OzarkFishman

I went to Springfield Lake today and had myself one heck of a fight. I started fishing at 4:00 pm right next to the warm water outlet; I was fishing for bass with a white spinnerbait and a blue/orange suspending jerkbait. Nothing was hitting the spinner so I swiched to the jerkbait. On my fifth cast I hooked a 12 inch largemouth (small fish). I continued fishing the jerkbait and about ten minutes later I was in for a fight. Foreword: I have no picture to defend the following, but here it goes. I hooked onto something big. I was hoping it was a big bass, but it would soon let me know it was either a cat or carp. I was fishing with a medium action pole and 10 pound test. As the fish began to make a run I could tell it was big, so I started walking with the fish so that it would not take too much line. There was a guy on the first concrete pier, so I handed him my pole and I walked around, got my pole, and continued down the bank. I stopped 10 feet from the second pier. I had to make a stand here or the fish was going under the black floating wall (if you know Springfield Lake, then you know what I am talking about). I fought the fish for probably 10 - 15 minutes. By now, both the guy at the first pier and the guy at the second pier are watching. One of them says that it is probably a big cat. I didn't think it was because the runs were slow, methodical, and powerful (BIG CARP)!!! I could tell the fish was tired, so I began the process of dragging him in. I could not reel him in, I had to lift the pole then reel the slack. I got him to the surface, but had no net. I tried to pull him on to land, but with one flick of his tail the line snapped (bye big fish and $6 Rattling Rogue). While I didn't land him, I did get a good look at the nice color (goldish yellow and rusty red = common carp). I asked one of the guys that got an even closer look to guess how big it was. He said he guessed it at 2 1/2 feet and 30 pounds. I don't know about 30 pounds, but I guarantee it was at least 20 pounds and probably more like 25 - 30. It was a fun fight and well worth the $6 that I will spend tomorrow replacing the rogue. OzarkFishman

I went to Springfield Lake today and had myself one heck of a fight. I started fishing at 4:00 pm right next to the warm water outlet; I was fishing for bass with a white spinnerbait and a blue/orange suspending jerkbait. Nothing was hitting the spinner so I swiched to the jerkbait. On my fifth cast I hooked a 12 inch largemouth (small fish). I continued fishing the jerkbait and about ten minutes later I was in for a fight. Foreword: I have no picture to defend the following, but here it goes. I hooked onto something big. I was hoping it was a big bass, but it would soon let me know it was either a cat or carp. I was fishing with a medium action pole and 10 pound test. As the fish began to make a run I could tell it was big, so I started walking with the fish so that it would not take too much line. There was a guy on the first concrete pier, so I handed him my pole and I walked around, got my pole, and continued down the bank. I stopped 10 feet from the second pier. I had to make a stand here or the fish was going under the black floating wall (if you know Springfield Lake, then you know what I am talking about). I fought the fish for probably 10 - 15 minutes. By now, both the guy at the first pier and the guy at the second pier are watching. One of them says that it is probably a big cat. I didn't think it was because the runs were slow, methodical, and powerful (BIG CARP)!!! I could tell the fish was tired, so I began the process of dragging him in. I could not reel him in, I had to lift the pole then reel the slack. I got him to the surface, but had no net. I tried to pull him on to land, but with one flick of his tail the line snapped (bye big fish and $6 Rattling Rogue). While I didn't land him, I did get a good look at the nice color (goldish yellow and rusty red = common carp). I asked one of the guys that got an even closer look to guess how big it was. He said he guessed it at 2 1/2 feet and 30 pounds. I don't know about 30 pounds, but I guarantee it was at least 20 pounds and probably more like 25 - 30. It was a fun fight and well worth the $6 that I will spend tomorrow replacing the rogue. OzarkFishman

Thanks for the quick response. If you all had $50 to spend on trout tackle, then what would you get? I would rather not have to waste money on stuff that doesn't work. I will be fishing catch and release, so don't be afraid to tell me your secret weapons

Hello everyone. I am wanting to get in to trout fishing and I have a few questions. 1) Do I have to have a fly rod to trout fish effectively? Can I use my spinning reels? 2) I am looking to buy fishing waders (breathable). I have seen the Bass Pro and Cabela's brand breathables for 139.99 - 149.99. Are these good enough? 3) If I do use my spinning reels, then what lures should I use? Would I still use flies or would I use trout bait? Thanks in advance for any advice that is given. OzarkFishman

I went fishing in a friend's pit up in Montrose (Southwest of Clinton). I went there to duck hunt, but the wind wasn't blowing and the decoys weren't moving. I decided to throw a line in and it is a good thing I did. I caught 12 largemouth. Most of them were just 1 to 1.5 pounds ranging from 10 - 15 inches, but two of them were pretty nice. The one of the left was 19 inches and 3 pounds and the one on the right was 20 inches and 4 pounds. I plan on going back in the spring and summer for some topwater action.

First let me start by saying that this website is awesome. It is because of this website that I decided to fish the lower Finley, and since I am just an average fisherman, it is perfect fishing for me. In the past three weeks I caught 203 fish on the Finley, ranging from the Ozark Park to just south of the 14-bridge in Ozark. All the fish were caught on either floating crank bait or night crawlers. Most were caught on night crawlers. The following is a summary of my past 3 weeks. July 19th – I went just below the dam at the park in Ozark (morning). There is a nice pool of water to the east of the spillway (like sgfweatherstud said in a previous post). I caught 30 fish in 2 and ½ hours. Highlights (12” largemouth, 6” longear sunfish (multiple), 7” bluegill) July 21st – I went to the park in Ozark (evening). I caught 5 fish in 2 hours. Highlights (all 4” – 6” sunfish) July 26th – I went below the 14-highway bridge in Ozark (morning). I parked at the Chinese restaurant. I caught 10 fish in 3 hours. Highlights (8” smallmouth, 6½” longear sunfish) July 30th – I went below the 14-highway bridge again, but I parked in the car dealership parking lot back by the walking path (morning). I caught 26 fish in 2 ½ hours. Highlights (8” bluegill, saw 3 or 4 decent carp (4 – 6 lbs)) July 31st - Back to the dealership (morning) I caught 18 fish in 2 hours. Highlights (6” longear, 8” spotted bass) August 3rd – Back to the dealership (morning). This time I brought the waders and waded the stream coming off Finley just 10 – 15 yards west. I caught 31 fish in 3 hours. Highlights (6” longear, 6 ½” bluegill, 12” northern hogsucker (1st ever sucker for me), 7 other suckers 7” – 10”, 9” spotted bass) August 5th - Back to the Chinese Restaurant (evening). I caught 12 fish in 2 hours. Highlights (all 4” – 6” bluegill and sunfish, except one 9” largemouth) August 6th – Back to the dealership (evening and waders). I caught 28 fish in 2 hours. Highlights (9” hogsucker, 10” spotted bass, a bunch of average sunfish, 7” creek chub) August 7th – Back to the dealership (morning and waders) I caught 27 fish in 2 ½ hours. Highlights (12” spotted bass, 6 ½” bluegill, 7” longear (very nice fish)) August 7th - Back to the dealership (evening and waders). I caught 16 fish in 2 hours. Highlights (2 logperch 4” and 5” (my first ever), 6” hornyhead chub, 6” longear, turtle J, and I actually hooked an Ozark minnow 3”) All in all it was a great 3 weeks. I would recommend fishing the Finley if you are looking for quantity and some quality. Also, if you want to catch a variety of fish, then the Finley is for you. I am from the Kansas City area and our waters do not harbor the vast amount of species that the Ozark waters do.