abkeenan

I will disagree on both points. I don't think any of the C&R guys are jealous they "can't put up numbers like that in the end of January". We just don't like to see nice stringers of bass killed. No other way to slice it and we have rehashed this topic just about every winter since Ozark Anglers came online (at least since I've been here). If you think fish are adaptable and "prolific" maybe you can have some answers to a few questions. Table Rock was dammed up in 1958 and if you speak with anyone that fished during the 60's,70's and even 80's they will tell you how insanely good it was. My family (Grandparents, father, uncles, aunts) started coming to Table Rock during those "golden years" and staying at the State Park camp grounds in tents. My grandparents bought a place in Beardsley Creek right on the water with a dock in 1982 in which we still vacation and grandmother still lives 9 months out of the year. When I say "good" fishing, good as in having a 5lb+ average limit of fish in a day. Now that is absolutely unheard of to have a 25lb+ limit of fish. Why is that? Sure there was the LMBV (Largemouth Bass Virus) that killed off a huge amount of fish in the late 90's. That was over 15 years ago. Why haven't they recovered? Some argue that natural wood and structure is eroding/rotting away as the lake ages and thus provides less habitat for fish. That is a reasonable argument. One could conclude that would contribute to both lack of overall numbers and lack in larger average size of fish caught. But if they are adaptable they should be able to find elsewhere to inhabit and proliferate right? I am not entirely sold on the fishes habitat being altered that is the root cause of larger fish not being caught or seen although it may contribute to a degree. Bo has been fishing this pond for a long time and if you read his reports (which you should when he post them) he mentions every now and again how hard it is to be lucky enough to stumble upon a 5lb or larger fish. Babler would also be another person who can speak from experience of fishing this lake for 40+ years. To me the reason for the lack of numbers and size is the overall fishing pressure that the lake has seen within the last 20 years and increasing every single year. More boats + more fisherman = less places for fish to run and hide. More fish caught = more fish killed either naturally or for dinner. It's exponential growth on the fisherman's end and either a stagnant or regression on the fish population end. The lake can only support so many fish. This isn't a doomsday rant that Table Rock is a terrible fishery, it's not. It is still a very good lake but you can't tell me that taking fish like those, in the pics by the OP's (friend) of this thread, out of this lake doesn't hurt a fishery. This is a midwest or even northern lake in the fact that we have a cold season and not a full year growing season like southern lakes. We have northern strain largemouth's and it takes YEARS for them to get to the size of the fish in the pics. Years. I don't care what biologists say to the tune of "that fish will be replaced by one or two more fish". Hogwash. Gestating a fish to that size takes not only time, but survival from natural predation, disease, changing season conditions and of course the arsenal wielding angler. With each angler wetting a line it diminishes the chances of a fish growing to trophy size. If that angler happens to be a meat hunter then chances of trophies are reduced yet again. Plain and simple. More anglers + more fraying pan fisherman Frank's = less trophies. If you keep fish to fill your belly fine. That is your right well within the laws of the state. But don't piss down my leg and tell me it's raining and that taking fish like these doesn't do damage to the overall outlook of a fishery.

I watch a lot of youtubes of fishing (especially during winter months) and see so many guys boat flip fish and put their hand further up the rod towards the tip. It's natural to do it I suppose but I always think to myself that rod isn't going to last long doing that. When you put your hand on the last 1/3rd of the rod and flippem' in the boat that is like using an ice fishing rod to sling them in the boat....prolly not a good idea.

Typically LMs have that solid black lateral line and green backs. That fish has speckles all over above and below that lateral line. It also has the pronounced masked lines near the jaw lines/cheek that would be seen in either a Kentucky or Smallmouth. I am sure it is all LM but it's just a beautifully marked one that I've never seen the likes.

What in the heck is that in the 2nd pic? A Monster Mouth? Combo of all 3 species of smallie, largie and spot? If that is only a Largemouth it has some of the strangest markings I've ever seen. Beautiful fish either way.

True. Except the spoon. I think that is a pretty good representation of a struggling shad flickering around or fluttering down as it's dying. But you're right, plenty of unnatural looking baits that certainly work......bubble gum wacky worm?????

Maybe you are looking at it the wrong way.....new home with no payments, leave your crummy job for a different one in the same field that you're accustomed too and get a new wife that doesn't want to kill you yet! Wooo hooooo.

Interesting. I've never seen a crawdad swim the breast stroke before.

Like Champ has stated that good news on all home fronts...fish swimming to be caught another day and can dump a nice load of eggs of some fine genetically blessed fish here in a few months and that the jerkbait bite is finally coming around!

That's the EXACT same pic as the gentleman here posted. Not sure why he posted it as a "Missouri Craw" when he was given the info here that it is most likely a v209 Nat Red Craw or perhaps a Nat Brown Craw (pic is poor).

Actually "Missouri Craw" is a registered color of Storm. SP 90 "Missouri Craw" and the pic in that Craigslist ad is NOT it. I don't think the person posting it knows any better.

Good point Gitnby. That Locktite gel will cause some weird reactions with some materials. I've used it to glue stuff together and it will melt some plastics. It should be fine though as people use it to enhance their knots all the time. Another idea would to use a Carolina Keeper before you thread on the straw. Should keep it in place as long at the straw diameter is smaller than the stopper and you wouldn't have to deal with glue, barrel swivels or tie any extra knots. Come in red or clear too. http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_659603_-1?cm_mmc=pla-_-Fishing+Terminal+Tackle+Leader+Material+Accessories-_-Google-_-Presco+Carolina+Keeper&kwid=productads-plaid%5E78041065278-sku%5E004039236-adType%5EPLA-device%5Ec-adid%5E70247939958

I use the Razors Edge on guys at the ramp that aren't catch and release.

Oh, I know. I am just saying I don't think treble are quite as important on cranks as the jerks and topwater. My warts all have either Owner Stinger ST-41's or Mustad KVD Elites riding on them. I leave nothing to chance as I need all the help I can get to get a fish to the boat.

Exactly. Rods now are treading a fine line of compromising weight reduction vs durability. Blanks being built with the lightest possible materials lend themselves to being brittle and break easier than rods of old. Veritas are well known for being brittle, a bit stiff and probably account for A LOT of returns and warranty claim replacements at retailers. Carrot Sticks when they came out were some of the lightest (and ugliest) rods on the market and they also broke with regularity.

I think trebles are most important on jerkbaits and topwaters personally. I do replace most of my trebles on cranks but I don't think that they need to be AS sticky as topwaters and jerks. Reason why I say that is typically fish are trying to eat a crank and get it in their mouth MOST of the time. Topwater and jerkbaits A LOT of times the fish just slash at it. If you can get those "slashing" fish stuck you will land a few more fish per outing which can be significant. I catch almost as many jerkabit fish with the hooks pinned to the side of their face and flanks as I do with them actually getting it in their mouth. Gammys, Death Traps and Owners are the only hooks I ever use whether being trebled or single hooks.

I was at Bass Pro a few weeks ago getting a new tackle bag and had to go through the customer service line to get a price match from their online website price. I was behind a guy that was returning a Carbon Lite spinning rod for a different model/action and he also was purchasing a Shimano Stradic to go with it. It took all of my self restraint NOT to say something to him along the lines of "you are going to get THAT reel and put it on THAT rod????" But I didn't say anything as it's not really any of my business what anyone buys. We've had enough BPS bashing on this site to last a lifetime so I won't go any further but there are better options out there in the price range of some of BPS' rods. Not all are bad (I have 2 that get regular use and they have performed great) but like I said lots of great rods out there in similar price points.

Wow, that is a heck of a limit. That lone Kentucky is more than holding his own with those other 5 Largies. Hope they are still swimming and congrats to your friend on figuring them out while bearing some difficult elements.

It's not pretty. The program is in shambles after the questionable practices of Frank Haith. Haith is a total scumbag which was pretty evident from his time at Miami but yet we hired him anyways. It's a disaster and I don't see it changing anytime soon unfortunately. Kim Anderson is in way over his head and doesn't truly belong being a head coach at this level. Nothing personal and a nice guy, ex-player in Norm Stewart days, hired out of pressure by alumni and boosters to restore some dignity to the program (which is nice and all) but it's not going to win you ball games or land you blue chip recruits. I guess at this point I am the reverse of KU fan's....wait until football season. On a bright note is sounds as if Odom is taking care of business this off-season both internally with his staff and also recruitment. Heard over the weekend he flipped some kids from their commitments to other schools and they will be attending school in Columbia come next fall. Been a rough year for my Tiger's but things could be worse, like living in Kansas amongst Bill Self's devil disciples.

Here is a link directly to the manufacturer: http://majorcraft-america.com/products/zoner.html

Went to Don Iovino's Facebook page to see if there was info on when these might be released for sale. Didn't see any info on that front but did see a past post from mid October of 2015 and him having success on a bait made my MajorCraft called the Zoner 55. Appears to be IDENTICAL to the pics that Bo put up only Bo's has an Ozarks craw pattern sprayed on it. What can I say I'm a tackle snoop. Directly from Don's Facebook page: Found them on sale in European markets: http://www.thepikeshop.co.uk/lures-2/shallow-diving-lures/major-craft-zoner-crank-55-detail I don't speak Russian but this appears to be the bait from Bo's pics also:

It may be. The pic like I said needs some better lighting. Also, looks like that wart has some love on it which can fade the coloring on the back.

I may have my V # color code mixed up but it looks like a Natural Brown Craw to me. Def not a green craw.

Looks like a melding from a Bagley's Kill'r B, Cotton Cordell Wiggle O, Storm Wiggle Wart and Spro Rock Crawler.

Nice fish. Good to see a Long Creek report thrown up on the boards as it's been awhile. Looks like all largemouths. I like how you are fashioning that fish in the first pic, like a watch or jewelry salesman. I guess they are little gem's though.

Also, the V209 with the green backs are highly sought after. When the elites where on Bull Shoals a few years back they were the hot item and pushed prices way up on Ebay. Had heard (simply through the internet word of mouth so take that for what it's worth) that all the elites where scouring Ebay and snapping as many up as they could. V209's go for about $30ish used and about $45+ish NIB. The ones with the green backs typically go for around double or more. Especially come Wart season.