motoman

I'd say them handsome fellas are about 190'ish?.........ZING! I'll be here all week folks, don't forget to tip your waitress.:-P(I couldn't resist) - But, I was thinking 5-5 and a half myself. Good looking fish indeed..........any pointers to share with others to help others get some similar results?

- I'm probably losing my mind here, but just play along for the moment as I go out on a limb here. This is kind of what I visualize sometimes when fishing the little bait. - I kind of equate the Ned rig to fish, like playing with an old sock; with a dog. - The dog can be in a playful mood; and if you wave or throw the sock to him; he may chase after it.(like a cast into the water) or, he may choose to stalk it or stare at it; waiting for it to move.(Ned rig sitting on the bottom) But, you leave that sock sit in the dogs sight ,motionless for a while, the instant you move that sock..........the dog will pounce! - And, Don't think you can walk down the street swinging that sock over your head; and dogs will come running. (Ned rig not a search bait) But, get in front of a few interested dogs; with that sock........it's game on! - Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.:-P

- I'm probably losing my mind here, but just play along for the moment. This is kind of what I visualize sometimes when fishing the little bait. - I kind of equate the Ned rig to fish, like playing with an old sock; with a dog. - The dog can be in a playful mood; and if you wave or throw the sock to him; he may chase after it.(like a cast into the water) or, he may choose to stalk it or stare at it; waiting for it to move.(Ned rig sitting on the bottom) But, you leave that sock sit in the dogs sight ,motionless for a while, the instant you move that sock..........the dog will pounce! - And, Don't think you can walk down the street swinging that sock over your head; and dogs will come running. (Ned rig not a search bait) But, get in front of a few interested dogs; with that sock........it's game on! - Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.:-P

- Don't get discouraged there jim; I think that 1/4 ounce may be too heavy. Since you crappie fish; you'll be an ace with the 1/16 ounce! - Don't expect much action from them when fishing 'em; I think that's the key, they don't do much at all?

- +1, make sure the bearings are greased up every trip. And a stuck caliper or stuck backing solenoid, locking up the brakes could be the culprit? - Tough to say specifically without more details of trailer year, type, axle count, brakes/no-brakes, oil hubs/greaseable hubs; things like that. But, like dtrs mentioned, those sound like the most suspect culprits for the smoke/steam.

I haven't thrown the kong either; but you may hav to fish it like some guys noted; rod tip high, line out of the water. Some wakers are fickle and don't like to truly 'wake' without that sort of input. Braid should help too. - Sometimes the jackall mickeys are tough to find used at a good price. Don't overlook the jackall dagored either. Basically a single joint Mickey.

- Great report nitro! I actually prefer it if whoever is in the boat with me catches more than I do. That's just as fun as if I was catching them.:-) - Those old ZEROs will work great! I sometimes buy the ZEROs in the same color as the Zinkerz for the slight color variation between the 2 brands. - Be sure and keep us posted how you do!

- Amen brotha! That's the first thing that crossed my mind.:-)

- You said it willy! Getting to enjoy the bounty, Sweet Temptress Table Rock offers up, can really lift a guys spirits.:-) - I'm glad I was with, who I was, when I spun that hub. Some of the other goofballs I fish with, woulda been more trouble than they were worth in that situation.(hahaha)

Good stuff indeed! Sounds like you guys really caught them. Glad to hear you hired a guide to point you in the right direction, and make your trip more enjoyable!:-)

- You hit the nail on the head fishingaddiction and Quill! Sure is a blast catching them on the rig, and even better When subtle changes with the same bait can turn things around; it was actually crazy. My buddy started swimming it, and he caught 3 fish on four casts! After we had an hour plus lull. We were looking at each other with that Homer Simpson kinda DOH! Look...........tweaking the presentation and just swimming it was key. But I can't take all the credit for that; we had a bug in our ear from days prior about swimming it; but we just couldn't tweak the subtle swim just right; until Tuesday. - And looking back. The prop thing was a bummer; but now I have a good excuse to get that different prop I wanted! - And too.......regarding the prop issue, times like that really bring out people's true colors. My buddy Adam and I were bummed at the time. But once we got out of the main channel and I was tying up at the resort dock amidst the wind and waves. He really sprung into action, helping out trying to find us a ride back to get my truck and trailer. Talking to the resort folk, then getting a cab. So, I could worry about securing the boat and getting the valuables off-loaded; as we weren't sure how long we would have to leave it. - And then the 2 hour wait for the cab, and the ride back. We laughed our butts off making lemonade outta lemons. Not sure what the heck was so funny about it all; I think we are both just glass half full kinda guys; who can find the humor at the dumbest situations. And being exhausted from the day; led to some goofy delirium! Not a drop of alcohol involved; I think just being thankful we just had a minor hiccup, being pooped out from the day; and the beautiful environment we were in; can't help but lighten some moods. - And now we've got some funny stuff to look back and laugh at. All is well that ends well!:-)

It was my first year fishing it, my partner and I weighed a limit; but nuttin fancy. Just couldn't find the bigguns, but were pleased with the day. And, learned some valuable lessons that will be applied fishing again. So that's a plus. - And I'm just the general public; first year they allowed it I believe. - Glad the glasses were found!:-)

I had a great experience with dyna prop years back. Not directly prop related. But they really took care of me. - I had engine trouble on the water; trailered the boat to Kimberling city and asked around for someone who could help; and was directed to dyna prop.(had an older evinrude at the time) - The guys there were great! Got me right in, didn't know me from Adam. Gave me 2 options for repairs. The cheap option to get me back on the water and fishing an hour later. Or the pricier, long term fix. I took the cheaper option, as I knew I was able to fix the issue once home; and had no time constraints. - Easily an opportunity they could've taken advantage of; but did not. Just my 2 cents.:-)

Wowsers! That's a beauty. Nice big fish on a teenie-tiny bait!:-) - Any guess what she weighed?(I have my thoughts, but I'm usually wrong; and too embarrassed to say:-P)

- I was going to keep my mouth shut; but since we are on the topic. I love to peek in the local tackle shops when I'm down there, and stopped in OBT in Kimberling City Monday. My buddy and I were just looking around and the old man sitting at the table (guessing he runs the place?) because when a local buddy of his came in; they exchanged some crappy banter about my buddy and I(we were the only ones in the store). - I coulda made some crappy comment back about how their jig heads were virtually cleaned out in the beginning of May (really?!?!?!); but I kept my mouth shut. As the lady working was very friendly. Either way, my buddy and I both discussed how 'small-picture' minded that ole boy must be; to think just his local buddies are gonna keep him in business?!?!?! Think again.(rolling eyes) - Don't see myself wasting time going back there next visit. Not after that garbage.:-(

I could amend the 'hop-n-drop' to be called the 'drag-n-lag' too.:-P..........but dragging it seems to get it wedged in between rocks too easily. I find the raised rod tip/hop to be more helpful climbing it over stuff.

Yeah, we can't take complete credit for that though!;-)

Checkout my Kimberling City report that may help in circumstances you mentioned? - (What I reported about works just as well with no wind!:-)

If you have no interest in finesse fishing or the Ned rig specifically; I'll warn you now.......you won't like this report. But, for the rest of yah........here it goes!:-) - Sunday with temps in high 80's and high skies, caught about 30 fish from 2:00pm-6:00pm in the 20+mph wind on gravel shoreline and gravel flats. Had to be in the wind.......TONS of solid keepers too! Ned rig in 15-25 feet, throw it out; let it sit for quite a while. Parallel to shore, perpendicular, at an angle........didn't matter. Then SLOWLY drag it, at the first rock you feel, raise the rod tip for the 'hop-and-drop' (not to be confused with the shake-n-bake:-P) This is raising the rod tip just enough to hop it over the rock, (JUST enough!.........no higher!) and drop it instantly..........don't drag it another foot or 5 feet........INSTANTLY drop it and let it sit again! That's when they would hit it; or the next instant it would move after a long sit. 1/8 ounce green pumpkin or watermelon with green and orange flake and PB&J were best. - Monday, same weather, air temps close to 90degrees. Water temps I recall about 63'ish. Bite slacked off a bit, but similar technique. - Tuesday, water temps saw up to 65 and air temps 92;, bite was MUCH tougher letting it sit.........then my buddy Adam dialed in throwing the 1/16 ounce in the wind and SLOWLY reeling it back to the boat in 10-15' of water. Same colors. Ticking the bottom helped me a bit. - Fished the copsforkids tournament. Weighed a limit, but no bigguns. Running from the dam to Kimberling city. Spun the hub in the prop a half mile from the dam coming back after weigh-in. Trolled to nearby resort. Tied up, called a cab. Took them about to hours to get us and we got the truck/trailer. Retrieved the boat. Thankfully we were leaving the next morning. - All-in-all a great trip! Coulda done without the prop debacle, but oh well. Coulda been worse. No metal shavings in lower unit. And lesson learned........carry a spare prop.(doh!)

I'll be down around the same time myself. Be sure and grab some of Phil's OAF stickers so we can easily identify each other from a distance! I've got mine on my outboard. Good luck ya'll.

Not to play devils advocate........but what's to say those fish getting soda/pop poured over/in them would not have survived anyway? - Good link there moguy.

The strike king ElaZtech finesse worms are great on a Shakey head setup.

Yup, +1. I was using the off brand stuff and it occasionally had a weird reaction with the elaztech. Used the loctite brand the past few days and no problems!

You said it about the boat and trailer fiasco from those boys Dave. The only close spot to our cabin left my truck and boat shoehorned at a less than pleasant angle for our early morning departure. Not to mention the adventure you watched unfold with me and the guy who left about 2" between a tree, and his truck, for me to pull my trailer out.........sheesh! - But I digress...........like Dave said, we missed quite a few fish yesterday, no one to blame but ourselves, but you scooped 'em up for us!.:-P........And we really should have upsized in that wind. We got the 'out deeper' part kinda correct, but that was only part of the equation. But, I'm sure Dave is tired of me saying, I'm having trouble slowing down; and making the right decisions on the water. But, Certainly spending more time on the water learning, and not just practicing for tourneys is in my future. Tough to really learn when tourney pressure and the clock looming. - And thanks for the bbq dinner invite Dave; that was some deeeelicous stuff. And great company. I look forward to doing it again soon. - Keep those great reports coming. No fishing for a few days for me. Gotta teach the little ones here at home the three 'R's.......Readin', aRithmatic.......and wRastlin'!:-P

Ozarkanglers sticker on your outboard? That way we can see members from a distance and swing by and say howdy!:-)