's before coming down to see his jig technique. It paid off big time, one of the guys first ever rainbow was about 18 inches, he followed that up later with a 20 inch brown. Thanks to both Duane and Phil both for the great hospitality, even though we weren't staying at the resort this trip we were treated great by everyone we encountered. Can't wait to stop in and see these guys in about 6 weeks and stock up on some more of their jigs! Travis Swift

The only times I've seen Taney "muddy" is when Branson or the lake gets a very hard rain and water runs in from the various creeks, the water generating or water coming over the flood gates actually flushes that muddy water out.

I don't think it will be muddy at all, that's fairly clear water coming over the dam. However with the water running that hard it will stir up plenty of sediment off the bottom. If you going to throw jerkbaits like bass fishing I think 6 pound line is plenty fine, jigs I would throw 4 or 2. That much running water in my opinion allows you to step up your line size one size and if there is cloud cover or any kind of chop on the water that helps a lot also. I throw 6 on my jerkbaits all the time and 2 on my jigs 90% of the time whether there is water running or not. On a sunny day with no chop i usually add a 7x tippet of fluorocarbon to my 2 pound test. Just my 2 cents. Good luck this weekend.

I'm not Phil or near as smart as him but from Kansas looking at the data, being the fact that they are talking quite a bit more rain and the fact that beaver is really full and will need to release some water I am headed down this weekend with the idea they will keep doing this for several more days would be my guess.

Phil watched your awesome video from today I'm assuming in that running water at the dam that you can get away with stepping up to the 4 pound line?

oh my that sounds like naughty time

Enjoy the good life for a week my friend. No finer place in the world for fun and relaxation than Taneycomo and no finer place to stay than Lilleys.

I have the chance to purchase an 18 foot Shawnee boat, it's been damaged but I would like to get it for a project boat. The problem is, it doesn't have a trailer. A new trailer for it is $1800 from the factory. What are the chances of finding a used trailer for it? How much would a used 20 hp motor be?

I have the chance to purchase an 18 foot Shawnee boat, it's been damaged but I would like to get it for a project boat. The problem is, it doesn't have a trailer. A new trailer for it is $1800 from the factory. What are the chances of finding a used trailer for it? How much would a used 20 hp motor be?

i will piggy back this report if that is okay. We ran down for a fast weekend mainly to take the little one to Silver Dollar City. I needed a Taney fix and since Phil was booked (it was a last minute trip) I grabbed a room at Trout Hollow. Saturday morning I fished for about an hour and 45 minutes and caught 31 fish from the dock. The majority were on a trout magnet and float combo 6 foot deep. 2 pound test with a 7x tippet tied on. The biggest rainbow was a pretty 18 inch fish. I threw a 3/32nd ounce white jig some as well and caught a handful on it including a 19 inch fat brown. Sunday morning I ran down for an hour and a half off the dock before we left and caught 17 rainbows so it was a lot slower. Caught all them on the Trout Magnet and float combo 5 to 6 foot deep. didn't seem to matter what color magnet I threw either. Tons of fishing were midging each morning from Short Creek to the old River lake dock. Will be back on Taney in 60 days for a much longer period and can't wait! Travis

Now he just culled out a dink for a 5 pounda

What are you using for the wire guard? Size etc

I looked today and I think I can make them for about $.60 each for the big ones, I can make the smaller road runners for about $.27 each. I usually make 500 to 1000 at a time in the winter when I do it.

The secret to any home made horse head is to keep the crane swivel free of paint. If anyone is pouring these yourself like I am I will give you a tip. fill up a cup to the brim with water, I heat my heads with a torch then once they are hot enough dip just the tip of that crane swivel into the water for 1 second, you will hear a hiss sound and it will cool that swivel off just enough that when you dip it into the power paint it won't coat the swivel and there you have a perfectly clean free spinning crane swivel. I make hundreds of horse heads every year for family and friends and just found this trip a year or so ago. Hopefully that will help someone out. You will notice in my picture how clean my crane swivels are, heck they are way more clean than Blakemore's are even. Just a side note I don't sell my horse heads and neither should anyone else, they are patented and you will get a nasty gram.

I went and bought the size of Willow leaf's he was using during the classic on my lunch break. They aren't cheap! The other part was the swivel he said he used and those are outrageous and I mean outrageous so I'm gonna try to stick to my cheap crane swivels and I have a sneaking suspicion they will work just fine

Remember the Road Runner slogan is..."you can't fish it wrong as long as you fish it slow" sample principal applies whether it's a 1/8th ounce marabou or a 3/8th with a fluke

Thank you. Its gonna snow this weekend here in Kansas so I'm gonna make some up with the proper size spinners etc just for something to do.

I poured some last night in 3/8 just like he was using. Just grabbed whatever spinner I had on hand for a picture, probably pour some more this weekend with bigger spinners

What are some good economical priced waders for fishing Taneycomo once or twice a year? I know nothing about them, do I want neoprene or something else? Should I buy the ones that already have boots built in or stocking foot and buy the boots separate? I'm talking about using them maybe 3 times per year max so I don't want to spend a fortune but want something that will last. Would prefer to purchase at Cabelas or Academy Sports. Suggestions please?

thanks for the info. are you saying you like that mustad hook then?

Dave I have poured some with the Gammy's and I like them but hate the price. So I started pouring with a Matzou Sickle Hook. I love the price and they are sharp but they tend to break when hung up. I haven't had one break on a fish yet but I have a bunch on rocks and trees. Today I bought some Mustad 32833BLN . The price is good on them and they seem strong. I use a #2 in all my hooks. I don't sell mine, just use them for fun. Can you tell me about the Mustad? I'm sure you've tried it. Do you like it and do you like the #2 size or are you using a #4?

I'm hell bent I'm going to try it for trout this summer on the bluff across from Lilleys. I would think some big browns would eat it up. I know Ned catches rainbow's on in Kansas in the winter. Its not legal above fall creek but might be good down stream for brownies.

I'm not taking words out of Dave's mouth but anytime I modify my molds it's with a dremel tool.

Dave I know you pour your own. I do as well, I use the Do It worm nose jig mold with the screw lock but don't use the screw lock because it's not good with Elaztech. Anyhow how did you add the weed guard? Did you just smash one into your mold?