abkeenan

Really bummed I am missing this....again.

My "everyday" or "do it all" jig is one of Bo's 1/2oz'ers. The football jig I go with the Jewel 3/4oz. According to all I've read and even Hammer's lure ratings it should be the right stick/tool for the job. Hammer Fishing Micro Guide Casting Rod 7'3" Heavy Taper Line Wt. Lure Wt. Guides Handle Type Handle Length Stock Price Qty Fast 10-25lb 1/4-1oz 11+Tip Hammer Cast A 14-1/2"

Well I fished the tournament and I saw from my own eyes. Did you? How did you come to the conclusion that they "sure killed a lot of them"?

Dave will bring the steaks. It will be mistaken as Goodyear tire treads.

I also am a fan of the Spot Removers. Like everyone already mentioned they hang up QUITE often but they work so I don't fuss about it. I like the 3/16th oz size the best. If I and going to be using something beefer on baitcasting gear with a bigger worm I go with the YUM EE PumpkinEd jighead in 3/8 or 5/8th.

The spinnerbait deal should be going pretty soon when some of them are done go back on the feed post spawn. Also liable to catch a big girl late to the party too.

That is a pretty assuming statement. The Big Bass Tour is a class act and are very proactive on their fish care. Chemically treated bumper tanks while waiting in line and fish are expedited quickly to the large holding tank on the pontoon directly behind the weigh in stage after being weighed. I can't say how many fish don't make it during their tournament but I bet the number is pretty low. Two things worth noting are: 1) the tournament is during April with cool water and lots of shallow fish being caught. Probably not a single fish that needed to be fizzed. 2) Typically anglers are smart enough to know that only 3+ lb'ers are gonna cash so all the 15-18" fish that are under 3 lbs are immediately tossed back in the lake under the "Big Bass" format. In a typical 5 fish tournament those same fish are hauled around ALL DAY in a livewell. So as many boats are entered in the BBT I don't think the fish are under any worse care than any other tournament. ESPECIALLY the ones during the heat of the summer. I am all for fish care and think there are indeed TOO MANY tournaments though out the year on TR. But the BBT guys do a great job and I have no issue with their fish management and care system.

Well I have read a lot of reviews of this rod and for starters they say bump up one power from what you really want. They are overrated in terms of their power ratings. So their H is more of a MH. Also have read that the blank has a more parabolic taper where the rod will load further down the shaft. This is all that I have read online and haven't actually handled one. They are made in Harrison, Arkansas......figured an old Razorback beat writer would be all over the scoop on this rod company. Slacker.

Was looking at the 7'3 H model. Jigs, Big Worms, etc. Heard that they are a very versatile blank where you can throw baits 1/4oz to over 1oz with no issues. Highly considering getting one.

Believe you are talking about CindyJo, Bill.

I like when the water color has that green tinge. Two years ago around the dam was just out of control with how clear it was. Still remember snagging an A-Rig on the bottom of 20 feet in Jacques Creek and could see it clear as day down there. That was the clearest I've ever seen TR since I've been coming down as a kid in the late 80's that I could recall.

Last call reminder to set your lineups for this weeks BASS Elite tourny on Toledo Bend that starts tomorrow AM. Get your rosters locked in Lady and Gentlemen.

Brother decided that my 6'10" Falcon BuCoo would be better off missing the top 8" inches. They no longer make this model (nor Original BuCoo's in general) and was thinking of giving Hammer Rods a look. Have heard good things about them. I love Falcon rods but I have fishing gear ADD and like to try new stuff.

Yep. Dam area, as of this past weekend, hasn't seen the mud line flow from the rivers. There was a bit more green stain up towards KC (Cow & Spring) but from IP to 86 Bridge was clear. Some floating debris but it was minimal. Biggest floaters I saw was maybe a 3" diameter branch. No big, hull seeking missiles. Long Creek on the other hand looks like the Mississippi with less than 1 foot viz. Not like your tether would reach that far from the 13 Bridge anyhow.

Z521.....Z for Zona? Doppelganger! Welcome to the forum.

Dave would love their steaks then.

Great report! Would like to be able to devote a day to crappie fishing around this time of year but I am always after the green and brown ones with my limited time. Thanks for the report, stories and pics!

Yep. Husband and wife team are nice people. Food is always fresh and cooked to order.

It's Chelsea F.C. blue. I wore it for Dave because I knew how big of a Futbol fan he is. Both days started with the bibs and jacket and around 1pm peeled them off. Low 50's and overcast to start and then finishing near 70 degrees and sunny both days Forgot the sunscreen day one and combined with the wind burn my face looked like a lobster. The cook/owner at Blue Eye Burgers Saturday afternoon duly noted the Irish suntan.

90% of the time I have a Paca Chunk on my jigs. Sometimes I will get freaky and throw a creature or beaver bait on there instead. Was going for the bigger bite so threw a bulkier profile on there. Guess it worked out alright.

Yep. Sure did just like every other time with Bo's jigs. Bo has built the best jig on the market IMO. Aside from from Jewel FB jigs I am fond of the NuTechs are all that my brother and I throw. I'd use them even if Bo weren't an Ozark Anglers member/contributor. The fact that he is makes it even sweeter.

Fished the BBT with my brother over the weekend. Like Alex and others have stated we caught a bunch of fish but just not the right ones. Lots of cookie cutter 2-3lb butterballs. Stayed around the dam area for the most part but did run up towards Cow Creek and Spring Branch to poke around and get a little further away from the crowds (hardly). Fished my strength which is the jerkbait and caught plenty of 15-16" fish. Fished bluff ends, docks, timbered pockets and some timbered transition banks leading towards the back of creeks. Most fish came in the 10-15 FOW range. Also caught them on a jig, flutter spoon and big 10" shakeyhead worm. TRIED to crank but around the dam is just too loaded with rock snot that you are picking it off the hooks and bill every single cast. So gave that up pretty much immediately. Water clarity in the dam area is about 10 feet or more. Long creek is around 1 foot or less and pure chocolate milk. Found water temps ranging from 56 and all the way up to 60 in some areas later in the day with the warm wind howling down creeks and the main lake. Day one of the BBT didn't have anything to weigh in above 3lbs. Day 2 I weighed in a 3.17 smallmouth around 11am hour that fell short of cashing. Last hour of the tourny ran a familiar set of docks in an unnamed branch and ran into a 4.44 largie on a NuTech jig from a dock. Turned out to be a $1,000 cast as it held for the #1 spot the final hour of day 2. Was a lot of fun to fish in the BBT per usual. Can't wait for another 363 days to fish it again. Thanks to the BBT staff for their hard work and running a fun tournament where even a chump like me can win a little money or perhaps new rig. Also met SplitG2 unknowingly during day 1. Was fishing around his dock when he had the boat on his lift and told me about his boat issues. Caught many a good fish off his dock. Hope you get that taken care of pal and back on the water soon. Best fishing of the year is now thru May so hopefully you aren't out of commission long. I would say the next week or two the lake should be on fire. Fish are either already in the backs of creeks or getting ready to pull up. The dam area is a little behind the river arms I imagine. My brother and I didn't find a whole lot in the very backs of creeks but by the amount of boats fishing in them there had to be some action. Did find a shad spawn going on at one location with a good amount of surface gizzard activity. Fish can be caught on a WIDE variety of baits right now. Topwater bite is also around the corner I think. Fun times ahead. Tight lines and please practice CPR on the big girls this time of year. -Brett My 15 seconds of fame via BBT snapchat Jig Used

Come on Dave. That's like saying any plastic will do on a Ned when everyone knows ZMan gear is the only way to go. Since 2003, the last 14 seasons, in 9 of those seasons an SEC team has held the national title. Bama has also lost a couple of title games in those years. Granted Bama (with 4 NCs) has been the most dominant team in the country the last decade+ and SEC gets high praise because of this one team alone. But at the same time Auburn (2 NCs) has been just about as good as anyone in the country (besides Bama). Florida (2 NCs) and LSU (1NC) also have been anything but a pushover. Day in and day out SEC teams are the best in the country and pitted against each other every Saturday. There is no other conference that can hold a candle to it as we speak.

SEC wannabe.

Good point. Better off that way IMO. Hopefully she makes it to the tank (not sure which BPS location) for everyone to view and enjoy.