Champ188

One thing about throwing topwaters to prespawn fish in 50-degree water ... you don't have to worry about them being overly conditioned to your lure.

Ditto on the prayers, Techo. Been there, done that with the back surgery and mine was very successful. So don't let all the naysayers get to you. Just make sure to complete your rehab as prescribed and you will be fishing and golfing again in no time. Please keep us posted.

Congrats Bill on a very fine fish. And a downright pretty one to boot. I have never cared for fishing around shad so thick you could walk on them. I just don't have a lure in my boat that compares to the real thing.

Short story about BPS at Branson. Was in KC for a Central Pro-Am derby a few years back and had practiced a couple of days. So when I went to respool a couple of reels on Friday night, I discovered I'd gotten away without the bag of line that I normally keep in the boat. Was after hours for the local shops, so Donna and I headed up to Branson to BPS, only to learn they had no 15-pound Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon. That's OK, I tell the sales dood, I'll take a couple spools of your 14-pound BPS brand. Nope, out of that, too. OK, I'll take 12-pound in either brand. Nope again, out of that, too. Got any 17? Struck out again. By this time I was so PO'd that I was about to blow so I just stormed out and drove to freakin' Springfield. I mean, maybe I can see running out of a particular brand like Trilene. But you can't even keep your OWN STORE BRAND in stock? What the heck? I'd like to say I've maintained my vow to never again darken the door of the Branson store, but I've been back a time or two and as I recall, I again came away without everything I went for. I do my best to keep my business with the local tackle shops. But in case of an after-hours need, it would sure be nice to be able to get your BASIC needs like 15-pound fluorocarbon line from a place that touts themselves as the world's leading source for all things fishing.

Techo! Long time, no see.

I bought a 110 +1 in that sexy french pearl color. Haven't caught anything on it but only threw it on one trip. I'll bet it will work.

Hey T, I think maybe if you put a couple of those copter lures on that A-rig bass-ackwards you could accomplish the counter-rotating deal.

They'll hammer that grape some days. Seems to work best under overcast but what jerk bait doesn't? I throw it pretty much anywhere I would throw the pro blue.

Huntest, I do throw a few Megabass ... faves are Pro Blue, Secret Grape and French Pearl, in that order. I don't own one but that Kohoku Reaction looks like it would be a TR killer. Here is my new thing, though. The RC Stix by Luck-E-Strike is an identical copy of the MB Vision 110. Is the same quality there? Probably not. I've had a few start leaking on me, but only after catching a bunch of fish or banging them off a dock or rock. But I've also had MB's start leaking. And at $7.99 each, I can replace a leaking RC Stix twice and be at the same out-of-pocket figure for three lures (about $25) that I am for one MB. All of the colors I mentioned above except the Kohoku Reaction are available in the RC Stix, and should you decide to buy some, I'd also pick up one or two of the Herringbone Chartreuse color — it's similar to the Pro Blue but with a chartreuse belly. That's my 2 cents' worth — or so.

That's a nice spot. For me, C-rig just won't produce until water temp hits 57-58 and stays there. That's just my experience with the thing over the years.

Quillback, I've purchased everything you mentioned above this spring at Hook Line & Sinker. They have all of the new Spro colors including some you can't find online.

Can't get that kind of info anywhere else. Gracias.

Ham, there's a guy in NW Arkansas that does the circuit board bills in 110s for $8. His name is Joe Dickey and he's done quite a few around here for people including FLW pro Greg Bohannan. You can get his contact info by calling Hook LIne & Sinker in Rogers at 631-8118.

Ditto on those McStick colors. Also, take a look at the new Spro Blue (a play on words on the "Pro Blue" color by Megabass). It will work very good, too. Other new colors are Dirty Bone, Ayu, Chrome-blue (like Lucky Craft's aurora black) and a good ol' gold-black. There's also a new pearl color with a strip of grayish blue down the back.

Welcome, fishingaddiction. Glad to have you.

The dam area is tough right now. So tough that the best guides are struggling down there. He'd be better off in one of the river arms throwing a jerk bait or A-rig. The wart bite has not started yet because the water temp remains in the mid-40s and even below that in some areas.

Yes, size of fish. I refuse to type the species name for fear of committing a typo.

Thanks much again, Phil and anyone else who had a hand in putting it together. It was a great time and I hope we can do it again soon under better weather conditions.

Thanks for the report, At this rate, we're still gonna be throwing a jerkbait in June.

Nice fish, Quill ... musta been nuts in BV today. I heard of a similar sack caught at Ann, also on jerk bait.

Welcome to the gang, Soda. I'm with magicwormman on hiring a guide ... it would be money very well spent. And your search for the right one should probably start with the moderator of this forum. He and his buddy Bill Beck are as good as guides come on The Rock.

I should say, too, that I appreciate the reports, Quill. Always plenty of information to help me get a grip on what's going on ... or not going on. By the way, I couldn't recognize that pocket on a bet and like Bill, that fish is probably a little too big for me to be acquainted with. That one is more Donna's size.

Hey, I know that pocket. In fact, I know that bass. Let him go! He's my friend!

Congrats on a great day. You'll carry that memory forever.

Yay, rps is bringing Walter! He's always a hit around hot grease. Seriously, Donna and I plan to be there. Like Bill, I will bring the Ranger and will have an assortment of tackle for anyone interested in discussing some of the tactics that I find effective on Table Rock and beyond. Look forward to putting some faces with some names and making some new friends.