Jason Essary

Well I will never get that 15 minutes of time back from reading this freaking topic.

Bill, they are catching on....shhh.

Other than the hat situation, sounded like a nice derby. With all the positive comments I have heard, I will be sure to be in it next year.

show some pics and prices and im sure pep will buy a few.

Sam, departments dont want to admit it, but 90% of the nutrients coming into tablerock come down the james river from springfield, nixa and ozark. They blame the homes around the lake, these homes are a tiny portion of the problem compared to the discarge from the cities, but the cities get the slide because of the money involved. I was on one of the first stream teams in the area while in high school. The testing is a true eye opener. Why do you think the spoonbill run up the james and not up the kings or long creek (least few do). Money always talks first and last.

surface temp stayed pretty stable, course it was a warm night even with the wind. 52 when I started. Think I saw 51 when I left but it depended on where you were at.

Tues Night report - Windy. Fished till 11. Wind howled the whole time. Tried traditional tactics but hard to fish where I wanted without a 40' bow in the line. Tried a blade up shallow on the windy traditions, nothing, tried a blade slow rolled, nothin. Did have two bites on crawdad patterns, but with the wind one dropped it before I hit him and the last came unbuttoned. Will wait till the next night in the 50's or 60's and be going again. Champ, it will for sure take it out of ya.

Wondering if anyone had been out under the stars chasing bass yet? Went last night. First time is always full of kinks getting worked out so wasnt expecting much. Wind died at dark, had three good bites, made one to the boat. 2 1/2lb greenback. came out of 10' of water. Going back tonight. Will report.

Ahhh, thanks Bill. Was confusing that with Highline cove just north of the dam. Whats the name of that one. Have heard it called anouther one.

Great pics...lol.

Were is brushy creek?

Got into this little late. Nite time is the time. Im thinking Kimberling. One thing is for sure, when the big girls get caught, most all the tourneys are out of kimberling somewhere, and they get put back around kimberling somewhere. Some might travel to there home water, but I believe most will take up residence within 3-4 miles.

I'm sticking my fingers and my ears and saying lalalalalaalala.

Have on on my truck back window and two on my outboard.

Sprint, Didnt really go. I was whipped. Didnt get the feeling back in my legs till saturday sometime.. . Thinking of going chasing some walleyes in the morning. Sometime you want to come up, let me know (pm me here is best). Im always looking to go, next week after the time change I will be running the james a bunch. Always fun catching a limit of whites and crappie.

Sorry to hear about losing Mamma. Thanks for the report, great job on the 4th.

Im with Denjac, caught the biggest bass so far last winter on a grub. 1/16th oz head, 5" grub, 20' of water. was like watching grass that wouldnt grow, but came out with a 7lb green back.

Thanks minnowhooker. Now I have to ask, what is the best way to fish barker hole?

Havent had time yet to go after the eyes. will let ya know as soon as I do but im a new comer to that area. By the way, heard alot about the barker hole, where is it located?

Just to add. Went to James River yesterday. Ashers bottom. Boys wanted to catch some cats. River was muddy to dingy. Only caught two cats, nibbler channels. tried for whites with no takers. But did find that on the steep rocky banks green backs were feeding. Caught 4 while tied up fishing for cats on texas rig crawfish. Wish I could have targeted them more but the boys would not give up on the cats. Fish were real shallow and hitting hard and feeding. temp 46.

do you have any other molds? craws or beaver craws?

When you put in, hang a left. that will take you towards the back of the Aunts creek arm. Would try different areas back there. If you set up and dont get bit in a hour move. deeper water, shallower water, farther back or more towards the main lake. Really havent ever fished for cats until after the bass spawn (just always chasing other things) but I would think this would be the best chances for some. Might try some simple nightcrawlers also. Never know what you might catch, bass, walleye, cats.

Joe, first these are just my opinions. Until summer, main lake around Kc does not sound the most productive area. I think it would be extremely more productive to go to one of the river or major creek arms. Aunts Creek is close to Kc and would be where I would head. Head to the back of the arm, as the water temp will be up to 5 degrees warmer back in the extreme back of the arm. Warmer water draws the shad, which will be were the cats are. Mud bottom flats close to deep water, 8' to 20' that can drop into 30' close by would be perfect. As for bait, If you have any way of doing it, use a thow net and catch some shad in the very backs of the bays as they have been balled up on the surface. I saw some the other day that would have been easy to net. If you dont have a net or at least for back up I would use premade baits in shad flavor (I never go catting looking for shad with out a back up bait, sometimes they are just not avalible). Some of the tackle shops in the area should have some frozen shad that might be the ticket. Slip sinkers with circle hooks (if you know how to use them) work great for kids. Basically a carolina rig. Good luck and please let us know how you do.

ozarks, I am not familiar with water down from the bridge at shadow rock. Any suggestions on where to put in and fish in that are? figure they might stack up downstream with the low water but im lost as to where to go.

Will let you all know. If she does a great job, then I will recommend her. If she doesnt then I will let you know.