willyfish

That place should have cameras set up, they have enough business come through there. In the end the only way its going to stop is if you empty the boat every night. I feel for ya Vernon it sucks.

My friend has the best shirt in the world. It says "shut up and fish".

darn I would of bought one. I'll be down in a month, would of met you with cash in hand.

I had a group of five river otters about 20 yards from me in little aunts. They had there heads sticking out of the water just looking at me, pretty neat. Then they went under and popped up again about 50 yards. They were probably as curious of me as I was them.

Seriously folks, reread this post. This type of info is what this lake is about in the summer.

My advice about fishing in the month of September is don't do it. I think its the toughest month of the year to catch fish.

This topic has come up a lot, every year to be exact. This lake is full of fish no doubt. Would the fishing be better without all these tournaments? Is the spawn affected by relocating spawning fish? In my mind the answers are yes and yes, there is no way around it. The fact of the matter is it isn't going to change, its economics. These tournaments bring to much money to the area there being held whether its Kimberling, Branson, Guntersville, and so on. I think as an angler its just something you have to adjust to and learn from. Fishing is about "finding" them we just have to learn to find better.

One of the best topics I have ever seen on this forum. great suggestions. I agree the most important thing is to let him call the shots. Give him direction but let him dictate where the day goes. The equipment choices are dead on and from going to hundreds of little league games I've seen some pretty big 13 year olds, the 6'6 might be perfect. Take him to the store and let him hold a few different lengths of rods, making sure the reel is attached for a true balance. Let him get a feel for it.

That is really as good as it gets. I need to get my little nephew down there to experience it.

The key phrase is "should head straight for the bushes"

Tie on a topwater, I like a spook, and throw it shallow and out deep. Depending on the weather you'll figure out pretty quick if that's what you should be doing. With the lake coming up and the area your in these fish should head straight for the bushes in some dirtier water. Jig, spinnerbait, maybe a squarebill should all work. Good luck

Now I have an idea what my 2 fish weighed, same length I think and both postspawn. Thanks fellas

That is awesome and the version of that song rocks, who is it?

We used to go down there and stay in the Big Creek arm. I caught my first jerkbait fish there and finished 3rd in a little club tourney when I was around 13. The guy driving the boat won the thing. I have free lodging at the Rock so we haven't been down in a while. It's my favorite lake hands down and I remember times when you wouldn't even see another boat. I know when Palaniuk won down there all the pros said it was just incredible. I love the Rock but that place is on another level and I'm dying to get back to it. Please curb your enthusiasm Mr. Babler.

I agree with you Alex, I just fish new water now. With the amount of pressure on the lake I try to fish the stuff that doesn't "look" good. I think it makes you a better fisherman in the long run and allows you to use your imagination more by thinking about what's under the water.

I caught these on a Pigsticker jig with a twin tail trailer May 7-10. One in I'm guessing 8 ft. and the other around 20 ft. I really don't have any pointers, everyone on here can fish and knows the lake better than me. The only thing I'll say is fish new water, even stuff that doesn't look real "fishy". It's worked for me my last few trips.

Hope these pictures take, was having a little trouble. Any guesses on the weights? They were both way over my 19inch board.

when it says you are not allowed to use that image extension on this community, are my pics to big?

That's what fishing trips are all about. Telling jokes, old stories and enjoying the company of your crew mates. We owe it all to those fish really.

When I get home I'll try to post pics . I caught another one I'm guessing 6 lbs, looked to be about 24 inches laying on a 19 inch board. Across from Oswalt bluff down from point 9 was the spot this time. She was in 20 ft of water and had me around a tree for a second, jig and pbj trailer. These are the 2 biggest fish I've ever caught, excited to say the least.

Fellas my buddy tried to upload the photo for me but couldn't figure it out. Then he tried to be funny and wrote that. I did catch them pretty good on a pigsticker jig with a twin tail trailer. Caught the big one about 5:30 in the James about a mile down from Piney. Trying to figure this out was hoping you guys would take a guess at the weight. Took some pics and put momma back in the water.

He's drunk seriously. Thanks for the help

I'm a liar and a lousy fisherman

How do I post a photo , caught my biggest ever today on a jig. 19 inch board way over that. People are saying 7 or 8 but it's spawned out