M_Taylor

Very nice day. Looks like you found a good pattern.

Thanks for posting. I've never been in a tournament before. But, it sounds like a good reason to go fishing for the day while helping out a good cause. Might have to sign up.

Fished over the last three days with my best buddy. We put a lot of time on the water and I got to explore places I have never been. We fished a lot but also did a fair amount of sight seeing. That said, here's how fishing was. We fished from the dam all the way to Horseshoe Bend(not all same day), and managed to catch fish at all of the places we fished. Water temps ranged from 77-80. It was dead calm and sunny except for this morning. And I hate full moons. I fished spinnerbaits, swimbaits, topwater, crankbaits, shaky heads, and drop shot. The most consistent bite was drop shot. Color preference was truly on a case by case basis. I couldn't get bit on topwater or crankbait. On a tip about some stripers in the area we were fishing, I switched to a big swimbait and nailed a couple nice smallies. Not to be that guy to talk about the big one that got away, but I will be. I lost the biggest smallie of my life at the net. Until it jumped at the boat, I thought I had a striper. I would have loved to get a pic of that one! Ugh. All in all a beautiful weekend but we worked hard for our fish. Drop shot is still my go to for catching fish, just wish I could find a few more decent fish.

I use a shaky head a lot on Beaver Lake and have really grown fond of the Squirrel Head made by Jewel. 1/8oz is most common for me, but I occasionally go up one size. I have tried others, namely the Spot Removers, and not had nearly the hook up ratio. And I have lost way more hooks with that one, not to mention fish.

indeed J-Doc. You are correct. I was thinking it was amazing how a fish could get something like that into it's gullet. But then I thought about those TX steakhouses where you can get a 72oz steak for free of you eat it in an hour. Maybe catfish have the same sort of ritual.

My buddy sent me this. Now we have another possible culprit other than stripers on Beaver Lake. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Us4NZLX43e4

Thanks Dan. Now if only my trolling motor wasn't messed up.

Thanks for the report. Were you fishing main lake stuff?

Thanks for sharing Jolicious and congrats. I'm finding fish using some of the methods you mentioned but not all. And nothing over about 1.5lb. I have lots to learn.

Well then he is the one that should be putting up bass reports.

Launched out of PC around 2:30. There were plenty of bass boats close by due to it being the final hours of the tournament. I heard it took 26 pounds and something ounces to win. I fished pretty close to 12 Bridge and PC with the drop shot and ended up with 7 bass (SM and Ks) and one short walleye. I tried a few crankbaits to no avail but ended the day with a couple more on a Spinnerbait. I was off the water by 6 or so. Good afternoon to be on Beaver Lake.

It's hard to beat those Ozark native smallmouth. And frankly, sight casting to a 14" smallie is more excitement than I've had on Beaver lately. Nexg thing on the agenda, hook up on a big striper this fall with the fly rod.

Based off the fact that Beaver was covered up with boats going super fast and sometimes fishing for bass today, I went elsewhere. I took the fly rod to a small stream and went back to the basics. Ended up having an awesome day with the smallies. If you are reading this you should probably stop and go enjoy the nice weather somewhere.

Put in around 5. Water temp was around 84. Fished for bass the whole time. Between my buddy and I we landed at least 2 dozen Ks and LM. Nothing very large but it was fun nonetheless. 95% were on topwater. Tried two types of topwater and they both worked equally as well. All were caught within a very small area. The wind was tough tonight but we found some calmer water. Once it got dark, nothing was happening. Enclosed is a pic of what the bass are eating.

Thanks for posting. I wouldn't have seen this otherwise. I don't know what Beaver lake is lacking, I'm no biologist, but I hope it helps the overall fishing.

Thanks for the report. I usually get only one or two fish from a drop shot worm. I like to use Robo Worms. I think it's just the way it is unless someone knows some trick I don't.

Now that's an endorsement! but it is true, so I'm sure Ruger will accept the compliment.

Thanks for the report. That's a good weekend of fishing. I love the clear water but it's more a matter if distance from home that I don't fish it as much.

Fished from about 6 to 10 south of 12 Bridge. Did all my damage from Blackburn and north. Water temp was around 84. It was a warm day and by the end was very hot. Drop shot and cranks did the trick today. Ended up with 8 and losing a few more. Main lake was the deal for me. I tried both and predominately got em on main lake structure. None of the fish were large but big enough to have fun with. So instead of a fish pic, you get my side kick doing what he does best.

Thanks for the report. Appreciate the details. Sounds like you had some fun.

It could have just been where I was. Glad someone else found some on top. I focused on two small areas because I was getting bit there.

The wife and I got a few hours on the water tonight. 6-8:30pm Launched out of PC and went south and fished main lake stuff. Tons of shad everywhere but nothing happening on top. Ended up with one nice largemouth on drop shot as well as some dinks. Tried different topwater but nothing at all. Not even a swipe. Went to a Spinnerbait and caught a number of fish. Got 3 decent fish on it and a few dinks too. All in all not bad. Lake seems to be waking up again. On a different note: we were by Escalapia when an aluminum canoe paddled out of the cove and went right towards the middle of the channel. It was 8:05! Keep in mind there was a tournament going on as a as pleasure boaters still roaming. So dumb! They headed towards Beaver Shores. We fished awhile later and by the time we had gotten to 12 Bridge it was pitch black and there was the canoe paddling back under the bridge. At this point they head a dinky head lamp but nothing adequate. Keep your eyes out folks. I have good eye sight and knew what I was looking for and still couldn't spot them after about 50 yards. I took a photo. Look for the tiny speck.

Nice job! Crappie sounds pretty darn good.

Thanks for the report. Were you casting the flickr shad? Also, did you find the topwater in coves or main lake? Thanks!

Thanks guys. Both ideas I didn't try. I didn't have a spoon ready but I did have a drop shot. I'm planning I going out tomorrow evening. I will post an update assuming I do get out there. This time of year I like mornings better, but it's still better than not going at all!