catman70

Crawdads tend to be their main forage in the streams. I like Chompers.

Bobber: Would you say that some sections of the river are "fishier" than others? If I understood your post; the upper stretch is more for the white water and views while the mid to lower sections tend to hold more fish. My brother is moving down here and I wanted to introduce him to the river. Thought we'd hike around the upper section and fish/float the mid section. Any suggestions on a 5-8 mile float? Thanks!

Flatheads don't roam the open water like the blues do, and are much more cover orientated. Also, flatheads prefer to eat living food as opposed to cut bait - they're more of an ambush predator than a scavenger. For flatheads you'll want to concentrate in the backs of coves with live shad or bluegill. Look for timber or good size rocks

I think they follow schools of shad and crappie around the lake. They come back into the coves from March till June, and I think the rest of the time they're out on the main lake. In the spring use live or cut shad or bluegill in cove channels 15-20' deep. The rest of the time it's a bit more tricky. Try drifting those same baits and large crawdads over shallow main lake points at night. If you have good electronics you can target the fish in open water below schools of baitfish, but I don't have good electronics.

No dice on that pic. It's permanently attached to the scrapbook. The fish's length is from my shoulders to the ground. It's as wide as my body. I'm 5'9" and 170lbs.

No problem. Let us know how you do.

Off my folk's dock in the back of a cove across from the Gravois Arm. We seem to be able to catch the big ones back there from March till June. I think they follow the schools of shad and crappie. I think this fish was between 30&40 lbs. Biggest one we figure would have gone 70 - that's why the name. I'll try to scan the photo and post it this afternoon or tomorrow morning so you can tell me what you think it would weigh.

They're holding in 10-20' of water - many still with eggs. This screwy spring has throw everything off and it seems like they're bedding very deep this year. I'd used 1/16oz jig heads with minnows, hula skirts or swimming minnows. Troll these around and between docks with your trolling motor until you find the fish, and then concentrate on a spot once you catch one. You'll want to focus on the backs of coves. It doesn't seem like the fish have moved to the points yet. Be careful out there this weekend! I think we'll be doing the majority of our fishing at night.

I think only hip waders, but you can go to Montauk's website, find the phone number and call to ask. They also rent rods.

Actually, Terry, the Amish are one of the loudest when it comes to complaining about high gas prices. You see, the Amish took over the media after WWII in return for their support of a Jewish state. All this media hype about gas prices and the benefits of ethanol are a conspiracy for the Amish to sell more corn at a higher margin. They've stayed away from fossil fuels not because of cultural beliefs (as most think), but because their prophets foretold of a time when hand-made goods and 100% organic foodstuffs would appeal to a growing "green" population. You'll note that the market for organic goods has grown by 20% each year over the last 10 years. A lot of people don't know this, and probably wouldn't believe you if you told them.

Was thinking about trying to catch a muskie this weekend in between rain showers. Seems like ideal conditions, anyway. Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on specific baits. In general I've heard large stickbaits or bucktails in black.

I'm don't mean to argue in favor of high gas prices, but the size of the industry (as well as taxes) be taken into account. Did you know that you pay roughly $1 in taxes to the state and US for each gallon pumped? Therefore, tax revenue from gas was higher that the profit the oil companies received. Also, the size of the initial investment is directly proportional to the amount of revenue and profit seen from that investment. That is why profit margins are taken into account when determining the profitability of an endevor. I've included this chart so that you can see the other industries that are more profitable than oil.

They're advancing technology that allows one to make ethanol from the husks and stalks of corn. The problem (other than the subsidies) is that it takes roughly 5 gallons of fresh water to make one gallon of ethanol. If I'm not mistaken, one the the major controversies over the proposed ethanol plant East of Springfield is its affect on the water table. As for supply shortages: Do you know how many oil refineries have been built in the U.S. in the past 10 years? 0 Last 20? 0 There hasn't been a new refinery built in the U.S. since 1976 – over 30 years ago. I think it's amazing that the price is as low as it is. If you think raising taxes on these companies will somehow help, think again. You want cheaper gas? Reduce regulations and put tax incentives in place for the construction of new refineries. My 2 cents anyway.

Isn't it grabbing season? I don't know too much about it, but folks use secial hooks to snag spawning suckers. Someone may know more.

The crappie weren't too hot for us this weekend on the lower lake (6 mm). Caught one here and one there, but no numbers using Yo-Zuri jerks and swimming minnows. Did catch a couple dozen bass in the 1-2lbs size around docks with silver jerks. Most others I saw were using jigs, but none seemed to be tearing them up. Also, caught a 40lbs. blue on cut bait in about 14' of water.

Doubt it, unless you have a spinner bait that looks and smells like cut bait. You'd have to work it real slow, though. I thin those blues follow schools of crappie and shad back into the coves from the main lake in the spring, and then back out when the water warms. Don't forget to clean the boat out real well, what with our new zebra mussels and all.

Lake of the Ozarks, unlike another impoundment of similar size in MO, is a privately held lake. Current and Jack's Fork are federally owned. this is why landowners can have private docks. I don't think there should be restrictions to promote fishing - only when safety becomes an issue, and some may argue that it is already. Everyone must have an outlet for their recreationla desires. there are many other fishing opportunities in the immediate vicinity, not to mention state-wide. I'd like to see the ocean vessels leave as much as the next guy, but I'm more against government regulations and empowerment.

That's great news CMAC. I'm headed down this weekend to see if I can't fill my limit. Usually this time of year we can catch Blues between 40 and 70lbs that begin to migrate to the backs of coves and the warmer water that is there. I'll let you know how I do.

I backed my truck up along side of my house to gather leaves and accidently ran over my neighbor's strom drain vent. It broke, and when I went to look at the damage I noticed the drain was filled with motor oil. I believe the water that would normally accumulate in it drains directly into Galloway Creek - a few blocks to the South. It is my intent to suggest he clean it up, but what should I do if he refuses or just gives lip service?

"If people made good decisions and didn't draw attention to themselves when they were drinking the laws wouldn't have to be changed. As far as drugs are concerned, zero tolerance!" Alcohol is a drug just like pot, cocaine, viagria and asprin. What makes it a controlled substance or not is strictly cultural. There is nothing innately evil about any of these, and most illegal drugs were used for medicinal pruposes at one time. It's the people that use the drugs (particularly in a habitual manner) who are to blame for any problems associated with any of them.

I agree with Al, and (in general) for limiting the amount of drugs on the river. However, as a philosophical matter, we're taking away the guns from law-abiding people to curb gun violence. It's not the drugs that cause the bad behavior, it's the people taking the drugs that are the problem. I understand the difficulty in trying to convict someone based on their actions without physical evidence. It would take a lot more enforcement and some of the privacy we find on the river would be lost. Don't know what the solution is, but thought I'd point this out.

Water is too warm - less dissolved oxygen. Muskie can tolerate water 10-15 degrees higher than pike, but pike grow more quickly. That's why they stock Tiger Muskie. They get the rapid growth of a pike but the higher temperature tolerance of a Muskie. Don't know why it is they flourish in Pomme and Fellows but can't in Stockton. Might have been an administrative decision.

FYI: No more foam coolers either. Don't know why you would buy a foam cooler for a float. Maybe some folks get to the river only to find out that their cooler has to have a latch of some sort and go for the easiest/quickest option.

A buddy of mine and I fished it late yesterday afternoon and last night. Saw some good sized black bass, but could get them to take anything. Caught two chunky trout on a small jerk bait. No whites or walleye to be had or seen though.

Maybe a little, but not too bad. If you take out at Dawt you'll miss the opportunity to catch spring runs of fish. The trouble would not be slack water, but a headwind if there is one. Either way, watch out for Dawt mill dam.