zarraspook

I don't know if it would work for you but, my first boat had three names on the title.. I got two fishing buddies to go-in thirds with me and we paid cash for the boat and I bought them out as I could... If you belong to or can join a Credit Union ; they will have the best rates.. I have been with a Credit Union for over of 40 years. They always have better loan rates, than banks but, their savings rate are usually less than banks.. The other thing is find out if the seller will "owner" finance ..... Good Luck on your first boat !!!!

Great detailed report !!! Thanks

I thought it was “TIME” for the walleye to be on the dam... I arrived at Crabtree ramp at 5pm and had the ramp and parking lot to myself...Seen one boat working the face of the dam Worked my way to the dam; by graphing points from Crabtree to the dam.. I did graph several fish in the 25-20 foot range and a few in the 30-35 foot range.. Arrived at the dam about 6pm.. water temp was 42.8 .. Right in the “sweet spot” for the start of the spawn.. The other boat left about 6:15pm, before I got close enough to ask about fishing.. I work the east half of the dam ( 15-30 foot range ) with nightcrawers & slow trolled crankbaits until 8pm.. I graphed only a half-a-dozen fish ( 20-30 foot ) and never had a strike... The water temp had dropped to 40.1 and my fingers temp was at approximately 35 below !!! Long story short = NOT YET...

I haven't seen a "power-pole" that will reach 40 foot, yet !!!!!!!!

That would be the " Southwinds" motel which has a RV area .... http://www.stocktonlakemo.com/rvpark.htm

The only one that might be open is Mutton Creek.... 417) 995-3355 www.muttoncreekmarina.com None of the CORPS open this the middle of APR......

The wife had mine ( 10.5lbs-Florida 1974 ) redone at the Bass Pro Shop Taxidermy, in Springfield. It came back looking better than new.. I know it wasn't cheap because she would not tell me what it cost !!!!!

My problem is I have 35-40 lures I carry because, over the last 30 years, they were the only thing the fish would hit that day...

Thanks F&F.... I know now why trying to get by with just 2 points isn't working !!! I would mark the start of fish and the end of fish; then throw everything in my tackle box between the marks.. After 10 minutes with out a bite; I moving and looking again....

Cabelas' big sale and seminars just happen (?) to start the same day as Bass Pro Shops "Spring Fishing Classic" sales and seminars.....

Boy, that is inspiring !!! I am starting to smell crappie, turkey, and mushroons or maybe it is this house I have been holed-up in for three months ???

It is the same thing the states do to collage students... Out of state students pay 2 to 5 times what instate students pay.. Again, if you want to hunt / fish / etc else where; you either move or PAY.... It cost me (&the wife) $ 88 a year to come down and fish Beaver 3-5 times a year and (because of our age) it cost us nothing to stay in Missouri and fish... But, I save more than $ 88 in state taxes, by living in the big MO...... While I am here--- Here is my BITCH..... Being retired disabled military , I should be able to buy a "Life Time Federal" hunting and fishing license good of ANY CORPS land/water !!!!!

bros... I can empathize with your problem.... Until three years ago, when I retired, I had to pick my two weeks vacation in January and trying to guess when the top water bite would the best was like throwing a dart at the calendar.. I tried to get down the the first part of May, for the weather was good most of the time, the summer crowd wasn't there yet, and it was a pretty time of year.. About every third year, we would hit it good ( top water action 3 of 4 days ) and the other times we would only see one or two topwater boils all week, and they were not with in casting distance !! I have a "HOT SPOTS" map and it is so marked up that it is hard to see the lake ; with places that I thought would be THE SPOT to be... I don't have an answer for you but, What we do now is stop and get some brood minnows on the way in; go out early and late in the day; troll 4 lines - 1 @ 5-6 feet, 1@ 10-12 feet, 1@ 15-16 feet ;1@ 20-22 feet and keep a spook and a spoon tied on a couple of casting rods for when they do break the surface... By reading this board ( DAILY ) you will get a good idea of what part of the lake is most active.... and by reading the past post on this board ( for the time of year you will be there ) you will gain great in-site in to what was happening during that time of year... Sorry I took so long to say " I DON'T HAVE A CLUE" but, hopefully I have give you some ideas to get you started....

Great - great -great -- THANKS to both Phil & Bob !!!!!

Thanks for the update !!!! Looks like the snow is almost gone but, the ice is still holding it's own...

Great pictures and data .... ( as usual )......

I was in the same mind set as you, last year.. I bought all the stuff my son said I needed- 1) med/hvy of heavy action bait casting rod... 2) high speed bait casting reel with a good drag.. 3) spooled the reel with 200yds of 50lb braid.. 4) got 3 different sizes of soft minnow baits.. Headed up to Stockton and was going to "kill-em".. After an hour my shoulder was killing me and I was tired of untangling the "A" rig, every other cast !!! I said "self- this is a TROLLING rig not a casting rig"... After another hour and half of hanging up; breaking off (which is not easy with 50lb braid). I had lost all 4 of my rigs and went crappie / walleye fishing !!!! I am not saying yes or nay on the "A" rig .. I just telling you what an ex-bass tournament guy in his 20-30s experienced at age 69 ......

CHECK THE PICTURES FROM YESTERDAY

The ONLY open water on the lake, that we seen, is from about 100 yards south of the mile long bridge to 400 yards north of the mile long bridge... That is looking from the parking lot back north/east under the bridge and NO clear water, just CLEAR ICE ....... This is a picture of the buoy just off the CC ramp...

( See any Eagles? ) We seen 4 away from the water and only one sitting in a tree looking at the lake ...

H B ... I wasn't about to walk out there and ask him anything !!!!!

It is an AWESOME spring ( mid March-mid April ) crappie & walleye lake -- Bonus - Walleye keeper = 15" and Crappie are 10"...

If your thinking about going to Stockton check these pictures... I guess I won't be taking the boat to Stockton on Monday, after only 3 days of above freezing temps !?!?!?!?!?!?

If any of the BEAVER boarders are thinking about coming up to Stockton ..... Check out the pictures I took today at at Stockton... I guess I won't be taking the boat to Stockton on Monday, after only 3 days of above freezing temps !?!?!?!?!?!?

I made an ICE tour of Stockton today and the pictures speak for them self's..... CC, Turkey Creek from 215 bridge, Cedar ridge main, Cedar ridge campgrounds, Maze creek from 215 bridge, Mutton creek (2), State Park marina (2), Old State Park (3) , Y bridge looking north, H bridge looking west then east...!!!!! I guess I won't be taking the boat to Stockton on Monday, after only 3 days of above freezing temps !?!?!?!?!?!?