Johnsfolly

Well that record was short lived. Another St. Louis area angler catches a state-record skipjack herring MDC congratulates Steve Wengler on breaking the pole-and-line state record by catching a 2-pound, 5-ounce skipjack herring on the Mississippi River. ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that Steve Wengler of St. Louis became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a skipjack herring on the Mississippi River using a rod and reel. The new “pole and line” record skipjack herring caught by Wengler on April 17 weighed 2-pounds, 5-ounces. It broke the previous state-record of 1-pound, 14-ounces. Wengler was using two 1/8-ounce white and chartreuse jigs to catch the skipjack herring. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in Defiance. “The skipjack put up a pretty good fight, but I got it in as fast as I could because I didn’t want to lose the nice fish,” he said. “Once I got it in, I had an idea that I had caught the state record, but wasn’t sure until I put it on the scale.” Anglers often catch skipjack herring to use for bait. The fish is boney, lacking in flavor, and is seldom used as food. But it fights spectacularly when hooked and can provide considerable sport on light tackle. The oil present in its flesh is said by fishermen to attract catfish. Skipjacks can usually be found in swift water below dams and around the ends of wing dikes. “2016 is shaping up to be a big year for state record fish in Missouri,” MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson said. “We have already had nine new records so far, which is more than an entire year sometimes. The mild weather we have had so far this year means more anglers are fishing, and catching big fish.” Wengler added that he intentionally tried catching a state-record skipjack herring. “I’m really thrilled to have caught a fish like this,” he said. “I’m really glad I was able to get my name in the record books. My plan now is to get back on the water and go after many more records.” Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl. James Lucas of O’Fallon recently snagged a state-record skipjack herring under the “alternative methods” category on the Mississippi River on April 8 that weighed 1 pound, 10-ounces with a length of 16 1/2 inches. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish. Congratulations to Steve Wengler on breaking the pole-and-line state record by catching a 2-pound, 5-ounce skipjack herring in the Mississippi River on April 17, 2016. (NOTE: High-res image available at http://mdc.mo.gov/node/32775).

Nice fish! Great to see another nice smallmouth.

Dan that's a really nice striped shiner. He is ready for the ladies. If you scale down your hook size, the cardinal shiners should be getting into their breeding coloration as well. You should be able to find them both in shoal creek as well as the spring river. I was catching them a couple of weeks ago where Rt 97 crosses the Spring river above Stotts city and also in Talbot CA just below the bridges. They should look like the ones in the photo by now.

With the threat of severe weather passing, I decided to head out to Little Dixie to try for some crappie. I got out to the lake a little after 7 pm. There was a slight breeze from the southwest. The water was relatively flat. I fished a 1/64 oz black and green jig and float combination. I started by casting parallel to the bank trying to stay about 10 to 15 feet off the bank. Slow reel and sit retrieve worked best. Most of the crappie were males. After the sun went down, I had some success casting into deeper water and caught mostly females with a couple that were full of eggs. The problem when I cast into the deeper water was that I got more bluegill bites. I fished until I could no longer see my float. Packed it up around 8:40. I had caught 22 crappie between 6.5 and 9 " and 7 bluegill. Not bad for a spur of the moment fishing trip. There may not be many large crappie taken out of this lake, but I enjoy the numbers of fish that are available.

Seth that is a great fish!

I can't imagine the size hook that he used to catch this fish, since he was attempting to snag a paddlefish. I would say probably a little heavy tackle for this fish. Still impressive for the species. O’Fallon angler takes state-record skipjack herring Congratulations to James Lucas on breaking the state record by snagging a 1-pound, 10-ounce skipjack herring on the Mississippi River. O’FALLON, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that James Lucas of O’Fallon became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he snagged a skipjack herring on the Mississippi River. The new “alternative method” record skipjack herring caught by Lucas on April 8 weighed 1 pound, 10-ounces with a length of 16 1/2 inches. This beat the previous state record, which was held by Lucas, by 2 ounces. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in O’Fallon. “I really can’t believe I broke my old record with this fish,” said Lucas. “I was trying to snag spoonbill and out of nowhere I snagged this skipjack. I’m just really grateful. It’s always nice to upgrade the state record.” Lucas added he snagged the skipjack herring off the bank with 80-pound braided line and a 10-foot fishing pole. “The skipjack herring didn’t put up much of fight when I snagged it. After getting it on the bank I knew the fish was going to be close to my old record, but I wasn’t sure I beat it until I got it home and put it on the scale,” he said. Lucas is familiar with state-record fish. He also holds the state record for the skipjack herring he caught with his pole and line in 2010. “I plan on making a replica of the skipjack herring and putting it on the wall. I also may try to use it for bait,” he said. Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl. Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish. Congratulations to James Lucas on breaking the state record by snagging a 1-pound, 10-ounce skipjack herring in the Mississippi River on April 8, 2016. (NOTE: High-res image available at http://mdc.mo.gov/node/32769).

Great to see you taking the kids out! They looked like they were having a good time! it's great to make memories with them. Hopefully they will be fishing buddies for life.

I have never floated with any, but there are canoe rentals on the Gasconade about an hour south of Columbia. Most folks here travel south for good floating waters.

Does this have a hard or soft body? It would seem like a great night fishing topwater bait for brown trout.

Very nice smallies! Good job!

I have fished the confluence of the Tavern and Osage and caught my largest golden redhorse there last year, but nothing like this one. I'm surprised at the weight, because the fish just doesn't look to be nearly 10 lbs. A great fish! Jefferson City angler catches state-record river redhorse MDC congratulates Dan Schmitz on breaking the state record by catching a 9-pound, 13-ounce river redhorse on the Tavern Creek near St. Elizabeth. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that Dan Schmitz of Jefferson City became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a river redhorse on Tavern Creek using a rod and reel. The new “pole and line” record river redhorse caught by Schmitz on April 15 weighed 9-pounds, 13-ounces. It broke the previous state-record pole-and-line river redhorse of 9-pound, 10-ounces caught on the Osage River in 2006. Schmitz was using worms when he caught the fish. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in Jefferson City. “I fought the fish for about ten minutes before I got it to the bank,” said Schmitz. “I knew the fish was pretty big, but I didn’t know it was a state record until talking to MDC. I really can’t believe I caught a fish like this! I’m not a master angler. I’m just a hobby fisherman who loves to fish. I’m super excited to have the honor to be a state-record holder.” River redhorse fish are a part of the sucker family. They are a moderately chubby, coarse-scaled fish with a dorsal fin containing 12 or 13 rays. These fish are can be found mostly throughout the Ozarks. Schmitz’s fish also beats the current world record. While the river redhorse does get much larger, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) only recognizes fish taken by pole and line. “Larger river redhorses are usually taken by gigging and do not qualify for the IGFA world record,” MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson said. “Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish and this new unique record clearly shows why. This fish could be the largest river redhorse ever taken with a pole and line.” Schmitz added it’s hard to believe he may be a world-record holder. “I just can’t believe it! One day I’m fishing for fun and the next I could be a world-record holder,” he said. “I’m still in disbelief.” Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish. Dan Schmitz caught this 9-pound, 13-ounce state-record river redhorse at Tavern Creek near St. Elizabeth on April 15, 2016. (NOTE: High-res image is available at http://mdc.mo.gov/node/32761).

Nothing like playoff hockey, especially when you have a team in the mix! I have stood for many a third period. The only sport that goes faster as the clock winds down. With the Blackhawks off of their back, the Blues are good enough to get to the finals.

I usually don't let it go for more than a week without taking down, cleaning, and refilling our feeders.

Pretty cool snake. I have never seen one in the wild. Too bad it wouldn't play dead for you.

Saw the plump male a couple more times, but not in the last two days. As plump as he was he might not have gone much further south than Shreveport LA this winter.

You should consider whether you register that fish with the trophy anglers guild.

That is a great trophy. I agree that its likely 5 to 6 lbs. If you had a good girth measurement that would make a great reproduction mount. The coloration is remarkable.

Oneshot - seems like you have the rainbows patterned. Not matter what fish you are geared up to target, redhorse, goggle-eye, etc. you are going to catch trout. You've become the Niangua trout whisperer.

SS great posts. Congrats on your successful hunts.

Last night dessert - bananas foster. Used red bananas, Bacardi dark rum, Chinese five spice, cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar. Flamed off the alcohol and served it over panna cotta gelato.

Ness - those don't look like local crayfish. I have to turn away before I start drooling.

Congrats to you and your lady! This was a great report.

I haven't tried a sabiki rig yet, but have a couple and will try them some point in the future. I think that they will work well for shad and minnows. I wouldn't be surprised if you could catch trout on them as well.

MJR - I typically fish within an hour or two from my house for most of my fishing on the weekends. If I can get some time off of work I will travel down south to the Current, Niangua, and 11 pt. rivers, Crane creek, etc. The fish I caught last night were caught in Little Dixie lake in Callaway county. Gans creek, Grindstone creek, Bonne Femme creek, Hinkson creek, Hominy Creek, and cedar creeks are all close to my house. Both Gans and Grindstone have good populations of the orangethroat darters. Gans is where I started my darter obsession. With persistence a 9' flyrod with my spinning reel, a #26 tanago hook, and a micro worm piece, I was able to succeed in catching a blackstripe topminnow this morning. I got a fair number of strange looks from the bikers and joggers in the park that I was fishing. Maybe it was the camo hat and jacket and me being hunched over staring intently into the water. This is a new life list species. This catch puts me at 5 new life species towards my goal of 15 for 2016. It also represents my 100th fish species that I have caught with hook and line.

I got out for two hours to try to catch some crappie with a jig and float. I also set out a bottom line with a nightcrawler and circle hook. I ended up with a couple of yellow bullheads, a channel catfish, a couple of bluegill, and several white crappie with all of these being new species for 2016. I didn't take any photos. I am going back to the creeks at least one time this weekend and hopefully get to add some more fish to the list. Good luck to those getting out this weekend.