rps

I have one. I love it but do not use it enough. Stable, but still able to navigate turns with dead falls. Easy in and out.

I am planning to go out Saturday, but I have begun telling myself > don't let it bother you. breathe. all will be ok. breathe. Oh, and I am planning another finesse day.

Robert, I found the going very tough until I moved down lake to warmer water. Haddock Creek, Leatherwood, and Cedar have some warmer temps at the back, but other than that I have found the best area in Missouri.

Look in the archives about red fins and advice. Long threads there.

I was able to go out again today from 10 to 2:30. Today I immediately ran down lake to warmer water. At Holiday Island the main channel was 51 this morning, 53/54 at Devils Dive, 55 at Eagle Rock, and I stopped at the mouth of Roaring River (Point 26) when I reached 57 degrees. I fished inside the Roaring River arm but never lost sight of Point 26. I lost count somewhere, but finished with 28 to 31 bass with some of each variety, of which 3 were keepers. Nothing worth taking a picture, though. The productive areas were within 100 feet of points, near deep water, with a slope with more rock than gravel. Best depth seemed to be 8 feet to 13 feet, although I did better bringing the bait down into that depth diagonally rather than I did simply fishing parallel to the bank at that depth. Today was day two of my program to learn to fish the Ned Rig, so that was the only thing I threw. 1/16 ounce fish arrow head and a dirt colored half Strike King Zero. I found something I really do not like about this bait. The fish absolutely inhale the lure and I spent way too much time trying to extract the bait without killing the fish. Last bit of news: No algae bloom in the Upper End (yet).

Have you ever noticed how much you learn every time you are on the lake? Today I learned 3 year old trolling batteries do not hold the amps they once did. I knew that already, but I have to relearn it every three years or so. I took care of that. Today I began the day with a promise to myself to fish only the Ned. I figured it is a good time of year to learn more than the basics. I rigged a 1/16th fish arrow head with a dirt color elastech half senko. I rigged a green pumpkin half with a 1/8th mushroom head. I fished likely spots around Holiday Island for two hours with no success. Then I "learned" there was a difference between the 49 degree water near here and the 55 degree water in Owl Creek. In Owl Creek, I caught 12 LM and Spot bass in 2 hours on the lighter head in 5 to 10 feet of water. 2 of the 12 would have measured as keepers, but neither by much. That was when the batteries began to suffer from tired blood. I was fishing with a Falcon Low Rider light action 6' rod I bought 13+ years ago for brown trout fishing below Bull Shoals dam. It was a high quality rod when I bought it. Compared to modern components, it needs a face lift. All my parts for the new Ned rod are now here and I expect to have it completed soon. Then I will decide whether to retire the Falcon or rebuild it. I hope all of you enjoyed your day as much as I did. I know you were all out there. I saw you.

Actually, no. They appear to be 2's.

This time of year in that area, go finesse. Grubs, finesse shad, 4 inch worms on light jig heads or road runners. Also try jerk baits and shad raps.

Several times while fishing walleye on a Lindy rig I have caught awesome bluegill. They really are great eating fish. If I have a keeper walley in the boat that I intend to clean, from that point on I keep large bluegill to add to the meat baggie.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fish_Arrow_J_Heads_5pk/descpage-FAJH.html

correlation does not imply causation

bravo!

I wear one at all times in the boat. summer - sterns inflatable vest winter - traditional sterns vest

Good report. I know several things I would have considered doing about the blocked ramp. What did you choose to do?

The man needs a prepaid membership to Crankbaits Anonymous. He is broke and can't pay it himself because of the expense of hiring gun bearers to take his boxes to the boat.

I run a Evinrude 75 ETEC. My oil reservoir is under the motor cowling. I need to refill so infrequently I forget to schedule it. When the siren screams, I slow down, stop, and refill. Very simple. The trade off? I do not have to pay some one to break down and service the motor every season.

Fishing above snot: Acquire Trokar Re Volve hooks and thread a 4 inch paddle tail grub on it. Cast and retrieve very slowly just above the snot. The spin helps keep the bait shallow. Be sure to let the bait unwind between casts.

I use them often rigging live crawlers Texas rig style on walleye harness'.

Many years ago I fished an entire weekend on Broken Bow in Oklahoma with only four pound test line and Charlie Brewer worms on slider heads. I was teaching myself a method. I did not catch that many fish. It was not a great weather/front weekend. I did hook two of the largest brown fish I have ever had on. One threw the hook. The other broke off. Ned Rig and finesse jikka rigging will work on highland lakes.

I ran down lake only as far as Eagle Rock. Maybe I should have kept going.

J-Doc Your new boat will be perfect for you. Obviously you have spent the time to look into the features that matter to you. Ranger has made quality products for years. I love my ride, but it is not for everyone. I hope you feel about your choice after three years the way I feel about mine.

The Holiday Island Marina was swamped today. Quite a show. The bad news was that during the last week the corps has released much water from Beaver. The lake is up a foot, the water is nasty with trash, leaves, and logs, and the surface temp today was 46, compared to last week's nearly 50. If you tried to fish the windy banks like I did, nearly every cast fouled with debris. If you run at this end of the lake keep your eyes open for floating logs. I fished four hours with the Ned, a jikka rigged Paca Craw Jr., and a crank. I only caught two, one on the craw and one on the crank. Happily both were keeper large mouth. The water temp change will delay the spawn. I saw no cruising males today, even in the warm backs of coves.

Went out today, 4/12, and found new information. Look for my upper end post.

Rapala currently makes the wart. Bill or Dave Storm's company invented it. Rapala bought him out. He made some sort of deal with Brad's before he made the deal with Rapala. Some years after Rapala bought his company, his son brought out Dave's KaBoom. For a while they had a wiggle wart look alike but now they don't. Probably a story there.

Very thoughtful Bill. Thank you. Guys, this man does not have to answer anything. He makes a living using what he knows. When he shares, as he does so often, we should thank him in public for that. OK. I will get off my pontification box now.