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Bill Babler

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Everything posted by Bill Babler

  1. Bill Babler
    5 bite you are right, but we are talking about Mono on spinning reels, and sunline makes I believe a jungle green mono, that is very good. It is way less money than the Maxima. I have used it but come back to the Maxi. The sunline has quite a bit more memory and is very similar to FC, at times wanting to either jump off your spinning reel, or it is very easy to get a loop if you do not remember EVERY time to shut the bail with your hand and not to engage or shut the bail with the reel handle. Believe you me, I have seen messes you would not believe. Being a bit stiffer and more memory than the Maxima, I lose a lot of casting distance with the sunline mono. For me and I really like the sunline, it is just not as good when you are dealing with folks that don't fish on an everyday basis. And, you are right, it would work for Trophy.
  2. Bill Babler
    Trophy the 5# Maxima Ultra Green is .224 and .008. It has absolutely no memory, winds and lays completely flat on the Stradic and the Daiwa Ballistic, and throws a bait with the proper rod to places, " Man has failed to Conquer." Paired with these quality reels and their drag systems and the ability of the rods to absorb the shock of lightning fast fish runs right at the boat, this system is my favorite for lite line finesse fishing with grubs and small soft plastics. ie the Varm.
  3. Bill Babler
    Not at all James, thank you anyway. And by the way, reading your post I see that you completely read my blog, and I appreciate it. There was quite a bit of really good current lake wide info in there. Kind of took it as a compliment. But, here are my thoughts; Yes, maybe I can catch them, used to just use a string around my finger when I was a kid growing up at our resort on Lake OZ. That is not what the information was presented for. No, you should not "Fire Sale Your Tackle." When you get ready to upgrade, take a look at what I provide for my clients and fish myself. I pull the same rods from the rack in the garage or from the Phoenix lockers for either my personal use or that of my clients. This is my profession, and I strive to learn something everyday. I have accumulated a wealth of information from this site and everyone that provides info. here. My main concern in this business and believe you me it is a very demanding business, mother nature is your adversary and she can be a very harsh mistress. I search for bites, and bites alone. Bites are my livelihood. I want one more bite for my clients than I gave them the day before, I want 1 more bite than they have ever had while fishing this lake. The product of more bites are more opportunities to catch fish. Everything that is in my power to do to generate one more bite is what I strive for. There is not the new best thing, fishing and fishing correctly is a product of a multitude of small things. Little things that generate opportunities for greater success. My clients do not fish everyday, they need me to provide them the means to be as successful as they can be in a limited amount of time. My equipment is a very important piece of this multi-piece puzzle. Equipment performance and the ability to deliver baits and fish them in the correct and appropriate manner for the best success is the backbone of my guide service. If my equipment can generate just 2 bites per day per person over the course of a fishing year, that is between 1,000 and 1,500 extra chances my clients have to be successful. If they can convert those chances at even a 50 percent rate that is 500 more bass to the boat. Don't know any of us that would not like to catch 500 more fish this year. That is why I use the best equipment that I feel I can purchase, for just another bite I may not have gotten without it. Good Luck
  4. Bill Babler
    The Bucoo and the Cara T7 use completely different blanks. Although the rods are 100% manufactured in the US the rods are completely different. All of the components are different from the reel seat to the grips and handles to the eyes. The T7 uses extreme top of the line components and the Bucoo is a price product that preforms fantastic within its capabilities.
  5. Bill Babler
    Would for sure keep that 2.8 and 3.3 Keitech handy as well. Color does not seem to matter, swim it on a 1/4 oz. head a full cast from the bank where your boat is sitting in 25' Good Luck
  6. Bill Babler
    Guys, that moss is just a normal breakup. It usually starts when the water hits about 60 degree. If we get a good rain, it will all be gone, in the next few days, don't let it bother you.
  7. Bill Babler
    Mixer, Great point. I have fished Falcon for many years, and being in the guide business accidents tend to happen. I have never had one complaint from them when returning a broken piece of equipment, and nothing but a positive, extremely fast and cheerful response. High Modular Graphite Rods do not do well with door lockers or big boot footed 300 pound guys. They do however fish with extreme sensitivity and put them in the boat. Thanks for chiming in.
  8. Bill Babler
    White River Outfitters Guide Service 4-12-15 Baxter to Shell Knob White River Main lake Table Rock Lake Current fishing report. Guys and Gals, I have truly had one great week on Table Rock. Most of it due to the time of the year and the wonderful clients I have been blessed with this week, but also to preparation and the finest fishing equipment that I can personally put together to help these clients fish without flaw and to both "See and be the Bait." As most of you know, I have touted Falcon Rods for the past 25 yrs. and I truly believe I would not be in the position that I am without being able to use this type of quality equipment. Putting this type of gear in my clients hands has helped them to not only land more fish, but for my fishing application, which a lot of the time is extreme finesses, to feel bites and have the ability to throw small baits a long distance and fish in comfort due to the extreme light weight of my gear. As you have heard me say many times, "Your first cast and your last cast needs to be fished with the same enthusiasm." My Falcon gear makes this possible. I have had a bunch of ladies this week, along with some very good fishermen from the North. These northern walleye anglers that fish light stuff just flat could not believe the performance of my gear, and everyone of them that put a hand on it, wanted it. As we all know, I am anal as H-E-double K about it. Here is what is going on. Surface temps early mostly main lake White River are starting the day in the mid-50's and reaching upper 50's pushing 60 by days end. Most of the lake is an Aqua Marine but clearing fast. Fish are staging just about everywhere and there are beds. Lots better ways to catch them than the beds however. Dam area reports from Buster Loving and Chris Tetrick are very good. Buster is catching fish on a tube off the main lake gravel runnouts in 20 ft. with the boat sitting in 30' to35' He is a master at this technique. Chris is fishing a stick bait, your choice. He is fishing the main lake channel swings and also the cove mouths. He is sitting the boat in about the same depth as Buster, and is just wacking very nice K's with this method. Talked to Phil Stone for just a minute and he was also in the dam area and having a good day fishing the Varmint. Did not get the depth, but did get on gravel. From Kimberling City to the mouth of the Kings Bill Beck and I are doing about the same. My normal day has been 25 fish, give or take, with just a butt load of big keeps and some nice fish pushing kicker size. My ladies have way out fished the guys. and I will show you why in a sec. I have been targeting flat spawning pockets with long runnouts at the mouth. There are not only suspended fish but also fish on the bottom. They are just hovering waiting to come in. Heard one of the Elite guys today, say while spawning is in their minds, feeding is the number one thought right now, and that is what I'm seeing. I am still catching some fish on a Rock Crawler, but the majority are coming on a Wobblehead, a Varmint, a grub, and a stickbait. There has been a very nice mix of Largemouth, Small Jaws, and K's, so everyone has had a Rock 3 Slam. The ladies have been catching them on a grub, a wobblehead, and the best has been the Varmint. Reason is they can throw these small baits a mile keeping them in the strike zone longer and with the touch they have it has not even been close. You put the right tool in the right hand and Katy Bar the Door. I am using a Falcon Cara CS-3 17ML for the Grub Swimming This is a 7' Split Grip and is equipped with a Shimano Stradic spooled with 5# maxima. We are throwing a 1/4 oz Gami grub with a Keitech 2.8 Fat on it and the gals can just throw it a country mile. On the Varmint, I am using a Falcon Cara CS-4MS 7' Split also using 5# Maxi. We are throwing fishing the Varmint on the 1/8th. oz. head, and again they can throw it and feel it. Perfect combo for what we are doing. On the wobble head, I'm throwing both it and the R. Crawler on a Falcon Cara CCM-4-17MS. Split Micro. You can throw it either bait out of sight using 12 pound Invesx. The long cast keep this bait on the bottom the greatest distance and the rod lets you know every rock it crawls over. It is very quick thru the tip, but soft in the mid section, a great rod for this application, or cranking the wobblehead. it also fishes a fin better than any casting rod I have ever seen. On the heaver stuff right now I'm using the McClelland Signature MMC-7-176 I'm fishing either a big jig or a swimbait right now on it and it is also one of my A-Rig Rods. It is a 7'6" tele rod and it is also a micro, with extreme light wt. All of the fine rods are either paired with Lews, Daiwa, or Shimano reels,. making the most of light weight and quality drag systems. Keep your equipment buttered up and get out there, this deal is fixin to break loose. Good Luck
  9. Bill Babler
    More information about "4-12-15 Table Rock Report Equipment Matters To Me."
    White River Outfitters Guide Service 4-12-15 Baxter to Shell Knob White River Main lake Table Rock Lake Current fishing report. Guys and Gals, I have truly had one great week on Table Rock. Most of it due to the time of the year and the wonderful clients I have been blessed with this week, but also to preparation and the finest fishing equipment that I can personally put together to help these clients fish without flaw and to both "See and be the Bait." View attachment: April 12 falcon and fish 001.JPG As most of you know, I have touted Falcon Rods for the past 25 yrs. and I truly believe I would not be in the position that I am without being able to use this type of quality equipment. Putting this type of gear in my clients hands has helped them to not only land more fish, but for my fishing application, which a lot of the time is extreme finesses, to feel bites and have the ability to throw small baits a long distance and fish in comfort due to the extreme light weight of my gear. As you have heard me say many times, "Your first cast and your last cast needs to be fished with the same enthusiasm." My Falcon gear makes this possible. I have had a bunch of ladies this week, along with some very good fishermen from the North. These northern walleye anglers that fish light stuff just flat could not believe the performance of my gear, and everyone of them that put a hand on it, wanted it. As we all know, I am anal as H-E-double K about it. View attachment: April 12 falcon and fish 002.JPG Here is what is going on. Surface temps early mostly main lake White River are starting the day in the mid-50's and reaching upper 50's pushing 60 by days end. Most of the lake is an Aqua Marine but clearing fast. Fish are staging just about everywhere and there are beds. Lots better ways to catch them than the beds however. Dam area reports from Buster Loving and Chris Tetrick are very good. Buster is catching fish on a tube off the main lake gravel runnouts in 20 ft. with the boat sitting in 30' to35' He is a master at this technique. Chris is fishing a stick bait, your choice. He is fishing the main lake channel swings and also the cove mouths. He is sitting the boat in about the same depth as Buster, and is just wacking very nice K's with this method. Talked to Phil Stone for just a minute and he was also in the dam area and having a good day fishing the Varmint. Did not get the depth, but did get on gravel. View attachment: April 12 falcon and fish 003.JPG From Kimberling City to the mouth of the Kings Bill Beck and I are doing about the same. My normal day has been 25 fish, give or take, with just a butt load of big keeps and some nice fish pushing kicker size. My ladies have way out fished the guys. and I will show you why in a sec. I have been targeting flat spawning pockets with long runnouts at the mouth. There are not only suspended fish but also fish on the bottom. They are just hovering waiting to come in. Heard one of the Elite guys today, say while spawning is in their minds, feeding is the number one thought right now, and that is what I'm seeing. View attachment: April 12 falcon and fish 004.JPG I am still catching some fish on a Rock Crawler, but the majority are coming on a Wobblehead, a Varmint, a grub, and a stickbait. There has been a very nice mix of Largemouth, Small Jaws, and K's, so everyone has had a Rock 3 Slam. View attachment: April 12 falcon and fish 005.JPG The ladies have been catching them on a grub, a wobblehead, and the best has been the Varmint. Reason is they can throw these small baits a mile keeping them in the strike zone longer and with the touch they have it has not even been close. You put the right tool in the right hand and Katy Bar the Door. View attachment: April 12 falcon and fish 019.JPG I am using a Falcon Cara CS-3 17ML for the Grub Swimming This is a 7' Split Grip and is equipped with a Shimano Stradic spooled with 5# maxima. We are throwing a 1/4 oz Gami grub with a Keitech 2.8 Fat on it and the gals can just throw it a country mile. On the Varmint, I am using a Falcon Cara CS-4MS 7' Split also using 5# Maxi. We are throwing fishing the Varmint on the 1/8th. oz. head, and again they can throw it and feel it. Perfect combo for what we are doing. On the wobble head, I'm throwing both it and the R. Crawler on a Falcon Cara CCM-4-17MS. Split Micro. You can throw it either bait out of sight using 12 pound Invesx. The long cast keep this bait on the bottom the greatest distance and the rod lets you know every rock it crawls over. It is very quick thru the tip, but soft in the mid section, a great rod for this application, or cranking the wobblehead. it also fishes a fin better than any casting rod I have ever seen. On the heaver stuff right now I'm using the McClelland Signature MMC-7-176 I'm fishing either a big jig or a swimbait right now on it and it is also one of my A-Rig Rods. It is a 7'6" tele rod and it is also a micro, with extreme light wt. All of the fine rods are either paired with Lews, Daiwa, or Shimano reels,. making the most of light weight and quality drag systems. Keep your equipment buttered up and get out there, this deal is fixin to break loose. Good Luck View attachment: April 12 falcon and fish 018.JPG
  10. Bill Babler
    Mike McClelland really made a strong come back today after sacking just 12 pounds on Thursday, he came back and hammered them with 23 pounds on Friday. Pushing up into the top 50. Don't think he will make Sunday unless he sacks 30 pounds, but anything is possible down there. I have not watched as this is guiding season, but are they catching them on swimbaits? The Swimbait gang is all in the top 25. Do you think it will take 100 pounds?
  11. Bill Babler
    I would pretty much stay where you are. Big and little Indian Creek have produced some of the biggest strings if Crappie anywhere on the Lake. It's pretty muddy now but should clear quick Good Luck
  12. Bill Babler
    What he said james hit it square
  13. Bill Babler
    Great trip. Be careful out there. We really should wear out PFD's when we are alone, especially if we are seasoned anglers, as the majority are here. Tks. for the Super Report.
  14. Bill Babler
    Glad you asked Doc. And, yes there is a tactic to working a wobblehead. 1st. thing first, it is a crankbait and nothing else. You continually wind it on the bottom, you do not fish it like a plastic worm, grub or jig. You crank it. It is best fished on a very long cast so it can be slow wound on the bottom for a longer distance to cover as much bottom as you can. Today my boat was in 25' to 30' on long gravel/chunk. Only fish the major spawning pocket mouths today and some inside main pocket points. I'm fishing it with clients on 8 pound maxi on spinning gear, and on 12 pound FC on a bait caster. After the long cast let the bait fall to the bottom, I have settled on 7/16th. for what I do, this is my size. Usually just takes 5 or 6 seconds. slowly pick up your slack and wind the bait very slowly with your rod tip slightly elevated above the bait. Feel every hop, bop and bounce. If you think you are hung up continue to wind and it 80% of the time will just pop up over the obstruction. Be ready when this happens. The bite is a wart bite, you will lose the bait or it will quit clicking the bottom. You can also feel a heavy weight, and they will hold on like a rat terrier on a bone, so this gives you time to lower the rod and "Pork them Good." The key to this bait and both Tommy Biffle and Mark Davis will tell you, is it is not a jig, it is a crankbait, so crank it and never stop till it is either hooked to a fish or it is time to recast. I love this bait and I'm going to guess have probably fished it more on the Rock that anyone else at this point. It works and will continue to work till mid-June. Get out there and crank it.
  15. Bill Babler
    Best answer is by Alex, put a Hitch Hiker on them and then place two additional swimbaits on. I personally use the big paddletail or curl tail swimming minnows. They have a Black Grey that is just the balm, I believe it is either 2.8 or 3 inch. The Hiker is completely weightless, so it allows the weighted baits on the bottom to ride low and on the bottom, while the lite armed no weight dummy baits flutter in the school in a harmless manner. The Hiker is also very easy to change. You can then hang your hooked weighted favorite 3 swimbaits what ever the case may be. And let me tell you, that is more than debatable, chosing your 3 hot baits.
  16. Bill Babler
    Last 3 days I have fished Baxter to Shell Knob on the White River section of Table Rock. Decent success to say the least. I have fished some cloudy water, but personally I need the clear to slight green to be successful. Surface temps are ranging between 52 and 56 degree main lake and secondary points where I have been fishing. Really calm early and then later in the morning the wind has started to blow and that is when it starts to click. Early for us has been the Varmint. About 70 fish to the Guide Boat the last 3 days with the majority being Jaw's. Son Steven and I really hammered them Easter Sunday. Had 15 keepers mostly on the Wobblehead and the Jerkbait. If you missed one on the head all you needed to do was fling that jerker in there and they would hammer it. I told Bill Beck I'm going to lose a rod this year, as we had some very violent strikes the last few days. Probably running with it on slack line and then just pounding me when it came taut. Today I had Dave and Christine from Colorado, what a super couple. They also have a home in Williams Landing and just purchased a Spankin New 619 Phoenix/Mercury Rig from McCallister Marine. We showed them what they were looking for today. Counted back and I believe we put 26 fish in the boat with the best 5 at 13.5 today. We hit the slam and Christine had a really nice solid 4 pounder escape as she tried to hand the rod to the guide to get it unstuck. I heard her drag wizzing and said that AIN'T STUCK. The Big Blacky jumped and spit-tued the Varmint right back at us. In the White River the fish are mostly in 12' to 15', but to fish these fish correctly you have to put your boat in at least a full cast from that range. Today I had a bank I wanted to fish, and when I pulled into the creek, a nice new boat with twin power poles was going down it. I told Chris and Dave that we would catch them on it as soon as the boat got out of the way and off the fish. He was going down so close that the guy in the back was casting out of the back of the boat. As soon as they moved we took 1 jerkbait, 2 Varmint 1 Wobblehead, and 1 Grub fish off it, 3 solid 15" keeps in the bunch of fish. This is the first day that I have seen multiple fish in the water column, while casting the bank, they were all over. This deal is getting ready to kick loose. Good Luck Our fish today came as a combination of Varmint, Wobblehead, Grub, and Jerker.
  17. Bill Babler
    More information about "Current Fishing Report April 7th. 2015 Baxter, Missouri"
    Last 3 days I have fished Baxter to Shell Knob on the White River section of Table Rock. Decent success to say the least. I have fished some cloudy water, but personally I need the clear to slight green to be successful. Surface temps are ranging between 52 and 56 degree main lake and secondary points where I have been fishing. Really calm early and then later in the morning the wind has started to blow and that is when it starts to click. Early for us has been the Varmint. About 70 fish to the Guide Boat the last 3 days with the majority being Jaw's. Son Steven and I really hammered them Easter Sunday. Had 15 keepers mostly on the Wobblehead and the Jerkbait. If you missed one on the head all you needed to do was fling that jerker in there and they would hammer it. I told Bill Beck I'm going to lose a rod this year, as we had some very violent strikes the last few days. Probably running with it on slack line and then just pounding me when it came taut. Today I had Dave and Christine from Colorado, what a super couple. They also have a home in Williams Landing and just purchased a Spankin New 619 Phoenix/Mercury Rig from McCallister Marine. We showed them what they were looking for today. View attachment: April 6th 001.JPG Counted back and I believe we put 26 fish in the boat with the best 5 at 13.5 today. We hit the slam and Christine had a really nice solid 4 pounder escape as she tried to hand the rod to the guide to get it unstuck. I heard her drag wizzing and said that AIN'T STUCK. The Big Blacky jumped and spit-tued the Varmint right back at us. In the White River the fish are mostly in 12' to 15', but to fish these fish correctly you have to put your boat in at least a full cast from that range. View attachment: April 6th 002.JPG Today I had a bank I wanted to fish, and when I pulled into the creek, a nice new boat with twin power poles was going down it. I told Chris and Dave that we would catch them on it as soon as the boat got out of the way and off the fish. He was going down so close that the guy in the back was casting out of the back of the boat. As soon as they moved we took 1 jerkbait, 2 Varmint 1 Wobblehead, and 1 Grub fish off it, 3 solid 15" keeps in the bunch of fish. View attachment: April 6th 003.JPG This is the first day that I have seen multiple fish in the water column, while casting the bank, they were all over. This deal is getting ready to kick loose. Good Luck Our fish today came as a combination of Varmint, Wobblehead, Grub, and Jerker.
  18. Bill Babler
    Thanks all, that was a good deal. Jim bought it and it could not be going to a better home.
  19. Bill Babler
    Ya, I was for sure not condoning or encouraging anyone to spend anything, and don't see how that could have been misconstrued. I'm just saying that the cost of a hunting trip is just about the price of a piece of real property, that being a new bass boat. I for one would rather have the boat. I'm not rich in a monetary sense, contrary to popular belief. I am blessed in the fact that I have a beautiful wife and son and get to pursue a career that most only dream of. Good Luck
  20. Bill Babler
    1/4 to 3/4 is a really wide gap. 99.9% of the time a rod that throws 3/4 oz jigs would not be a crankin rod. I don't care who makes it. The closest I can think of is a Falcon Reaction. Swim Jig. Little more money however. Your trying to do to much.
  21. Bill Babler
    Thanks Mo, what area were you fishing?
  22. Bill Babler
    No problem with renting a slip and parking at the Marina, if they have availability. I believe all slips have power outlets. You can also inquire about there Long Creek Marina. I am sure there are power outlets over there. Do bring a long cord as has been mentioned just in case. As has also been mentioned talk to the marina manager, when you call just ask for the marina. On another note, they do have well lighted docks and security, I would not be afraid to leave equipment in my locked compartments. I would have a problem with any electronics on a Ram Mount, as it would just be my luck to lose that, even if they have never had an incident. Good Luck and enjoy your stay.
  23. Bill Babler
    Guys I have a new in the box MG digital tour edition 109 for sale 2014. It has been used for 2 days by Bill Beck when his went down. We had purchased it as a back up and now that we both have 2 guide boats, we don't need it. They are $1,169.00 bucks the best price I have found. I will take $850.00 for it. That is a really good savings if you are looking to replace your old banger. 417-332-7016 or PM me.
  24. Bill Babler
    Very nice detailed post. Thanks so much for the information, that kind is really hard to beat.
  25. Bill Babler
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