abkeenan

Richie, You ever try throwing swimbaits in winter on Table Rock? Water temps in the 40's or so?

I find it odd that LC has always charged $15-20 bucks for a jerkbait, crank, topwater, etc and then they come out with a swimbait and charge basically the same price as their other hard baits. Market prices are all over for hard glide baits from $20-$300 bucks but average somewhere in the $30-$50 range for a 7" hard swimbait. Figured LC would charge more to reflect current market prices for such a bait. I thought their Real Bluegill they came out with last year looked good but haven't heard if they are any good or not. It's a multi joint not a single joint and glide baits with one joint are the rage these days.

Richie, Have you ever seen or heard of High Power Swimbaits? I saw them online and they look unreal real. If that makes sense. lol. Just uber realistic. Since you're a Cali transplant and swimbait chucker thought you may have had some knowledge of them. They are out of Atlanta and made by a guide down there. $100 per bait which of course is crazy money but nothing compared to the Roman Made, Deps and others. Wait list to get one is a few months from what I gather. I really like the super slow sink 9" Gizzard Shad. I think it would be killer on TR and ultra clear lakes. Think huge jerkbait in the way it suspends. Check them out: http://fishatl.com/swimbait.html

Here's your answer Quill.

I do the same thing. Cut every hole on those things before they go in the trash/recycle bin. I am no tree hugger but I am in the mindset of conservation is king and don't understand how there aren't viable solutions to stupid things like those 6 pack rings, styrofoam containers and other environmentally hazardous items. Lots of brilliant minds out there that can come up with ingenious solutions.

That is such a big gap/gash that one would think a blow like that would kill a fish. Was thinking maybe the fish got stuck in some plastic (think 6 pack soda/beer can rings) and grew into and then out of that object?

What if that was your 5th fish and you lost out on a check by an ounce? Doh!

That is where I was throwing mine.....long runout points devoid of trees. I just don't have the balls to be throwing caution (expensive plastic) into the wind/wood. Wiggle warts, DD22s, Poe's and others I don't have an issue getting a little nutty around cedars.

I've had limited experience with the 10XD but I do like it. I am throwing mine on a 7'10MH BPS Crankin Stick with a Lew's 5.6:1 reel on 12# Seaguar Red Label. I'm ticking bottom at around 24ft but I think I could get it a bit deeper. Some guys claim 40 feet on a cast with them but I just don't see that unless you are long lining or trolling. I've said this in another thread a month or two back but I like the 10XD because they cast well (they should weighing in at 2 oz's!) and also because they have a steep dive angle that gets them to depth rather quickly.

There today gone tomorrow should be the MO of Table Rock. But you never know with the USCOE keeping the water up due to the malfunction of the dam flood gate/turbine that bite could continue. Trying to get down there in about 3 weeks and would love to get in on some crank fish. This spring and summer, aside from the monsoon weather season, I have had crap to do every weekend. Ugh.

I'm thinking about getting one of these to offset Dave's finesse bonanza propaganda campaign that he set off a few years ago: GO BIG OR GO HOME!

I think that fish is all smallie. Just has beautiful markings. Congrats on all fronts from making lasting memories, to getting another kid into fishing and also on letting her go to be caught again for someone else to make memories. This report is what its all about on so many levels.

Lot's of fan/hate mail? Jersey sponsors?

Either way those guys are crazy and must not value their life as much as I do mine. I also always thought the southeastern Asians where crazy with these long shaft canal boats. Like a Chevy small block strapped to a surf board with a weed eater with a prop at the back:

Well, when in a tin boat completely stripped that 30 HP Yammy should get it. I'm sure they amp them up with mods but still how much does the boat weigh? Maybe 200-300lbs? Add in 400 lbs in human and you are looking at 30HP pushing 600+ish lbs on a boat with a low draw to begin with. Those babies are scooting.

Perfect. Makes sense.

In 2008 it was a record at 933. In 2011 it was broken with a 935.3. I think 938 is the max it can go without being catastrophic damage lakewide.

I wonder what kind of impact major flooding like this has on water composition. In other words are nutrients from the soil and debris good for the lake? Bad? Of no consequence?

How many crappie or walleye tournaments do you see on Table Rock? How many crappie, walleye, bluegill or catfish tournaments do you see aired on ESPN? There are so many people after Bass on Table Rock more so than any other fish that it inherently lends itself to having a bigger impact on fish populations/health. Aside from RPS and a handful of others there are not many true Wally hunters on TR. Crappie is also more of a seasonal deal where guys are after them in the early spring for the most part and then not so much the rest of the year. Bass are bombarded year round for the most part.

That's incredible!

Great report and pics.

Tough fishing but thanks for the report. All this water fluctuation probably has both fish and fisherman scattered and confused.

Yep. Drop shot fishing is video game fishing. Glued to the screen.

Wow. That is a frickin' MONSTER. What a beauty.

I use a swivel so I DON'T have line twist. I can impart action on the bait myself if I want to. Usually just lifting and letting it fall/flutter will work just fine. I am not nearly the pro that Tom is with a spoon but I would rather just not have to deal with line twist at all. That's the great thing about fishing....everyone has their own style the way they like to do things.