tie1on

Don't know if this will help or not, but I ran into the same situation earlier this week ( Mon.-Tues.) in the mid to upper James. Hit a few banks where I had success in the past, expecting to tear them up and got zero,nada nothing. After backing off those same banks, and fishing a little deeper, the results were the same. On a tip from a local fisherman from the previous week, my buddies and I started targeting single cedars and pole timber in deep water on bluffs and in deep main lake pockets and BINGO! We didn't exactly tear them up, but we boated 22 nice slabs between 12 - 14 inches with very few shorts. We fished only 4 to 7 ft. deep around that deep timber. Any deeper than that and we wouldn't get bit. Also, we would only catch 2 or 3 fish off of each spot and would have to move on. All on minnows, they wouldn't touch the jigs. Burned up $70. in gas to catch 22 crappie....Boy I love to fish!! Hope this isn't to late to help.

Hey Techo, Maybe we should put our heads together sometime and share some info. I'll tell ya my best spots if you'll tell me yours...(heh,heh,heh) Keep your eyes open for an old blue/gray Charger with a 150 mercXR4. Stop and say Hey!!

FINALLY!!! Someone who knows and posts about the great James River arm. What a great report! I never seem to have the time (or the gas money) to buzz down to the dam area or shell knob area where it seems all the big boys fish. I love to fish the lake from point 9 up to flat creek (with frequent stops at Koppies) and am always hoping to find some info on this area. Thanks so much and keep up the great work at the marina. All the people in the store and in the restaurant are always so friendly.

Got some info on the theft problem last night after my son had met with authorities. Mr.Lilley responded that he hadn't heard much of this and frankly, neither had I. It seems things are worse than I thought. The Water Patrol officer said that this is his eighth (8th) report of a lower unit for a 200-225 hp outboard being stolen off the water in the last 12-18 months. Also, this is only for the specific area from Aunt's Creek to Hideaway (just past point 11) which is only about a 5 mile stretch of water by main lake. ( mouth to mouth ) He did not mention if it was happening anywhere else on the lake. He did mention that these reports were ones that only he had taken. In response to Mr. Babler's thread, I must admit I agree with most all of his points. There are however,different circumstances for different people. These thefts did not all occur during winter storage on the docks. This particular instance occurred within 2 weeks of being on the lift. Some of us live 250-500 miles away and do not always have the opportunity to do what is right, so we take our chances. Also, some of us like to try to fish throughout the winter when the weather will allow, so we leave our boats on the lift. I, for one am putting the onus on the criminals, not the honest citizen who can't always do what is right. I am proposing infrared cameras to our association ( because infrared gives off no flash ) and if not approved, may put them in myself. We may get a lot of photos of night fishermen, but we may just get the bad guys..... Keep your eyes open out there and GOOD LUCK...

The boat was on a lift in a Community dock between Point 11 and 12 on the James River arm. I haven't received any info back from my son since he met with the law enforcement people this afternoon. I haven't heard of any problems in our area though. Sam, I haven't been able to pass on your suggestion yet since I can't rach my son. I have a strong feeling he's out fishin' in my boat....but thanks for the info. I will definitely tell him.

My son, his wife and 3 sons arrived at the lake last night for a hopefully fun weekend of fishing and boating, only to discover ( this morning ) that the lower unit had been removed from his 225 Merc Optimax. He has reported it to the Stone County Sheriff's office and to the Missouri Water Patrol. Does anyone have any other suggestions on who we might notify? Looks like the high water debris claimed somebody's lower unit and they decided to go "shopping" Thanks in advance for any info.... "God bless the people of Joplin "