Champ188

Thanks, Magicwormman. It was a soggy day, for sure.

Fished a little over 2 hours Tuesday afternoon in a steady rain. The weather, combined with rising water, was much to the liking of the fish. Started and finished with one rod on the deck, to which was tied a 1/4-ounce War Eagle spinnerbait in purple shad. Caught close to 20 fish, including several in the 3-pound class. The fish were right on the banks and I saw practically every one of them eat the bait. Water was 80-82 degrees with light to moderate stain. Oh, before anyone warms up their fillet knife, these fish were caught from private waters in Bella Vista --- and released. Toodles.

By gosh, rps, I'll give you an A+ on that report. Well researched, well written, etc. Denny, please let us know how that works out for you. I might try that myself. Operative word there is "might."

Someone whiz on your Wheaties this morning?

Good trip, Cody. Glad you guys were able to catch some fish.

He knows a good cap when he sees one ?⛳️

Troll threads tend to be like that.

Solid advice right there.

It has been my experience over the last 35 years or so that when fishing clear water, the lighter line you use, the more bites you will get.

A few very good hands manage some good catches on the Wart in summer months under certain conditions. Namely, the wind has to be blowing like a cyclone. These fish are usually caught in the stained river arms (James or Kings) on steeper chunk rock to bluff banks. I wouldn't concern myself with it this weekend.

Then you, sir, are a short-game wizard. I, on the other hand, enter an unprecedented dimension of dumbassery whenever I pick up anything more lofted than a 56-degree.

Love it. Thanks for the laugh.

Not to mention that 60-degree lob wedge, broomstick putter and assorted drivers that have been replaced by later/greater models.

So you are spending time on the computer to criticize us for spending time on the computer. Alrighty, then!

Bill, where does that 10% mortality rate data come from? I can assure you that I do not mortally injure anywhere near 10% of the fish I catch. Certain pros on TV may throw their fish high in the air but that does not happen in my boat. Donna and I ... or whoever my guest may be that day ... take every precaution to ensure the healthy release of our fish. Donna has dang near a surgeon's kit in her fishing bag that helps us delicately remove hooks in vital areas. I'm not saying all C&R folks are that careful with their catch, but some of us certainly are. And as I've said many times before, I'm not hatin' anyone except terrorists, people who abuse children or animals, etc. Legal fish eaters can do as they wish, but myself and many others on this forum will not remain silent on our commitment to C&R because some people think that whatever is legal must be OK for the future of the fishery.

Love it. Wonder if that comes in a jersey?

I bet if you'd have called and told them they screwed up they'd have said to just keep them.

That's funny I don't care who you are.

TW, BPS and Cabela's are all out. I bought them all.

God is a really good artist.

Provided your clicker isn't defective, the apparent question at hand is which you'll deplete the Ozarks of first ... Kentuckies or nightcrawlers. Unfortunately, the nightcrawlers will probably hold up since most of us are skilled enough to fish with artificial bait.

Stay on the trolling motor and you can control the outcome of that bet.

Sounds like a great weekend, Cody. Thanks for sharing.

^^^ Truth in every word here. Grand is teeming with life. You can hardly turn on your depthfinder anywhere on it without being on top of schools of fish of every kind ... from the smallest shad to the largest spoonbill. Pelicans, gulls, herons and other water birds everywhere. It may not be the prettiest thing to look upon, but it's flat full of fish.

Glad you guys are having fun. That's the grassroots of fishing right there.