motoman

I like to think you put the pieces of the puzzle together when switching to the mid-depth crank!:-)......nice recovery there. I think most anglers (including myself at times), wouldnt have put the pieces of the puzzle together and switched up.

I think that's a completly legit concern there sore. I know the couple times I was a co-angler over the years; I only ate and drank 'predictable' foods the day before; and kept it light; to avoid some kind of unholy-franken-dump on tourney day. :-)

Good post sore; I'd like to hear the responses too.:-) - I know on other message boards; the guys who have done it say its the best money they've ever spent. Even if the pros are not real talkative; I've heard it's a great learning experience.

Good post ab!.......thanks for the heads up; looks like it may be a multi-part series? I look forward to the next vid.:-)

- That's a first Ive heard of this too. Whether I see a guide on the ramp or on the water; they're always plenty friendly and willing to chat about what's going on.:-)

Nice report canoe!......but that's just the pi$$ed off nature of the smallmouth!.......they're always mad about somethin'!:-)

No problem balsa; report back if you don't mind?......I'm gonna be down in a week or so and thought about grabbing a few bags myself!:-)

BPS carries the Kinami Brown/Purple laminate 4" Kut tail........same thing? (same company)

Agreed; Rapidly moving baits I don't think it matters as Much......slow moving baits like worms or jigs; that I actually deadstick occasionally.....I think it matters. But I've used green mono/fluoro and clear in equal size with little to no difference.

Learn something new everyday!, who knew shift/throttle cables didn't stretch?......out of curiosity wrench, why is that? - I genuinely did not know that; and that has me perplexed since most other materials can stretch with repeated use.

I've always been of the mindset of trying the cheapest; and easiest thing first. That being said; im basing my thoughts off of my evinrudes ive had over the years; and a couple older Mercs. - See if the shift cable can be adjusted a pinch. My initial thought was the cable may have stretched a pinch over time; to where it's just not pulling the shift fork (or whatever specific mechanism is used in your outboard?) clear of the gears when in neutral. - Be sure you count how many turns; and which direction you turn the nut/wheel on the end of the cable; just so you don't get too far from where you're at now. I would guess, just try a half turn or so to begin with, and see where you're at. - Be sure and keep us posted with what develops.......good luck!:-)

Ahh yes, ole lady table rock can be a harsh mistress. She is truly beautiful; but humbles the most seasoned anglers.....that's what keeps ME coming back. I love trying to figure 'em out.:-) - Table Rock seems to me, to be the kinda lake that stumps most bass anglers from far and wide. Seems most guys fishing for bass are on shallow; stained water. Come to The Rock and it's a whole other ball game. But don't despair; knowledge is power! - Be sure and read ever word of the most recent fishing reports here; and that will help immensely. Even better; hire one of the great guides down there, it is worth every penny! Even just a half day trip can offer a wealth of information to get you a step closer to looking like a hero.;-)

- Amen brother......bring a rod and wave it like a magic wand if you have too!......yah never know, some magical forces may allow you on the water......whites or not......if you're that close to The Rock......come prepared!:-)

Not sure if I mentioned it here before or not?; but with the increasing number of people with smartphones with video capability; I would think a few second video with the registration number of a boaters bad behavior, would have some clout with water patrol? - Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.:-( - Either way; I keep my iPhone dern close to catch a video of some of the previously mentioned behavior.

As always, I Absolutly love the pics and the info! Awesome memories with the little ones on the water.:-)

I've heard some explanations why it may not be on some molecular level; or some scientific reason I can't comprehend. But, I've used it for years on fluorocarbon with zero problems.......and will keep using it for its simplicity and reliability. - I thought I read ole KVD swears by it for everything???........but dont quote me on that.:-).........maybe just my imagination.:-P

Got out on the water about 8:00 a.m.(I know, late start :-)Thursday 5/17 and went up the Gravois Arm to fish some brush piles we frequent. They're in about 20 feet of water with the tops in about 10 fow. We were throwing kalins 1.5" curl tail grubs in any light colors, on 1/16 and 1/8 ounce heads. The fish were holding tight to the brush. If we didn't get in the brush, we didn't get bit. We only caught about 10 fish over the course of a couple hours. A few keepers; but not enough to hold our interest.. When the sun started getting high, the bite really fell off for us. So we went back to my buddys condo; by the dam. - We went and got some minners and fished off the dock in the heat of the day. Caught a few in the 15 foot range......but not enough to hold our interest........all dinks. - We were hopeful, come sunset things would pick up..............and we were right! - Once the sun got lower in the sky, we started fishing off the dock (in 30 fow) and were catching them in the 15 foot range in the empty slips. We were throwing a double rig,(spaced about 18 inches apart) with a minnow on each hook. Everything we caught were 10+ inchers. There was(were?) 3 of us fishing and countless times we would all have fish on at once. Many times as we slowly lowered the minners down in the 15 foot range, they would bite in an instant! We fished until midnight, when the bite started to taper off. Simply lost count of how many we caught. But, it was a great night. (caught a small walleye too!) - I would recommend, sleeping in-in the morning, eating a big breakfast, then just relax, go shopping, watch tv.......or whatever.........then eat a BIG lunch and forego dinner to get on the water in the late afternoon and early evening to start catching them well into the night. - Water temps were in the mid 70's, and I had little hope of much crappie action at all, with the warm temps. But, that night bite made it all worth while; and I was pleasantly surprised by the action. - Be sure and post a report if you get on the water!

Not sure why these didn't catch on?, but if you can find them; they're fantastic! I've had a pair for years and love them. - http://www.dbarb.com/whydbarb.html - But otherwise, snip off as much as you can.

As mentioned, Absolutly immerse yourself in this site. And if you still struggle; definitly hire a guide.....even if for just a half day. A guide will having you looking like a hero on the later; in no time flat. - I've heard people (yes, guys i know too) grumble about not wanting to pay and hire a guide; but they spend thousands $$$$ on tackle they see on tv or read about; and then complain about not catching fish on The Rock.......foolish economics if you ask me.

I know thè mega strike gets soft, so I would guess the sticks would too?, so I always just leave all of them in the cooler. It's built in right under my feet; so it's nice and close.

I think you're exactly right!......that's trolling to me, and is prohibited in most tourneys. - In this day and age of smart phones; or just phones with cameras; it's very easy to video these infractions and turn them into a tournament director.....not sure why fools would still risk this behavior?!?!?!??!!!.......if I was fishing a tourney and paid my entry fee, I would sure as heck video this behavior and watch out for them at weigh-in, then talk to the tourney director. Tournaments are tough enough to compete in without competing against guys breaking thè rules.:-(

Personally, I use megastrike, or that bioedge stuff. The bioedge is stinkier and smells like the garbage fish eat; so I like it better. And it comes in a jumbo sized Chapstick kinda tube; so it's very convenient. - I have No scientific data to support if it works; but I prefer using it than not. I believe it does work though.:-) Anything that might help the fish hold on a split second longer is needed for my slow reflexes.

Myself and all my buddies have used thè Y'all-Mart Everstart Marine batteries for all our batteries for years and years. No different batteries for the starter or troller.......just the good ole, deep cycle marine everstarts.....$79.99 a piece. They've been bulletproof for all of us for years a piece. My one friend is a retired guy that fishes allday, EVERY weekend......no exaggeration......that's literal. And he swears by them. He's one of those guys that's done well in life, has some pretty serious equipment; but has done great with the everstarts.......and theres a Walmart near most lakes; so even if you have an issue; no big deal finding the replacement......that kind of convenience is important to me; since I don't get on the water nearly as much as I used too.

Awesome read there Dave!......Ole In-Fisherman should send you some $$$ for that great write up.:-)

Another great read bill!......thanks for the report.......felt like I was there with you guys.:-)