TroutRinger

I have also fished the one behind the theatre several times. It is a private neighbor hood pond. If you stay to the south facing sides, you might be ok but residents go for walks around there a lot so dont plan on staying long. A friend of mine had the cops called on him once. They didn't ticket him, but he had to leave. I actually had a great uncle that lived their for a bit so I actually had legit permission a couple times but he has passed. There are really big buffalo, decent bluegills and cats, and decent bass there. Never caught a lot of bass but always caught a few. There are a couple big ones there.

I fished that quarry a couple times when I was about 14 before getting run off. There are HUGE gills and lots of good bass there.

Awesome pics. Thanks for sharing. The Buffalo is high on my list of rivers to float.

Floating is probably the best option for fishing but if you don't want to do that there is a good wade fishing at the campground on HWY 19 between Sinking Creek and Round Spring. I think the sign just says "Group Campground". I have wade fished there several times. I would suggest walking upstream towards the bridge. There is a big, deep, swift hole. Caught a lot of fish there. The whole far bank along the way is good fishing too.

Well, raccoons try to get on our back porch, Momma just chase 'em off with a broom

I also really like the CX Premium. It has the best diameter to breaking strength ratio I have found and haven't any problems with it as far as twists or longevity. It is also pretty inexpensive, about the same price as a regular spool of Trilene. I also use vanish and like it as well.

Looks like a pig. What were the measurements and weight? I caught my personal best smallie last weekend on the Jacks Fork. It was a 19 inch football. It sure is a great feeling. Nice work

I was told once to flip the spool every ten turns of the handle and then flip it back and so on. Even so, I almost always get some twist when spooling spinning rods. Usually don't have problems while fishing. Have fun and let us know how it goes.

It's hard to beat a 6'-6'6" medium light action with 6lb line. Heavier line would be nice for snags and such but you have to keep it light for casting distance and clear water. I think 8lb Vanish (or similar fluerocarbon line) would be ok but nothing higher. There is a significant difference in diameter and casting distance between 6lb and 10lb (and even 6 and 8) line.

I really think 6lb test is plenty. 6lb Vanish (which is what I caught that fish on) was strong enough to break the hook off of a crappie jig. I've never felt I needed anything stronger.

I personally think 6lb test is the best for the Jacks Fork. 12lb would probably be too heavy for the crystal clear water, and it would make throwing smaller lures a challenge. I would either get some 6lb vanish or 6lb P-Line Premium CX in green which has the diameter of 4lb line. And you want those Bitsy tubes in mustard, brown and chartreuse, or similar colors.

We caught all of ours on Strike King Bitsy Tubes with 1/8oz crappie jigs shoved up the bottom. That's about all we ever use there.

What do you guys think about v bottoms or semi-v's for upper Taney. If I only planned on fishing there I would just get a flat bottom, but I would like to comfortably use it on Bull Shoals, Table Rock, etc. as well. I think I am probably going to end up with a Bass Tracker (or similar style boat) with a partial v bow and around a 40 horse outboard. Would that be a decent boat on Taney? I have also found some boats like this one http://loz.craigslist.org/boa/1840356644.html what do you guys think of something like this?

Not sure. But I think it's private.

We floated from Alley to two rivers. Got on the river at about 11. Fishing above Eminence was really good. On the first cast of the day, I landed a monster 19 inch smallie. It was fat and thick like a largemouth. It was just barely smaller than the business end of a canoe paddle. Caught several more fish in the 12 to 15 inch range and a bunch of small (but still fun ones). By the time we got about a two miles below Eminence a storm was coming in so we put fishing aside a started hauling down river. Had to stop to help two kids pull a canoe that was sunk into a log jam. It took six of us to get it out. Lucky for them because we were the last group on the river otherwise they we sleeping outside. Overall a good trip. Still wish we could of fished the second half a bit more though.

I will be floating the JF on Sunday, but I am going down early Saturday to play around a bit. We are staying at Shawnee Creek. Where are some good accesses to put it a kayak near there on either river.

So I might be buying my first boat tomorrow and would like to take it to the lake this weekend. The current owner has all the titles and everything ready. What do I need to do to be legal this weekend?

Buzzbaits, flukes, and poppers early in the morning and before sunset. Dark colored 10" Power Worms at night. Mix in some spinner baits during those times as well.

Still looking for the right boat. What do you guys think about hull type. I like the stability, safety, and ride of v bottoms but flats need less hp, run shallower, and are easier to find. I will be using it on Taney mostly but will visit Table Rock, LOZ, Bull Shoals, etc. occassionally. I have settled on a 16 footer.

I caught this guy Memorial Day weekend in a little creek. I'm not sure how much it weighs but the pictures don't do it justice. Definitely one of the top 3 smallies I have caught.

How were you rigging them?

Does the in-lieu watercraft tax apply when purchasing a used boat? ----------------------- Nevermind. I figured it out.

Maybe this is stupid but by that do you mean kicking up the bottom to attract fish? Last time I was there, I kept having fish following my feet so close that I accidently kicked them a couple time. Eventually I realized they were picking up the bugs I kicked up when I walked. One dumb but nice sized rainbow even got caught in my net for a second.

A good friend of my girlfriends dad caught a 94 lb blue in the Missouri River right around Hartsburg two weeks ago. It was the healthiest looking big cat I have ever seen. They brought it in to shore for some pics and then released it. He had some 7-8 pounders with it that he had caught before. They looked like bait.

Dont know about rentals either but have fished that area many times. Before sunrise and after sunset, topwaters. I prefer poppers or spooks if its calm. Jerkbaits aren't bad either. During the day, it's hard to beat a plastic worm under the docks and along bluffs, but fishing is usually slow. I either use 4 or 7 inchers. Evenings, spinnerbaits and plastic worms. At night, spinner baits and dark green or purple and black 10-11" worms. I've probably caught more bass on those big worms there than anything else. I also find that senkos work just about anytime of the day. I love fishing them along bluffs and steep banks. Haven't tried them at night though. Probably should but platic worms have always been so reliable.