m&m

Bo, way to go! Mike

Bill, well we obviously went the wrong way. Should have went south instead of the other way. 3 hours of casting and one light hit and other than the loons and eagles it was a bust. But congratulations on catching the fish that are not allowed to go into Beardsley. Mike

I was thinking of going the other way because I know the fish in that cove are trained to not bite my lures. Membership fee is in the mail though so Please don’t cancel my permit. Mike

Bill, thanks for the information. Great pictures of healthy looking fish. Might be on the water on Saturday in the same areas. Mike

I sent an email to the MDC asking about any census or stocking reports for the major lakes in MO. A staffer replied with a list of all the contacts for each lake and instructions to contact them directly for the information. Mike

Quill, nice pictures. Thanks for the information. Mike

This may only be my observations but the daytime tournament weights here at TRL certainly seem to be consistently smaller on average the past 5 years. If that is true, I think the creel censuses would confirm there is an issue with certain size bass. The censuses year to year would confirm that the largest #s in class size should be moving up to the next class size the following year. For example if there are a larger # per acre of 12” bass and a smaller # per acre of 15” bass in 2015, as they grow there should be a larger # per acre of 15” bass and a smaller # per acre of 18” bass in 2016. (Not scientific but #s used only as an example-given catch rates). If the censuses reflect diminishing #s of certain class size then the MDC should determine why. At the end of the day, even with the smaller winning weights, the number of tournaments is not getting smaller. So the economic impact may not factor into it. We just become accustomed to having a limit around 12 lbs. it is interesting that most night tournaments have heavier weights. I would like to know if other major reservoirs in MO are stocked with bass. And if they are, I would ask why not TRL. Just my rambling thoughts.

Fall is here. Mike

ST, very nice looking boat. Mike

SB, nice fish. Mike

Bo, how can he fish without a hat? Mike

JF660R, I agree with Bill and would add the following: If you like the idea of competition, grab a buddy and enter buddy tournaments. If you’re looking to learn something about fishing, hire a guide. Mike

LL, congratulations on the success. Mike

RB, nice healthy looking fish. Thanks for the information. Mike

One more reason I don’t fish when it is dark or full fog. Mike

Fishrman, thanks for the information. We took a pontoon ride on Sunday from the dam to Shell Knob. Saw plenty of bass boats in the area from Baxter to SK. Waiting to see other reports from that area. Mike

Bo, thanks for the information. That toothpick trick is old school and it still works. Been doing it for a long time. Mike

bobby b, nice pictures of healthy fish. Mike

Randy, been there, done that too. I guess that is why we call it fishing instead of catching. Mike

Managed to get out for a couple of hours after the fog lifted. Launched at Moonshine at about 10am. Must have been a small tourney as there were about 12 trailers on the parking lot. Unusual for a Wednesday morning. No wind and 78.3 WT when I launched. Finally caught 4 in water under 12’ after the wind picked up.RC with a little yellow on it was the trick for me. Nothing exciting, just a typical September day on TRL. Picture is the largest I caught. Next time I’ll try dragging that jig deeper. Mike

Based upon the strictest interpretation of trolling: every time you cast a lure and while retrieving it you hit the trolling motor you would be trolling. So I think dragging a bottom lure while using the trolling motor is not against the spirit of the rule. Just my 2 cents worth. Mike

Cheese, sounds like a great time. Thanks for the pictures of some healthy looking fish. Mike

InPiney, while I can’t speak for anyone except myself, I am off the water on a holiday weekend by 9am IF I venture out at all. Mike

Jig fish, you gotta love it! Mike

rps, being a bass fisherman is tough more days than not! Mike