Brennan

I fished a 30-40 boat team circuit on Truman this year with my 16 year old son. We did a lot of donating. We also fished the last 3 big bass bash tournaments on LOZ. Plenty of donations there as well. But, my son weighed a 4 1/2 pound fish and won a few hundred bucks. Priceless. I would estimate that 4 1/2 pound fish cost me at least 5 grand this year. I’d pay double that. For us, it’s not about the money at all. It’s about spending hours in a boat with my boy. There is an element of excitement and competition, learning how to lose, working together to come up with a plan, and……me teaching my son a little about fishing and a lot about life. I get that the lakes are getting really busy on the weekends. If I lived on the lake I’m sure it would drive me crazy. We are respectful of no wake zones and other fishermen. My boat has more than two speeds and I know and follow the rules on the water. There are a few different types when it comes to tournament fishermen. Haha, we are respectful donators. It’s how I spend my discretionary funds. We buy tackle from local shops, eat at restaurants, stay in hotels, shop at the grocery store and buy gas. I’ll admit, I do feel a little bit guilty when I read through some of the comments about tournament fishing. I appreciate the message and we do our best to enjoy our hobby without getting in anyone’s way. My favorite time on the water is practicing with my son on a random Wednesday morning. Quiet, peaceful……but with an element of anticipation and excitement for an upcoming event. I really enjoy this forum. I think it’s really important to listen to everyone’s point of view, and I do. I just wish I had more to offer as far as fishing advice. All I can tell you right now……is that Truman is REALLY fishing tough. We need cooler weather. Thanks to everyone, Tim

Fished a few hours today, 830-1130, and caught 8-10 14inch spots swimming a 2.8 inch keitech through timbered points. went up shallow to get un-snagged and spooked a big largemouth swimming in maybe 2 feet of water. That made me throw a vision 110 up shallow on wind blown banks…..but I couldn’t get the big bite like yesterday. I was looking for wind, but eventually found too much of it and went in early.

Fished yesterday morning early. Put in at Big M to flat calm water. Struggle bus. Tried to force the jerkbait on them with very little action. Ran down lake looking for wind. After a few fruitless stops, I said the heck with it and ran up way up the Kings……I’m used to Truman lake so I’m more comfortable when I can’t see my jerkbait down 15 feet. Caught this one in about 2 feet of water just inside a bluff end point. Megabass jr. +1 in TR shad. I estimate somewhere in the 5 1/2 pound range. Had a few other fish on windy points but not much to speak of. Threw a RK crawler, Wiggle wart, Megabass z3, and even an old crawdad deep wee R on windy rock banks but couldn’t ever get a bite. Going out today with more of an open mind….and a few spinning rods! good luck.

I have the Power Pole Charge, and that thing is awesome! I’ve called them a couple times with questions and they’ve been very helpful. Seems like a great company. I’ve had a similar experience with Garmin. Customer service goes a long way with me.

Garmin customer service is great!

My previous boat I had the batteries plus x2. It did a great job (2d sonor x2, no livescope)……until…..it quit taking a charge 2years in. It was replaced over the counter no questions asked. The second x2 performed flawlessly. Now I have a new BassCat Puma. AGM 31 pro guide starting and 3 12v lithium pro guide 75ah. And a power pole charge. Wow! Amazing to have all your batteries full or almost full when you get off the water. Comes at a steep price tag though. I used to run 3 of the 31 sized Sam’s club Duracell AGM batteries and they never gave me a problem…..except for weighing half a ton.

CargoLargo. Independence Missouri. Overstock stuff, Amazon returns, etc…. They run daily specials and offer additional discounts on different departments. Their starting price is usually 40-50% of retail. I’ve gotten all kinds of stuff there for very cheap…..vacuum cleaner, Bluetooth speakers, computer equipment, cleaning supplies, Yeti cooler and tumblers, clothes, lots of junk fishing equipment ……….I’m waiting on buying a pellet grill for a friend of mine. It retails for 899. Currently marked 529 (but I’m holding out for a 20% off day). One day there was just a big bin of Falcon Rods….crazy. Right place at the right time.

I found these rods in a sort-of clearance….or surplus type store. You never know what might be there. Clothes, kitchen supplies, electronics, anything and everything. The other day I went in and there was a big collection of Falcon and Lews rods. My jaw about hit the floor. These are all brand new with tags. I also picked up an “HD” 7’ Med moderate casting rod that I think will be a blast for throwing small flat sides or even warts. Less than 40 bucks…..couldn’t pass it up. BuCoo “Trap Caster” for 50 dollars. And the expert Jerkbait rod…..it is one of my “Holy Grail” rods. Been wanting one for years. Last month I rolled the dice on some 13 Fishing baitcasters for “I don’t even want to say how much.” Haha. Maybe they’re junk….but maybe not…..retail for 159.99 I find myself wanting to go back to this store every other day. Dangerous for the wallet when you have spring fever this bad. tight lines.

I recently bought the Falcon Expert dropshot rod. Found it new for less than half price and couldn’t pass it up. I don’t dropshot a ton…..how would it be for throwing a small keitech, or even a Ned Rig? Also picked up the Expert jerkbait rod and the “Table Rock” rod for the same deal. The “Table Rock” rod feels like it could throw just about anything. Moving baits or drag baits. Very nice.

Thankfully, my anesthesia group has not yet been bought out by the Corporate entity that owns the hospital where I practice. Your point about HR dictating your practice rings true. Currently I can practice with the freedom to provide excellent care. The day our group is bought out will be the day I look for a new job. Making medical decisions based on fear of lawsuit is just getting ridiculous.

Where does a fella find the 5 inch Nicholes craw? I like the look of it.

Caught these way up flat creek many years ago on my favorite wiggle wart. The initial bite was the little guy…..the big one saw his opportunity and took it!

Very sad to hear this. Prayers for his family and those that were close to him. Always enjoyed his posts.

Headed to the lake tomorrow. Staying for a week….dam area. Keeping the boat in a slip and want to take bare minimum stuff so I can bring it back to the room every night. Targeting all 3 species of bass. Will be fishing pre-dawn mornings, and probably not past 10-1100 AM. Any suggestions on things to add to a “day box” that I can easily carry to and from the boat? Favorite topwaters, Ned, Keitechs, FB jigs, Dixie jets, dropshot stuff…. anything else I should add? I hate to leave the boat in a slip but just have to this time. I leave it almost completely empty with the lockers unlocked. Graphs are removed. I came down one morning and someone had tried to remove my motor guide tour…..🤦🏻‍♂️ Thanks, and good luck.

I’m a St Croix fan. Don’t know where you’re located, but Rogers Sporting Goods in Liberty Mo (Kansas City area) has a lot in stock. I use Avids for all my trout stuff, but have been thinking of adding a rod specific for crappie as well. Lilley’s Landing makes a great rod as an alternative. Tremendous value. You might consider checking them out as well.

Thanks for the report. Can’t wait to spend a week there next month. great pics....I’m curious about the black pedals on the starboard side of your front deck. I recognize a couple as being for your shallow water anchors, but wonder about the other set of pedals with the yellow sticker on top. thanks again....wonderful report.

-9 here in KC this AM. Rolling power outages. 🥶

Caught one 35 pounds on a crappie jig, ultralight and 6lb line below Lake Perry in the 80’s. I was just a kid and that was the fight of my life. Also caught huge long nosed gar that jumped like sailfish, and a stringer of 4 walleye weighing over 40 lbs. I dreamed of that spillway most nights. Great memories with my dad. On TR, I’ve caught a couple around 5 pounds or so on a jig or Ned rig. Speaking of oddball catches while fishing for bass, I’ve caught 2 musky out of LOZ in the Warsaw area throwing a squarebill and a spinnerbait around docks. Didn’t weigh them, but they were big (to me) probably over 15 lbs a piece.

Good point, dadakota. It is generally advised to avoid premedication with these drugs in anticipation of having symptoms. If you have symptoms after the vaccination has been given, it is acceptable to use the medications to control symptoms. If someone has concerning symptoms after the shot, I’d advise them to check with their doctor. But know that these expected symptoms are mostly mild and don’t last long.

I’ve practiced anesthesia in the Kansas City area for 20 years. I teach the KU student nurse anesthetists. The reaction to the vaccine that was described in a previous post is more typical of the second shot, not the first. As expected, the second shot is sometimes causing 24-36 hours of low grade fever and body aches. Everyone is reacting differently, but I’d say about 75% of my colleagues have had short term symptoms like these after the second shot. Your body is primed to mount a more vigorous immune response by the time you receive the second vaccine. These symptoms are, typically, improved with Tylenol and ibuprofen. They were for me. Hospitals here in the Kansas City area are very much feeling the strain of Covid 19. Some hospitals are limiting the number of elective surgical cases, especially those that would require overnight stay in the hospital, because of lack of beds and lack of staff. Covid 19 is highly unpredictable. I see many cases where a person is young and healthy and becomes very ill (prolonged hospitalization, ICU, ventilator, prolonged PT, rehab). The statistic that 99% of those infected survive is, I’m sure, true. But, just not dying, is not the outcome I’m trying to achieve. For me, the choice was easy. I took the vaccine on the first day and completed the second round a week ago. I hope that the vaccine becomes available to all of you soon. I hope you consider taking it. I enjoy all you guys on here. Please be careful.

I also have a daiwa BG 1500. It is a solid reel. I bought it based on all the great reviews I found online. I think it was a good purchase and an excellent value. I find myself reaching for the fuego lt 1000 when trout fishing due to the significantly reduced weight and more finesse feel overall when paired with a light/ultralight rod. I have read some criticism of the fuego with regard to the body flexing. I can see where that may be an issue when fighting larger fish, but it has never been an issue for me catching trout up to 20 inches on 2lb line. If that’s a concern, I seriously doubt the BG would flex at all....it’s a tough reel. There’s no way I need another spinning reel, but if I was putting together a dream setup with a custom rod....I’d be looking hard at the tatula. I hope you get something put together that is just right for you. A lot of good choices out there.

I have a patriarch that is more than a few years old. It’s at the very back of my rotation as it’s just not as smooth as my shimano and daiwa reels. It is very light weight. I have a stradic fk that is buttery smooth although a bit heavier than some of the composite bodied reels available now. It’s still one of my absolute favorite reels. If I were looking for a new spinner that is a little higher end I’d start with the stradic fl or the daiwa tatula lt. The daiwa stuff is just fantastic. For a budget choice, look to the daiwa fuego lt. I’ve got two and they are very smooth reels, magsealed, and can be found well under 100$ on line. Good luck.

Appreciate all the detailed info regarding your setup, Bill. Question.....do you ever fish the pink worm shallower than 7’6”.....does the small swivel fit through the carrot float....or do you need to shorten the leader for that? I like the idea of the carrot float. It seems like it would be less likely to damage the line compared to the weighted “clip on” style float. I use the clip one all the time but I’ve always been a little concerned about it damaging that delicate line. Is there a specific size float you prefer? Is the small pink worm heavy enough to cause the float to stand up, or does it lay on its side? I appreciate everyone’s input on refining this fun technique. thanks

Simply awesome. Well done sir...you deserve it!

We used these gammy 6/8 circle hooks about a month ago with my 11 year old son drifting the pink worm on a drift rig. We threaded the worm 1/3- almost half the way up the line and had the hook point coming out about the middle of the worm. Between us we caught about 15 fish in 2 drifts from cooper creek to monkey island and all were hooked in the corner of the mouth. We were using a light action rod with a very soft tip and let the fish just keep biting until they hooked themselves. Lots of fun and no gut hooked fish.