dan hufferd

The only way to stop now is DEATH. That's just the way it is, life will never be the same.

Last weekend At Ruark Bluff the water was like chocolate milk, about 3" above 215 state park area, was about 3 feet and it was windy. I will be there Sat. I intend to put in as near state park as possible. I hope this helps

Yow-zha !

I hope to give it a try again this weekend. I can't wait to do a little rethinking. Hopefully we can meet out there sometime.

Thank you for your encouragement, yes you are right, it would feel great to brake the code. I just need to slow down and go deeper. I have much to learn about this lake fishing thing, I really appreciate all the help. I know it represents many hours fished, I do not take it lightly. I did catch/snag a shad with my spoon last trip, so I must be close. Thank you very much !

Thanks FYI Water clarity was 3' north of 215 at Ruark it was 3" but the shad were still thick in the dirty water the gulls were loving it.

Thanks I have talked with him a few times at the ramps, he seems like a good guy. I did see a couple really nice walleye that his clients caught this summer. I might have to give him a call, thanks !

I put in at Crabtree and Ruark I think Hawkers and Stockton (RB) all had docks. Really windy, and I could not get a bite. I guess I will have to pay someone like JR to show me how to catch fish. This is starting to affect my self worth.

Go now, I would not be able to wait. I put in a Ruark. I should have went further north for the fish but it is always good to be on the water. I had to beach the boat to get in and out, no dock but it was doable.

Ruark Bluff. It seems like the water was still coming up. I will get my walleye for January......I hope.

We went today too. I wondered how far the mud went. Thanks for the post.

Those are some dandies, I love creek fishing for smallmouth !

RPS has helped me a lot with his shared info'. I haven't seen it posted in this topic or maybe I have over looked it ; I would add this to the bottom bouncing technique, unless you are fishing on a flat where the depth is fairly constant, it would be a good idea to hold the rod at all times, regularly dipping to check your relationship to the bottom. Also this will allow you to follow the bottom as you cross points and other structure. Say the top of the point is 14 ' but 50 ' on either side. By holding the rod and crossing the point you can let line out to say 35' deep, then slowly reel in as you cross the point ticking the bottom regularly, then follow it off the other side and down to what ever depth you feel is right for your set up. In this way you will be able to reach fish that may be staged up along the face or edge of a transition. I have not had much luck putting my poll in a rod holder and driving, unless I am after suspended fish in deeper water, or on a very regular bottom. I am sure you will find all this out soon, trolling works good for spring crappie too. Wait for the sun to come up and just troll down the middle of a cove. That is when I use the poll holder.

I am still thinking of putting a boat in Saturday to spite the danger of floating debris. I HAVE to get a walleye in January I think I should get started ASAP. I think I should fish on the north end to get a way from some of the in flux of stained water, I don't know. Am I going to waste my time Saturday ? Help me walleye friends !

Thank you, I might try to get my January walleye Saturday. I wonder what that will be like ?

Yep, What they said, I use a trolling flap on a 75 hp merc, and then I use the course lock feature on my trolling motor (just to steer the boat) I don't have to drive the boat much, just fish. It is awesome !

That is what I was hoping you would say, these days you never know. I am not good at fishing either, but this year has been great walleye fishing for me. I have learned so much from everyone on this forum. I am still looking for the big walleye, but I have caught several 21" and under. I am a Sunday school teacher at a church near Avilla Mo. It has been a pinnacle time in my life.

Interesting handle you have there?? I like the 1/2 oz size you should look at the shiver minnow as well, I own some but have not tried them yet.

Bow fishing with a drone ? Hog hunting with a drone ? I think that would work well. I think if you put a gun on a drone big brother might have a problem. I think I just got on a watch list somewhere. Uncut angling just did an episode catching a fish on the ice with a drone, funny but it did not look that fun to me.

I tie in a 10' leader to braid with a double uni knot, I use 8lb green P line mono on the creek, and 12lb fluoro on the lake. For me it is the best of both. The braid seems to last forever, and I can bite the leader and tie on all day. If I do brake off to the braid it takes me 2 minutes to tie a uni knot and bang I have a brand new 10' leader again. I can also buy the more expensive leader material and not feel to bad about it as I am only using 10' at a time. I get no stretch and it's easy to tie.

My plan is to fish all winter, at the very least have some experiences for every month of the year. I am really after at least one walleye for every month, either way it will be an adventure ! I will be focused on deep structure. If you are used to fishing the banks in the spring, fishing deep can be tough to get your head around, but once you get an understanding of it is really entertaining and productive. Keep after it, I have much to learn this winter too.

Great lure but they are a hang up waiting to happen

Cut the front hook off of the rap it will help. Great post very close to my experience this time of year. At least you have a December walleye !

I have always seen those bait fish there and a ton of gar it is awesome bow fishing !

I have done well with a small but heavy lipless crank bait and the jigging rap as well. I agree with cutting the hooks off at least the front one one the jigging rap, if it ever hangs on anything you will not get it back. I lost 2 in 10 min last weekend @ $ 7 each that hurts. I have some Shiver Minnows coming soon, they do not have a front hook, and they seem to be a larger profile for the weight. I like to try to be around 1/2 oz on any of that kind of stuff. It is my favorite way to fish, but you have to be on some fish or you will just jig your arm off, it is fairly hard on the an old shoulder. Caught the last couple walleye this way over 45 FOW suspended @ 30 feet. Really fun !