Champ188

Never fear, QB. I've already been to the Academy in Rogers and cleaned them out. A man of my means doesn't balk at buying 11 reels at once. I'll sell you all the SS models you want for $125 each. That's a savings of $25 from the Cabela's price.

Neat story about the fish coming up and looking at your jerk bait. Haven't had that happen but sure have had a lot of really good fish and a few giants follow a Redfin nearly all the way to the boat with their nose right on the tail of the bait. Enough to give a guy an aneurysm. The teeth marks on that bass look like a gar, especially considering there's a matching set on the other side.

Glad to help, Jerry. Just one of those things I've picked up on over the years. Holler if I can ever help you with anything. This forum is all about information.

Thanks, bo. I guess getting old isn't all bad,

That's what your sidescan is for, silly. Don't you know anything?

What's a Ned rig?

To expand on Bo's point, I have also learned that there are definite "looking up" days and "looking down" days. Rarely do Donna and I experience a day when we catch them good on both winding and dragging baits. If I start catching them on a spinner bait, jerk bait, topwater or any other bait that is worked up off the bottom, then she isn't likely to have a good jig day and usually ends up joining the "winders association" before long. That's a "looking up" day. Essentially, they're feeding up off the bottom. However, if the fish don't respond to my winding baits but are chewing on her jig, it's probably a "looking down" day and I'll end up going to a shaky head, Ned rig or a jig. For the day, I'm granted an honorary membership in the "draggers association." Just don't be too quick to presume that "looking up" days are always cloudy and dark. That's not always the case. I've had some very good "looking down" bites on overcast days when you'd swear they'd hammer a spinner bait or topwater. I've also had some pretty good "looking up" bites on bright days, so long as there was some wind.

Thanks for the report, Ducky. Can't beat those wintertime crappie for taste.

LOL, Jason, we can forgive you this time given the tournament conditions. Sorry to hear of your loss. It hurts and always will, but you'll move on and take some good memories with you. And I'll try to remember to pray often for God's peace on you and your family. I have no comment on (1) the baitfish population in Beaver Lake; (2) stripers or (3) the effects of (1) and (2) on the population of LM, SM and spotted bass in Beaver Lake. I don't want to rankle anyone's fur over such matters.

4-pound whites are not uncommon in Beaver nor Table Rock. Donna and I have caught them from both lakes. Very thoughtful of you to put that info and specific location out there, Thumbs. Hope someone finds them and has a ball.

Welcome to the forum, stone. And thanks for the report. Donna and I are in the upper White frequently, so feel free to stop and say hi. We're in a white/silver/gunmetal Ranger with a Mercury.

Very nice brown fish. Good job getting on those deep fish.

I would add that while there are always fish shallow, they haven't been there in appreciable numbers for the past couple of years. I believe this is because there just aren't many shad up shallow. In past years when the shallow fall bite has been strong, you would see the little threadfin shad running from your lure and some of the big ol' gizzard shad would follow it to the boat. This year and last year, it's been hard to get around good numbers of shad up shallow. For some reason, they seem to be staying out deep, and I believe most of the bass are staying out there with them. It's still possible to catch a good bag up shallow or even to have a trip like Huntest and I did a few weeks back and catch 50-plus in a day. But it's also possible to fish a lot of good water in some very good conditions and have an incredibly tough day.

Fished Saturday from Baxter to Point 12 up the James and back. Ended the day with a whopping total of 9 fish, including 1 white bass. We did have fair quality in them, with our 5 best going 12-13 pounds (didn't weigh them individually so don't have an exact weight). Jerk bait was the only deal going. Donna threw a jig a fair amount and blanked on it, and I did the same with a blade. Just a strange day.

What's a Ned rig?

Interesting concept. Look forward to hearing how it works.

I believe you're correct on that, Thumbs.

LOL, was just jabbin' ya, Gabe. But we'll gladly take you on the WINNING side! Maybe Florida will toss a pile of money at Gundy and he'll take it and run to Gainesville. He's had plenty long enough to get you guys over the top. Never been greatly impressed with him.

The fish (bait included) all over the lake seem to be staying out on the main lake this fall. We've caught some up shallow, but practically every one of them was right off the main lake or a major creek channel. Can't really say I think it's because of the low water because I've caught them dirt shallow some falls when the lake was at this level and lower. Thanks for tip, Mart. May have to drag out the #^^%&(% spoons.

Now Gabe, I never pictured you as a wishy-washy, politically correct, kum ba yah-singing liberal ... dismount the dadgum fence and root for somebody!

And the best part of the whole story? Another dead striper! James is very good people. Donna had the pleasure of drawing him as a partner in a Central Pro-Am derby once. She enjoyed the day greatly.

I've talked to some very good Wart fishermen who say there isn't a gnat hair's difference in the pre-Rapala models and the "new" original models.

Back atcha, guys. Hope every member here has a wonderful Thanksgiving here and pauses to think about just how blessed we all are to share this great sport. So much good information here it's hard to soak it all up. Praise the Lord and pass the turkey.

I would strongly consider going up to 20-pound for those. At least 17. Not so much for strength as castability and overall handling.

I hope you are right. I'd gladly lose that bet, although I think Bill could use some new War Eagles. Seems I recall something about a brand new mouse-colored one and a weather vane on top of a dock.