Martin

You should see what those huge wakes do to our boat docks. If a guy went to where those people live and abuse their garage or carport like they do the docks, he'd go to jail. Doesn't seem right. grrrr

Crappiefisherman, I can't really tell you about the "nice ones", since I'm not fishing for big ones, but I can tell you this. I've been catching bait for a trotline everyday since Mother's Day, and the real Bluegills (not green sunfish, not orangespotted sunfish) are just starting to show up in the last few days. I haven't caught any of the real giant ones, but some pretty good ones right at the shoreline. If a guy would move deeper and try crickets or nightcrawlers, you could probably get some good ones. My guess is that they are just starting, so this weekend and on into July should be great. Good luck !!

Well, sorry thunderbutt. I just came back indoors and saw this, but I just sold the motor. Sorry it didn't work out. MOTOR IS SOLD .

Tell me more about your rifle please. Calibur ?? Style ??

Quick update: I'm still getting about one flathead per night. Nothing really huge, but nice solid fish. I did go a couple of nights without catching, but it was over the weekend and I had a little trouble catching bait since I got out late and the shoreline was all muddied up from boat traffic. I'll tell you, Friday afternoon by about 3:00, it looked like somebody opened a gate somewhere. Boat after boat after boat came in the creek and it didn't slow down until after dark. lol. It's definately summer !

Sounds good Ham !

I have an Evinrude 9.9 HP motor for sale. It's a 1992 yacht twin model. I have the clear title handy and I'll throw in an extension handle for the tiller and about a gallon of Evinrude 2 cycle oil. You'd need a remote tank (mine has a hole in it), but I'll provide the fuel line with Evinrude connector on it. It's been in the shed (indoors) for about 1 year, but it was running good when it came off the boat. It has a long shaft. Call 417-779-3673. Leave a message and call back number if I'm not here. Thank you, m Oops, I'm asking $390.00

When IS the tournament ?

I use a 6/0 SS Limerick hook. (Not sure if I'm spelling Limerick correctly). They are made by Eagle Claw. I suppose you can still get them. I'm still using those hooks I bought years ago in a big box. Chris is right. Use the live bluegills. I hook them thru the back and try not to kill them. I'm mostly after Flatheads, and they like live bait. By the way.... Nicely done there Chris ! Nice bunch of fish.

Chris, I think any of the steeper sided coves in the lower lake creek arms are good. Both Cows, Spring Branch, those coves up by Indian Point (Jacques ?). I'm in Big Cow, but there are probably hundreds of good places from Kimberling to the dam. Maybe thousands. lol. I set mine as close to the thick timber as possible. After a few years I have some places where I can be "in the thick of things", and not get the line hung up when a good fish gets on. I keep my line short too. Like 10 to 12 hooks. Hope that helps. Hunter91, you bring the walleye and I'll bring the flathead !!

Chris is right. The trotline bite is getting better everyday it seems. I got a 19 lb 8 oz flathead and a 9 lb 15 oz flathead (digital scale) last night. Also had a baby flathead that was quickly released. Still using live bluegills for bait. (orangespotted sunfish and green sunfish as well). I'll try to attach a photo of the 19 1/2 pounder.

I had a 29 1/2 walleye done (replica) and it looks great ! Be sure and get the length and girth and even a few good photo's of the fish. Had mine done at BPS "Nature's Image" I think it's called. It's nice because the real 29 1/2 inch walleye is back swimming in Bull Shoals. He lives right by the big rock that has a tree in the water. lol

This morning I had no catfish on the trotline, but yesterday morning I had two flatheads and a channel cat. The flats were outta the same mold, both right at 8 pounds. The channel was a little bigger, but I didn't weigh him. Still catching bait (sunfish) very shallow on a tiny tube jig. My baits may have been too big last night. I got a late start and all I could catch was the big green sunfish. Seems like a medium to medium small bait has been working the best.

Phil, I have to login almost everytime I come to the forum. I have the "remember me" box checked, and I don't sign out. That started before the change you are speaking of.

Why was he being shot at ?

Mclothier1, Sam is correct. I'm in the lower lake and just across from the DD road "maze". I use timbered coves and keep my line short mainly because the longer the line, the more chance of it getting hung up in a submerged tree if a good sized fish gets on. I usually try and run the line parallel to shore in anywhere from 11 to22 feet of water. Tie between stickups and pull the line tight. I put one good sized weight in the middle which will pull the line down 5, 6, maybe 7 feet down. You don't have to get way deep to catch Flatheads at night. If you're on the DD point area, you are very close to Spring Branch which has probably hundreds of un-tapped places to trotline. Just please, remove the lines when you are done with them. And good luck !

Well I'll kick this ole dog one more time. lol. Got another nice Flathead last night. It is noticeably bigger then the other two. I haven't weighed it yet due to OLD batteries in the scale. We'll get that fixed later this evening ! Hey Hunter91, I see where Lakebumbs record Yellow Perch has been beat. A whoping 1 pound, 11 ozs I believe is the new record. See the story right here on OA's home page.

The Flatheads are starting to bite. I got a 13 1/2 pounder last night and it's twin the night before. I only have one short line out right now. I think it should only get better over the next month or so. Using whatever sunfish I can catch with a tiny tube on an ultra-lite. (Half the fun is catching the bait).

Sam, I hit both Cow's Wed and caught no crappie in either creek. They are late for sure but you haven't missed anything around these parts that I know of. Hope the James works out !

Yes, the drag should be set light enough to slip if you get hung-up. It also helps to keep from ripping the hooks out of the fish, should you hook one. You can always tighten it a little while fighting the fish if necessary. I know guys that hold the rod and guys that use rod holders. Either way will work but if you hand hold the rod, you are pretty much limited to that one rod. With rod holders you can run two rods if you're feeling lucky. Three rods if you're feeling feisty. 4 rods if you're just plum crazy. lol. Nothing as exciting as hanging up 3 or 4 crankbaits at the same time.

Next to the big flat rock, right ? lol

You can coat them with the exact same thing you coat your fish fillets with and deep fry.

The Mrs & I found 44 after work yesterday. (4-14-09). It should get better in the next few days !

My step son has a small boat, motor, and trailer for sale. I'm not sure of all the details but the motor is a 20 HP Mariner, 1994 year. The boat is older I think. Alum vee hull about 16 foot long with trailer. His phone number is 417-779-5646 ask for Buddy.

Well, it's a few here and a few there for us. Finding anywhere from 6 to 36 each day. Keep in mind this is not "all day" walking. Just an hour here and an hour there. It may be a little early for the bumper crop, I'm unsure. It's kind of different this year. I'm thinking the upcoming cold might mess everything up. We'll see. Southern Stone County.