Donna G

Hey, Jacob. That is a good point. I like the one across the mouth of the pocket, too. Glad you caught 'em.

We finally went out today, but not until mid-afternoon. Still stunk it up. I had one swirl at a top water and that was about it for me. Forgot about trying a jerk bait, but they got everything else thrown at them. It's really puzzling.

Good for you, Techo! Yeah, it's hard. People who are really good get to practice and play more than we can, although we played a lot this summer when it was too stinkin' hot to go fishing. I'm playing a little better than when we played with you and Mrs. Techo, due to that. I feel so bad. I can't remember your wife's name. My mistake. It must have been Joe Bald I was thinking about. Really. Remember, I'm geographically challenged.

A nicer lady? Beaver? Geez, I must have got off on a bad foot with her, 'cos that ain't what I call her. Agreed on the crappie.

Hey, Techo! Yes, it was pretty dicey weather that day. I know. I think it's what we have confidence in - what we've caught them on. James and I were just having a standard FB jig versus Hula Grub debate. He's a Hula Grub fishing machine. I've never caught many on the Hula, mostly because I don't throw it, mostly because I haven't caught many. lol Guess we won't run into you. We're leaving Sunday morning and playing golf in Branson on the way home. Rained out today. Oh, meant to tell you, we launched at Aunt's Creek yesterday morning. hehe Shame, shame on you for messing up the fishing. I thought it was us.

That sounds like a plan. We almost went to Windsor this past Sunday instead of golfing. Our golf scores suggested we should have gone to Windsor. Good luck.

We didn't have a lot of luck with any kind of flats, cuts or not. Good to hear, though. Are you fishing TR or Beaver?

Thanks. I don't disagree. The way it is right now, I'd strut that little bag to the scales and be proud. Guess we're not hardcore anymore. Sitting in the room while it's storming. Champ says "My nice dry boat is sitting in a nice dry slip and my nice dry butt is sitting in my nice dry chair." lol I'm whining for him to take me to breakfast, at least. We had planned to play golf this afternoon at one of the Branson courses. We do most of our golfing at home and predominantly in the summer when it's 100 degrees+. I'm not a fan of July/August fishing. I'm also not a fan of playing golf in the rain. lol

I know. Crazy. You would think with all the clouds and wind a jig wouldn't be the go-to. Still caught most of our fish on it. We found a small school of spots that were very active, including on top. Couldn't get a look on any shad-imitators. Started dragging a finesse jig and caught three in a row and missed several. One of the little turds had a shad tail sticking out of his mouth, so I KNOW they were eating real shad, at least. Weird. No keeps in those, though. Good to "see" you, Techo. I haven't been on OA regularly in quite some time and I've missed your posts. Champ188 was describing a place on the lake trying to get me to recall where it was. I'm extremely geographically challenged on the water. Makes me a great co-angler. Can't go back to your stuff or tell anyone else. lol Anyway, he reminded me it was where we had lunch in a boat slip with you and your lovely bride one day. Speaking of that jig, I fiddled around with different trailers. Normally stick with a Lil Critter Craw in green pumpkin, but I was bored and wasn't getting bit. Switched to a green pumpkin twin tail grub. Ditto. Got a wild hair and put on a Paca Chunk in green pumpkin candy. Caught most of my jig fish after that. I'm sure the only real difference was that I was finally in front of some active fish, but you know how we anglers are. Guess what's going on my jig when we get back out today or tomorrow?

Champ188 just corrected me on last Saturday's keeper total. It was only three, but they were chunky 2-3/4 to 3 lb fish. Regardless, the bite seemed better last weekend and we caught more numbers than today.

Sounds like a rough week, Bill. We are struggling, too. Think we'll go a different direction tomorrow.

Hard for us today, too, Quillback. Came over last Saturday and caught 25 or so total with 5 keepers for 12-13 lbs. However, only three keeper spots today and a dozen or so shorts. One brownie, one LM and the rest spots. We did pretty much the same thing as you - tried it all. Never caught enough on any one bait or type of area to have a clue what they are doing. No FB jig, but I did drag around a finesse jig and I caught most of my few pitiful fish on it. Had one swirl at a topwater, but that was it. Otherwise, we threw a blade, shaky head, Wiggle Wart and top waters. Got the hula grub and drop shot wet, but not enough to say we fished them. All with a stellar lack of success. Headed out for Reed's Pizza and back at it in the morning.

If they don't know any better, should they be operating a boat? When we drive erratically and cut people off on the roads, I don't think law enforcement accepts the excuse we didn't know any better. I agree, a lot of boaters DON'T know any better, but how scary is that. Yikes.

Yep, it gets expensive, particularly when hubby (Champ188) and me both fish. I did see on Facebook that Mike is waiving membership fees this coming year.

I hear they are being caught on a Wart. Threw one quite a bit today, though, and only stuck a single short fish. I bet somebody caught 'em. I'm no expert, but I believe that I'm more successful when I'm throwing what I am confident in after considering the conditions - wind, water color, temp, cloud cover. Champ has a lot of confidence in a spinner bait. I feel that way about a jig. Often I pitch a jig around behind him and sometimes we get lucky with a one-two punch. lol

I'm glad we were able to fish it. 20 boats is not bad, particularly since CPAA had a derby out of Ahoy's this morning, too. We stunk it up with only two fat spots. We didn't bother dragging them to the scales. Very nice of you to organize this. I'm sure the money will be a blessing to Kenny. What a nightmare for him. Me and Champ are fortunate to have had very good care during our cancer surgeries, but I know that isn't always the case. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Champ188 NEVER throws the blade too long. Glad there's no webcam. I don't have a poker face. Thanks for the FB jig tip, Bill. I know just the spot for that. Champ and I always have the dragger versus winder debate. He's a winder - I'm a dragger. lol

Well, he is a sissy, but I was feeling a little girlie myself teeing off this past Sunday afternoon at 105 degrees. At least we can drive the golf cart around in circles when we're looking for Champ's errant drives.

Holy cow! What a difference a day makes. Our fish apparently didn't like the front. Still scratched some out, but it took a lot more effort today and led to some head scratching. Yesterday they were shallow and locked down. Not so today. Caught most of mine on a square bill, but did drag one up on a long point with a FB jig. Champ188 caught his on a blade. Imagine that. Not sure what we'll do tomorrow in AIA. Guess we'll just do the same thing as Friday and keep our fingers crossed. lol We're staying at Harper's and they have done a great job keeping the dock up and parking lot accessible. You have to put the boat and truck in the lake to launch, but it works. Champ said I nearly pushed him and the truck up the parking lot I hit so hard. I didn't want to fool around out there in skinny water surrounded by trees. Saw a deer just a getting it across a big pocket (Champ could tell you where - I'm geographically challenged). It's amazing how fast they can swim with such tiny little hooves. We gave it a wide berth to avoid freaking it out.

Apparently I can't spell - anyone 'hear' not 'here'.

Has anyone heard of any derbies being canceled due to the high water and debris?

There's a story posted on BASS last night at 11:23 that says it's still on with some adjustments. http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/opens/news/story?page=opens_2011_CO2_suchan_storms_table_rock

Yep, like family. Techo you should try wearing a disguise when visiting your favorite creek. It might throw off the intruders. Sorry we won't be able to follow you around this weekend. We're headed to Bull Shoals Friday for a few days. Definitely packing the rain gear. Let it pour!

Aunt's Creek? Is that in Viola?

We slept in. Didn't get on the water until around noon. Launched at Big M. Champ188 can give the finer details, but after some attempts with the blade up shallow he decided to look out a bit thinking the front may have pushed them deeper. Sure 'nuf, 40+ fish LM and spots with a meanmouth or two dragging a football jig on flat to slight incline gravel and small chunk rock points leading into spawning pockets. 6-7 keepers, I think. Champ said the world is off it's axis when Babler's up close with a blade and we're sitting in 20-25 ft of water dragging.