Spinnaker

I found some info, thanks.

I want to try BS soon and cannot find a map showing a public launch near Branson. I appreciate any info, please.

I need to replace my 12 volt trolling motor battery. I have a Minkota 40 AT, 40 pound thrust motor. My trolling battery is mounted toward the bow and does get some bounce on tough waves once in a while. I have priced some batteries and would like your opinions, please. Thanks. Bass Pro has a group 27 battery for $256. It is a sealed battery. Bass Pro is priced high but it might reflect the fact that it is a sealed unit. Batteries Plus has a group 27 for $89, but it is not sealed. Sears has a group 27 for $99, but it is not sealed. My starter battery mounted toward the stern is not sealed. My previous trolling motor batteries were not sealed. Should I get a battery case for a non sealed battery? What advice can you offer on trolling batteries?

Now that is a step in the right direction! I hope to read about more improvement soon. I plan to come down next Spring so it will be a while before I wet a line.

I wish I had your luck for numbers. The fish I managed to catch were here and there as well but I probably stayed too long in one place. The wind just knocked me down from long boat trips and fishing some of my favorite spots.

I was there Friday through Monday. I wonder if we passed each other. I have a red Lund. I saw maybe 4 boats the whole time I was there but I only fished the dam area to 86 bridge area. I launched Friday at the State park near the dam. I thought it was almost too windy but I got out and fished the lee side coves. I stayed 4 days and managed to catch a mix of Ks and SMs, and one big LM. 4 fish Fri., Sat and Sun and 5 today. The spinnerbait did not work for me. Most of my fish were on a jig and trailer or blue and chrome deep diver. Sunday I managed to catch my biggest LM, 22.5 inches. It was a fat healthy beauty. I saw some small fish surfacing and thought they might be white bass so I put on a half ounce Cicada and threw it in several places but no hits. I moved to a narrower part of the cove and this monster hit it about 10 feet from shore in about 10 to 12 feet deep. It was a real treat considering the windy conditions this trip. I caught a Kentucky on it as well. This is my last trip down for 2011. Hoping next year will be more typical on TRock. For those of you who will continue to get out for the rest of the year, good luck.

Many thanks. I will pick a couple up today.

I have not really fished blades too often. Willow blade(s)? Color(s)? Please. Thanks.

Heading down Friday. Hope the bite continues to improve. Numbers are more important to me than size right now. With high numbers, eventually a big one might hit.

Heading down next week. Hoping to do well, but just getting out will be a blessing.

I came upon a marker and pile south of the 86 bridge. Of course it was over a month ago and fishing was still slow so I can't give it a grade just an "incomplete". I have donated so many jigs to another area of natural cover that I avoid fishing with jigs there. However, my sonar shows fish there as a rule.

Tfsh4bass: Have you seen a change in the amount of boats out because of the poor fishing?

Yes, the bite has been less than vigorous. I came down in September and again in early October and it was a great time for boating but not for bass fishing. But I am told that late fall CAN be a great time for the bass. But this year has been off norm I would say because of the extremes we have seen. But the bass do have to eat now and then and they will eat, just not where I expect them to be and not my artificial offerings. Oh well, maybe just one more try this fall.

Do you think November 14 is too late in the season to come down? How long does the fall bite really stay vigorous?

Well if you regulars are having a tough time, I suppose I will wait to decide when to come down. I thought by now there would be a change. Please keep us informed about any changes. What are you finding as far as shad and water temps where you are fishing if I may ask? Thanks