Tfsh4bass

Well said Champ! I am going back for more punishment today around Indian and hopefully I can get a few more bites

63-65 just about everywhere I fished and the bait was hard to find for me...never saw any schooling fish like you usually do this time of year. I was fortunate to catch 3 blacks out of one windblown pocket or my day would have been much worse. I still love being on the water though and don't mind practice casting.

I fished from 12 to 6 yesterday around Indian Point and only caught 7 (all blacks) but 4 were solid keepers and the 2 others would have been close if it mattered. I had 3 other bites but didn't hook up. 1 blade rod on deck and just ran from windy pocket to windy pocket....both main lake and creek. I was pretty happy considering how tough it has been but hopefully it gets better soon.

It is always tough when fish don't really have to be anywhere and the water temp is basically the same throughout the water column. It just really spreads the fish out and until they think winter is coming it will stay that way. It is the main reason why I usually cover water like a demon in Sept/Oct hoping to come across some feeders. Also, it doesn't help much that we have had a ton of high pressure days lately. It will bust loose soon...November and December are still two of my favorite months to be on Table Rock.

I am surprised Heartland would release fish like that. Usually when you weigh fish they become the property of whatever tournament you are fishing the minute they are weighed in and it is their responsibility to take care of them and release them right way. They do this to control how the fish are released plus stop some buddy from handing another buddy a 5lber behind the building. Either way people need to take care of their fish if the tournament organizers aren't.

I have over 100 so I could probably give up a few for some new jerkbaits PM me what you are thinking as far as the trade

I am burning the blade so fast this time of year they don't have time to see the diameter of line I am throwing Also, as fast I am reeling vs the strikes I usually get I would be a little nervous with lighter line...that is also why I don't throw fluro in the fall when I burn blades. I tried it a few years back and broke off a few on impact.

Well done crackleback! Don't let anyone tell you fishing isn't a sport. I usually feel like I did P90x or something after throwing a blade for 8hrs Glad you tried some various retrieves and I think a lot of guys make the mistake of just casting out and reeling back. That works on the days they are biting but not so much on the days you need to make them bite. Again well done...

I throw 17lb mono this time of year and switch to 20lb fluro in the spring for slow rolling

EverStart boys only had 8 limits from about 90 pros...tough bite right now

Can't get motivated for some reason today...probably has something to do with all the stuff I need to do around the house. I will probably wait until Sunday and might even head down to Bull for some new scenery.

Good job on a tough day. I had thought about going down here in a bit but that doesn't sound like very much fun I know I struggled on Sun and this time of year can get brutal when fish are in transition and you get high pressure systems. A little more wind today might help so I still might head down around noon and do some practice casting.

I fished 1 to 9 on Sunday and only caught 9...5 before dark and 4 after. I did have 4 pretty good ones but it was tough to get bites for me and the wart saved me daytime. Jig after dark as I couldn't catch any on single spin.

All this blade talk makes me think it is time to go throw one...great day for it

I always use a red Gamakatsu 2/0 trailer hook without any plastic trailer this time of year. If I have a lot of swipes without hook ups I will actually turn my trailer hook down. In the early Spring when the water is just warming up (45-55) I throw a 1oz big blade set up that I slow roll that I add a grub to the back of...only time I use plastic on the back. One thing I will mention about burning blades this time of year is to keep your skirts very short and rip off some of the material. My skirt is above the bottom of my main hook and I just have a few strands of material especially in the really clear water. Also, there is no such thing as too fast.

You are welcome and I might be down there Sun so let me know

It is different for everyone but it is just an additional tool IMO. I have one on deck 12 months out of the year but I am a crazy

Thanks and well said Champ!

1. I like to fish 45 degree angles most of the time so I can cover bank, ledge and offshore cover in one cast. I will get up tight some but mostly in the back of creeks. Also, I make very long cast most of the time. 2. I use a 7.1:1 reel and burn it as fast as I can from September until the water gets below 50. Also, I don't just cast it out and reel it back...I do some different stuff. 3. I use a 3/4oz spinnerbait but I usually have double #4 willow leaf blades on it. I also burn a 1oz with a #7 willow and #3 colorado on it but I usually don't break that out until Nov/Dec. It will wear you out but when you get bit it is usually worth catching. 4. You didn't ask but the key is patience especially on the days they aren't biting that good. When I throw a blade I don't expect a lot of bites (unless all the planets are aligned which doesn't happen often) and just keep fishing without worrying about numbers. I fished 6 hrs the other day and caught 9 fish on a blade....can't tell you how many cast I made to catch 9 fish but I would fire 7-8 times at 1 isolated tree before I moved on. I cover a ton of water but slow down when I get bit or if there is some good cover.

I didn't have any luck with the topwater action but I didn't get down there until around 1pm yesterday. Did pretty good with a blade and wart though.

I have an OFAB Inc Realtree Camo pattern Childrens Picnic Table that is a sample model I used to show some accounts. It is just like new and never been assembled until a few days ago. Unit cost over $600 brand new and pictures don't do it justice...table is slickl. Table is all aluminum 1/8" thick material with 1 x 3 x 1/8 wall tubing for legs and stainless steel hardware. Table Top is 36 x24 and bench seats are 35 x 6. OFAB Inc is a leader in the Steel & Aluminum fabrication business and all their products are made with heavy duty commercial grade materials. This will be local pick up only in the SW MO area (I live in Nixa) and cash only. $200 OBO

Sold... Thanks guys!

Trock would probably be the choice but Bull is a great lake and much better than some think. The last week of March or first week of April would get my vote. Sometimes a little later in April when they start to make their beds and roam the pockets it can get a little tough. I prefer the straight up prespawn and you can catch them on a variety of patterns...jerkbait, blade, wart, jig, grub, etc. Also, I prefer the Baxter to Indian Point area because you have a good chance in that stretch of catching all three bass species. Just keep checking this board leading up to your trip and you will get plenty of info.

I had a few guys ask if I would do $300 shipped and yes I would

If you guys know anyone who makes their own stuff I would appreciate you letting them know about this. The bulk buy is a great deal.