Champ188

Bo never waited for an invitation to speak his mind --- and rarely do I --- so we were bound to clash at times. But from those clashes was born a mutual respect for one another that progressed to a friendship. Can't ask for more from an internet forum. As for being the Fishinwrench of TR, you nailed it shut there. Great analogy. Your gal Donna says congrats on the big jaw, although I did detect a slight tone of envy in her voice. Nothing wrong with strolling for those mid- to lower-lake smallies as long as you aren't doing it in a derby. That's where I'm with Bo and call it shady. We might all briefly allow boat movement to move our lures at times, but if you're doing so intentionally as many guys do this time of year, it's trolling. Other opinions? C'mon guys, fishing and forum activity are both slow. Let's discuss this.

Gorgeous fish, indeed. Bo would've been very happy to see that beauty in the river (and probably would have claimed it was one of his River Smallmouth Enhancement Program lower-lake transfers). Good man. May God rest his soul.

Huh?

Bingo ... and we are way past the point of improving either of those. We don't teach common sense or courtesy in the home anymore.

Prayers from here, too.

Amen.

Never been a fan of messing with what God created. Without starting a theological war, I firmly believe that fish and wildlife belong in the areas He put them in. I have no problem with supplemental stocking of what is already there but when humans start moving things around and purposely crossbreeding them, I don't like it. Peace out.

Very good thread. Tons of info in here that can be taken an applied to other areas. Thanks, guys.

ODFW recognizes that Grand Lake gets a lot of tournament pressure and responds by bolstering the natural population of LMB. Meanwhile, MDC does nothing to supplement the spawn at TR, which is literally POUNDED during the spawning season.

Whatcha doing with that old Christmas tree-colored Spook tied on? That thing ain't no good. How you gonna compete with the live scopers using outdated crap like that? 😆🤣

So it's a hand-eye coordination thing mostly? 😆🤣

Well done, sir!

Great job. Hard to beat those runouts this time of year. Let us see your electronics upgrade when you get it installed. I recently went to a pair of Lowrance Elite FS 9 units and absolutely love them. No Active Target though ... not my cup of joe.

I recently upgraded my electronics and gifted my two 2013 model Humminbird 998c SI/DI units to a local high school boy for his 1990 Ranger that he is learning to fish from. This young man's gratitude and knowing that he will get much joy from using them is worth far more to me than whatever extra dollars those units might have brought on eBay. Something to think about doing with your unit.

Again, my opinion ... but no guide worth his cheapest Zebco combo is going to insist that a client keep and kill bass. It's just idiotic when the lake that provides your living is as highly pressured as Table Rock and receives no supplemental stockings of the fish that attract all of the pressure in the first place. I have no qualms with folks keeping an occasional (not weekly) mess of spots (Kentuckies) for dinner. I think we can all agree they are more prolific than their LM or SM relatives. Not sure the size limit on them shouldn't be reduced in order to make it legal to take home a few of those 12-14 inchers, which seem to stockpile just under the 15-inch minimum. But for a "guide" to encourage the daily killing of limits of bass is ... in my opinion ... irresponsible and just plain stupid.

You and me both, brother. Must be all of that twisting and turning we do on the golf course.

Great job, Cheese. You are a fine hand with any kind of topwater.

I have guided off and on for years and can count the number of bass I've filleted on my fingers alone. Just like Mr. Babler has done for DECADES (as well as his late sidekick Mr. Beck), you make it known upfront that no bass will be (intentionally) harmed or killed. If they don't like it, let em find another guide who's too stupid to realize that every time he takes a knife to a bass, he's cutting his own throat.

Great job, Bobby. Those postspawn smallmouth are a blast.

Well done, Toby. Could you please explain what role Livescope played in the assembly of that fine bag of fish? 😁

Yes they will, Steve. There's a certain water color where the blue hues are more visible than anything else. I presume that's when they bite those blueberry worms best.

You should know better than to give me half an opening.

Happy to hear they are keeping the pressure on the fish, even as the water temp climbs to levels where keeping them safe and sound in even a top-shelf livewell isn't easy. By all means, don't give them a break. 😡🤬

Strawberry and blueberry were my favorites.

I'm guessing it would be pretty easy to find the f. heads out there this weekend. 😆🤣