J-Doc

PigSooner, Post up any report you want. For that mattracts this forum is for discussions about the lake and not solely for reports. You're right. Everyone was once a first poster. I have noticed that there are a lot of lurkers and a lot of veteran members that do not post here as often as they used to. Multiple reasons I'm sure. The forum is owned and operated by a truly nice fella and I'm for one glad we have it. It serves multiple lakes within the area. Work has kept me pretty busy this summer and the boat traffic has kept me off the water as musician have as I usually fish in the summer. I've been out most every week but not for long trips. Hasn't been worth it either to be honest.

I have derailed this thread a little but the value of information supplied here is tremendous. Notropis, we (I) thank you for joining us here and sharing your years of experience. It's really cool having the lakes biologist on the board. The things you have seen over the years, most of us could only dream of witnessing. I think it would be a lot of fun and a rewarding job. Now I certainly appreciate all of the responses and like many, I have been busy as well. If we want reports, we have to make them. If we want to talk about things specific to this lake and the area, we have to share it. Yes, it has been quiet lately. It is up to us to change that. It's a board for friendly discussion and where people of like interests can share opinions, experiences, etc. SO...post up and it won't be quiet anymore. :-) And thanks again to those that have over the years.

And I believe that ends that debate. Thank you. Yes, bigger bass chase the same food source is why I see the bigger bass with stripers. Thats what I meant. I also found a crawfish in a striper belly one day. Surprised me. I used to complain saying stripers were eating all the bass but it was just my hunch and based on absolutely no fact whatsoever. Other than it was a big fish and "could" eat smaller bass. I know now that is not the case. And from a reliable source of information. I'd say your years as a biologist should outweigh any opinions. Your facts are based on that.....scientific facts. So... Many guys always want to know why Beaver does not have a very large big bass population. That......is probably not an easily answered question. Its a great lake, has TONS of fish in it, and has a good food source. Why there are not a ton of 5-7 pound largemouth I do not know. I've caught many fish that suffer from having plastic baits in their guts and clogging their digestive track though.

Weather is cooling off some too Stump. Actual fishing weather outside. Should be trending in the right direction. Unless we get one last hot spell.

Notropis, your input and years of experience is INVALUABLE on this forum. Thank you. So the last remaining question, do stripers impact the fishery negatively as a whole and do they in fact, hurt or stunt the bass size or population? I have observed and caught more large bass than I ever have by targeting stripers. Once I find stripers, I find larger bass. Are there myths or proof on how stripers impact highland impoundments? Seems other lakes with large fish of both species exist. I'm curious on what your research has shown over the years as a biologist.

Sounds like everything I've seen and heard. I didn't fish this last weekend. I'll have to go this weekend. Cannot NOT fish two weeks without at least one trip. No matter how tough it is. :-)

Just curious, let's say hypothetically of course.....people did not practice catch and release on Beaver. Would it hurt the tournaments weights? Afterall, that's what's most important on this lake. Tournament weigh in and bragging rights on how much bass you caught and how big they were. And how much money you won. Not my preference. Just the perspectives of some as expressed on other forums. I catch and release bass. Sometimes I wonder, with the population of Bass in this lake, if catch and release is actually hurting it. It's why deer limits get regulated and practiced. To control population and the overall health of the population. Too many deer in an area stunts growth and survival rates. Take out some of them and they all flourish better. Which could be why beaver has a reputation of not having a lot of large bass. Even though recent years has produced 20+ bags every week in the winter early spring. Just curious on your thoughts Notropis. Since you have the credentials and years of experience on this.

Careful, you used the word "harvestable". People will start changing their profile pics to bass fish and call you a meat cutter. Been known to happen

Sorry to hear that Old Plug. That's sad that you're having issues. My keel is seam welded tip to tip on both sides. Welds look like someone spread a row of dimes so they look good to me. That and the keel uses an extrusion member that allows the aluminum sheets to slide into and then welded into place.

Always hate to see these types of stories. That Lund took a hard hit. Does show that today's tin boats are not your Daddy's old Jon boat. They have significantly improved. Fiberglass is more rigid and probably would have splintered and separated like splitting wood. Although I'm only speculating and know very little about boat making. I do know glass is much more rigid than aluminum by nature and that resin cures super hard and can be a bit brittle in comparison. Takes a whole lot to damage a glass boat though. Either way this sucks. Hate to see anyone get killed while boating. I matter what type boat. And before someone makes a comment about ski boats, please don't. Let's be bigger than that.

Trolls. That reference is funny to me. Many reasons.

PM sent.

He's been very busy with work and hasn't been out fishing due to the crazies on the lake.

And that's why he shared so much.

Using your electronics to find fish and then dropshotting has been best for numbers.

Well be careful traveling. Hope to see ya out there this fall/winter.

F&F has left the forum. Or at least taking a long break from it. No one posts reports but reads all of them. Everyone wants reports, but not many report their own. Good or bad. I myself have not had much to report. I was doing great this spring and early summer but like many, this summer has been tough due to boat traffic and flooded hot water temps. When I do find fish, I get short strikes on drop shot or nibbles at best. Sometimes the bite is so subtle I just feel weight and set hook to catch them. Worm size doesn't seem to matter as I have gotten bit on tiny worms and big ones. It's time for new or existing members to post reports. The free weekly reports by F&F are no more. We can't all sit on the couch or armchair waiting on the info. So it will continue to be quiet until some lurkers start sharing. Either way, I've been busy with work and have not engaged much here. I try to check in from time to time.

He left the forum. Literally. Tired of people being hateful and rude (other forums) and other reasons. I myself stopped posting reports (mainly nothing to report, been rough this year). I have bass fished mostly this summer because trolling wasn't doing much and I have enjoyed bass fishing. Stripes have eluded me this summer. When I did find them, they would dive to the bottom (seeing my boat or sonar bothering them). I turned off all electronics and still didn't get bites on live bait. I'm ready for fall and winter fishing. Done with the heat and traffic.

Cool. I don't have a dog but want one. Daughter is allergic so one day. After she leaves for college. Lol! Anyone who has a dog and takes their pup fishing and the pup loves it.....well that's Super lucky.

Nice! That's a lot of footage in one video. Looks like a good trip too.

B I N G O and Bingo was his name....

It's more than ribbing. Varying opinions. Some are strongly in disagreement with others point of view.

Exactly. I don't see it changing though. It's because people have opinions. Some personality types mandate that theirs are louder than others and that they are the only one who is right. Which is why I don't post that often anymore. And why so many have left the forum. I agree with you. I just don't see it stopping.

Really good video on their youtube channel. https://youtu.be/rRU1GmEpLeg

Cool. Thanks for sharing.