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If memory serves...it wasn't a restrictive trophy area yet either. All baits and lures were allowed too.

Nice fish QB. That was a toad in the rod pic huh ?

Good report Phil. Coming back on Saturday with my dad...weather permitting. Hope they bite as well as they did for me this last Saturday !

Hey Dutch....how did you wind up doing at Stockton ? Was gonna go but went south instead.

Never met Phil....but from what I've read on here he seems to be an awfully nice guy !

Put the boat in at the Branson Campground around 11:30. Looked like the water was moving pretty good and a quick phone call confirmed 3 units on line. Decided to just float on down from here. Drifted by Turkey Creek and saw lots of fish on the graph close to the bottom. Threw the anchor out and set 2 rods with Powerbait. Chartruese on one and pink on the other. Had enough weight to hold the bait to the bottom and was able to land 8 within 30-45 minutes. All but one were worthy of a frying pan but were released instead. Pulled anchor and drifted on down towards the twin bridges throwing a gold Cleo and hooked up with 2 on back to back cast as the bridges passed overhead. Pushed back up against the current for another pass and caught 3 more. Funny thing is....no strikes down along the Landing with a Cleo.....only around the bridge piers. Usually works the other way around for me. Day was getting away so anchored again but upstream a tad from the bridges and put out the same rods with power bait. Caught 4 more before heading in as the sunset was fading fast. Great day for a late start and not having to travel very far to find fish. Good luck to all.

Went to that link abk. Gotta lot of stuff for sure. Do you have one of these rods ?

What an awesome day you had Bill. Wish I was there !!

Don't see how Stockton could possibly provide Springfield AND Joplin with water and not be strained during the hot dry summer months. Joplin would be better off to pull from Grand Lake wouldn't it ?

I'll head for a dock in a bad storm if needed but I stay in the boat. Figure if they are watching me and don't see me walking around then I'm not looking to steal or casing the place. Never been told to pull out and leave either. I think most owners see you just hiding from the lightening.

Merry Christmas to all as well.

Nice smallie indeed !

I've made a few too Ham. Hard putting your money down then getting to the lake and not liking what the rod is or isnt doing.

Old plug......I understand the rod tip to floor demo but what I'm asking is why on some rods there isn't some sort of labeling indicating the gravite content (so to speak ) or the sensitivity "factor". What you are describing is the action or flex of the rod which is important in how you plan on using it or what you're throwing. Does to me anyway. But I find it equally important that a rods gravite and/or composition content is such that I feel everything I can when fishing on the bottom or jigging. Doesn't matter as much on a crank ing type bait where they are more likely to hook themselves. Just my own thoughts.

Oops.....abkeenan....was trying to reply to your comment.....messed it up ! I just got back from bps and was looking at the falcon bucoo rod. I must be old school but how does one tell the sensitivity of such rod when there is no notation on it ? I'm used to seeing an IM rating on rods....or is that only on cheaper ones ? Did like that falcon though....

I will have to back you up Champ and abkeenan. Have an ugly stick lite that is great for throwing cranks and spinnerbaits what with the mix of gravite/fiberglass. But the same rod to try and fish a bottom bait and detect a slight tick or bump.....forget it ! I do like my shimano clarus in 6'8"" med/hvy.for throwing jigs though....but I am planning on an additional "upgrade" this spring. Never owned a falcon but seems to be a somewhat favored rods for a few on here so I'll definitely check them out !

Good information indeed. Sorta gettin' the Falcon bug now. But as was mentioned.....the shimano clarus is a very good rod for the money.

Good information indeed. Sorta gettin' the Falcon bug now. But as was mentioned.....the shimano clarus is a very good rod for the money.

Forgot to add......for the money the shimanos are awesome rods. Their IM8 blanks are super sensitive. Still have one from the mid 80's when BPS was "small". Still use it and pray nothing happens to it.....its like an old friend. Wanna replace it with a River Fork this spring....put it up for prosperity.

I agree ham. Feels like you're flicking the bait with a short rod. Prefer 6 1/2 ft plus myself.

Never used a med light for bass. Would be a good choice for small bait presentation but I tend to go "big" baits and big hook sets.....can't help myself ! All my baitcasters are 6 1/2 to 7 footers and med hvy actions. Have one cheaper spinning rod that's med action and IM 6 gravite......good backbone and not bad on sensitivity but wanna go IM 8 with a Shimano Clarus. Have that rod in bait cast.....awesome !!! Like a fast tip but don't want so much bending 2/3rds down the blank.

Wanting a newer spinning rod soon. Have a cheap 6 1/2 ft med action but wanting a Shimano Clarus. Looking at a 6'8" in med or med hvy. Like throwing 4 inch tubes...craws...chompers....with 10 lbs line. Thinking a med would be too light for my big hook sets but the med hvy too stiff to cast easily. Anybody wanna weigh in on their preferences ?

Wow....how'd we ever manage to catch anything in the days before electronics ?? Use mine for depth and to see if anything around. Haven't figured out the " make 'em bite " mode on my graph yet. Seems all the bells and whistles takes some of the fun out of it for me. Figure if I catch one it was because I presented something that enticed him to bite. Maybe I'm old school........

Was an weird weather day huh ?