DADAKOTA

Nicely done Limit Out. You are on them.

Hopefully they will utilize the lie detector tests for the higher places. They went a lot of years without testing anyone and the numbers have dropped because of it. Used to be a 300 boat derby year ago.

Sure miss fishing brookies in the UP. Spent several trips up around the Republic area fishing the Fence river and some of its tributaries. Caught my biggest brookie in Just lake. Also spent time around Escanaba and Rapid River areas catching brookies and walleyes. Pan fried brook trout is phenomenal.

What a day. Still bottom bouncing?

Best thing about fishing is anyone can do it. Folks can fish as often as they can or as little as they want. They can become as good a fisherman as they choose to be whether on a lake, river, or stream. So many folks out there who have all the equipment, know the various techniques, and have the physical tools of casting, working a bait, etc. equal to or better than the next guy. What separates a true "stick" in my book is the ability to find fish and catch fish year round on any body of water. Paying attention not only to patterns but patterns inside of patterns. Putting the pieces of the puzzle together as quickly as possible. Knowing the time of year, wind, weather, water temp, clarity, time of day, and a host of other things. Anticipating changes in the wind, weather, time of day, etc. and how that will affect the fish. Trusting your gut instincts. Some are blessed with a certain sense that others are not blessed with. They also are open to gaining knowledge from whatever sources they can and are not afraid to try something new or think outside the box. Being able to recall similar situations from fishing trips past and combine them with experience and current conditions in the computer we call a brain to lead one to the fish is definitely a gift some have that others do not.

I run all Curado CU-201s and do my own reel work. Many possibilities including grit/grime, bad gear, bad bearing, or a broken/missing part that is throwing it out of alignment. I'd tear it apart and check and clean each piece. Most reel repair places do not actually clean the bearings. They open the reel up, wipe off any visible dirt, apply too much grease, and typically over oil the bearings. Most never take the pawl assembly apart and clean and lube it. Best do just do it yourself where you know things are done right. THere was a reel repair place at Lake Fork that has Shimano parts and has a video on taking apart and cleaning your reel.

WOW. What a day on the lake for you. Outstanding!

I see your children have no problem with individual expression. Not my cup of tea, but to each there own.

Actually Stockton was not designed "as a fishing lake". It was part of the COE's overall flood control plan and included Truman lake. Truman was supposed to be built before Stockton, but the Lake Association through many trips to DC got Stockton built first. When Stockton was built first the Corps. wanted to name it Truman but the Lake Association wasn't having any of that. One of the major draws for the Committee was economic development. My wife's GPA was the President of the Association and had been on the one at Table Rock. The construction of Stockton lake was popular with a lot of folks and very unpopular with others. Lots of old family farms, houses, etc. were inundated by Stockton lake and there were lots of hard feeling on both sides. MoCarp your quiet, pristine lake caused much heartache to those that lived/farmed in its footprint. At one time there were plans for Holiday Inn to build a large hotel, conference center, and golf course in the Umber area. I have seen the plans. It was envisioned that Stockton would develop similarly to Table Rock, but that has not happened. Progress and change take place and some do not get their way or get to keep things as they were. Mind you, all change/progress is not good, but we can't expect things to stay 100% the same as the population of this Country grows and technology advances. I'm glad Stockton is the lake that it is. Usually quiet, peaceful, and uncrowded. I fish all over the lake and rarely fish at night. Boogie fever going on at Mutton doesn't disturb me at all. I'd guess the band deal is a weekend thing during tourist season 3 months out of the year. If anyone would be upset by the music it should be those camping at Mutton. Apparently it has not caused a mass exodus from the campground and impacted the owners bottom line. To me a far greater concern are the giant boats and the tweakers and thieves that hit the various boat ramps around Missouri's lakes as well as steal from the docks and marinas.

Got to love kids and fishing. Nice eyes.

We typically run four rods. When one gets snagged I hit reverse and create slack in the lines. Many times the snagged one pops free. If it doesn't we reel in the other three and go back to the snagged one. The Bandits float. If the snagged one pops free just put it back in gear and let them dive.

Wow.

Sounds like an awesome trip.

Big fish are like big bucks. They both can do some really stupid things resulting in their demise. Lots of big bass get caught around docks with all kinds of human activity and noise going on. I general it is better to keep the noise down while fishing. Is that walnut paneling? My wife's grandparents had floor to ceiling walnut paneling in their house in Stockton. Your picture made me think of all the great times that were had at their place.

After reading Jim M's story about going in the lake I got to thinking that I should probably get one of the inflatable PFDs for my 88 year old Dad. His balance is pretty bad and it really worries me when he is on the dock or in the boat. Thinking he'd be willing to wear an inflatable full time. I know nothing about them. What brand would you all recommend?

Glad to hear you are OK.

I have fished the lake since it was built. I have never had fish shut down by dropping a split shot on a carpeted floor of a boat on Stockton or any other lake. Must be one big az split shot. There are plenty of places away from Mutton for families to stay and camp. Mutton is what it is. If folks don't like it then don't go. I've seen folks catching crappie from their boat slips while listening to the music. Didn't seem to bother the crappie one bit. I turn on the radio in the boat all the time and listen to a ball game or some music. I catch lots of fish. Of coarse I am not blasting it either.

It doesn't bother the fish

Nice looking fish

Crappie fishing was decent from Memorial Day through the 31st. 300 Bandits in shad colors and chrome were consistent producers. 25 fow was a good depth on Memorial Day, but found them as shallow as 15-16 the next 2 days. Late afternoon/evening was the best bite.

Amen will be there on Thursday. Amazing how much of a magnet the water willow is to bass right now.

Sounds like a great trip. Heading for OT in an hour or so. Looking for walleye and crappie.

Fishing is supposed to be relaxing. Have confidence in your abilities. It isn't the end of the world if you are not on a bite. The only standard you have to live up to is self imposed. If you have no confidence your more than likely will not be very successful. There are times everyone struggles to find and catch them. That makes me more determined to figure it out. Makes great conversation with my fishing buddies as I try to figure out what else I could have tried. And remember one thing, some days the fish are going to win.

Can't wait. Will be there Monday - Thursday

Used to do real well down there in high water pitching green pumpkin tubes into the bushes.