focused fishing

I think any drop in temperature will be temporary (a day or two) at most. We've got a good warming trend, started today, with sunny days and highs in the 60's predicted for a couple of days then some warm rain toward the end of the week. All and all I feel like we will get a pretty significant temperature increase in the rivers and backs of creeks by the weekend. Of course that's all based on the current forcast and their track record this year sucks. skeeter, I fished Baxter on last Thursday myself and your right it was the dead sea. Hopefully this will turn around by the weekend, everything is looking good; more sunshine, extended higher temps and longer days should result in warmer temps. 1.5" of cold rain is a bunch but it takes more than that to significantly drop the water temps, if the forecast is accurate we should be moving in the right direction. Besides, what else ya gonna do this weekend? EP

Snakem, It should improve the bite up the rivers, the water will dirty up and warm faster thatn the rest of the lake moving fish shallow. My only concern is the amount of wood debris and trash that will line the bank, it can make it difficult to throw any type of moving bait (wart, jerkbait, etc..) their should be a good flipping bite but you won't be able to cover much water effectively. EP

Don't know Phil..... "Grass Carp" doesn't have the same ring as "Philly Cheeze Steak"

Pink shirts always attract attention in the Ozarks....... I'm just sayin'

I agree everyone in the AiA should fish in Aunts Creek, that's where all the fish are, just ask Ron Shuffeld. Should be at the AiA with Kory - wht/blk/red ranger 520 w/ 225 Yamaha. The other EP

1. Super Spook Jr. - Flitter Shad 2. Rouge - Gold / Black Back 3. Can't pick just one jig: Eakins 5/16 pb&j w/ gp craw & 1/2 oz Jewel Football jig pb&j w/ gp J Tail grub (choice depends on the fishing situation)

Pro guide has been my battery of choice for years. As far as making them last longer do a little maintainence and you should get 2 - 3 years out a set. 1. Check the water level and keep them full 2. Over charge with a manual charger at least once a month 3. Maintain the proper acidity level by using a hydometer. Most batteries fail because they are maintained. EP

Adam, Looks like you guys picked a great weekend to come down weather wise. Three presentations for you; wiggle wart on steeper chunk rock banks and swings, 4" single tail grub around trees on swings and bluff ends, jerkbait in the same locations as the grub. Good luck, have fun and don't catch all of Tim's Aunts creek fish. EP

....think it's in the water......

Jason, I don't really crappie fish in the Baxter area much, I have caught a few in the trees on channel swings with a grub while fishing for bass (no bass in Baxter). I can tell you in years past we have been finding whites on the flat banks in the back of Big Indian until around late March. Then most of the whites I've seen are out on the main lake flats accross from the mouth of Baxter, they will usually show up early and late in the day from late April thought the summer. But as far as I can tell there are no bass in the Baxter area.......Wouldn't even waste your time with a wiggle wart or jig, just wind up loosing baits and wasting time..... Have Fun, EP

Nothing to see in Baxter, move along please

Barn, It's all going to depend on water temp when you get here, by then I think we'll be in the mid 50's to low 60's (I know big range). The Big Cedar / Dam area is one of the better smallmouth sections of the lake so finding brown fish should not be a problem. Target gravel and mixed gravel points leading into spawning pockets on both the main lake and in creek arms, any wind will help position the fish and points with a deeper drop on one side or the other will be a little more productive as well. As far as tackle, the guys have hit on most of it, my top baits would be: 1. 4" single tail grub on a 1/4 oz head (smoke, green pumpkin and pumkin) 2. Split Shot Rig with a fish doctor or french fry (green pumpkin and green pumpkin) 3. Shaky head with a green pumpkin finesse worm 4. Wiggle wart in brown craw or phantom green 5. Jewel 5/16 oz spider jig in PB&J or green pumpkin / green fash with a green pumpkin twin tail 6. wht / chrt dbl willow spinnerbait If you would like help with some more specific locations feel free to PM me. Hope this helps and you have a good trip, EP

I change the hooks on every crankbait I throw, unlike NWA I prefer the Gamakatsu round bend, they are just as sharp but I don't seem to hang them as much in brush, etc...

NWA, Flat warts are great if you can find them, have you ever tried a "rattle tot"???? It's the the old hot - n - tot with rattles, metal bill, dives about 10' - 12' deep on 10# line. I own a couple and find they will hit it when they are just a little to deep to reach with a wart. If you find one give it a try. EP

Is that a truely unbiased opinion joe???????

Agree with Don, all good info. I like a 1/4 oz. most of the time but will go bigger if the fish go deeper. This weekend I'd try counting the grub down to target suspended fish in trees, on a 1/4 oz. head the bait will fall about 2' per second, coun it down to about 10' and make a steady retrieve on chunk rock banks with standing timber. Of course if it warms up, look for dirty water and go shallow

Nice, we need to go look at a couple fo banks once the FLW boys leave town

Thanks Redbird, Love to go, we can do the jerkbait thing if you like or throw wiggle warts EP

Mouth of Aunts Creek, 100 yds. south of the last dock on the west side about 25' deep. Used a 55 gallon drum full of concrete, should still be there. BTW, anyone know how the take this wrap off of this boat so I can sell it.....

1. In my oppinion no the newest ones are not as good, especially the really old ones. Different action and sound due to the change in plastic. 2. Brown craw, natural green craw and phantom green, in that order. 3. I catch fish on a wart from 37 degrees to around 65 degrees. EP

Very well put Phil. Had a small run in with a FLW Pro over the w/e, didn't ruin my day. Either I'm getting used to it or I've decided I don't care anymore........ Good luck this w/e EP

I think there are a few factors: 1) Much larger number of tournament series around now than in 80' - 90's 2) Traditionally the payback in charity events was low, given the entry fee a guy can fish a series event and win more money against a smaller field. 3) Bass clubs supported and put on these events and with club numbers dwindling they could not continue to put them on. Just my two cents......

Foz is right, look for wiggle wart under the bill. The REALLY old ones are made from a different plastic with a different size ball bearing and the rattle is much higher pitched. These old ones have a split ring instead of a snap and will have silver hooks not bronze.

Like everyone else I use the cheapest mono I can find. Think most of what I have is 8# mono like to keep the knot as small as possible. Use a double surgeons loop, easy to tie and works great.

I heard Aunts Creek was off limits....... the Tim Rule I think they called it.