abkeenan

I don't know what a healthy number is nor do I know what size is best. I'm sure there is an optimal # of fish per acre of water for a healthy population. From what little I know, (and it's very little) they typically stock various sizes/ages of fish in their growth/life cycle. Would be really great if someone from MDC could enlighten us all as to why they won't attempt a stocking program on TR. If it's purely because of limited funds one would think conservationist could come up with a plan to make it happen. I would be happy to add a couple bucks to my fishing license each year for a state wide stocking program for MO waterways. Aid the lakes that either need it badly that can't sustain themselves or the more popular/pounded to death lakes such as TR to have supplemented stocking. Even if members here have a personal private pond on their property would be interesting to hear their comments as to how they maintain their lake/pond. Would also be even more interesting for someone that made a hole in the ground and filled it with water from scratch. What kind of research goes into that and who do you get consultation from on depth, contours, habitat, etc. Bill Dance would probably be a wealth of knowledge on the subject as all the little managed lakes and ponds he's fished on the last 50 years. It's been a long time but I think there was an episode from Bill Dance Outdoors in the 90's where he was on with Ray Scott and they were doing construction and pushing around dirt on a new private body of water. Interesting stuff, to me anyways.

I don't think introducing a new bait food species would be the answer myself. The bass have plenty to eat in TR as it is now IMO. Just need more bass to eat the already abundant bait fish populations. We've had this argument before 1000x here so no need to go at it again but if you look at the Texas Park and Wildlife programs on stocking bass......seems to be working quite well. Would love to see a program funded for 5 years by the MDC where they stock X amount of both bass and walleye in TR each year. Then just see how to lake responds during that period as well as the next decade beyond.

I think 8 spots makes the most sense here. Here is my proposal. Voice your thoughts or grievances if you have an issue. Here is the breakdown. 32 total baits in the prize pool with (29) to league finish and (3) going to "guess the weight winner" (see below). 1st 9 baits 2nd 6 3rd 5 4th 3 5th 2 6th 2 7th 1 8th 1 I think to add a little fun to the mix and give guys out of contention a chance to win some baits, I will institute a "guess the winning weight" for the last tournament of the year. Person that guesses closest to the total winning weight for the last Elite event will win 3 baits. Doesn't matter if you go over the total (Not Price is Right Rules). Just mathematically closest. I will guess but will take myself out contention of winning. Two stipulations - 1 - You must guess the winning weight BEFORE the start of day 1 of the last event. Please use lbs followed by ounces (ex. - 57 lbs 8 oz). 2 - You must have filled out a lineup for the last event. Failure to do either of of those two you are not eligible to win.

Been 2 weeks since I've been down there but they were on main lake points and schooling pretty good. Get you some 1/2oz or 7/8oz white War Eagle spoons and find some main lake points and cast that spoon around pumping or yo-yo'ing it back to the boat. Key is to find those points that have a flat or tapering point but then dump into the channel. Say where it goes from 15-30 feet and within 10-20 yards goes into 60-80 feet. Can also toss a football jig around and pick up some that way as well. Good luck.

52 bags over 20lbs. Wow! Who wants to take a road trip to Waddington, NY!?

Though about this myself. If it is known that during the seasonal setup of the thermocline during the summer, that it attracts fish in that depth zone or water layer due to the favorable DO and temperature levels......wouldn't it also mean that the fish would sense that a new, intolerable zone has now formed and they need to move away from that DO depleted zone? Only makes sense, right?

Gentlemen, This is your weekly reminder to get your lineups set for this weeks event on the St. Lawrence River which starts Thursday morning. I believe this is the 3rd to last event. The Elites still have the the AOY Tournament (typically last tourny of the season) followed by the make-up for the cancelled Upper Chesapeake event to cap off the season. We have 32 participants in the league and would like to get a consensus on how you would like the "lure ante" paid out. Was thinking of paying out either top 8 or 10. Let me know if you guys think that is fair and which you prefer. Lemme know!

If fisherman knew why fish do what they do, we would all catch a lot more fish.

If you have facebook maybe post them on facebook market in your local area. Of course maybe only post one piece of what you found and say if you can tell me the rest that you lost in exact detail and where you lost it, it's yours. Lot more eyes on that media site than here. Just a thought to get it back to the rightful owner but good on you for making any attempt. Everyone knows the feeling when you realized that you've lost or misplaced valuable or sentimental items (fishing tackle checks both of those boxes for me 😆). That sinking stomach feeling followed by panic and self loathing. Thanks for sharing and hope the person gets their gear back.

Good deal Mike!

Better there than to try to fish Beardsley. Loaded with a bunch of bearded naked hillbillies roaming the banks.

Unless I am mistaken I thought this last bout of a fish kill in the gulf was a direct result of the runoff getting into the tributaries that then feed into the coastal gulf waters? The runoff carried pesticides and other chemicals that cause a algae bloom NOT typical in nature without the abundance of nitrogen, phosphorus and other properties in those crop pesticides. That man made bloom then causes issues with the water toxicity and damages it's inhabitants. Not to say that mother nature doesn't have it's own way to keep a healthy balance of the planet and it's environment, but this seems like a human causation issue. This is what I gathered from some minimal research. If I am wrong please set me straight as I am sure there are people that have lived near the gulf that have seen this happen for years and have way more knowledge on the subject than I.

Exactly. You are a disgruntled old man who now lives to just troll on internet forums and nothing more. Pretty shameful to still act like that at your advanced age. Only a few years left and you don't appear to be using them wisely. Not sure why you continually post in the TR forum since you don't ever fish it, have no reports, no experience and only get your jollies by taking periodic shots at it when you see an opportunity. Maybe just stick to the LOZ forum, although I doubt they want you over there either. You're a miserable person and that is apparent to all. This will be the last time I waste my time responding to any of your "trolling" or otherwise useless sentiments.

That response I think is as much about who said it as the what was said. Guy has had a chip on his shoulder since day one here on the boards for whatever reason. Assuming his whole life from the looks of it. Never once in a single post he's ever made has he offered something beneficial to the OAF community. Just a bunch of negative, condescending, downtrodden and otherwise empty posts devoid of value.

Beautiful girl. Beautiful fish. Butt Ugly Shirt. Why you gotta go and corrupt a young mind like that! On a side note. Coming back from TR this weekend and saw a highway billboard just north of Springfield headed eastbound on 44 that said something to the effect of "Mizzou Tigers, Springfield's college team". Boy did I think that was a slap in the face and a pretty audacious move by the MU to put that right there in Bear country like that.

Classy response. I would expect no less though, coming from you.

I'll bring the humble pie if you bring a double dose of reality. 🤣

This is your friendly reminder to get your lineups set before Elites start this Thursday morning on the Upper Chesapeake. Good luck to all.

Same. Wife just told me about it. Sickening.

He sure is an asset to the boards here, no doubt.

I've been with Bill before and he usually uses the Bent Pole approach. Just floats around in an area until he see's another boat catching them then moves right in on top of them forcing them out with his big ol' Phoenix. Really a high success rate. He also uses the Roland Martin Color C-lector so he always knows what best colors to throw at any given time. In all seriousness those are some dandy K's. Don't get much bigger than that especially after the winter weight is off them. Really putting on a clinic here lately, Bill. No doubt spoiling some clients that's for sure. Also setting some high bars and unrealistic expectations going forward! TR is not always like this and I for one am angry I am unable to get down there for this madness. Congrats again!

Wow. Glad you are okay RPS and caught it in time before it got real serious. Fires on boats are scary for sure. Had a fire one time a few years ago from idiotic oversight but was quick to react. Can bet I won't make that mistake again. Let's just say I needed a new set of jumper cables and a new set of underpants.

Really sorry to hear about your hard lesson learned. Hope you make a full recovery to the best of your body will allow. I do wear my PFD all the times with the big motor but am also guilty of getting a little lazy on the kill switch as of late. Great reminder to knock it off and stop being lazy. Takes all of 5 seconds to attach it. Thanks for sharing and the friendly reminder.

He was for the past week. If he comes back with anything less than 4 figures worth of TR peasant shillings he will remain relegated to the back of the boat and shall not speak until spoken to by the King in the front of the boat.

We catch them in the water.......just like everyone else. 😁