FishinCricket

A friend and I have discussed going up some night to do some fishing for largemouth.. Anyone that can direct me to a good thread or whatever that gives us some insight as to what to is with and where to go? He's got a pretty nice boat, we are both pretty die hard fisherman, but neither of us are pro's and neither of us have done this before.. We appreciate any and all advice..

Let's put it this way, in the middle of the plaster land there is an old rusted sign hanging across the river that says "Warning: Live ammunition Being Used" and the hillock next to it is covered with massive pockmarks.. But this is all I can attest to witnessing myself.. Lots of local stories though. The plaster family started Empire Gas, which apparently was a multibillion dollar asset. Their ranch is very expansive, it's like 18,000 acres along the Osage fork... They have their own police force. No joke. (if I disappear tommorrow, you guys know what happened..) The niangua was high (actually about the right depth, but fast flowing) and muddy on Wednesday. The smallies were holding to structure in the middle of the stream, and the trout were still striking, they were just close to the bottom and hard to get to without some extreme weight. I certainly wouldn't call it floatable..

Yes, there are times when that is a lull in the traffic.. I hooked a big smallmouth one time when I was younger and had to wade between canoes to chase it.. A guy smacked me with a paddle, my brother literally walked from canoe to canoe til he got to him and beat him up.. And that was all before noon! But it's sooo much revenue for our area.... (sneer)

Geez, how many monkeys does it take to.. Oh, nevermind... Good post, interesting thread.. I guess it's always been second nature, but Bman and Dave (above) said pretty much all the same stuff I would have, so, good post....

PM sent...

In answer to OTF's question.. Yeah, mostly smallies, some largemouth, and some goggleeye.. And cats and suckers too, if your into that.. Also PLENTY of snakes... The ranch is owned by the Plaster family, old man plaster is recently deceased, but I think the rest of the family is just as receptive to floaters.. But that's all I'll say, cause when you talk about that family around here, so speak softly and behind closed doors. But the ranch is from the twin bridges crossing (now named Evergreen)on highway 5 south of Lebanon and extends all the way to Orla, possibly beyond..

Hey, there are few things more enjoyable that having a fish jump right into a boat full of skirts.. You'll get lots of attention. Made 100 dollars last year dragging drunks and their canoes out of the river. I fished last year during the gay pride float.. Didn't think about me and my brother standing there, sans shirts, until a guy floated by I a pirates outfit and asked "Got a little pirate in you? Want one?" My brother in law just about had a conniption.. LOL. I think it keeps it interesting, and jeeps me from becoming one of the uptight/cranky/hater fisherman I loath..

A very well kept secret too.. Maybe we should spread a rumor about a 15 foot, man-eating cottonmouth terrorizing that stretch of river?

Bouncing a maribou jigs around boulders and logs.. Dropping a jig into 15 feet of crystal clear water and enticing a fatty to smack it Feeling the strike in rushing water Planting a maribou jig on the EXACT spot I want it in from 40 feet away I am sure almost all of these things can be duplicated with a fly rod, but not with such minimal effort.. (just an opinion, and no knocking you guys who have spent so much time perfecting the casts, fly ties, knots, and presentations) There will always be a front seat spot for my ultralight.

Not exactly... I have been practicing and learning with my fly rod, but the action I have been making for years with my ultralight an a small maribou is impossible (so far) to duplicate with a fly rod.. And that's not even mentioning strike indicators (or as I call them, bobbers), which essentially takes the rod out of the equation. Go to bennetts fly area and you will see 90% of fly rods have strike indicators attached. I ain't knockin the method, just calling it what it is. Right?

I just got back from the mouth of the spring.. The river is running a bit fast and very muddy, but it's really only about a foot higher than it should be. As was states above, this will make it tempermental and any more rain will just keep it muddy and run it up the gage another foot.. I would suggest, based upon the weeks weather report, that you hold off on attempting amy rivers around here.. Feel free to check in with me later in the week if you want.. It's the ozarks, the weather report could change.. And if we get no more rain from now til Sunday, the river will be perfect!

A What what what what?!?!!!!!!! A freakin alligator? You, um, didn't mention that when you directed me to fish there.. I wasn't using the net!!

Now, I gotta know.. How do you catch fish with a cell phone? Allow me a guess? Tear out the extra large numbers and use them for bait... and use the sim card for a hook, the case for a bobber, and the battery for a weight..

Green top water frog popper, or a maribou jig...

Thank you for the giggle.. (Do you realize how bad you just jinxed yourself? You might as well have mentioned the weather while you were at it!) Good luck, bring us back some pics... eh?

Thank you all very much for the replys.. Looks like, after reading those links over, that some REALLY big grass carp could do the trick, but then I would have to get them back out of there after the algae goes away.. Also sounds like the problem could be fixed with chemicals at a pretty inexpensive price tag.. Thanks again for pitching in and helping me brainstorm...

So, I must admit that I have never fished the niangua past about 10 pm.. I should, shouldn't I? Any particular tips for night fishing?

Heya, were fishing the same holes, me thinks... I had pretty good luck on those days too.. Keep an eye out for me, a little silver two door tracker with a big goofy looking guy driving it.. Red hat and green waders, and an uglystick ultralight.. Oh, and usually with a decent one on the stringer and a story about a missing lure and a lunker!

My wife just threw up a little bit.. LOL But, yeah, it's a pretty snake..

Sissy.. LOL

Got titles for all three, I assume?

Good pics.. Thanks!

Glad to hear you had fun.. Some are having to live vicariously through us, ya know.. Now, where's that fish porn? LOL (Second time I've had to ask today, you guys are slackin')

Well, if they weren't before, they are now! LOL

Well I don't think it's ethical to go around killing poor little "cat" squirrels.. You guys are horrible! Just kiddin'.. LOL. But I do think it may have been PETA who gave em those cute names, fox and cat squirrel.. Now somebody pass me the smokes and the booze? Let's get this thread a hoppin'!