CaptainJoe

Chris, I believe that the fish may be shallow due to the high water. In the past, the fry and shad had no where to hide, so they went deep and the big ones followed. Now that there is cover, the fry and shad are staying shallow in the bushes. I am seeing so much fry and shad shallow vs. the last three years. The fish are following the food and the food is shallow. Just my thoughts.......

RR Vet, I prefer the longer rods because I can use them easily because of my height. Longer rods allow me: 1. Cast further, which is great for getting crankbaits down quickly 2. When setting the hook, the longer rod allows slack to be taken up more quickly 3. I can pitch and flip further 4. I believe that I am more accurate with the longer rod, but again, I believe this is because of my height 5. I also believe that the longer rod helps me with topwater baits, including walking the dog more efficiently. 6. A fast tip or an extra fast tip, I believe, is more pronounced with a longer rod. 7. A longer rod has more guides, which for me adds to the rod sensitivity. Just my opinion... My flipping stick and carolina rig rod are 7'6" rods and everything else is 7', except I have one spinning rod 6' for dock skipping. Experiment with the longer rods....if you are 6'2", they many work for you, as well. I perfer florocarbon, because of its sensitivity. less stretch, and near invisibility underwater. I only use mono for braid backing and topwater baits.

RR Vet, Well, I used to buy the Shimanos, Daiwas, and Loomis rods and spend the big bucks. That has all changed since I retired and with the new equipment we have today. I have found that you do not need a $200 reel and a $250 rod to catch fish. Plus, I have also found that today's equipment lasts just as long as the expensive models. My old Shimanos and Daiwas have been worked on just as much as my other reels. My Loomis has been replaced two times and some of my other cheaper equipment is still hanging in there. Finally, by not spending as much, I can afford more than three rod combos. Tiger Woods uses 14 clubs, I have 14 rod and reel combos in my boat and ready to go. But, here are my (cheap, but good) top three, if I was limited to only three: 1. Bass Pro Extreme 7' (all rods are 7' or longer because I am 6'4") Medium/Heavy with a fast tip outiftted with a Bass Pro Extreme 6.3:1 Flipping Switch reel spooled with 12# Mono backing, 14# Fireline Crystal (or 20# Spiderwire Invisi-Braid), and a 4' leader of P-line 10# Florocarbon. I use this for big soft plastics, jigs, flipping, etc. 2. Bass Pro Crankin Stick 7' Medium with a fast tip outfitted with a Bass Pro Extreme 6.3:1 Flipping Switch (flipping around docks) reel spooled with 10# P-Line Florocarbon. I use this rod for crankin, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, flukes, and with a line change to 17# mono for topwater and a carolina rig. 3. BassPro Extreme 7' Medium Spinning Rod with a fast tip outfitted with a Bass Pro Extreme Wide Spool EX-2000 Spinning Reel (excellent for dropshotting - less line twist) spooled with 12# mono backing, 10# Fireline Crystal (or 10# Spiderwire Invisi-Braid), and a 4' leader of P-Line 6# Florocarbon. I use this setup for dropshotting, shakey head, spoons, splitshotting, etc. The spare spool that comes with the reel is spooled the same for quick changes when broken off or 12# mono for topwater. Less line changing with the Fireline and the Spiderwire Invisi-Braid and the line allows you to feel so much more. All three outfits can be purchased between $80 to $99 each if bought during sales. Try this test: go to Bass Pro, disengage the reel on any Bass Pro Extreme Baitcasting Reel and spin the spool with your finger. Then, immediately disengage the reel on your favorite reel and spin the spool with your finger. In most cases, the Bass Pro Extreme Baitcasting Reel will still be spinning after your favorite reel stops. The Bass Pro Extreme reel, in my opinion, is smooth, casts just as far as my Shimanos and Daiwas, and his more than 1/2 the price. The Bass Pro Extreme rods come in many styles and sizes and preform very well.

What lawyer do you consult with? I want to make sure I go not use that firm. Bomb threats (which can cause serious bodily harm like being SHOT) are made all the time, are not directed a specific people, and continue to be illegal. The last time I checked, all such threats (which many are called terriorist threats these days) are illegal. When and IF someone gets shot, skeeter and his nam buddies will have many questions to answer and the lawyer bills will be mcuh more than a tank of gas. As far as fishing docks.....I am not fishing docks. My line is in the water, which my fishing license allows me to do. Maybe this topic needs to go away.

Recent court decisions have outlawed these "no fishing" signs. BASS led the way to get them banned. You can fish in public marinas. The signs are illegal. "Sneaking" up on bass is what we do. You have communicated a threat, which is a serious offense and much more serious than stealing a tank of gas. I would suggest you immediately edit your post, control your dock buddies, and look for other ways to outsmart the "bad" guys. I love the gas cap lock....I want one. I believe that a blowup of Deputy Barney Fife would also yield great results.

cofobasser, This reply is off topic, but the closest Bass Club to you would be the Branson Bass Club, aka Branson Bassmasters. We meet the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p. m. at the White River Electric meeting rooms (back parking lot) on Hwy 76 in Mount Branson. Feel free to PM me for more info.

Gages is closed. The Corps has it blocked off as of 4/1. Debris everywhere and the dock spikes have been lifted out of the ground and the dock is perched on a log. The State Park has the best ramp on this side of the lake.

Phil, It seems to be fixed, now. I received all my past notifications and I am now up-to-date. See ya,

Having moved here from CA almost three years ago, I have thrown my share of swimbaits. I regularly fished Lakes Casitas, Castaic, and Cachuma. The big swimbaits from Castaic and Optimum work great on FL strained bass; however, I have not been successful with them here in MO. I have thrown the smaller swimbaits here in MO and they work occassionally, but not enough for me to dedicate that much time to throwing them. I throw the 3-4" models and like the Optimum and the baits from Matt Lures. I agree with the article, you do not need specialize gear to throw a swimbait. I just happen to have an old saltwater Shimano 7' heavy action, fast tip, rod. But, any flipping stick will do. I do use mono and braid for surface or just below surface baits because these lines float. I use florocarbon for the sinking swimbaits.

The pictures and stories are great, keep them coming. I cannot post a picture on one granddaughter and leave the other one out, so here is a picture of my second granddaughter holding a 5# largemouth caught on Table Rock in July 2006. Dalyn, age 8 at the time, did not catch this fish, but the look on her face is priceless. I can still hear her words today: "Hurry up and take the picture, Pappy. He's going to bite me. Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!"

I thought I would start a kid fishing topic. Post your favorite kid, grandkid, or greatgrandkid picture. Here is mine. This is my granddaughter Kylee, who is 8. She did not catch this 4# smallie, but she bravely helped me release it. It was caught January 5th, drop shotting, in 53' of water, using a 4" Chompers Green Pumpkin Drop Shot Worm in the Dam area. Yes, they were still deep in January. Let's post some good kid pictures for them to enjoy.

Great job, Bill. That was the best report I have seen. My printer is still printing. Take care,

Thanks for the great tips and advice. The Branson Bassmasters is part of the Branson Bass Club. Last year, we went to the Central Regionals at Milford Lake Kansas and we qualified for the Bass Club World Championship held on the Red River in Shreaveport last October. We finished in the middle of the pack at the Red River, but we learned much and had a great time. This year is Amistad for the Central Regionals and the top six teams get to go to this year's Bass Club World Championship at a lake TBD. Thanks, again.....

Well, the Branson Bassmasters received their invitation to the Bass Club World Campionship, Central Regional, taking place on Lake Amistad. The dates of the tournament are March 13-14, 2008. Our six man team, and one alternate, are looking forward to going to such a great lake. We should be very close to the spawn. The weather the next three weeks should give us a good clue if they will be moving up around Feb's full moon or if they will wait until later in March. Does anyone have experience at Lake Amistad? We are in the info gathering stage until March 11th, when we are restricted from receiving any help. An email would be appreciated since other teams may see your posts on this site. Much thanks,

Only THREE! 1. An Eakins MO Craw jig (5/16 oz. for docks and 9/16 oz. for flipping) with a matching Eakins trailer and rattle. 2. Mouse colored 3/8 oz. War Eagle Spinnerbait with tandem gold and silver willow leaf blades. 3. Drop Shot with either a 4" Chompers Green Pumpkin Drop Shot worm or a Aaron's Magic 4" Robo Worm. Bonus rig if one of the above gets broken off.....Storm Wiggle Wart, Green Craw. OK, I cheated......

Dan, Chompers makes a 4" drop shot worm, which is what I use on the Shaky Head. They also make a 7" shaky head worm, buy I find that one too long for the crystal clear water of Table Rock. I use the 4" drop shot worm for drop shotting and shaky head fishing. In the creeks and other dirty water lakes, I will use the 7" worm and sometimes a senko, baby brush hog, or a trick worm on my shaky head. Take care,

Dan, I use a wide spinning reel (BPS Extreme) on a 7' medium rod (BPS Extreme). I use 14# Fireline Crystal with a 5'leader using 8# P-Line Floroclear or Yo-Zuri HyBrid. I use a 3/8 or 1/4 oz. Spot Remover Shakey Head Jig with 4" Chompers green pumpkin worm. I would target secondary points in 8' to 20' of water. But, my primary bait during this time of year is a wacky worm using the same rod, reel, and line. With this setup, I feel every bite, see all line movement, and to set the hook only requires a small snap of the wrist. Good luck,

I agree with Phillip and Guy. If you want to fish deep, hit the Dam area. If you want to fish shallow, fish Long/Cricket creeks. In addition to the Jerk Bait in the creeks, a green crawfish Wiggle Wart has been working (transition banks the best). If you go back as far as you can go in the creeks, there is a flipping bite (jig).

The only thing that I would add to Don and Eric's list is a wacky worm (green pumpkin or watermelon)and hit secondary points in 8' to 15'. If the the point has wood, all the better. Good luck and have a great trip!

Captain Don, Waited until today to post since I went out Fri and today. You are correct, without the wind, you need to still go deep on the main lake. I found fish on secondary points between the Dam to the 86 bridge. They were in the 35-40 foot range. Best fish was a 3# smallie on a drop shot with a 4" Chompers Green Pumpkin worm. All fish came on that rig and setup. Went just passed the Gage's Marina in Long Creek and the shad have not move in there. Today, I decided to go further back into Long Creek. The shad are just beginning to move into Long Creek. Had the wind on some of the main channel, but no blade bite. The fish came in the creeks using s Storm Wiggle Wart in a Green Craw. No giant fish, but two good keepers and many borderline fish. Drop shot also worked in the 35-40 foot depth. Water was 1-2 degrees warmer in Long Creek. Take care and good luck,

Don, Thanks for the post....going out tomorrow. I will post my results.

I would like to attend, also. Perhaps mid-lake would be best for all. We had a Coast Guard meeting for guides at Kimberling City Hall and the facilities were great. I have used the LCX-15MT and it was a good graph. I now use two LCX-25C's. Color, additional wattage, and more screen pixels were the reasons I went with the 25C's. Remember our veterans!

Boat is sold. Thanks everyone!

Recently won a new boat and need to sell my current boat to pay for the taxes on the new boat. 1993 BassCat Pantera II 2000 BassCat dual axle fiberglass trailer with spare tire and swing tongue 1992 Evinrude V6 200 hp Limited Edition motor with 292 hours Minn Kota 24-volt PowerDrive trolling motor with a MicroTouch wired foot pedal, CoPilot wireless trolling motor control fob, built-in Universal transducer, and Maximizer battery saver Shooter 4-blade stainless steel prop This 19’ boat has always been garaged (12 years in CA and 1.5 years in MO) Lowrance LCX-15MT GPS/Sonar on the dash Brand new Lowrance X-135 on the bow Two flashers, one on the dash and one on the bow One-year old Lowrance LDT-3003 (clock, engine hour meter, three temperature sensors, voltage meter, and various alarms) on the bow Digital dash Lighted storage compartments Two 26-gallon gas tanks Removal flipping deck Three portable seat positions with two chairs and one butt seat Rod storage system Three new batteries One-year old Hamby keel protector One-year old bilge, re-circulating, and aeration pumps Hydraulic steering Steering column trim switch Canvas boat cover Asking: $9,300.00 Joe Hreha Hollister, MO (417) 334-5676 e-mail: jhreha@centurytel.net for more pictures

Dan, Thanks for the info. I used a silver/black rattle trap in the Rockaway area, but only landed short fish. How deep were you fishing? I was in 20 feet, fishing towards the bank, and working it back. White buzz baits are good until the sun comes up. Captain Joe