OzarkFishman

Went for a few hours with my brother-in-law. We ended up with 11 fish (mixed bag of largies, smallies and greenies). The green sunfish and smallies were busting with eggs. One smallie was all of 9 inches, but had a belly the size of a tennis ball. The fish that was the fullest was a green sunfish that looked like it would literally explode if even one more egg was produced (thought it was a largemouth when fighting). No size to speak of and all fish were caught on jigs and sliders. Good luck out there and please release the fish quick, OzarkFishman

I agree on the live bait. My preference is bluegill and sunfish, but I will admit that I still enjoy catching bluegill on worm and bobber. Shad work as well (better is some places, worse in others). Use a big circle hook (buy nice ones, who wants to loose a big cat because of a little $$). Good luck!!

Wow, sad news. I always like the shows that don't just spend the whole time catching fish. He would talk about casting and fly selection as well as the fish he was after and even talk to the locals (much like river monsters, without as much dramatization). I will surely miss that show.

Love the comment about the broken rod ... it is nice to have an excuse to buy better things!!! I totally agree with RS ... try adding a lake fork magic shad to that swim jig and hold on.

Glad you are getting it all figured out ... My only concern is that every DMV office answers these questions differently (and many workers in these specific buildings seem to have differing opinions as well). It happens everywhere, but knowing proper protocol for most (if not all) of one's job description should be a little more normal these days. ..... was that a soap box I just stepped down off of ..... EVERYONE HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!

Billethead, You should be able to sign a General Affidavit stating that you did not put a motor on the canoe. That affidavit combined with the original bill of sale should be enough to get the boat titled for the guy that bought it from you (and save you $$, as in $0). The ladies at the DMV had to call in to Jefferson City to verify that this was good enough ... IT IS!!! OzarkFishman PS - I recently was the guy buying the non-titled boat.

Eric, I used P-line Floroclear for a while, but have sense switched to Yozuri Hybrid (soft). What do you use? Dutch, What are the 3 sizes? I hope those questions are interpreted as adding to the conversation and not high-jacking it

Well ... the guy and his 10 year old threw up all Sunday night. I had to quickly regroup and just went to Springfield Lake. Caught some fish, but not what I was looking forward to. Thank you all for all your advise, I will definitely float this section this year.

We plan on having two trucks and floating down, then driving back. Is it obvious where the mill dam is? It may be a stupid question ... I would rather drag around a low head dam than risk it ... especially with kids. Is there anywhere else that may be tricky? I would rather be safe every time.

Awesome, I emailed the other guy your responses and he is totally amped to get his boys on some fish. Thanks again, OzarkFishman

Thanks guys. We will probably do the float that Bubbas Dad recommended. BD, How long does that float take if we fish hard and paddle as little as possible? Are there any places where the water gets really swift or dragging is necessary or logjams??? Not that it would stop us from going, but I like to be a little more prepared than usually when kids are going along. Thanks again guys, this site is truly great.

My buddy (his 8, 10 and 12 year old boys) and I plan on floating Beaver next Monday (4/9/12). We are looking to get 3 to 4 hours of fishing in that morning. Can any of you all offer suggestions on where to put in and take out??? Also, seems the white bass run hasn't hit just yet at Beaver (based on reports on this site). Are the other species biting??? Thank you in advance for info insight or information, OzarkFishman

I will jump in here and share my side of things ... I was always a spinning reel guy ... why ... I wasn't good with a baitcaster. As my fishing knowledge has grown (50% due to getting out there and fishing AND 50% from reading great posts on here), the range of lures that I throw has also grown. Like many before me have stated, throwing a crank or a spinnerbait on a spinnning reel can be a chore (at least anything over an 1/4 ounce). Smaller spinners and cranks do fine on a spinning reel. Throwing a 3/4 ounce jig on a spinning reel is also not fun (3/8 and less, I use a spinning combo). Finesse baits for me are always on a spinning reel (just a personal opinion, others do just fine with many finesse techniques on their baitcaster). I don't believe many dropshot on a baitcaster, but I am sure some do. If fishing a heavy dropshot through shallow cover, a baitcaster would be needed. The list could go on and on and on ... oh ... don't think anyone would want to throw an Alabama rig on a spinning reel ... unless it is a lighter, smaller crappie version ... As far as price goes ... I tried the cheap baitcasters and was never happy (personally). Then, I got my hands on the Quantum Pro Tour (burner) ... AMAZING (picked it up off of a friend for a STEAL). You see the pros casting 1,000 feet and you wonder how it is done (exageration was used). Then, you cast a nice baitcaster and realize TECHNOLOGY IS GREAT. REMEMBER ... these are just my opinions ... others may disagree. OzarkFishman

So ... where do you legally park??? Should it be a drop-off only spot??? Thanks in advance.

Honesty, my friend, is something that most people can't project. That was one of the most honest posts I have seen in a long time. We all have an image to hold no matter our position ... and sometimes "richness" comes into play. But, usually the middle class equipment is almost as good as the high end stuff. I compare it to the food industry. The poor what quantity, the middle- class want quality and the rich want presentation. Without quality, there is horrible presentation but the same is not true in reverse. Food can be very top-notch and have horrible presentation. Many "seasoned" angler see $50 - $100 BPS rods as cheap, while other "seasoned" anglers see those same rods as very useful. Nice to know the same holds true with fly rods. Thanks for another insightful post, OzarkFishman

Nice replies ... like always!!! Thanks guys!

I second the question about the trailer hooks and trailer plastics. One further question ... do you use a trailer plastic with a trailer hook? If so, do you put the trailer on the main or trailer hook? Thanks in advance, OzarkFishman

The best way to fish that stretch is with waders, but don't be surprised when 40 - 60 pound fish get within inches of you ... Don't feel bad Arofishing ... I may have jumped/screamed like a girl a few times below the dam. One of my students is going to make me a rope lure to catch some gar. I will definitely attach pictures!!!

This time he didn't. He usually catches more numbers than me, but he was more interested in looking at the dead paddlefish and casting towards every big movement (he had a blast). Definitely check it out. The fish were hitting pretty good yesterday. Missed a few more and hooked up with one gar (for about 5 seconds).

Started fishing about 5:45. My 3 year old was throwing a worm and bobber and I was throwing a senko (weightless). Once I had my boy wormed up, I took my first cast ... started the slow reel back and wham ... fish on!!! It was my biggest smallmouth for below the dam. I have caught a lot of quality largemouth there, but never a quality smallmouth like this one. I'd say it is easily 14 inches pushing 15. Not a monster, but definitely a good fight. We fished until 6:20 and caught one more bass(short trip ... but the 3 year old loved it). We saw a ton of big fish surfacing(carp, gar, spoonbill). My boy would always reel in fast and cast towards the big splash! Good luck on the water, OzarkFishman

We met at Tracker pond to do a little fishing at 1 and fished until 4. It was an absolutely beautiful day with just the right amount of wind and sun. The fishing was decent/good for a pond and the kids loved it. Between students and parents, there were around 25 people there with 15 - 20 poles active at a time. Between bluegill and bass, there were well over 50 fish caught (most being bass). Of the bass, at least 6 of them were over 2 pounds and one was 3. Not the biggest, but definitely some of the kids biggest!! Most fish were taken on plastic worms/senkos and spinnerbaits. One of the bigger bass was caught on a crank and another bigger bass was caught on worm and bobber. The biggest bass was taken on a white spinnerbait. It was a great day and none of the fish were gut-hooked. I only attached 2 pictures (the others have students in them). Get out there and enjoy this weather, OzarkFishman

Finally got a few hours in the other night. Ended the trip with 4 fish (2 keepers) and one big soft shell turtle on a senko. The fish were all caught on a jig. OzarkFishman

Thanks and keep it coming. These sites are great and I will definitely use some of them. As far as field trips go ... there are no field trips. Money is tight. Even elementary schools are restricted to one (two rarely) a year. The great thing is that I work at Ozark Junior High, which is within walking distance of the Finley. Please keep the info coming, you all are helping teach the future generation. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks guys. We already use the MDC site A LOT. I just got certified this summer to teach Hunter Ed, so that will be part of the curriculum as well. We also received grant money and will be ordering an archery set for the school and last year we bought 20 spincast combos to practice casting. This class is really coming together, just wanted to see if any of you all had anything that would be educational. Thanks again for the websites. Good luck on the water (or at work), Shawn

Hi all, I have been a part of this forum for a few years now and it has been a great learning experience. This year, I get to teach a Conservation class one hour and math the rest. Next year, I may get to teach Conservation all day long. There are many resources out there, but we can always use more. I could use the following (and am willing to drive/pay for shipping if need be) ... 1) any websites that are jam packed full of hunting, fishing or conservation knowledge. 2) any old DVDs that you have laying around the house. 3) ANYTHING that you deem educational in any manner. It would be great if any of you guys or gals that are in a related profession would like to come in and speak to the class. Thanks in advance, Shawn