Browning Guy

Fishing seemed o.k., but your choice in fishing partner was without question........ bad. Next time go with YOUR instincts and tell "little jasper" you will be the guide. I suspect you will see better fishing. Phone call coming in 5, 4, 3, 2.................

Vernon, $70,000 on a 521? They only quoted me $69,300. No PFD's, but not $70,000 either!!!! RockChalk by the way. Spent many semi-lucent Saturday mornings at Naismith, Oliver, Ellsworth and some studying as a student. $85 for student season tickets to Basketball and Football when I went. Yes, KU had/has a football team for those who didn't know. Bought two Mustangs last night after reading your post. Now if I can just get my wife to fish with me again. Will have a new 521 before I retire. Was down there a month ago watching them build one. They're nice. Congrats.

A lot of trees in that bend. Good thing the lake is up a bit or you might have got to see a ski boat wreck.

Once again our wives are there for us. Glad to hear everything is o.k. now. I've been fishing TR for 40 years now and have NEVER seen the tuna rig boats, wake board boats and general all around fools who run them like this year. This past weekend, had a wakeboard boat pass between our dock and no wake buoy TWICE. Our kids were on the dock fishing and my little girl fell and hurt her wrist when the waves hit the dock. Wish they would keep the stupidity and 40' boats on LOZ or the ocean where they belong. Thankfully you had a fishing partner with you to help out. Have been thinking of getting a inflatable vest for awhile now and your story will be sending me to the store. Thanks for sharing.

Something that has worked for me in the past is to reduce the water amount in the livewell. Place the weigh-in bag (with some water) into the livewell over the fish and then start pulling them out and slipping them into the bag while your partner holds the bag closed in between. They still try to come out, but can't get the momentum needed to "complete the full escape" with less water and a bag on top of them.

Sworn to secrecy........ on what he caught his on, but me? 1/16th oz jig head Bobby Garland Baby Shad in purple mist in 15'-18' suspended over 28' in the tree tops on the steeper banks between pt. 12 and 13 on the James. We could see them on the graph, but caught very few on other colors in the baby until I put on the purple mist with purple head jig and they liked it. I think they must have been able to see it better as the water was a mix of brown and green with visibility of 2'-3' at best. Watched a lot of people wake boarding and skiing and thought...... yuk. I wouldn't swim in the James river if you paid me. Not the water color I grew up with down here. One note of interest. If you are throwing them back, bring them up slowly after hook up and be sure and get them back quickly. so they can get back down. The first one (fish pictured and kept in livewell for photos) we caught was out of the water longer than we like and it had difficulty getting down. Air bladder most likely as he wasn't hooked deep. As the summer progresses and the drop shot in 20-30 ft of water picks up...... bring them up slow and get them back fast as a reminder.

Gotta love it when they start beating you like a drum. 15 1/2" on a golden rule. Not his record crappie, but close. But I caught two more than he did. Had to stop when the ocean waves picked up. Guess we will need to get out at 4 a.m. next time. The 18 we caught were all released to fight another day. Too hot to clean fish.

Credibility on the one issue will come when his ties and hats are made over here...........until then. Pradco has made a lot of good baits over the years and in today's competitive world it has to be difficult to stay afloat. They should start asking $19 each for the N's and come up with a different snazzy name, paint schemes and change the packaging.............. I believe Pradco/Rebel made the Wee R, Deep Wee R, Suspending Wee R, little Wee R back in the 70's. The perch and crawdad colors were killers for a long time on TR. I still have 30 or so of the suspending Wee R's in the packages, but had forgotten about them over the years. Need to dust them off and put them to use next spring.

Thinking again of the 3 fish limit possibility. A good compromise that doesn't cost a dime. I have witnessed bed fisherman pull 2 pounders off the beds "to fill the limit" only to finish in 40th place. I used to do the same in my younger days, but have since changed my thoughts. Tournament organizations all over the U.S. could advertise they are becoming more conservation minded and use the 3 fish limit to their advantage for exposure and to increase awareness of taking care of our resources. We don't need government intervention....just 4 or 5 larger market tournament organizations to take the lead.

What if.................I've always questioned having a 5 bass limit (suspect it's for the cameras) at tournaments. Some are 6 fish and I've read on this forum some "company" tournaments are 10 fish. Maybe a 3 fish limit would be a good compromise for tournaments and could be seriously considered. It might not do the 3 in the livewell any good to be hauled around all day, but the two released fish that were released might fair better. I like fishing tournaments from time to time, but realize the fish population is getting thumped with all of the tournaments.

Noticed from Thompson, Piney and up to at least Wooley on the James, the water is green and in areas has the reddish brown color on top. 12" to 18" visibility, but quickly getting the summer green/brown look I wouldn't want to swim in. The fishing? Fair, but scattered bites for me on the fluke on the cloudy days, nothing on the ned worth reporting, still haven't seen very many nests, but they could be out deeper. Usually, by now, we see fry around the walkway of the dock. None yet. Scattered fish pushing shad on top over deeper water. Water temp was 64-65 last week. Very little if any color (run off) in the backs of the coves or pockets. A true pattern for this time of year still hadn't developed yet for me. One here, one there. My 10 year old did catch a very nice walleye on an underspin in the middle of a large deep pocket and had several 14" spots. Keepers have been hard to come by.

Steve, Sorry to hear of your trouble. Knowing Sheri and Darrell for many years and having stayed at Pla-Port a number of times, I can attest to the good those two have in their hearts. No doubt hard working folks who take care of people. Jim Reeves

I think little man is telling you he wants "this one" to chew on.

I hooked it, the six year old reeled in (kinda) and the 10 year old netted it. Nearly lost a Falcon rod and Chronarch along with the six year old into Tablerock, but laughed the entire time. The photo doesn't show it, but the fish weighed 7 and three other nice keepers on a wart. All were released unharmed (other than being slightly traumatized by the six year old). The bite was extremely light with all. Water temp by late p.m. was pushing 55.

Spent several years growing up at Devils. Was by there not too long ago and noticed the old tractor was still there. When the fishing stunk, Jeff and I are the same age and used arrowhead hunt in the spring when Tablerock used to get down to 900. JD always said the Kings had to "have a good flush" before the whites would move up the Kings. Didn't know how good I had it growing up back then. JD was a full blown character.

I shouldn't complain too much about the Corp and high water. They were kind enough to approve a set of concrete stairs to be built (back when the lake level was drawn down to 900), To their specifications of course, railing, width, etc. As I grow older the stairs are becoming much more appreciated. Interesting side note..... at 935 ish, the dock walk way was right at the bottom of the block wall in the photo.

Careful, I know where you live. I may have to share your secret bait with all of OA.com. Work is subjective. Check out dad's house. The water had dropped 3' before I took this photo last Saturday. Still 2' below the record, but man the water was close. A new twist on "lake front property".

910'? Should I hold my breath? Maybe a better question would be.... should those living below the dam hold their breath? Never mind, answered my own question. Just think.... if TR had been drawn down to 905-908 like "the old days", maybe millions of dollars of damage could have been avoided AGAIN. Reactive vs. Proactive

R U kidding? That's half the fun. Wonder how many divorces have started on ramps? Watched a fist fight nearly break out between two small tuna rig owners at Mill Creek one time. When the fishing stinks, pack a lunch, sunbrella, lawn chair, cooler full of cold refreshments, set up shop and watch reality at the ramp. Extra bonus if you see the owner wade out up to his neck to get his boat on and off the trailer in a 15-20 mph southerly. Might make for a good t.v. show.

The last paragraph from "skeeters" COE link states: Table Rock Lake is being operated during flood periods in conjunction with other lakes in the basin to prevent damages along the White and lower Mississippi Rivers. Since May 1957 flood reduction in the White River has resulted from the combined effect of the Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Norfork Lakes, with Beaver Lake effecting regulation since 1964." The key portion maybe "to prevent damages along the White and lower Mississippi Rivers". It would be interesting to know what the economic impact has been over the last 4 major floods due to the COE keeping Ozark lakes at and above normal pools in the fall, winter and early spring. They just announced the Alton, Missouri area levee (Mississippi) has breached. Out of curiosity......what effect has the water being forced from the white river system into the Mississippi caused a portion (upstream) of Alton's breach? Skeeter - a great link and observation to add to the discussion.

There was a time that the lake would be drawn down in the fall and winter for anticipation of spring rains. Many of you will remember the early 90's (maybe) when the lake was down 903'. Early 80's (maybe late 70's) 895' ish one winter. What changed the COE thought process of keeping the lake at 915 to 917 this time of year? Is it the massive community docks not being able to withstand winter draw down in smaller coves and creeks? For example, look at Buzzard Hollow up the James, if they were to draw the lake down to 905' the two community docks sitting across from one another at the mouth would nearly touch each other and make it difficult for boats to get into Buzzard. Is the COE wanting to hold more water to sell more electricity? Is it the skiers and wakeboarders who don't like to see what they are going over the top of? If flood control is the main purpose of the COE the last 8 years has proven ineffective. Just ask those downstream. Being serious, what reason does the COE not draw the lake down anymore?

Was on TR this weekend. I witnessed complete chaos once again. Been fishing TR for 40 years and it's out of control. A friend who lives in Schooner told me it was disgraceful what is happening on that part of the lake. Still confused why people feel the need to own a 40' ocean going cruiser with the little radar thingy going around in circles on top of the captains deck. My wife and I were sitting on the dock Sunday afternoon and we watched a tuna rig pulling three on a tube cut in front of another boat coming from behind. If the oncoming boat hadn't slowed, he would have ran right over the top of the tubers. The good news is that the weather is changing and the chaos will subside and let the fisherman and dock owners have some peace.

@OldPlug...... You state - "You see you do not own the lake just like up here at LOZ. You cannot prevent anyone from being that close to your dock. It does not bother me a bit if people fish my dock all they want. You won't find any reference where I mention in my original thread that I'm complaining about someone fishing the dock or I own the lake? I could care less and more importantly, I have no say in people fishing around the dock. With that said, I have had people tie up to the dock, get out on it and fish and make themselves at home. That I do have a problem with because these same people will be the first to file a law suit if they stub their toe. If a storm is coming through and you need safe harbor, by all means pull in and protect yourself. Come up to the house, tell me what you're doing and I will probably offer you a cold drink. I have taken the means provided to me via the Corp of Engineers to "Take control of the things you can." by paying for a no wake buoy to try to help my situation. If I were to run within 30 feet of a guide with clients fishing, I suspect they would be angry. Do I have a right to run close to the guide and client? Yes, but that would be disrespectful. My point is that we can all enjoy the public waters if we respect one another. In todays world of the me generation, it would seem we have lost sight of respect for one another as evidenced in the two cases I set forth. When someone fires up the engine and puts it on plane 15' from your dock that's low class or when a wake board boat gets within 30' of a dock inside of a main lake no wake buoy with kids swimming at the dock that's low class. If I drive within 30' of a fisherman, that's low class. I've seen many no wake buoys placed in narrow coves. Our buoy is on the main river channel with 800 yards (from outside the buoy) of deep main lake water to run in. A little respect for one another goes a long ways. @ Champ188.... You state "Besides the fact that I would never get on plane inside a no-wake buoy, Donna would knock a knot on my head if I did, and rightfully so." I have never met you or Donna, but I like your way of thinking and thank you for being respectful. Donna, put a knot on his head for good measure.

A short story and reminder........ This weekend was yet another busy weekend for boaters on Tablerock. As the lake continues to become more and more like Lake of the Ozarks with Tuna rigs, wake board boats and cruisers, we notice more and more damage to our dock. Mainly from massive waves despite having a Corp of Engineers approved "No Wake" buoy. I have fished and enjoyed Tablerock for 42 years now and see an increased amount of lack of respect for dock owners and other boaters. This weekend was some of the worst I have witnessed. A wake board boat cut between our dock and clearly marked "no wake" buoy which at current position is approximately 55' from the dock. This despite having over 800 yards from our outer side buoy, across the main river channel to the opposite bank to run in. A series of massive waves caused two boards on the dock to buckle and break. The next morning I was going down to repair the dock with welding and boards, I see a Ranger bass boat with a man and woman fishing 18'-20' from the dock. I never said a word as I started down to the dock and the couple didn't see me. The man fired up the boat and put it on plane beside our dock and passed within 15' of the dock and had to turn to miss the "no wake" buoy. Another massive wave ensued. Some may say "don't have a dock". Another option would be....... respect one another and take a little more time to idle away from other boaters and docks. I fish out of a Ranger 522 and don't mind idling away from docks out of respect for the owners. I also pay a great deal of attention to buoys and other boaters. I know the overwhelming majority on this forum are respectful, understand and pay attention while on the lakes, but it is worth reminding those who may not, to be respectful. We owe it to each other so we can ALL enjoy our time off.

Careful, I will spill the beans on the brush piles. Heaven knows I never get to fish anymore and might as well share the knowledge! I'm on my lunch break (30 minute, unpaid).