Champ188

C4F, we had 3 keepers Saturday including a 3.5-pound SM that I was too stupid to go weigh in early when we could have won some money with it. We were sitting in the room Saturday evening, looked at each other and said, "You want to go home?" The mutual answer was yes so we packed up and headed back to Bella Vista. Pretty sure we would have donated our entry fee anyway, so this way we donated without having to fight the crowds. We have lost our fire for tournament fishing. Just sucks all the fun out of it for us anymore. I'm committed (and paid) to fish the Cops for Kids derby next month with a good friend from here on the forum, and I'm looking forward to that. Gonna practice hard and try to win it. But beyond that, my derby days may be behind me.

Surely, none of you guys think I'm gonna touch that one, do you?

Proof positive that the Ned Rig not only catches small fish ... Both fish were taken from Broken Bow Lake in southeastern Oklahoma. The top one was caught by guide Bryce Archey last Wednesday and weighed close to 12 pounds. (Bryce is 6-6 and like myself can make a huge fish look small). The bottom one was caught (today) Sunday morning by one of Bryce's clients and weighed nearly 11 pounds. Anyone interested in booking a trip to Broken Bow can contact Bryce thru his website at: brokenbowlakeguide.com Of course, the authentic Ned Rig heads are available right here on OA from our own dtrs5kprs.

Couldn't agree more on the job Ben is doing with the temps project. Not only is he doing it, but he's doing it at a very high level. Can't wait to see what else is in store. As for the other deal, I gotta jump in the boat with Bo on this one. Supplemental stocking should have been a no-brainer after the virus. And our fish are certainly showing signs of tremendous health ... better than I can recall since arriving here in 2000.

Agreed in full, Cody. My motor stays in midrange more than it probably should, and Donna will vouch for that. I strive to remember to open it up once every 2-3 trips to keep the carbon blown out. And every now and then, there's a storm situation like the other day when it's nice to have 70 mph in reserve.

Solution to our striper issue?

What does it matter what anyone else thinks about your boat and tackle? Let's all just enjoy the freedom to own and fish from what we want/can afford while we still can. The way things are headed, we may not always have that freedom.

Great story, Flysmallie. There are still a few good folks in the world. You just kinda have to look harder to find em these days. As far as getting caught out in the weather, Donna and I purposely fish on the bad weather days. There are so many docks on TR that you're rarely far from an empty slip and we've never had anyone complain about us sliding into one. Never had anyone bring us coffee either, but they've probably read my posts on OA about jerseys or Power Poles or cutting the sides off bass or ...

My 2013 Ranger Z119 isn't a hot rod by any means but I saw 70.4 on it today (Humminbird GPS) heading in before the storm. That's with a 225 Pro XS.

It's kind of getting weird here.

A Night Ranger, for those who might remember sub-par 1980s rock groups.

Dang, Alex ... that post was so sad I'm almost crying. My heart is heavy that you had to go an hour or two between bites. Chin up, brother. It's gotta get better soon. Call me if you need to talk.

Fish are starting to move into spawning areas. As Ketchup suggested, secondary points with gravel should be a good place to start. Whatever dragging lures you like to throw should get you some bites.

My only qualification in that field is that I love few things more than a dead striper.

Now that's funny I don't care who you are!

You, sir, have things in perspective. My thought process on getting back into guiding is to approach it from an educational angle. Of course, there are clients who only want a day's worth of entertainment. But the ones who truly get their money's worth are those who pick the guide's brain and take some knowledge with them when they get out of the boat.

I threw a Ned and shaky head sparingly Monday after the front and caught a few. It's about here.

Everyone wants a guide's job until they HAVE to produce fish day in and day out --- without fail and no excuses --- regardless of weather changes, water conditions, etc. I've done it before and am contemplating doing it again. It's just not that easy.

Marcus, you aren't late at all on Table Rock. In another couple of weeks, they'll start showing up from Eagle Rock down to Shell Knob in the White River arm. Big M area is especially good. Your flatter points ... same places you should be fishing a shaky head, swing head or Ned for bass ... will have plenty of walleye on them. Donna and I usually average 1-2 a trip from the time the water temp hits 60 until it climbs above 80. You'll catch them on the bass baits I named above. Hope you get some this year.

You said a mouthful there, Dakota. Agreed on every word. I'll share techniques, current data, equipment advice, and so on around the clock, seven days a week. The friends I've made on this site are worth every ounce of info I've given out. But specific spots? Not happening out here in the public forum. For most people, a PM will get them a fair amount of specific info on spots. And if it's something I'd rather not share, I'll just say so. Politely.

Sounds like your version of give-and-take = we give, you take, done deal. On the other hand, since the info in your head is enough to wipe out our Walters if it fell into hillbilly hands, probably best that you don't spill the beans.

Thanks much, 96 Champ. Glad you guys persevered through the weather change and caught some nice ones. That spot in the middle pic is a dandy. Good tip on the bank structure.

Way to stay with it, brother. I'm back tomorrow. Probably Baxter.

Hope you get that new truck soon. Kudos for having the discipline to save up.

Alex, pretty sure that last pic is a meanmouth. And a darn fine one at that.