Champ188

I hate when that happens.

Looks like it will pass thru our area rather quickly, according to the radar, which I believe far more than the soothsayers.

I worked for the statewide newspaper in Arkansas for 35 years and often covered meetings of the AGFC commissioners. The staff (biologists) and the commissioners themselves are far more concerned about keeping all of the user groups happy than in doing right by the state's fisheries. Just my opinion.

HECK YES!!!! There are reasons (beyond the short fishing season) that northern fisheries are full of fish. Many of them are closed to fishing during the spawn. I have said for years, and so have others here, that a big step in the right direction would be to close just a portion of the lake to fishing during the spawn. The areas could be rotated every year so as not to unfairly penalize anyone.

Definitely onboard. I grew up loving bass tournaments, but it was a different time. There weren't a dozen or more tournaments practically every weekend day of the year and even though they weren't perfect by any means, tournament organizers were constantly improving the process by which they weighed and returned fish to the water. These days it's all about money and bling and strutting around in jerseys like a banty rooster --- and to heck with the fish. Undoubtedly time to take a very hard look at what we are doing to our fisheries and make some adjustments before it's too late. Not saying shut down tournaments but we can't be killing any more fish by hauling them around all day. Maybe Johnny Moneybags should put his money where his mouth is and look into providing some research/direction for lower-level tournaments to start practicing immediate release of tournament-caught fish. And while I'm harping, you guys who tote fish around in your boats just for a "HERO" group pic at the end of a recreational trip should have your fishing license suspended for a month. There is absolutely ZERO friggin reason to do that other than EGO. Get over yourself, take pics AT THE MOMENT you catch the fish and let them go where they were caught. That goes double for this time of year when males are still guarding fry.

Holy moly, is Michele cranking that XD-10 on an eggbeater? I'm like 3 times her size and doubt I could do that for long. LOL

My opinion is to never skimp when buying expensive equipment. Two things can happen ... the cheaper version doesn't perform well for you and your money is pretty much wasted; or, the more expensive unit hits your pocket harder but works like a champ. Either way, you're out a bunch of money but with the latter, at least you are getting what you expected (and maybe more) in return for your expenditure.

Agreed that catfish are very underutilized ... I personally think a flathead 5 pounds and below eats about as good as anything in the lake.

So you're saying that my passion and outspoken support for catch and release is wrong? Would I ever walk up and say something antagonistic like that guy on the dock? Heck no. Not the place or time. Hopefully, you know me well enough to never think I'd do anything of the sort. But internet forums are intended for the purpose of everyone stating their opinion, and my opinion is that the bass population on TR needs all of the TLC it can get from those of us who have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to enjoy it. It goes deeper than what's legal ... for me, it's a passion. And before anyone accuses me of hiding behind a keyboard, try cutting me off or some other doosh-baggery out on the lake and you'll find out different in a hurry.

Several of them operating up there out of Bertram Access and for the most part, they seem to be the type who couldn't give one popcorn fart about the resource. Killing limits every day they can ... many of them big females spewing roe.

Plus, upper-White River guides seem to be growing in numbers each year and they are posting pic after pic on Facebook of super sized females getting their sides sawed off day in and day out.

You guys who keep and eat bass have just as much right to voice your position as I do on the other side. I see it as a plus --- and a testimony to this forum/website --- that both factions can do so in a civil manner. Steve, thanks for saying what you did about the stringer photo being in poor taste and to releasing practically all of the bass you catch; in my eyes, it speaks to your commitment as a sportsman. I've satisfied my need to speak to this issue. It's an ongoing debate that will never be resolved because it's not a matter of law, but one of personal conviction. Certainly, no one broke the law. Appreciate not being attacked for speaking my mind. Peace out.

Photos of bass with stringers thru their gills ... awesome. Lots of other fish out there to catch and eat --- ones that aren't as highly pressured and are supplementally stocked. Yes, it's legal, but a lot of us feel that it's irresponsible, especially during the spawn. Just my 2 cents' worth.

Very nice and congrats!

Awesome post. Glad to see this young lady enjoying one of the greatest sports on earth!

Haven't been to TR in months but I'll try to help ... football jig on long gravel runout points and just inside spawning pockets can pay big rewards in that area of the lake. Keep your colors basic ... PBJ with a green pumpkin double-tail trailer is sufficient every day. Ned rig in the same areas will work great, too, especially on tougher days. If you don't get bit on the points, work your way back into the pockets with the Ned, a spinnerbait, a perch-colored squarebill or a fluke. For those so inclined, a splitshot-rigged finesse worm or a shaky head will work, too. Yet another option is to swim a grub or small swimbait in the guts of the pockets. Please do the fish and your fellow fishermen a favor and refrain from throwing a Carolina rig. A fb jig or Ned will get you just as many bites and you won't kill your catch. Those brown fish especially are notorious for sucking that thing down their gullet, thereby committing suicide. Hope you have a great trip! Let us know how it goes, please and thanks.

Naturally, I have to partially blame Johnny Moneybags for bringing so much national attention to the lake with his big palooza derbies. The fishery is holding up well so far, but it can't weather the kind of pressure it's getting forever. What will Johnny do then? Probably throw up a new mega-complex overlooking Bull Shoals and start ruining that lake, too.

Thank you, buddy.

Bad deal.

Those are some good fish. Nice job!

Nice work!

Just my opinion, but holding a kayak tournament on the state's busiest tournament lake during its busiest tournament month (April) just seems to be inviting tragedy. Do we really have to learn this lesson the hard way? And it's not only the bass boat vs. kayak issue ... the big boats are coming out now, too, many piloted by drunken garden-variety idiots.

Many places prefer that you buy the parts from them, therefore allowing them to make a little money on the retail end. If you bring your own, they're gonna make it up on labor. Can't blame em there.

Thanks for being thoughtful and letting it go promptly. Need all the new baby fish we can get.

No livescope required. 😆