DADAKOTA

Oh my. Thanks for bringing back the memories of my wife's Grandpa Clarence Cavender. Before Table Rock was built he owned the drug store in Galena, MO and sold fishing gear as well as set up and guided float trips on James river. He later was on the Lake Committee when Table Rock was being born and was at the dedication. Later they moved to Stockton where he was head of the lake Committee to get Stockton put in. He had a couple old tackle boxes that held many of the lures they used to sell in the drug store including several of the Peck and Shannon baits. His favorite river bait was a lucky 13. I watched him catch some nice bass on the Sac with that bait. He was also a great woodworker and built display boxes for the old baits. Unfortunately one of the local antique dealers caught wind of these boxes and she made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Luckily she didn't get his old glass minnow traps, one of which resides in my man cave. Thanks again for this topic as I remember him, the times we fished, and stories he told me.

Made this last Friday and it was outstanding. Decided to microwave the last of it for lunch today. It tasted the same, but totally lost the thickness and creaminess of the original. It was this like soup, but was still very tasty. Any ideas as to why the change from chowder like to soup like?

Not surprising from OT. There docks are in poor shape. Check the online reviews of that place. State Park and Mutton Creek are really well maintained. Sorry about your boat, but I doubt you get anything out of OT.

Let Wingman spend some time with her.

If you have one of Easton's pups you are indeed a lucky man. Finest duck dog I've had the pleasure of hunting over.

Good looking dogs John.

If the work is on the downstream side of the dam, why is there an impact on water level?

Sounds like a great couple days. Congrats.

17 hours ago, fishinwrench said: In hindsight I can say with 100% certainty that following my gut instincts and my totally unfounded hunches has paid off way more than any of the "science" I have ever tried to apply to fishing. Gut instinct and hunches are developed and honed by time on the water. We frequently recall the variables on the days we did well and go back to how, what, where, and when we caught them. One also has to be willing to try something different or utilize a tactic or lure in some cases that others aren't doing.

Could not agree more. Cured and smoked 10 pounds of bacon a few weeks ago. Turned out fantastic. That pizza looks awesome. Send it up and I'll toss some bacon on it.

I used to use vanish but it breaks too easily, then went to the Cabelas brand for a long time and really liked it. Using a stop above a sinker and bead just shredded it. Switched over to AbrazX and have never looked back. Tough, durable, smaller diameter, and little memory. From 10# to 25# that is what I use along with Trilene XT for my topwaters. Been buying the 1000 yard spools to save money. If you keep an eye out the bulk spools go on sale every so often. Surprisingly Walmart.com carries the bulk spools and are usually one of the cheapest. Keep your line in a cool dark place and it lasts a long time with no issues.

I'll share information with a few real close buddies and they share with me. With that said the information goes no further.

Interesting reads. Most of them however deal with schooling bass on bait. I'm seeing the bait and nothing is busting into them. May just go out and try to fish around as many bait balls as possible with a jerk bait, crank, and small topwater and just see what happens.

It is that time of year where I see roaming balls of shad on the surface in the middle of coves, major creeks, and in the middle of the lake as well. For the most part these balls of bait appear to be unmolested by the bass. Of course they could be suspended under the shad and feed on the crippled ones. Does anyone catch fish around these bait balls? If so, what are you throwing at them?

Were the 1st and 2nd place fish weighed on the same scale?

Unlike a spinnerbait, the chatterbaits are not to good around wood. I can fish a lay down with a spinnerbait just similar to a squarebill. Lots of contact, up and over limbs, etc. Chatterbait typically ends up hungup. Got to give it plenty of clearance around wood.

What pray tell is jigfest?

You smallie catching guys are killing me. Looks like an awesome trip. Congrats on your 13th anniversary. Finding the right lady can be tricky for guys that are really into fishing, hunting, etc. Finding one that enjoys the outdoors as well is even rarer. You have beaten the odds. Congrats again.

Wow. Guess I missed this Bill. Sorry to hear of your health issues. I truly hope your recovery continues ahead of schedule and the knee infection gets eliminated completely. Hope to hear you are back in a boat and on the water soon.

You should not stereotype an entire group of anglers for the actions of a few. An inconsiderate A-hole is just that. DOesn't mean all those fishing, boat riding, skiing, etc. are. You obviously have not bass fished around me when I'm trolling. I don't work an area that has someone fishing it already. I'll come back when they are done as I have several spots to fish. What happens frequently is I'll be trolling a point, drop, hump, etc. and will have other fisherman stop and start fishing on the same structure. When I make my turn to work back over it they best refrain from from saying anything bad as I was there before them and will explain that fact if need be. Courteous fisherpeople may get some advice on color, depth, etc. Jerks get nothing.

Saw this play out from a distance several years ago on Lake Jacomo. We were out throwing stickbaits in mid March and were across the lake from the main boat ramp. All of a sudden there was emergency vehicles everywhere police, fire, ambulance, and park rangers. A guy had backed his trailer in to load his boat with his youngster strapped in his car seat. As he was getting into his boat the vehicle and trailer rolled down the ramp into the lake. Luckily for him someone parked nearby had access to the handle from a car jack. They were able to smash through the window of the vehicle and get the boy out. When we hit the ramp a wrecker was hooking onto the vehicle to pull it out. All you could see was about 2 inches of the windshield/roof junction.

WOW. That is a dandy.

I don't recall a big $$$ check being weighed anywhere but Alhonna or PB2. That shows which end of the lake the big ones come from. We see very few BBB boats up around the 45-48.

Exactly. Have heard many folks tell me they pre-fished for a couple days. I said just go fishing when the bash starts. Sure hate to crack a good one before it counted.

What a day. Glad you and the pooch are OK. Was the "BOOM" the parking brake letting go, the truck jumping out of park, or both? Perfect example of why I tell folks to NEVER have anyone in the vehicle unless they are in the drivers seat when loading or unloading a boat. Seen more than one youngun in a vehicle (some in car seats) while the Dad loads or unloads the boat.