OzarkFishman

I have heard that a deep cycle battery should always be on the charger if not in use. I have a relatively cheap charger, but it does have a maintenance stage that puts out 12.9 to 13 Volts (I read somewhere the maintenance stage should be between 12.8 and 13.1 Volts). I use my battery on average once a week and during the winter I will use it less. Should I keep the battery on the charger all the time? Or charge it to 100% and then if I don't use it for a week put it back on the charger to maintain 100%? I need to know, so when I buy a bigger trolling motor with a better deep cycle battery I can get the most life out of the EXPENSIVE (for me) battery. OzarkFishman

Thanks et84 and Amp. This winter when I get bored of trying my luck with suspending jerkbaits in the the rivers I will head below the dam to tussle with some gar. I will definately get some heavy duty gloves before I go ... razorsharp scales don't sound fun ! OzarkFishman

Bill, This is going to sound incredibly novice, but I have never thought to dropshot crawlers (I have always dropshotted finesse worms). Thank you for another tip. Many people get on here and pick up bits of knowledge without ever saying thank you, so I thought I would. The Mizzou logo on you avatar is great (my cornmaze is MIZZOU this year). Also, thank you to Phil and all you other pros and guides that don't have to post but still do. OzarkFishman

My plan of right now is to only use the MH rod for CASTING anything between 1/2 and 1 ounce, or a 10 inch worm. Everything smaller than 1/2 will be cast on a spinning rod until I get more baitcasters. So, when I get into the market for a flipping rod what would you recommend for a rod and a reel. One thing to keep in mind is that I am a teacher with a young family and money gets tight sometimes. I am assuming I will get a heavy action rod. What would you all recommend (brand and should I go to extra heavy, also how fast should the tip be)? What about the reel? I have heard that you want a reel that is fairly simple for flipping (no wormguard, etc.). Should I get a reel with a flippin switch? I don't really see why because this reel will always be used for flipping or pitching. If I am going to buy one more baitcast combo (the MH I have, the flipping I will get, and one more), what would you recommend. I am guessing a nice medium rod for cranking, but you pros and master fisherman can tell me. You all are great for answering my questions and putting some thought into your responses. Thanks again, OzarkFishman

The rainbow looking fish was more than likely a longear sunfish. And the sunfish with a bigger mouth is a green sunfish (they have a similar body to an Ozark Bass). RS could tell you more, but there are 3 types of Rock Bass and the type that I catch in the Finley are always Ozark Bass (small black dots all over the sides). Sounds like a good trip. OzarkFishman

Thanks guys, all of this info is good. I am going fishing tomorrow morning, so I will have more practice time. Of course, I will take some spinning rods so I can catch and not just practice (well at least that is the plan). One of these days I will only take my baitcaster and just spend all day practicing, but tomorrow is not the day. Thanks again, OzarkFishman Well I went back and these tips definately helped. I set the mags to 10 and tightened the tension knob even more. I didn't get incredible distance, but didn't have ANY overcasts. Yet again, the people on this website pulled through for me. All was well, until I broke the tip of of my rod . Good thing I bought it at Bass Pro and they said they would exchange it free of charge.

I am new to baitcasting and need some help. I have a BPS tournament pro reel and a BPS graphite series MH rod (nothing special, but nice for a spin fisherman). I know that the best thing to do is practice, practice, practice ... but I have been and still need some tips. When making long casts, I get an overrun everytime I cast with a little extra umph. I set the spool tension so that the lure drops slowly to the ground when I push the button. I have tried setting the magnetic cast control at 5 and at 8. I am at a loss, so please tell me what I am doing wrong. Also, when flipping should I set the cast control to freespin and take all the spool tension off? Any hints would be greatly appreciated. I have read a ton of articles, but maybe you all will say something that will click inside my thick skull. OzarkFishman

I still don't know what it was, but I went back this morning and hooked up with a 2 1/2 to 3 ft gar. I had a good fight for about 5 minutes, before it decided to get serious and break my line. I am now on the hunt for gar. It would be nice to land one. OzarkFishman

Nice report, you are definately more daring than I. The clouds today looked down right wicked. Tight Lines, OzarkFishman

Dave, It was just last August when I got overcome by the fishing hunger. I was using a spincast with 10 lb mono, much like you. Since then I have learned why spin and baitcasts are better for bigger fish, but when it comes to worm and bobber the spincast will do (actually my 2 biggest largemouth were caught on a spincast 6 lbs 2 oz and 5 lbs 15 oz). Honestly, I have had more success in the heat of the day for panfish in the Finley. Don't throw out in the middle of the river, look for cover and shade. I have gotten away from fishing the worm and bobber, but at least 3 or 4 times a month I will go to "my spot" and catch upwards of 30 - 40 panfish on worm and bobber in the heat of the day (you will catch panfish, as well as small bass and creek chubs). IF YOU GUT HOOK A FISH THEN CUT THE LINE AND ALLOW THE HOOK TO WORK ITS WAY LOOSE, DO NOT RIP IT OUT. Don't be afraid to do a little wet wading, it will allow you to make more accurate casts with your spincast. Just keep your eyes peeled for snakes, last time a snake come cruising across the water and got within 10 feet of me before it noticed I was there. You feel a little helpless when you are waist deep in water . Have fun and no matter how good at fishing I get, I will always enjoy the worm and bobber. If you have any questions just shoot me a PM. OzarkFishman PS - You can ruin a fishing hole real quick in a river if you keep fish. Practice catch and release whenever possible, if you are going to keep any then keep just a few. To each their own, but try to think about the greater good.

I started the night fishing a 4 inch BPS shad (green and silver) on a 1/4 black jighead. Less than 5 minutes in and I had a big fish on. It was one of those that just appears on your line ... no tick, no time to set the hook, just screaming drag and a bent rod. Then, it was off. I have no idea what it was, but it felt really nice (probably a gar or cat). I lost the 4 inch shad in some chunk rock on the bottom and because I am an idiot, I only brought that one. So, I switched to the same color in the 3 inch version on a 1/8 leadhead. I was working it just off the bottom giving it a good jerk every so often. After a jerk there was a fish on. Again, the drag start screeching. This time though I got it in and it was a ~4 pound channel. Nothing special ... except for the fact that it was hooked in the tail fin (it was a fun fight on my medium action rod). I fished for a while with nothing. So, I decided to cast so that the jig hit the spillway. It got stuck on the moss, so I gave it a slight jerk and the moment it hit the water a small bass was on (~1 pound). This gives me a new technique to try when I fish there. I switched to a 1/8 green jighead with a 4 inch Lake Fork shad (green with red flake). I was wading down a little. I decided I was done, walked back about 10 feet and then decided to cast one more time. When the jig got within about 10 feet of me there was a huge movement in the water. I didn't get the fish, but I am fairly sure it was a gar. A little eerie to think that a gar was that close, I know it probably happens a lot, but still it makes you think. Sorry for the long post, but it was an interesting night. Tight lines, OzarkFishman

Check your PM.

I graduated in 02 from Blue Springs just East of KC. Needless to say, I wasn't there when you were. I teach Math and PE. I went back today to finish off the nightcrawlers. Went through a bunch of dinks, then a fish started pulling drag. When I got it in it was a catfish (my first ever from Finley). Next cast I caught a bluegill well over 8 inches and maybe closer to 9. I will attach pictures later. OzarkFishman

I do coach at Ozark (junior high and high school). RS, you are correct about the panfish. I caught two 13 inch black crappie from the same stucture this spring right in the park. Also, don't forget about the green sunfish. Later in the summer you can catch some monsters. OzarkFishman

I went to Finley today from 11 to 1. I took one of my wrestlers (I coach) and his little brother. They have not fished much so I wanted to get a lot of bites. I threw some small plastics, but most of the time we just threw nightcrawlers. We caught a lot in a short time. Somewhere between 25 - 30 fish. Most of the fish were average longears and gills, but a few of the gills were 7.5 - 8+ inches. The best part was that we did not gut hook a single fish (that is amazing considering these boys have not fished more than 2 or 3 times before). The bigger gills were hanging in the shadows close to cover. OzarkFishman

I hit the water about 7:15. I was throwing a 1/16th jig with either a green/silver or black/silver 2 inch shad all night. I picked up a dink largemouth, then nothing for a while. I moved across and down a little so that I was standing in a foot of water and throwing into a "deep" (deep is relative) pool. I cast up stream and felt a tick, but not much, I set the hook and the fish just swam with me. Then about 4 feet away it makes a bull run and I know I have finally caught a decent smallmouth out of Finley. I pick up the largemouth below about 3 casts later. I continue until 8:45 and end the night with 2 brownies, 2 largies, 2 goggle-eye (Ozark Bass), and 2 green sunfish. Finley is not the best for wading, but if you want to know where I went then pm me. It is not some magical place, but I don't want to see 10 people there next time I go. OzarkFishman

I got a trailer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I now need to fix my towing light connection on my truck (the left side doesn't work). Now I have to give some money to the government (taxes, etc) and then hit the water. OzarkFishman

Yeah, I think my nickname for the boat is going to be "Tank". Anyway, I really need a trailer to get this boat in the water. Craigslist is great, but you deal with a lot of crap and a lot of stuff without titles. So, I need a trailer that is between 15 and 17 feet. I don't care what it looks like as long as the main components (tires, wheels, axle, LIGHTS, etc.) are is GOOD working order. Also, I don't want to spend much (if any) over $200. I know I am asking for a good deal, but if you can help just PM me. If not, thanks for reading through all of my questions. OzarkFishman

I bought a 14 ft v-bottom tonight from a fellow OA guy. He gave me a great deal. It is a 1953. It has the original Corps of Engineers sticker and was used on Bull Shoals (the sticker says Buck Creek area). It has 2 swivel seats, 1 rod holder, 1 anchor, and a 30# minn kota trolling motor (most importantly, it had a title). It is heavy gauge (to heavy for me to get in my truckbed by myself) and hangs about 6 ft past my shortbed, but I have a boat. Now all I need is a few more things and I will be ready for the water. Thanks again for all the help/advice, OzarkFishman The first pic is before a little TLC.

Not trying to be rude, but I think he was wanting to know what you all use on this specific body of water. I know we all have our secret weapons, but the person has to know how to present the drop shot more than what is being used. abbfish, I believe drop shotting is more targeted toward open water. Smallmouth people out west drop shot 50 to 60 feet deep. Like Dutch said, do your homework and you will learn a lot. OzarkFishman

Surprise, surprise ... I have another question. My brother-in-law was given a jon boat when he was setting a mole-trap for a land owner. It has no title. What does he need to do to get the boat titled? OzarkFishman PS - I've been looking all over Craigslist and other sites; but if someone on here wants to help me out, then shoot me a PM if you have a jon boat for sale.

Thanks for the advice ... why don't you just sell me your boat OzarkFishman

Same here, if anyone has a rig ready for the water for $1,000 then I am in. OzarkFishman

Thats what I'm talking about. All of these are things I will need. Keep the list coming so I can prepare for when I have to buy it all. Talking about fishing make me want to go ... alright I guess I will have to hit Finley for a couple hours tonight (shucks!!!). Thanks again, OzarkFishman

Now that I am looking in to all of the specifics of owning a boat, I am quickly realizing that I will not be able to afford an outboard ... yet. Here is what I know I need: 1 - 12 foot jon boat 1 - 12 V deep cycle battery 1 - trolling motor 1 - battery charger 2 - oars (just in case) I am a newbie when it comes to boats. Do I need quick connect cables? What else do I need to be ready for the water? You guys are great for dealing with my hundreds of questions. It seems everytime I post I ask even more questions. Like I tell my students, questions are a sign of intelligence (unless, they are dumb questions !!!) OzarkFishman