I noticed that also M&M....i was told years ago that when using topwater lures that once the lure hits the water wait until the little wave rings disappear before moving the bait...dont know if this is true or false.
I have heard of panthers and bobcats roaming the Ozarks, but this is a first about a bear or bears around here. Maybe we need to send them to Arkansas, heck they probably came from Arkansas to begin with.
Im 62 and i know i can not swim like i did 20 years ago and my balance is not as good either, i just bought an onyx 24 deluxe inflatable to wear instead of a regular PFD because i got so hot in it...alls it takes is a wave to catch you off guard and over you can go especially if you on front deck and bending over...kill switch and PFD while under way especially by myself.
This is terrible news, if im by myself i wear life jacket and kill switch cord hooked up to me..i even fish with the PFD on you just never know wake could catch you off guard and over you go.