Smithvillesteve

Yea i went on TackleWarehouse a couple of weeks ago to buy some Powerbait MaxScent Flat Worms. No chance on there. So I went to Berkley's website and they didnt even have them listed. I did buy a couple of bags of the flatminnows and i have seen where some pro's are catching fish with those. I was down at Table Rock a couple of weeks ago and couldnt get much working with the dropshot however. Now, I am just learning that technique. I am using braid to floro and have learned a nice knot for that. Let me ask you boys: Do you cast your dropshot out and work it back or do you verticle fish it? I make short casts with it but get hung up quite a bit. Pain in the butt to retie that technique! Once again, I sincerely appreciate all the input you boys are willing to share.

Congrats BFScott. Its good to see Pomme make a comeback with the bass fishing. Priceless to fish with your son!

Thanks boys. Yea, wasnt thinking about bug spray. Good advice. I been watching some videos Quillback. Looks like off shore structure with drop shots is the best bet. Tubes, jigs, cranks, jerkbaits. Supposedly the guy I'm going with bought the map card that gives us offshore structure. I been going to Canada every year for the last 40 years but obviously not this year. So at the very least i am getting my "northern fix"!! Appreciate the info boys!!

I'm headed up to Mille Lacs next week to target smallmouth bass. Never been. Any advice from you boys? Thanks.

Let those Largemouth go Sam!!!

Interesting take MoCarp. And i respect it. I wouldnt mind taking the walleye back to 18 inches. However, when that was the case before they went to 15 inches there were few anglers catching 18 inchers to harvest. But i think the walleye took a hit this year. Not sure the crappie guys would like a 11 inch min length. 10 maybe as many lakes do. PLEASE practice catch and release with the smallmouths!! It takes several years for a smallmouth to reach 15 inches. In my opinion a lot of fish in Stockton see the fillet knife. I watched two good Ol boys at Mutton Creek Marina one day come in with a 5 gal bucket that had 6-7 nice 3 lb bass in it gasping for air before they met their doom. It was sad. BUT.. these guys were doing nothing illegal. Its a slippery slope. I do believe Stockton went to 12 inch length limit with the spots. Which I thought was good. These are just my opinions boys. Not trying to force them on anyone.

Crawlers in your Yeti????? You win the Powerball? Walleye boys have been pretty quiet on here lately. It was hot for awhile.

My buddy and I spent all of last week down around the Shell Knob area. I fish out of a 16.5 ft deep V Lund. Boat traffic was bad but didnt run us off the lake. The wake boats will however make me brace myself or sit down and ride the waves out. My problem with them is the extremely loud music they play. And is it just me or is it an extremely easy sport? I never see anybody with their knees bent and battling to stay on like a real surf board. One dude was drinking a beer!! We could see the water turning dirty up shallow so they are definitely causing an erosion issue. I certainly understand the dock owners complaint. Somebody on here pointed out that their entertainment impairs my entertainment and i agree. I would assume they arent going anywhere $$$$$$$. Not sure what the answer is. I hate giving up fishing that lake during the summer months.

I dont think you need a reservation. Or at least you didnt years ago. Just go pick out your spot and then go tell the hosts and fill out your card to post. I'm pretty sure there are several places that would be ok to beach your boat. Sandy and pebble rock places. I assume you have an aluminum boat? Or a hull guard? Hope you get a break from the hot weather.

Truman is a great crappie lake. Can be some good bass fishing also. And you are correct sir, you better know where you're going or you can damage a prop real quick!! Stay in the channels and idle into coves. If it was me i would put in at Bucksaw. There are some good crappie areas not far from the marina. The best thing about Truman this time of the year is you dont have to deal with a lot of wake boats, skiers, jet skis etc. There are some but nothing like Table Rock or LOZ. Find out how deep the crappie are. Maybe stop at Everhards on 7 hwy as you enter Clinton and check on their board or ask somebody. Stick and move!! Good luck. Looks like you may get a break from the heat!!

I am also looking to upgrade my boat. I have a Lund Rebel that i bought new in 2002. That boat has taken a beating and still performs. 40 hp Yamaha still purrs like a kitten. I prefer aluminum because i go to Canada every year. I'm retired now, fish quite a bit, have a little money to use and feel like i deserve to fish in a little better boat while i still can launch by myself etc. I'm not married to Lund but thats kinda the way i would prefer to go. I'm thinking with all these people buying boats right now that a lot of them will decide maybe its not really what we thought it might be. And i could possibly get a good deal this fall or winter. The main problem with my boat is there is not much platform room in the back for a co angler if I am bass fishing. My buddies claim its like fishing on a balance beam!! A few years ago Lund came out with 2 seats in the back that fold over and become a pretty nice platform. I've never been a big internet guy that goes on sites that sell stuff. Any advice boys? And good luck T. C.

Priceless!! You got a fishing buddy for life!!

I have NOT caught any spots this year. Now, I havent bass fished very much but I have caught mostly smallies. Most of my fishing has been around the main lake area. I caught a personal best 4 lb smallie last week on a shakeyhead. Fought like a freight train. Love the smallies!!!!! And we need to protect them down there!!!

Wish i was down there BFScott i would have taken you up on your offer. Appreiciate the invite. I might try and contact you next time i go down. Gotta wait for this nasty heat wave to get the heck out!! i can deal with upper 80's into low 90's. Mid 90's to upper 90's gets pretty tough for my old butt!!

Bill: I'm so glad to see you throw your voice into this debate. Your opinion carries a lot of weight on here and around the Table Rock area. We HAVE TO come up with a better way than transporting 5 fish around all day in upper 80"s water temps. I am NOT anti tournament. I've fished a few and it was fun. It did get the competitive juices flowing. But its 2020. Its time to adjust our way of thinking. I know you are a humble man Bill I just wanted to thank you for lending your 2 cents to this issue. We are seeing people like Pat Mahomes voice their opinions on social issues. He talks, people listen!!

Interesting info MoPanfisher. Years ago a lot of the locals felt like the crappie fishing was bad because of the muskie. I think that theory has been proven wrong. Your point about a lot of high water makes a lot of sense. Bottom line is I am extremely happy that the bass fishing seems to be pretty good right now. Good to see some reports on the Pomme on here. Usually far and few between.

Back when the local fish wrap, the KC Star, ran tournament results i would check and winning weights were around 7 lbs. Big fish would be 2-3 lbs. Now, that was several years ago as the Star has gotten rid of those results along with a lot of other stuff. I am extremely happy to hear you claim that Pomme is getting better and better. And the boat traffic this year has been unreal. I am retired so i fish during the week. Last time i was there it looked like a holiday weekend on wed!! Went to BassPro last week and the shelves were practically empty! I ask a guy if it was because of shipping issues due to Covid? He said, "no, we just are just overwhelmed with customers this year. Cant keep up." Claimed they have not had any kayak's on hand for two weeks. Boat sales thru the roof. We gotta get all these working stiffs back to work!! And thanks for the Lindley info Oneshot. I need to try that arm of the lake.

RPS: You've worked hard your entire life as a teacher and whatever else. Now you've entered your golden years. My take is you've earned it! Figure out what monies you can afford and go upgrade that boat, trolling motor, hp, electronics or whatever. Its what you love to do. My dear old dad once told me, "I've never seen a Brinks truck following a funeral procession yet!!"

That is great BF Scott!! I got a place on Pomme and hardly ever fish there. I go over to Truman to chase hybrids and crappie and drive over to Stockton to chase smallies and walleyes. Pomme has a reputation as not being a very good bass lake. Or at least a big bass lake. Your post is very encouraging!! I only had about 2-3 hrs to fish about a month ago and had a pretty good time. Caught 6 bass, 3 keepers with one going about 5 lbs. Maybe I should stick closer to home!! Thanks for reporting! Notice i didnt ask what you were using????

Great eye Randy!! And kudos to you for releasing that fish. Walleye is extremely tasty but i just cant bring myself to put a knife through a 28 inch fish!! Makes me even more disappointed we didnt get to go to Canada this year with the border closed. Got a fly in trip in sept. Mostly smallmouth trip but will have a couple of fish fry with walleyes. Hopefully we get to go!

limits of walleyes and now 4-5 lb bass? Whats next for you Lmtout? Win the powerball? I'm bringing a coaching buddy of mine down this wed afternoon. Gonna target walleyes wed evening and thurs morning. Will probably launch at New Orleans and fish the main lake area. Will probably start with spin rigs with a nightcrawler. Maybe troll flickershads if no luck with the worm harness. Maybe drift a jig with a crawler if the winds are good for that. Might even try a flickershad on a bottom bouncer. Any advice you could give would be deeply appreciated. My buddy, his brother and Dad went down last year and hired a guide. They were not real impressed with the guy. I wont mention any names. I told him you would be the man i would recommend right now. Am i trolling for some advice? Yes i am.

Dont make me cry please!!

I've caught a handful of 28" ers up in Canada. A couple of years ago my son caught a 29 3/4 " eye while fishing for lake trout in 50 fow. We measured that beauty 3 times to try and get to 30 inches. Lodge owner gives a "30 inch club" hat to anybody catching one. We couldnt stretch her out that far. So close!! I havent caught very many walleyes at Stockton over 20 inches. Caught a nice 21 incher there a couple of weeks ago. I released her. I cant bring myself to put a knife through a walleye bigger than 20 inches. Just my own personal beliefs. I will keep those good eating 15-16 inchers.

Thanks for the report Gumboot. Havent seen much reported lately on Pomme. Looks like they have been releasing plenty of water lately and today's lake level report in the Star has Pomme about 3 ft high and coming down.

Thanks boys very much. BGC i really appreciate your invite. I was coming down this weekend but the forecast kept me home. I really would like to have someone hop in my boat and give me a tutorial. I'm up the White by Big M but wouldnt mind trailering somewhere to meet you. Pretty sure this unit has Chirp DBlades. I'll try the 200 kilo or the 50. Appreciate your help. And I will try and figure out how to do a hard reset of the factory settings Fozztype. Thanks for trying to help me out.