Bill Babler

Trying to post a picture from my IphoneIPhone

Fished the AIA as an alternate with good friend Don Gossett it was the kick off for Table Rock. After a 2.5 hour fog delay. We started to clear blue high pressure fishing. Surface temps started at 47 and by 4pm had reached 51 in the dam area Lots of the channel swing creek locations I had been fishing really muddied up but we managed 11.78 pounds. 2 of those came from clear water in the Kimberling area on a float-n-Fly. Both were 4 pounders. It was hard for lots of us, we only had 4 keepers and a total of only 6 fish. The other 4 were A-Rig fish. 86 boats in the derby and we came in 13th and got a decent little check. 20.44. Won it with second at 15.24. Out of the 86 boats 40 teams skunked so it was a very tough bite Most to all fish caught on a Rig, Swim Bait, Spoon or jig. However I have no idea how you could fish that jig as the moss and slime are terrible With the water warming this week and the lake color I expect to see some crank bait and spinner bait shallow as the water has risen over the moss line. Moss line is at 906 and the lake is now 916 with color so that should come into play pretty quick None of the fish however were spitting craws. All Shad so it makes you wonder. I’m hyped about fishing this week and will try and keep you up to date Good Luck This post has been promoted to an article

Kind of crazy. Just when the fish start we have a water event. Don’t need anymore rain today. Be nice to keep it under 913 and keep the mud and debris out

Got on the pond about 0900 out of Ole 86 to calm and clear water. Surface temps had a big range from 44 to 48.8 degree Lots of 1/2” Shad everywhere I went on the surface fluttering a death struggle and the Gulls were helping them along If you haven’t seen Pete’s report this week go look at it. It is right on and I mean right on as far as fish location You can’t however fish a crankbait here or any bottom bait. The moss and slime are just terrible out to about 20 ft. Fish were biting today I had maybe 14 pounds best 5 with 8 keeps and enough shorts to make it a really fun day If you watch Pete’s report you will see how they were tricked. Good Luck. Time to Fish

I think so to but both KY3 and channel 10 said the same thing last Sunday with most of it to have been on the ground already

That’s a foot since Sunday with 4 units running today so I bet at this point we are not going much over 910. Unless the WR Basin in Arky got a lot more than we did. My buddy up on the James River out of SPFG. Said he had only gotten about an 1 inch so far

Don’t know about you guys and I may need to knock on wood but to this point we have only had about an inch here at Blue Eye. Sunday they were calling for between 6” and 10” for us and Northern Arkansas. Looks like rain thru Saturday but for now it’s in good shape, with partly cloudy skies, and some sun peeking thru melting the sheet of ice on my deck

Fantasy was it you all I saw trolling the flats up there?

Great pic. Thanks. Give them a bonk on the noggin before lining them up. Seems to calm them down😃

Yes but there is no train service. You have to drive😀

Thanks guys. Phil was out this weekend with DJ. NO SUCCESS. Becky was on a conference call with his tech guy out of Phoenix for close to 2 hrs and still no Luck crazy DJ’s lap top would hook up thru our WiFi but our computers and phones along with his and Phil’s would not We are still stuck

No one said anything about being discusted it is just a sign of the times. Now and more than ever sex sells and lots of skin to win. Just don’t mention it in the work place

If you look at any outdoor clothing ads lots of stuff comes up in women’s camo undies right now. It’s been all over the Outdoor channel Just like Victoria Secrets on regular TV. You can’t get away from it, just have to move along

What he said. Another point is they are sometimes not in conjunction with shore. Look at your map and see where the channel is in reference to major coves or as Bo pointed out drifting away from bluffends lots of these locations have standing timber or stumps that are not visible from the surface but are right on the edge of the old river or Creek channels, especially up the White as it narrows, making them easier to find. Side scan really works well but years of hunt and peck and failure are a better way of finding them. Every place I caught them I had caught them prior this time of year. As Bo said they can still be there and keep their yap shut. I just hit it right Good Luck

Saw a few Shad dying in the Roaring River area. Several sizes and the Gulls were working them pretty hard. Saw 2 Lund style boats trolling the inside flat at RR and at the bouy point and up at the flat below Owl. Assume walleye guys, probably should have asked them. I fished atotal of 5 locations. Caught at least one on every spot but the first channel break was the ticket. You know I could and maybe would have left that first location after fishing for 2 hrs without a keeper. Especially if I were in a derby. I was getting bit fine, but all short. Then 5 keeps same location the next hour. Not smart enough to figure it out. Just enjoyed it. On another deal this was not a cold weather bite. These guys got all over it with little doubt. They came right up and swirled on the top, no jump mind you but they were strong and aggressive. The 2 big gals pulled drag like sled dogs. All the fish were fat as toads and in great shape This time of year no hook holes either and that’s another good thing

I have a good high school buddy that he and his wife of 40 years are going thru the same thing. God Bless

Good to hear from you. Hope all is going well

I think Phil and a friend are going to try and get my computer back up this weekend and maybe I can get going again. Maybe some pictures. Just to tough with the phone

Got an early jump the 14th out of Eagle Rock. 1st day on the Rock since October. Started with a Keitech 2.8 inch SB in Rainbow Shad on a 3/8 oz Lews jig head and never put it down Fished main channel roll offs up the White and had a day that was way to good for my usual limited ability Caught lots of shorts And 5 really nice keeps with 2 over 4 pounds. I’m guessing 35 fish. Nothing but luck I just landed on the right location to start. Caught fish till the wind started then it got tough for me swimming deep. Boat in the channel throwing up on the breaks. Boat most of the day in 35’ to 50’. Fish in around 20’ to 25’ on the breaks or suspended just off. Surface temp at 43.8 the entire time I fished. Had 19 on my first location so that kind of made the day right there. About a 300 yard channel swing roll off a rifle shot from shore. Funny deal all Largemouth until my last cast of the day when I caught a short K. Thought it was going to be all LM and cannot ever catching that number Fishing that deep and no K’s To windy for me yesterday. Talked to a couple of guys that fished the Dam and they said it was brutal Good Luck

The boarder lake permit will work up the Kings. You can launch at Grandview or even Barryville and float to 86 no problem. I currently have a friend offering float trips and the warden told him no prob as long as you have the Border Lake Permit.

I’m still trying to type on the old cell phone but can see Gulls diving out in front of Clevenger and Big Cedar Hollow from the Lodge this morning. Any one have a surface temp on the Dam area today. Must be a few threadfins moving slow or dying Good Luck

Nope. Still can only use my iPhone. I do have a report. “To Durn Cold”

I think Al was also doing some work for NuTech but I’m not sure

We have platinum wireless out of Nixa Missouri

I just simply cannot post here except for my phone. The new server Phil got does not work on our internet provider