OzarkFishman

I took the kayak below the dam from 10:30 to 12:30. I started out throwing a 3-inch bass pro sticko. I picked up a few dink largemouth and then switched over to a 1-inch grasshopper on a 1/16 jighead. I picked up a few sunfish, then bam big fish on (I was using a 5' 6" light rod). The fish is rising quickly ... then out into the air and on my sit-on-top kayak right between my legs. The fish then flips off and the fight continues. After landing the fish I snapped a quick picture with my phone and back to the water it went. Ended the day with a few more sunfish. OzarkFishman

Put on the waders last night. Ended the night with a bunch of sunfish and a decent largemouth for that stretch. Came back tonight with my kayak. I started out throwing the same thing that worked last night (3 inch plastic). I kept getting pecked by little fish, so I decided to catch them. I put on a 1/16 jig with a 1 inch grasshopper plastic. I quickly picked up some smaller fish and then moved down river a little. I threw into some timber and bam, the smallmouth below hit. It was my first quality fish out of my kayak. I picked up another smaller smallmouth along with 1 goggle-eye and 3 more sunfish. One of the longears was very nice (the size of my hand). PS - I attached some fish porn. These fish were caught in various ponds over the weekend. As you can see, some are very skinny. Caught most of these fish on 10 inch worms (pumpkin and black shad) and brushhogs (watermelon candy).

Or ... the water quality is low --> this means that the fish are weaker and cannot withstand the livewell experience. The fish would still be able to survive in the lake. Just my 2 cents, OzarkFishman

Below the dam is good-to-go. It may be up an inch or so.

I have been hitting any piece of Finley that I can wade the past 5 or 6 days. I found a few good places. One trip I caught 8 goggle-eye and 3 smallmouth (one being what would have been my personal best that quick released just feet from me ... chunk rock plus smallmouth equals broken line). Tonight, I hit the Finley and caught my personal best for the Ozark Bass. Most have been hitting on soft plastic. Some colors work better than others. I have picked up a few on a small jig. On a different note: I repaired my neoprene waders with Hodgeman. It fixed a dime-sized hole in the crotch. No leak ... perfect. Good Fishin, OzarkFishman

No worries, dtrs5kprs. It would be nice if anyone that has experience diving at Table Rock could join the conversation. I would assume the bottom of the lake (in deep areas) always stays close to 39.2 degrees. In the summer, the thermocline is above this area and then the top layer(s) of the water column is/are above the thermocline. In the winter the bottom would be 39.2 and the temperature above this would vary from a little above or a little above 39.2. Either way, the water would stay above the bottom layer, since it would have a lower density. Like dtrs5kprs suggested; if Table Rock's turnover was simply a temperature thing, then it would turnover late Feb or early Mar. This is just a guess ... maybe the thermocline is being established and with the combination of wind, sinking water and water flow the turnover happens around now. I will continue researching this. If anyone has any info to add to the conversation, then please share (even if it means telling me I am wrong). OzarkFishman

There are many variables and I am not an expert in the field. I would say that the density aspect definitely comes into play. I would assume it would have something to do with the water columns and the varying temperature as the warming occurs. Don't forget that wind has the power to mix a lot of water (not just on the surface). While Table Rock didn't freeze over, I would say that surface temps got below 39 degrees this winter. If you read the link, then you would have read that every lake has different variable, but that temperature is the main variable. That explains why many southern lakes don't turn over. None of those lakes have any water that gets below 39 degrees. That means no turn over, no matter what the other variables are. I would love to hear what an expert has to say about the turn over. OzarkFishman

Lake Turnover In simpler terms from Minnesota's DNR website: The key to this question is how water density varies with water temperature. Water is most dense (heaviest) at 39º F (4º C) and as temperature increases or decreases from 39º F, it becomes increasingly less dense (lighter). In summer and winter, lakes are maintained by climate in what is called a stratified condition. Less dense water is at the surface and more dense water is near the bottom. During late summer and autumn, air temperatures cool the surface water causing its density to increase. The heavier water sinks, forcing the lighter, less dense water to the surface. This continues until the water temperature at all depths reaches approximately 39º F. Because there is very little difference in density at this stage, the waters are easily mixed by the wind. The sinking action and mixing of the water by the wind results in the exchange of surface and bottom waters which is called "turnover." During spring, the process reverses itself. This time ice melts, and surface waters warm and sink until the water temperature at all depths reaches approximately 39º F. The sinking combined with wind mixing causes spring "turnover." This describes the general principle; however, other factors (including climate and lake depth variations) can cause certain lakes to act differently. A more detailed description of the physical characteristics of lakes, including temporal and density interactions, can be found at the Water on the Web site, sponsored by the University of Minnesota - Duluth and funded by the National Science Foundation.

That is my favorite type of fishing. I have been white bass fishing and hitting the Finley lately, but farm pond fishing beats it all. I plan on going to my favorite ponds in 2 weeks. One thing I have noticed is that ponds seem to hold better quality towards Clinton and further up to Kansas City. There is better soil there and our weather is similar, so I think it has to do with nutrients levels in the water. Obviously if you go too far North, you run into smaller largemouth because of the shorter growing season (big ones are everywhere, just not as often). Good catch, OzarkFishman

We got to the creek around 5:30 Wednesday night. I was throwing a 3" slider (pumpkinseed w/ black flake) and my two friends were throwing swimming minnows. With the storm moving in I thought the fish would be aggressive. On my 3rd cast, I caught a 14" smallmouth. Then, quickly picked up 2 good-sized bluegill. Still on the same slider, I picked up a dink largemouth just off of a downed tree. The other guys were catching some largemouth as well (all dinks). It was about 6:15, and I hooked into a good fish. I figured it was another smallmouth, but it ended up being a pretty nice 14" rainbow. Not huge, but it had some girth and since I don't trout fish much it is my personal best. Finally, about 6:45 one of the guys picked up a white bass (male). It was the only one of the night. We had to leave around 7 after a lightning bolt got a little too close for comfort. Beaver should start heating up fairly quickly. Some spots are probably hot right now. Good fishing, OzarkFishman

Thanks for the replies. I think I will go with 30# Power Pro. OzarkFishman

I recently bought a Shimano Bantom Curado from a fellow Ozark Angler. It is an older model (7 or 8 years old). I am going to make this reel my flipping/pitching and carolina rig reel. I am wanting to know what you all would recommend when it comes to line. I was planning on putting 30 or 50 pound PowerPro on. A recent topic has me questioning this decision. Since this is an older model, I don't know how well it will handle the braid. Another option would be to spool up with 20 pound flourocarbon or P-Line Floroclear (My preferred line for everything else). What do you all recommend? Thanks in advance for any responses, OzarkFishman

WEIGHT = (LENGTH x GIRTH²) / 1050 W = (20.5 * 15.5 * 15.5)/1050 = 4.69 I would say somewhere between 4 and 5. These calculations are never exact. Good catch! OzarkFishman PS: For smallmouth the equation is the same, except divide by 1100 instead of 1050.

HAHAHA ... you're the one getting defensive. I was just having fun. Thanks for the laugh. It made sense the whole time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The problem with online conversation is that context/emotion is lost, let's just drop it and get back to talking about the big bass. Tightlines, OzarkFishman PS - I mean no harm, but if you can't have fun then why do anything.

I guess my word choice was wrong. Obviously, the record should count. Like others have said, if it is legal then it is fine. I was really just trying to start conversation on Perry's catch. If you take the time to go to the website I got the quote from, then you will not only read some cool stuff about the history of the catch and how the catch was documented throughout the years, but you will also get to see a picture of the bass. You find out that Perry isn't even in the picture and that he only went fishing that day because the fields were to wet to work. On a different note: I guess if Ness catches a state record trout out of Taney it won't matter one 'leetle' bit, because he will release it without touching it and it will be caught with a fly that was tied just seconds earlier using only his thumbs and toes. I am only kidding, but are you serious that it doesn't cross your mind about live bait vs. artificial? I probably fish live bait more than most (I enjoy spending a few hours catching endless amounts of sunfish wading the finley with worm and bobber), but it still crossed my mind the moment I watched a special on the new world record bass.

I agree with many of you. Being native has nothing to do with it. What does matter to me is the fact that George Perry caught his bass on an artificial lure, while the new world-record bass (tie) was caught on a bluegill. “It was not long after noon, maybe 1 o’clock,” he said in the crackly recording made at Perry’s aviation garage in Brunswick , Ga. “I had a True Temper rod and a Pflueger reel. The lure was a Creek Chub Fintail Shiner.” (http://www.mrlurebox.com/GeorgePerryBass.htm) Either way, I would love catching a big bass (10+). So that begs the question: Does it matter whether or not the bass was caught with live bait? I would assume most of you all would say yes; I would have to agree. Looks like we got a warm up ready to set in ... it's about time!!! 30+ degrees ... I am going to have to wipe off my face next time I am outside !! OzarkFishman

I was wathcing a show and this reel was being used. It is obviously made for flipping. There are no adjustment for drag or magnets (drag is set to 28 lbs). I would never spend more than $100 on a reel, since I don't fish tournament and sometimes go long periods between trips. But, this reel is calling my name. Has anyone fished with this reel? How do you like it? Thanks, OzarkFishman PS - It's $150 at Bass Pro and normally $180 at Cabela's (on sale for $150).

#1 - 1 pound 15 oz #2 - 3 pounds 2 oz #3 - 6 pounds 2 oz #4 - 5 pounds 15 oz All weights with my digital scale (I always weigh fish twice). Pictures have too many variables to account for the size of a fish. I guess that is why I wanted to do this thing. Problem is, I didn't catch enough big ones to drive my point home. Good fishing to all and stay warm out there, OzarkFishman

Well, it was both a good day and a bad day on the pit. I caught lots of numbers, but could manage to boat the big one (I will simply say that next time I will have a net). The first two pictures were caught on Wednesday. The next two pictures are from previous trips. The last picture is the reason I created this thread. When I asked the guys on here to give my a guess on weight the average response was 5 pounds. I think it is a little bigger than that, but it is hard to tell. Like most have said, weight doesn't matter. But, I wish I would have had a scale to weigh that last one. Guess the weights on the first 4 pics, I did get a weight for them. PS - It has been a while since I caught 3 and 4 ... I no longer hold big bass by the lip (unless I am weighing them quickly). Catch and Release is the way to go!!!!

Based on my past thread I am going to try a little experiment. I am going back to the pit that I caught my 5 lb 15 oz and 6 lb 2 oz in the same day earlier this spring. I get to spend all day in a 14 foot jon boat trolling around fishing with nobody around (This is a treat for a dad of a 19 month old boy, I like to think of it as meditation). I will take my digital scale and hopefully catch some hogs. I will take pictures quickly and then release them. I will then post the pictures and have you all guess the weight. If you don't want to join the fun, then just sit back and enjoy where this thread hopefully goes. I don't really know that I will prove anything, but hopefully it will be fun. I will let people post the guesses and then post the EXACT weight of each bass. Sounds like fun ... right? OzarkFishman PS - These bass will have big heads, which is typical of pond/pit bass. PPS - Hopefully I don't get skunked or only catch shorts ... man would I look stupid ... but what is new .

Say what you will about the weight, that is why I asked. But questioning the length is funny. It is definately at least 23.5" (I have looked at the picture 100 times since I got some of the responses). Here is my calculation MDC calculation = (23 * 23 * 23) / 1600 = 7.6 (notice I used 23 and it is still over 7) Subtract a pound due to it being a pond bass and that my hands must be small and I am not that big of a boy ... And the grand total weight is 6.6 pounds ... still my best and I didn't even use the real length. Next time I will take the digital scale, but I won't have a witness so it won't count. OzarkFishman PS - I am not taking this personally, I am just trying to have fun with it .

Well I am not one to say how big of a boy I am, so I will just say 5 and be happy with it. Thanks for the responses.

Maybe the pictures don't show it, but it is definately bigger than my 6 pounder. But heck, if it is not, it was still nice to catch. More feedback is welcome, even if it is to tell me I am a moron and that it is it is only 4 pounds. Thanks, OzarkFishman PS - I have looked at multiple length to weight charts for largemouth. Pictures don't always tell the truth (24" = somewhere between 7 and 8 pounds in most charts). This bass gets a little skinny towards the tail, but is very girthy (football shaped). I know it doesn't matter, but I never want to exaggerate a weight.

I went to a local neighborhood pond (my friend lives there, so I was able to fish the private pond). I only had about 45 minutes due to other obligations. I fished with a spinner bait for a while with no hits. I then switched to a purple worm (split shot rig). I picked up a short (12 inches) and then got a text from the Mrs. to come home. As I was walking back to the truck I came to a spot that I just had a feeling about. I had to give it a few casts. On the first cast I set the hook and thought I got a log, then the fight was on. This big girl made a jump out of the water and I knew I had to get her in (I read that most male northern strain bass never exceed 6 pounds). When I did I knew I had just caught the biggest bass of my life. Based on the picture by my pole this bass is either right at 24" or a little over. The second picture shows the girth. I didn't have a scale or a tape measure, but I am guessing this bass to be 7+ pounds ... What do you all think? (my previous best was 6 pounds 2 ounces AND 23")

Wrench ... thanks for the advice, I hope it is that easy. Cricket ... thanks for the kinds words, without those two quotes it would be tough making it through the day as a public school teacher. I love what I do, but sometimes life comes fast. All you can do is hold on and be positive. Good fishin to all, OzarkFishman