abkeenan

How many entries do you have so far?

I dont know what post you are referring to "sometime" back but I had about 20 plus baits done by Jeff (97procraft here) last year at a FRACTION of the cost of the big time name guys. I posted the pics of his paint jobs. I dont know if he is still doing it or what he is charging these days but maybe shoot him a PM and see what he says if your interested. Here is my post from last year with the pics. http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21559&st=0&p=138937&fromsearch=1&#entry138937 -Brett

You want to see how the weather was that day the Branson Belle ran aground. Look at that WIND! The guy in the video who is an employee of the Belle says it was even worse earlier on in the day when before/during it was beached. Check it out.

I probably wont be up to BPS until they have there spring sale and I can get some good deals or if I see an online deal too good to pass up before then and have to run up there. But for sure I will take the Crucial up there and see what they say and tell you guys and gals how it turns out. Thanks for the info Donna and the rest of you guys. Again a great community here that is always willing to help out or share a little knowledge with each other. -Brett

My brother broke about the last 6 inches of the tip off of his Shimano Crucial and doesn't know what to do with it? It wasn't a manufacturers defect as I think he just accidentally busted it off. Not really sure about the warranty. Should he take it back to where he bought it? Send it back to Shimano? What does Shimano charge to fix something like that? He has had if for about 3 years if that makes any sort of difference.

OK. Since I got such great feedback and responses with my question about the best $100 reel.....how bout the best rod for $100 or less? I like rods in the 7'-7.6' range myself. I bought a BPS Extreme Woo Davis 7'4" medium power last year and like it but other than that I haven't bought a rod in quite some time so I really don't know what is good out there on the market. I know the question "what presentation/lure/application/etc" will you be using it for but I am just looking for an overall good brand/model here. Then I can get specific from there I guess. I can say it will never be used for topwater as I have a short 6 foot quantum rod for that. Thanks again for your guys awesome reviews/comments/info/opinions/experiences/etc.

Citica, Pro Qualifier, Citica, Pro Qualifier, Citica, Pro Qualifier,....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, man I dont know if this helped or made a decision worse. Lol. Thanks for all your guys input and advice. This is why this is the best fishing related website on the net! You guys and gals are great. Thanks again, Brett

Wondering what you guys think is the best baitcaster reel for 100 dollars or less? Been looking at BPS online and reading reviews. The BPS Pro Qualifier seems to have great reviews with over 260 reviews but i am weary of BPS products as they are usually junk. Anyone have experience with this reel? Other suggestions and opinions of other brands and models would be great. Thx

Anyone have a suggestion or recommendation for a soft tackle bag? One with plenty of storage able to fit 6 or more utility boxes in it. All opinions welcome. What you guys using? Thx.

Wondering what you guys think is the best baitcaster reel for 100 dollars or less? Been looking at BPS online and reading reviews. The BPS Pro Qualifier seems to have great reviews with over 260 reviews but i am weary of BPS products as they are usually junk. Anyone have experience with this reel? Other suggestions and opinions of other brands and models would be great. Thx.

Anyone have a suggestion or recommendation for a soft tackle bag? One with plenty of storage able to fit 6 or more utility boxes in it. All opinions welcome. What you guys using? Thx.

Ummm ditto. Didn't fish today due to some well over due yard work. Thanks to the corps of engineers brilliance to let the water be sooooo high a few years back killing off those nasty, ugly, grotesk Oak trees that litter our yard. I'm so glad they did that. Not only will it make the lake more beautiful killing them off it will also give me hours of fun with a chainsaw, wheelbarrow and tons of practice making massive bonfires! Rant over. Fished yesterday with about 3 bites in 6 hours of work. Tried depths from 1 foot to 50. Tried all variations of banks and also docks. Nada. Tried wigglewarts, spoons, blades, topwater, jigs and a kitchin sink. Nada. Just brutal. Managed a 2 inch perch on a accidental jigging spoon snag. Poor guy. A 6 inch smallie on a wart that bit my dads line at 16 inches from the tip without have to real one turn to land it. Pretty funny actually and the I did hookup with a rogue 16 3/4 inch jaw on a green pumkin matching paca chunk trailer in about 10 ft of water. That was my day. It was pathetic. After hours of work in the yard today talked to a boat going by the dock with two nice gentlemen in it who said they had next to zero luck today fishing everything they had in the bag and at every depth. So made me less angry at the corps for wasting my day. That is until the 50 other nice big oaks fall over in the next year! Tough fishing it looks like right now. Maybe tomorrow will be better as I will be out in the morning in the dam area.

Also leaving in the morning and will be on the water around noonish in dam area. Older navy, red and white Triton with a 150 Merc. Might be riding solo, blonde guy, Oakley glasses and probably will have some MIZZOU!!!!!!!!! apparel of some sort on. If you see me stop by and say hello.

Caught fish all weekend in the Dam area on a 5/16th bass X jigs coupled with paca chunks in a variety of colors. Watermelon candy, Missouri Craw, Green Pumpkin Flash, Ugly and PBJ. PBJ seemed to get the most bites out of those colors but i dont think it really mattered that much. Fish were coming in anywhere from 15-28ft of water, deeper in the afternoon and coming in shallower as the evening approached. Actually did better in the evenings 4-7oclock than early in the mornings. Struggled mid-day from 10-2, a lot less action. Did best on chunk rock banks and around deeper docks. Shady banks, some wind and shady side docks even better. Tried drop shotting Sunday at the ends of deep docks (40-60ft) but i am a novice (at best) with DSing, from 10-noon with no success. Broke 2 DS rigs off and got frustrated and went back to the jig. The night before i thought about trying the white spoon in those deep docks but opted for the dropshot instead. After reading the PAA results from the weekend i want to shoot myself for not going with the white spoon Also tried a blade and wigglewart at times throughout the weekend and had no takers on either. Dad caught a few on a chrome mcstick in the small amount of time he fished this weekend. Weather was great and as usual enjoyed my time on the Rock. -Brett

Thanks for the heads up on the Dam Area Jeremy. Much appreciated. Will be in the area Friday afternoon til Sunday. Will give the topwater a go for sure and reports what happens after the weekend. -Brett

Kinda like they dont know how to play baseball on the north side of Chicago.

Thanks stump for your info. Any topwater going on in the Dam Area lately? Spinnerbaits and Jigs still producing? Depths would also be appreaciated. Any crappy around the Dam Area or Brushy Creek? Thanks in advance. -Brett

Seems to be producing best at this point during the year. Coming down this weekend and wondering if it is worth it getting up early (6AMish) to get out on the water or if I might as well get some more sleep, let the water/sun heat up a bit and get out there a few hours later. Thanks for any help. What can i say i need my beauty sleep if the fish arent biting any better early morning than mid morning. -Brett

When is the best time to use this rig? Or do you guys use it every time you use topwater? -Brett

Let me tell you first hand that Spro is AWESOME. I love the McStick and had a few that were faulty and one that i damaged on my own casting error and they not only replaced them but send me a few extras at no charge. Great customer service and a pretty fair price @ about 11-12 bucks depending where you buy. Havent thrown a megabass (and never will as long as they are $25 plus) and i cant imagine them outfishing the McStick. The McSticks are also coming out with more and more colors as their popularity gains. Cant wait to get my hands on the new McRip. Anyone try one yet? Would love to hear how they perform. -ABK

I second the Trilene 100% Fluro. Have had no problems with it. I like the 12# because its a happy medium between 10 and 15. My 2 cents.

Funny you photo shopped the bait out. At first i was like "What the heck is that??" Then realized it had been scribbled over. But you did leave a little meat on the bone there as a tease so i am going to take a guess. Zoom Brush Hog in Black/Red? Anywho congrats on that awesome fish and an even bigger thank you for letting her go. My personal best on TR is a meager 4.6 LM (Caught 2 LM exactly 4.6lbs, kinda weird) so giving me a shot at a fish of a lifetime i again thank you for the opportunity. -Brett

Always liked the Culprit 10" in red shad.

Thanks for the toothpick suggestion. That doesnt affect the line at all with breakoffs or causing a weak link?

Quick questions, 1. What do you guys use to "peg" you weights on these texas rigged big worms? The BPS screw-in bullet weights are stupidly expensive @ about a buck per weight and if someone has a cheaper trick i would apppreciate it. 2. What size/weight is recommended on these big 10/12" worms? 3. What is the point/advantage of pegging the weight over just letting it slide on the line? Sorry if these questions are seem stupid to some of you, just trying to sponge up some of the knowledge that is all over this great site. -Brett