abkeenan

That ramp should be open 24-7. Yes you would need your tag hanging from the mirror. It is a nice wide ramp to launch from and there is plenty of parking.

With the way they are weighted there really aren't "bad ones" anymore. Some are still a little better than others, but they all work to an extent whereas before like you said a handful are totally useless.

I have also used the YUM PumpkinEd standup jig and I've had pretty good success using it. I use them with larger size worms (9"+) inches since the hooks are 5/0 and 6/0 depending on the weight size.

To answer your question Bilffo, I am not much of a burner so take the follow for what it's worth. Only thing that I "burn" is a square bill in the 0-5 feet depth range. The fish at that depth are usually roaming and activity feeding or are set up on an ambush point (rock, ledge, log, etc). When I burn the squarebill I crash it into anything that is on the path back to the boat. It's a reaction bite so I cover as much water as possible by chucking and winding. As far as the jerkbait "season" I would say from mid-Nov to late April has been best for me. I've never really used it during warm water temps (70+) but I can't see why it wouldn't work. Big fish eat little fish...year round...worldwide. Maybe next year use it more year round and see what happens.

I had many a bonfire just like that. But I believe I have solved the riddle, or had the pieces to the puzzle given to me by a forum member. Next time you want to start a fire just send them my way and I will fix them up for you. I'm not only saving the ozone from the PFC's coming out of your fire but I am also treating your psychological damage.....which the root cause is the Redfin. Dr. Zoom Fish Doctor at your service.

That is sad to hear about his health. I have ordered from Frank a few times and have had my baits within a couple of days each time along with extra's at no cost. He was great to deal with and I have nothing but good things to say about Swing Oil. I'm sure he will make things right if you haven't gotten your order from this Spring. Send him a message or email. Hopefully his health is on the ups.

2 weeks ago the goggle eyes were THICK everywhere near point 2 around the dam. Also, I was with the family last weekend staying at Stonebridge in Branson West and didn't have time to make it to the lakehouse in Blue Eye. I did however bring a rod and minimal tackle in the car and took the fam to the trout hatchery at the dam. Afterwards drove across the dam to the visitors center and made a few casts off that point and there were a TON of shad lining the bank right there. One would assume that the whites would be around so probably a matter of time before you see the whties busting them on the surface or pushing them back into creeks and pockets.

I happen to like the screw on head. I like the Buckeye Spot Removers pro model with that screw lock head (NOT the one with just the nail head). They get hung up more than standard round ball heads but they stand strait up and the the angle of the hook always seems to have a good hookup percentage for me. Weight is determined on depth, bottom contour/composition and wind factor. So anywhere from 1/8-1/4 for me.

Go for it. I actually fished our cove when we were down there (which I don't do very often) and didn't even get a bite. Also, I wouldn't worry about the drone dogs......I have something special for Hawgs fans in sparkly Rangers. All I can say is you better keep your eyes peeled and Donna better be guarding your 6 out the back. When you least expect it Champ......when you least expect it.

Well, the bully smallies were restricted to the dam area but someone transplanted them up river (won't name names) and they beat up all the wimpy largies and evicted them from their homes. The LM's are probably somewhere in the middle of the lake holding a cardboard sign and pushing a shopping cart with their belongings on a creek channel corner. Poor things.

I'm a fan of the change just because it suits my fishing style a little better than in mid to late May. Only thing about early April in MO is it could be 68 degrees with a slight breeze or 34 degrees and blizzard conditions. Either way I'll be there. Some bigger weights should make their way to the scales in early April. Might see some 8+ lb'ers come in.

They are on the wiggle wart for sure. Couldn't get bit AT ALL on pea gravel. Everything came off chunk or shelf rock. Had to be the right kind of bank or you were wasting your time. Bite was just a inhale and your rod would load. Except for that 3lb'er he freight trained it. Also had a buddy about the same size trying to get it out of his mouth on the ride in to the boat. If you're cranking be sure to bring your lure retriever. Used it probably a half dozen times in 2 days. Worked 100% of the time, even on jigs and spinnerbaits. They are life/bait savers. I think they make you a better fisherman as you can get more aggressive with your presentation knowing you can get it back.

Will also add that there was quite a bit of color in the dam area. More than I am used to anyways. A greenish stain and down in Long Creek a touch more stain with some brown mixed in. Around point 2 I dropped the Screamin' Eagle over the side to get a gauge on visibility and the gold/silver willow blades were gone at around 6-7 feet.

10lb Seaguar InvizX

Fished this weekend the areas in the title. Fishing was somewhat slow with fish scattered, one in this bush, one in that bush for the most part with no real quality. Most all sub-legal dinks. All fish were caught in 5-10 feet of water and most were on a War Eagle in spot remover or V209 Wiggle Wart. A couple of fish were had on the jig but that was a tough bite for whatever reason. Threw the miracle bait for a little but just couldn't keep the sunfish and especially the goggle eye off of it and put it away on Sunday so as to not be annoyed. Should be a good goggle eye brood coming in because they were all the same size at about 3" and were fiercely abundant. Water temps in Long Creek were 80.2ish and temps in the big water around the dam were 78.5ish. Weather was great even if the fishing was not. If you have little ones and want to get them fishing now is a good time to get out and have a Ned tied on. I had a bite every single cast with it....even though they were mostly panfish kids don't care as long as something is pecking their line. Lots of gar activity on the surface as well as some bass. Topwater bite surely is around the corner the upcoming weeks. A couple pics of the dumb ones: Best fish of trip. 18 3/4" 3lb Jaw who snapped the line as he made his way into the net:

According to Albert Einstein fisherman all tend to be insane, myself included. LOL.

Drone Dogs worked like a charm keeping you from the little green roofed dock. You stay out of there!

Great report and pics Donna. Having electrical issues is the worst. MORE often than not it's something simple. After taking the motor cowling off and unplugging every plug and wire which still didn't fix anything......and an hour later checking the kill switch isn't totally engaged and/or that the boat throttle isn't COMPLETELY in neutral.......palm meet face.......on multiple occasions I'm ashamed to admit.

I agree MJK86. I actually sold off 90% of my Pre-Rapala wiggle warts last winter because I think color is highly overrated.....to an extent. Throwing a neon pink or yellow grub might not yield the results of a green, pearl or smoke colored grub. Throw something natural at Table rock in shades of brown or green and you will get bit. Sold my pre-raps because like you said fish have brains the size of a pea. I don't think they care what shade of Missouri Craw runs by their face. It's a reaction strike and they are either going to pounce on it like a cat on a ball of yarn rolled across the floor or they aren't. Plus I could care less about losing a $4 wart and will throw them just about into anything whereas with the pre-raps I have reservations about chucking a $30-$50 crank into a jungle of cedars.

Vonreed, We also use circle hooks and rarely if ever hook a bass. I would assume they do hook themselves pretty often but when they struggle I guess they work themselves off when they make the hole in their mouth bigger. Catfish are not so lucky with their tough skin and meaty mouths. Once that barb penetrates and they are stuck they pretty much have sealed their fate for the fryer. Also, we put our lines just across from our dock in our cove and try not to put it in a heavy fished area (on a point or something). Typically we string it horizontal to the bank from tree to tree in the 15-20 feet of water range and sink it with a rock/weight right in the middle of the line. Seems to work for us and we have never really had any issues with jerks. I wouldn't recommend what Jason had posted above as far as not marking them. When I see an unmarked trotline is kinda pisses me off as 1- I probably found it because I snagged it unknowing it was there and 2 - it is illegal to set a line without proper ID attached to it. Game warden could pop you with a ticket if they were so inclined.

That sucks. Sorry to hear that you not only lost your trot lines but also went through the effort to put them out and bait them. We usually put them out once or twice a year to get some flat head cat's so I know the work it takes to get them out there and loaded. If they were clearly marked then that is just an jerk move by the idiot who cut them no two ways about it. We always mark both ends of our lines with gallon milk jugs with our info. If I see someone tampering with them or making an attempt to cut them someone is getting an a$$ kicking.

Black Bass aka Largemouth

If Bo is going to take our smallies up the river I say you bring some largies down to us to offset the damage. It's only fair.

Odd first post on a fishing website. That being said would be interesting to know if this exists.

I haven't used this particular SpinJig model that Bo makes but I do use his regular NuTech jigs. So based on that the jigs come through cover and hangs less than any jig I've ever used. Put that jig on a free swinging spinner arm and that not only makes it less apt to snag but also when you do drop it down to the bottom the jig is probably going to land hook side up instead of on it's side like a spinnerbait would. One would think that would improve hookup percentage. I've heard Bo also claim that his style with the free swinging jig attached to the short arm spinnner creates more "thump" or vibration than standard spinnerbaits. Need to get a few and try them out.