Trav

Check out www.reservebranson.com Plenty to do there while in branson in Feb.

Did some deep water work and pulled 2 Browns(3-8,6-3). Used several presentations and both fish came from opposite sides of the spectrum. One off of a Rat Trap and the other off of a spinnerbait that I had modified to trail a Hornet. Spent 5 hours to get those two bites. Spent 3 hours before the first bite. Just goes to show that pesistence pays. On my trek home, close to sunset, I fished the shallows just down from rockaway. Was zero wind and the water was glass so I threw some top water baits. Got 5 sports in 30 minutes.

Welcome

too funny My fantasy football league was called the Ozark Mtn Bassmasters.

I was wrong with the fact that the lake might be muddy. In fact, it was more stirred up by the wind than from yesterdays rain.. Anyway I classified this as a non-fishing report because I never really got to fish today. What I got to do was spend the afternoon with a chainsaw freeing a big tree from my dock cables. But what I did observe in the process might be of fishing value. I noticed alot of Bass and bluegills stacked in behind the mess. Tells me two things. They are hiding from the wind, and, that since my dock is on the channel side, the spawn has got to be on its way. Wont be long before you start to hear about bedded bass. Those puppys are hunting upriver for a place to compete. Hehe

I agree!! The wigle O by cordell is just as worthy of the hype.

Years ago, my brother used to live in Springfield and when he "had the itch", or "needed to stretch" as he called it, He used to walk around the area where the finley river and the James meet. Lots of area and excellent smallie fishing. A little bit further than where your talking but just far enough to get away from the "geezers". Yet still close enough to home to make a short trip out of it. Just a suggestion. There is alot of places just west and south of Nixa to spot fish the James as well.

It looks like an 11 pounder to me. It definately is a fat squatty 11. Not as long as some 8 pounders I have seen but what a head on that thing. I do believe that a Potomac Bass would be considered a northern fish. Northern fish tend to grow slower, thier body mass is more dense. So a fish from southern waters can actually be longer and weigh less than thier northern counterparts. Take a look at some of the fish on the Lunker Page in BassMaster Mag. Some of those I question. This is definately over 10.

Scary to think I was on the Lake when that mess went through. Fortunate I guess that I was on this side of the state line.

Will mean a muddy lake on the Lower.

Havnt seen MDC patrolling the Lower in almost 4 years. Might be just timing but it sure isnt because I am not on the water. Would love to see one at least once a week anyway. I did see a couple police cars and an ambulance down by the Rockaway boat ramp yesterday. Not sure what that was about. I doubt if they were checking licenses or creel limits though.

I managed to fish a little today before the sky fell on me. Have the feeling, with the amount of rain I got here at home this afternoon, we will be looking at a pretty muddy lake tommorrow. Might be a good day to work in the garage or something. Cant catch much when the water is as thick as a chocolate milk shake. Anyway, Today I caught a decent amount of Bass. 18 total with 2 over 3 pounds. (3-4, 3-9). I believe the fresh water from this mornings rain was just enough to fire them up. Caught most on floating Rapalas and they were coming up for air to get them. Was alot of fun. Until I got swamped. I must have had 3 inches of standing water in my boat before I could pull the plug and run it out. When I got home I found out I was on the lake during a tornado warning. Hehe. Whats the old saying? Old enough to know better but young enough to do it anyway? Something like that.

Very cute. My ex-brother-in-law has a pond in his back yard where he feeds catfish dogfood. His dog (now deceased) used to jump in to steal the food away from the fish. Was hilarious to see that mutt(some Spud Mckenzie type) get all ticked off at the Cats. Some of them were big enough to eat it but its tyrant saw no size. It was the dumb dogs hate for "rolling rubber" that finally did him in though.

You might be a Redneck if.............

I like those baits, but they sure can get pricey.

Haha Too funny. I am surprised he wasnt charge with any Food and Beverage Violations as well. Food being served in Resteraunts as well as Grocery stores must have a documented trail to the source of at least its distributor. Doesnt Cali have some kind of union that regulates employer practices so that everyone gets a cut of the profit? Haha Maybe thats why He jet out of town, ....ticked off some union boss who wanted thier cut of that $10.95.

Haha My dog wont even chase a bobcat. Especially one with the protection of its mommy. Back in the 70s my uncle had a friend who used to get animals as young and raise them. Coons, Squirrels, Skunks, you name it, and yes, even a bobcat once. Everyone of them turned out to a bad idea. Especially Coons. They have real Hyde and Jekyl side(s). His bobcat was docile enough. To humans. That thing used to kill every house cat and yard dog he could get. Once it was about 3 years old or so, he had to give it to a large cat sanctuary to avoid criminal charges. Wild animals belog in the wild or in a facility where they can do what comes natural. No BS.

Was still a bit busy on the Lower today. For a Monday in Feb anyway. Fished just long enough to catch a half dozen sport Bass. Had other things on my agenda. Still looking for those cruisers that will soon be bedding. Seems that most my takers were holding to docks housing pontoons. Im sure it has something to do with this past weekends boat traffic. Scared of a boat, go hide under one? Haha

I have the blue as well.

There were reports of black bear in Nixa just last summer. There is a little group of bobcat living close to my place. They are as common as the red fox. Now, I did see a grey/silver fox last winter. He sure was a pretty thing. On another note, I have scene coyote inside the Branson city limits. Out near the meadows to be specific. You better lock up your pet poodle. Those guys live off of pets out in So Cal.

I saw a cougar while driving down 65 near Marshall Ark back in the late 80s. It wasnt as big as that cat, but they are around.

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!! Thats what I am talking about!

I dont think your pessimistic Dano, Just stating the reality. We all know reality bites. Ryan, Your right, Taney is a great fishery. Still doesnt change the fact that its not as good as it used to be. But, niether is the human race for that sake. I used to hear tales of the "good ol days" from my late Gramps and his descriptions always failed to mention that he also lived through the depression, a world war and a dust bowl that financially destroyed his family. As Ryan pointed out to us, that instead of dwelling on what is lost, we should be looking at what we have left. To steal a title from a bleeding heart liberal (whom I detest), Al Gore hit the nail on the head with his "Inconvenient Truth". Haha, Cant believe I just validated that guy. I suppose I could resubmit my rational to kill the parasites that are destroying this planet but I really dont feel like doing all that typing again. Wink I will ask this though. Who has the "special" kool-aid? And do you have enough for everyone? Haha

Valid point Phil.

Joby After further review, you are correct, thanx for the clarification. Phil, The study I am referring to was in an article from the Bass Times. As Joby pointed, it probably isnt the most unbiased source. But a study all the same. As far as Brown trout eating everything, That is common knowledge. Not unlike Bass they will consume anything that may or may not have a pulse. They are ravenous opportunistic feeders. Just ask any stocker bow or the occasional bass stuck in the throats of many a brown I have caught. Infact, I catch the bulk of my Browns on home-made lures that resemble a cross between a hubcap and a louisville slugger. Haha I for one have exclusively fished the Lower Taney for 3 decades and have noticed changes in its diversity since the influx of Browns. Granted, I dont believe the impact is a continuing trend, just a noticable reaction to the existing population. The majority of my observation is just that. A single point of view from an individual whom likes to stir up controversy for conversation sake. Wink With that said, Dano, Sarcasm aside, Haha, I dont see any reports of people catching 50 plus fish on the Lower Taney. If your looking for numbers then the upper is the place for you. Just watch out for those squids, I havent seen any reports of them down here on the lower..... But of course they prefer tourists if I am correct. And the tourists tend to be drawn to the phrase "Trophy Area".