Ealy

You’re still kicking?!

We ended up putting in at Wigwam Access near Ivy Bend near the 65MM. Going downstream from there was no problem as long as you watched the map and stayed in the channel. I wouldn't recommend running up from there unless you really knew what you were doing. I heard of 2 different boats having to be pulled off of flats in a foot of water Friday and Saturday. The amount of spoonbill boats sitting in the channel from there up to around the 55MM was crazy.

Any particular stretches or mile markers to pay extra close attention to?

I’m curious with the lake being low, what are the conditions on the upper end? Thinking about putting in at Warsaw and running downstream for the Big Bass Bash. Is this sketchy to run right now?

Imagine if they expanded this to Boxing, Cycling, Baseball, , Basketball, and Football (including giving them to officials).

I’ve been fishing this tournament for the last 8 years or so and always look forward to it. A buddy of mine was lucky enough to win it a few years ago and this year he had his grandson and nephew together in the boat. What a great opportunity for them to learn the sport of tournament fishing out of the very boat that was given away as the top prize! I’m sure memories were made this weekend and new skills were developed. Table Rock does get a ton of pressure during the month of April. There were a couple of weekends in March that there were literally no tournaments going on, and I’d like to see it moved back a bit. However, March is typically going to have tougher weather conditions and less fish within casting distance of the bank. I think the big downside of this one is limiting the weigh in to Long Creek. Multiple location sites would make more sense and would balance out pressure across the lake. Everyone feels compelled to fish within a decent running distance and the Dam area just gets pounded. The second day we chose to put in at Baxter and run up the White. It was pretty much fair game up there and could fish about anywhere you wanted to. The downside was having to trailer the boat at 1230 and drive over to Long Creek and weigh in a fish. This pretty well ended our afternoon as they were starting to bite pretty good for us. A big plus in this format vs the standard tournament is the limited amount of fish actually being hauled around all day vs a standard tournament format. I think they put on a great tournament, but could be improved with multiple weigh in sites. Also, I’d like to see an extra payout to the top 5 biggest fish. I missed winning the boat by .01 a couple of years ago and received the same amount as everyone winning the hourly prize. Heck, maybe at least a hat and T-Shirt that says “1st Loser”!

Try counting down (A couple of seconds) and then slow reeling that swimbait or a smoke grub on a 1/4 oz he’d with your rod tip held up about 10 o’clock. I’m not a fan of Texas rigged, belly-weighted swimbaitS myself. You should be able to get most of your baits back if you do hang up. I’d also be trying a Jerkbait, Redfin, or Spook.

Good to know on the corrosion factor for the Owner. I’ll bag them in small packs to limit that. Will 2/0 fit the mold OK without mods?

Great fish on that little hook. Good price on the hook for the kids box for sure.

I’m thinking about ordering the MW Finesse jig mold. It calls for an Owner 5313 hook. For those of you pouring with this, are you using this hook, or have you found a good alternative? Also, which size hook do you prefer?

I was down in Mountain Home a couple of years a go and bought a bunch of tubes baits they had in bulk there. I think it was the Cranfield Junction store. Anyone know what brand they carry? I was thinking they said Precision Lures, but can’t find any online. I’m pretty sure they were made in Arkansas. The phone number listed for the store says it’s been disconnected. They still open?

Thanks Champ, I honestly didn’t know what to do today. An undisclosed amount of rods and reels were laying on an undisclosed ramp. It looks like they were night fishing and set them out to put into the bed of the truck and pulled away.. If I left them there, the next guy might’ve just called it a done deal. I’d like to see them back in the right hands for sure.

I’m hoping to find the owners of some rods and reels that were laying on the ramp at one of our local lakes. I went to load up the boat and found them laying in the middle of the ramp (public ramp). It was raining and I’m assuming someone grabbed them as a group out of the boat and laid them to the side. I initially picked them up and put them in the grass to prevent running them over. There were no other rigs there, I waited around for about 15 minutes and put them in the boat. If anyone hears of anyone who left behind rods/reels and can give me an accurate description, get ahold of me.

I think when I have the biggest problem is out on the lake gluing on a new grub, jig trailer, swimbait, ned rig, etc...If I know exactly how I'm going to be fishing, I'll glue up a few prerigged baits. Pretty soon, I end up with a little box of prerigged baits that end up rusting due to the salt content. Taking the time out to apply super glue with a toothpick while I'm also trying to control the boat is a little too much to ask.