Donna G

It's hard work keeping him in line. He moves fast for a big boy.

No, we didn't stay at Schooner. We drove up Saturday morning early. We have stayed at Schooner many times, though. Jody and Leon are good people. Sorry we missed you.

June 19, 2010 - Table Rock Lake - Schooner Creek Resort - 6:30-3:00 877-739-4417 or www.schoonercreekresort.com http://www.guysngalsfishing.com/index.htm $100 entry and $10 membership.

Just because I haven't been on the forum lately doesn't mean your wicked ways won't catch up with you. I know where you live. And, besides, you've heard of a fish finder? The little boo-boo you didn't know the source of? That's one of those new-fangled RFID find-a-champ188 chips. Beware.

Sorry to miss you. We were at Beaver that Saturday fishing the Chamber Buddy Bass. We have to work this weekend, but we'll be at the Rock next Friday and Saturday. We're fishing BFL.

From Wikipedia - The freshwater drum, Aplodinotus grunniens, is a fish endemic to North and Central America. It is the only species in the genus Aplodinotus. It is also known for its succulent flesh, but many fishermen are put off by its mucus lining and dank smell. Freshwater drum possess an adapted swim bladder which is able to produce sound. Sound production is thought to be related to spawning activity where many drum will gather in pelagic waters of an ecosystem and begin drumming. It is also called shepherd's pie, silver bass, gray bass,[1] Gasper goo, Gaspergou,[2] gou,[2] grunt, grunter,[1] grinder, wuss fish, and croaker, and is commonly known as sheephead or sheepshead in parts of Canada,[3] the United Kingdom,[4] and the United States.[1][2][5][6]

Unfortunately, I am well acquainted with drum. My hubby (Champ188) calls me Drum Queen. I usually catch one or two everywhere we go while bass fishing. I think I've caught them on just about every bait possible except a top water. This one came on a T-rig worm, but have caught them on a 2.5 squarebill, as well. They are fun for a minute when you think you've hung a big bass, then they are dead weight. Used to tie up under the bridges at Cedar Creek in Texas at night pretty much fishing for anything swimming. It was an odd sound in the blackness listening to the drum. First time I hauled one in at night (and had never seen one before) I about jumped out of the boat. Those gaspergoo have creepy looking people eyes to me.

Thank you for your kind words, Bluffboy. We love fishing CPAA. We fish some other tournaments occasionally, like BFL, and there is nothing that compares to the CPAA for quality folks and darn good anglers, both pro and co. It's like family to me. You know, you love them all, but there is always a grumpy ol' uncle or crazy cousin to deal with. I believe you got some good advice from the guys on what do when you have skinny water. Champ had a friend when we lived in Hot Springs that threw a Carolina Rig on the outside of wherever Champ was fishing and regularly caught fish. We get so smart sometimes and think fish are only in the prem-o spots, yet they can be caught cruising around. It's not the best odds, but better than nothing. Please do introduce yourself at Bull. We would like to meet you. Take care. Donna G

Thank you everyone for your congrats. It is much appreciated. We are wore slam out. Who knew tournament fishing was such hard work? I do now, but oh how much fun. Got back to work Monday and within in a couple of hours I'm daydreaming about the next derby. ha, ha Have a great OA week. Take care. Donna G

Thank you. Very cool that you and your lady got 2nd place in her first derby. I'm proud of Champ that he restrained himself on the weigh-in stage and didn't say "Beat you with a girl...neener, neener."

Thanks, Techo. We have a lot of fun. We both love tournament bass fishing and we are best friends. It doesn't get any better than that - fishing with your best friend. Champ's buds tease him that he does better when he's fishing with me than by himself. Not sure about that, but it is funny. He reminded me yesterday that we have had five top 10 finishes in the last year. Ready for a first place, though. Oh, absolutely. Picnic in a tornado charged us up. lol Enjoyed the picnic and good to meet your missus. Hope you whack 'em in your derby today.

Actually, the fish finder came before the check. Whew! Glad Champ pulled it out. Thanks so much.

Me and Champ188 will be at the Rock the same dates. We are staying at Harpers Valley Resort. Our stickers are on a 200 Optimax, Champion 188 white and silver. Practice Thursday and Friday and Central Pro-Am Saturday and Sunday.

Champ188 caught a few on flukes this past weekend. In fact, we caught multiple fish on just about anything we wanted to throw. Love those kind of days when fun fishing. When practicing for a tournament, not so much. Hard to commit to something. Did get a little bed fishing lesson and caught my first bedder. We found five beds in the back of a pocket, four of them right together. I can only watch someone else bed fishing for a short while without getting restless. Yes, it's really interesting to watch, but I want to FISH! Champ gave me a few pointers and I've watched him a bunch over the years. I kept alternating between three beds that were within a couple of feet of each other. Got their attention and had one little turd keep eating my bait enough to carry it out of the bed, but I could never get a hook in any of them, so I decided to try another route. It helps to be a novice. How was I to know most folks don't throw a grub in a bed? I had a little white grub tied on where I had been fishing some pea gravel banks earlier. I proceeded to pitch it in the bed with a fish Champ had caught earlier and released. Two attempts and I had that chunky spot. I felt like Rocky!

Aw, you'll make me blush. Although I'm not sure it would show up on my first-of-the-year-racoon tan. lol Yep, we'll be there. Did I mention Aunt's Creek. ha, ha. We're staying at Harper's in Kimberling City. We'll go straight to the lake early Saturday morning and spend the night at Harper's and fish all day Sunday heading home that evening. I'll tell Champ188. That sounds like fun. Send one of us your cell in a PM and we'll respond with our numbers unless he already has yours.

Good job in AIA. I love me some Redfins. Makes the bronzebacks REALLY mad. Your Mrs. is a trooper. I see the bandage in the pic. Guess I'll quit whining about the little split in my pointer finger and the smashed digit on my casting hand where Champ188 stepped on the rod box that I had open with the pinkies in it. Ouch! Have you seen him?!?! Anyone familiar with RD Mercer has heard the line "How big a ol' boy are you?" He came up with that quote when he saw my manly man. lol Oh, and Techo, we didn't use any Redfins in Aunt's Creek. Seriously. Honestly. You can trust this face, right? We won't go in Aunt's Creek this weekend either. Truly. Have a great week.

Oh, yes, better be prepared at LOZ. One of the CPAA anglers got a ticket last year for peeing in public or some such on the water. Champ188 knows the details better than me, but you can be sure the poor fella has been teased without mercy.

You're welcome. Definitely an easier solution when we're past the winter wardrobe, but still workable year-round. I don't like taking time out from fishing to hunt an appropriate spot on terra firma, plus it's a hassle. This solution may not be for everyone, but it works well for me.

Thanks for clarifying, Techo. Champ's forgiven anyway since he put me on a 6lb LM this past Saturday. My biggest jig fish to date. Fun times. Guess he has forgiven me for making that forbidden comment the week before considering he took me fishing again. lol And he's taking me to LOZ this weekend.

Nice ones! We discovered the same thing yesterday. Nothing doing on jerkbaits, but they were liking the grub and jig. Didn't tear 'em up and didn't really start catching any until the afternoon after the rain got steady and never quit. We stayed out on the bluff ends and finished the day at dark with an estimated 6lb LM. That was an awesome way to end the day. Most of our fish had been small with a few fat keeper just-measure fish. No flash on the camera phone, so we didn't get a picture. Biggest fish I have ever personally caught on a jig. Well, not counting my legion of drum. Fun times. What a surprise when I got that firm, distinctive tick. Most of the fish had just been on when you checked your line with a few light bites. I told Champ188 I know my eyes got real big, particularly when I set the hook and she went to shaking her head. Ooh-wee!

I obviously need to monitor the forum more often to make sure I am not being slandered. I may have to contort some of Champ's poses in the shape of a swan dive overboard. He forgot to mention we went back Sunday to try and wash the stink off and had a much better day. Long time in between bites, but when you found them they were wadded up and healthy. Gonna try again tomorrow. Cast jerk bait, twitch jerk bait, pause zzzZZZZZ, snort, twitch jerk bait. May need to bring some No-Doze. Donna G

Just passing it on - saw it on another site. We're going tomorrow. ====== You get free admission and can talk with professional anglers Denny Brauer and Randy Blaukat along with other local and regional fishing experts this weekend at the Bill’s Marine Boat Show in Joplin today, Friday January 8th and Saturday January 9th. Seminars include information on area lakes like Grand, Table Rock, and Bull Shoals as well as the latest winter and spring techniques and tackle for bass and crappie. Hours are 9 to 9 both days at the Jack Lawton (edit) Convention Center located at 5300 South Range Line in Joplin. Hourly door prizes both days along with free hot dogs and sodas midday on Saturday only. See the all new 2010 Z521 Ranger at the show, the boat that is the buzz with today’s professional anglers. There are great prices on a select number of last year’s Ranger models as well as the best deals in the area on late model demos available with remaining factory warranties. Come to the free show and guarantee yourself that 2010 will be your best fishing year ever. Happy boating, Bill’s Marine 231 South Hwy 37 Monett, MO 65708 Phone: (417) 235-6078

OMG! I just read the entire newspaper article. Very scary. We live in northwest Arkansas, but I feel for the local LOZ anglers. What a mess. I have to agree with the earlier posts about the banker. Geez. Maybe a good guy, but where does he get off being an expert on the lake bacteria levels? We have a Central Pro-Am tournament at LOZ March 6-7. Don't think I'll be keeping any eaters prior to the tournament. So sorry, guys. Hang in there.

A little self-promotion, Eric? lol Whatcha gonna teach us tomorrow? Me and Champ are coming up. He's frothing for some Fallcreek lures. See ya.