Murv

I'd like to see a Classic on Ky./Barkley Lakes,

seriously, 357 mag?, that's gonna cause bigger problems than it will solve. That's all I'm sayin on that! it's a shame people act the way they do on the water, I have people root me out of spots a lot, I vowed this year I wasn't lashing out in anger anymore, cause I ought to be a good enough fisherman, that I can move and still catch fish. Good job on how you handled it.

some of those pre rap warts, are going for astronomical prices, facebook has a pre rap wiggle wart page, and I've seen some go for over 50.00,

so the places you guys are mentioning, can you just pull off the side of the road and go fishing or what do I have to do?, Sure don't want to make anybody mad at me... I've been looking and following the river on google earth

I'm so sorry, that I keep grilling everybody about this, but I'm trying to get the best bang for my buck, as I don't know how many trips I'll be able to make. So, I'm trying to make trip #1 as successful as possible. Thank you Al, for all that you have given me thus far, and hopefully maybe I'll get a chance to meet you guys, and chew the fat a bit. Lookin for a decent set of chest waders, to wear.,,will prob. bring my canoe when I come. so I can paddle some if need be.

I've just about got things lined out on where to come to catch my first Smallie, now if you guys don't mind to help me again, when will they start biting on the Castor River?,,,where a rookie like me, can maybe catch some with out struggling too hard?

If If you google fishing rod bag and look at the pics, you might see something you like

I've got a bag that will old 4 or 5 rods, and has a shoulder strap, not sure on brand,,,but it would work

so if I come and wade the Marquand Conservation Area on the Castor River, will I be able to catch my 1st Smallie there? where would be the very best place for me to catch my 1st one? I'll be forever indebted to whomever gets me to my 1st Smallie.

Johnsfolly, I'm afraid you'll be right, I won't want to go back, then I don't know what I'm gonna do, lol. carptracker, that'd be great, and hey to a fellow So. Illinoisan, I'm afraid when I come to Mo., I'm gonna wanna move.... Al told me the castor river is a good place, if I don't mind to walk, which I don't at all... where should I start there, and when is a good date to come?, Will they bite there now?, or do I need to wait a few weeks?

dtrs5kprs, Thanx, that'd be fun, I didn't know catching a Smallie was gonna be this hard, I've caught thousands of largemouth, I though how hard can it be,,,,wow, have I gotten a reality check. I'm bound and determined to not give up until I catch at least one... looking more and more like you guys beautiful state of Mo. may end up being my best chance, without having to drive a half day.

Sure I'd like to catch a big un' but catching at least 1 of any size will be good enough for me,,,it's just a shame we don't have em' in So. Eastern Illinois. I have been seriously considering cleaning out my pond and stocking it with Smallies,,,,just so I can catch a few now and then. without having to drive forever.

Where should I begin on the Current, or should I fish the Big Piney Smallmouth management area?

I'll give a brief history, about 4 or 5 yrs. ago, I got the bug to catch a Smallmouth Bass, we don't have them in So. Eastern Illinois to my knowledge., I've made 2 trips to Lake Kinkaid by Carbondale, Il. and now a half dozen trips to Kentucky Lake trying to catch a Smallie. So far to no avail. Someone suggested that I come to Current River and give it a try there. Will you guys give me some idea on how and where I can go and have a chance to catch one., and when please? I've never caught a Smallie, and it has become a bucket list item, and almost an obscession. I would like to bring my boat, it's a 16 ft. Tracker w/ 25 hp. so with that I'd appreciate any tips and ideas that you don't mind to share. I do strictly catch and release. Also, I know I'm coming there as a visitor, so I will treat your great state with the utmost respect. Thank You, Murv