Champ188

John, very kind of you to say. We've all benefitted greatly from this site and not just in terms of fishing info. I've made some great friends here and learned a lot from them. Keep hanging around and let us know how your efforts go on the water. Even bad or so-so trips can be learning experiences.

Good job, man. Whatever derby you're fishing, give em heck. I'm rooting for ya.

Arkansas River is very similar with the wing dams and other navigational challenges. Still, I love me some river fishing. I will say that the Arkansas River doesn't have nearly as many things with teeth as your river. LOL

I'd love to fish that part of the Mississippi River someday. Quite an impressive fishery.

Rainy days are the days to fish, especially on clear highlands lakes like Table Rock. With the cloud cover, the topwater bite can last all day. Just be careful about severe weather and look around ahead of time for an open dock slip to duck into.

Nice report and pics. Glad you guys had a great day on the water.

Thankfully you aren't a NASCAR driver. ?

Nice work, QB.

Glad you guys closed out strong. You've had a good trip. I look forward to seeing you both again in the near future.

Thanks. Yes, a nice one, but TR gives up several 5-pounders a year. Babler can testify to that.

Carnivores. Lots of carnivores on this forum. And Harter House is heaven for carnivores.

How can you not catch fish on a bait called a Hoodaddy?

After trying last fall but failing to connect, I was able to host OA member Big C and his young adult son Kip for a trip out of Shell Knob. All I can say is it was an incredibly enjoyable outing. Big C is a new condo owner at Indian Point, and he and Kip have proven their fishing abilities many times in that area. Today, I wanted them to see more of the lake. We started on a bluff end topwater bite (thanks, BB) and caught more than a handful of fish, then moved on to other areas and tactics when the sun popped out and the wind came up. Ol' Ned produced well for us, along with a spinner bait and a Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw rigged on a shaky head (thanks ranger185). Not sure how many we ended up with because this was as much of a sightseeing and instructional outing as anything, but it was enough to keep us suitably busy for 7 hours. Fellow OA members, I'm here to tell you there are some very fine folks right here on this forum who are more than worth getting to know. Big C is a public servant and has been for nearly 30 years, putting his life on the line every day. He's getting near retirement and will be spending a lot more TR in the future. I'm looking forward to our next outing.

Very kind of you to say, my friend. Unfortunately, the big smallie bit a day early. But hey, anytime I can watch a buddy totally get his butt kicked by a 4-pound smallmouth, I'm in for it. He did a very good job of staying patient on light spinning gear and bringing the fish to hand (I don't carry a net except on derby day).

I have to give credit where credit is due ... I stole that from denjac a few years ago. He's a funny dude!

Big congrats, Darren, and dtrs5kprs is right ... there's a lot of info there --- more than I would have given. This forum is no secret, and the "views" for each topic reflect that. For every active member, there are hundreds more who use this site to gather info incognito. Happy to hear no bedding fish were jostled in the making of this victory but I couldn't fault you guys if you had caught some that way. As long as it is legal to do so and money is on the line, you are hamstringing yourself if you run across a big bedding fish and don't try to catch it. Again, congrats on the win. Great job by one of our most talented OA members.

When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, he had 3 missed calls from Beck.

Definitely a well-run tournament by people who know how to run one. Far as that winning bag goes, not saying they did or didn't BUT conditions were perfect for sight fishing yesterday. Just hope not too many of them got yanked off the beds. Myself and ranger185 took it on the chin with just a couple of nice LM keepers that he expertly brought to boatside. Yours truly contributed nothing but a complete lack of ability to adjust to changing weather conditions. Practiced too many days not to have a good backup pattern in place. This sport is really frustrating at times.

I'm apparently dumber than that bass. I didn't catch him today. Great fish, MOBASSIN83, and welcome to the forum! Very nice pics.

David, glad you guys had a good trip and thanks for sharing your report/photos. Come back when you can!

I can agree with just about every response on this post, as all have merit. I lean toward Bo's theory that LETTING these turds have their way and run roughshod over you is why it has become so prevalent. Sometimes it's pure ignorance, which is easier for me to forgive than outright rudeness. There was a story on this forum within the past year or so where a guy pulled up within casting distance of an OA member and told him sorry to cut you off but I'm fishing a tournament. In that case, it would be hard for me not to bounce the biggest bait I had tied on off the side of his rig. Or his empty noggin. Repeatedly. Until he left. All that said, it's probably best to take the high road and just leave.

I was told there are 300 boats in the Tyson tournament (permitted for 250 out of Port of Kimberling). No telling how many others will be out there. So yes, guys, PLEASE be on the lookout for the yaks (and everyone else). Even one injury/death would totally suck.

Indeed, you guys travel safely and come back sooner than later!

The site is set to change d-a-m to darn.

Dang, Steve, sorry to hear of all your troubles. That was quite the night ... from extremely good to extremely bad. Glad to hear that you're OK and sounds like your beautiful boat and gear will be fine, too. Look forward to seeing you again soon.