abkeenan

I watched some of his youtubes a few years back. I know that he is quite the dock skipper. He actually made mention of it at today's weigh in. Said he was using a new Daiwa rod that is an Ish Monroe flipping model to be released at the Classic next month. He said he has his Daiwa dock skipping specific model coming out at the same time as well.

No new bait gets past me.

Don't know how I feel about Ish. He rubs a lot of people the wrong way but a lot of that is just passion for the sport which I can respect. Every sport needs a villain and it's good for the sport (IMO) to have guys that bring some personality (ex. Ike). Definitely controversial though, no doubt. Where I kinda lost respect for him is when he jumped in another Elite's boat a few years back and got into a skirmish. That is over the line. Two guys that I could watch all day are Greg Hackney and Andy Montgomery. Hackney is a riot (on top of being an incredible angler) and I didn't realize Montgomery was such a funny guy. Watched his live weigh-ins on day 3 and 4 and he is quite the character.

Wasn't the new 6th Sense popper, the Splash Back, by any chance? Been eyeing those and look like a mix between a Pop-R and your beloved Top Dollar.

Dark days for my MIZZOU right now for sure. On all levels. Used to REALLY get amp'd up for late March because it meant watching MU in the field of 64 and typically the fish starting turning on at TR. I guess this is just the Medieval Times for Mizzou Tigers. Might need some heads on the chopping block to get this thing righted.

I hated taking a lot of the favorites for each group but I had to go with what I thought was the best lineup. Went with local hammers and flippers. Seems to have paid off. I'm sure I will tank next round for the Classic which will be harder to pick than this Big O tournament.

You sure you didn't quit after you hit Mike Anderson's IQ?

Hahahahahhaha.

I just realized that this is a "fake news" fishing report. Evidenced by the fact that people from Arkansas can't count beyond 10, or 20 perhaps, if they don't have any shoes on. So that is a max of 40 between to the two barefoot Razorbacks....so how on Earth could you arrive at 63?

That's a heck of a day Champ and Donna. Congrats.

Ya. He's awesome with a swimjig/chatterbait with that cane thumper style paddle tail. Just heard that Dean "The Machine" Rojas just popped a 10'er. Great for my fantasy squad!

Ya. That is a FAT sack. 5lb's clear of 2nd. Anything can happen on that lake though. So many big fish that one of two pigs can shoot someone back up the leaderboard. Looks like its gonna take 100lbs or more to win this deal.

Nice report. Also nice to see a game warden out keeping people honest.

Just a friendly reminder that today is the LAST day to get your picks in! Don't forget! The Big O starts tomorrow! Should be some big bags coming to the scales.

All about having the right gear. I have some rods I can crank with all day. I also have rods I have TRIED to crank with for an like hour and yeah......feel the burn! No amount of spinach could make me continue doing that the rest of the day.

Sounds like the grub scrub bite is already going?

All good recs on both baits and colors. I have about every color SPRO makes, as they are my go to jerk. I have 3 "projects" to test out here shortly when I make it down in a few weeks. A new bait that will require tinkering, a new custom paint and a workshop/operating table Frankenstein where drills, 00 buckshot pellets and epoxy were required. Should be interesting. That is IF the fish aren't already spawned out and on their summer pattern already with these warm temps. GOOD GRIEF!

I've played with KVD short shanks with a 4 on the front and 6 off the back. It works and it a good setup but.................like Alex and BasFis already stated the Owner ST-36 in size 5 on front and back is THEE deal.

Fantastic info right there. Neat to see regional and seasonal fishing tactics. Learn something new everyday. Thanks for sharing.

Good questions Bill. Will be interested in what the crappie guru's have to say. In early spring we will go after them sometimes if the green and brown fish won't cooperate at a willing rate. Enough "specks" (I believe that's what the true southern boys call'em) for a fish fry and a few for the freezer. I have NEVER spider rigged but I always thought it was mostly a stationary tactic. I also thought it typically was used on mud/clay flats that are prevalent on the AL, LA, MS, FL, etc lakes. All those lines out sounds like a real disaster in the making if you get hung up while drifting. Something that may deter that on TR would be 1) The amount of cedars/wood/trash in the lake and 2) the WIND which we all know can be a real bear most days.

I know. I was just playing coy to see if I couldn't coax the lake out of the OP.

Not sure the GPS's waypoints would help much on the non-cypress bearing White River chain. Might help in MS, LA or AL which I am assuming these beauties were taken.

I just can't in good faith "like" a post when the person is wearing a KU hat or other affiliated KU paraphernalia. I will say nice report, nice pics of fish and leave it at that.

At least I know that you put Tommy, Sally and Samuel back after their yearly "checkup".