Bill Babler

That is a reel seat problem on the rod, not a reel problem. Here is how you fix it. Get a piece of moleskin and cut the appropriate length and size to fit the bottom of the reel seat. Stick it on the cork or plastic whichever the reel seats against, this will make a very firm seal by using it as a compression material between the reel and the rod material, whatever it may be. Put it on and then tighten it completely down. I mean twist it hard. That should do the trick. The added compression will keep the reel tight and will keep pressure on the plastic nut and plastic threads without any damage or using any adhesive products or doing any kind of drilling or damage to the rod or blank material. You can get this material which is glue backed at any archery store or I have found it at Walley World. Good Luck and Great Fishing

Thanks Boys glad I got that one behind me.

You can say that if you wish, that is your opinion. I was not picking on anyone, just saying that this is a means of advertisement, and is pretty much advertisement to promote goods and services, and should be viewed as such 100%. This is not a bunch of us here talking and showing pictures of our everyday fishing follies. Pete is extremely accurate, and I would read his report and go fishing without even looking if the sun was shining or not. He is out there most everyday that the weather permits, he is a full time fishing guide. That's pretty much all I have to say about that. This stuff is really just like a Wendy's commercial without the Gorgeous Redhead. Even if you don't like what she is selling, Wendy's has something else on the menu that you will probably like. It is a sales Pitch, treat them as such. Good Luck

A couple of things on these Video reports, regardless how well done they are and what they appear to be. It is real easy for me to sit here and do a video, without ever being on the water and just using seasonal patterns and talking about what should be happening weather it is on not. Not saying these are false or untrue or not good videos that you find on the internet, including what is on the forum here today, but by following this forum you know what is working and what is not. You should be able to see something that is immediately suspect. A few years ago, this forum was just flooded with fishing reports that were just being pasted on every fishing and advertising site on the net. We put in a cav'ot that the reports had to be current with in the last day or two. Had to be first hand information either by the person that was making the report actually being on the water and reporting his or her success or failure. Or, first hand knowledge listing the person or persons that supplied that information and the area they fished. Kind of stopped the cut and paste guys, as they were for the most part just making this C--- up based on seasonal patterns, and not being on the water, as lots of them work jobs. I have no problem with guys posting seasonal patterns, but they are not current fishing reports and should be called as such. They are very helpful, but not Current Fishing Reports of any date that is listed. Sometimes its easy to look at the video if there are pictures, and see if it is current if you know the lake water levels. Pretty easy to fake if you don't. What I'm saying is be careful what basket you put your eggs in and believe about 1/2 of what you read or see. If there is money or motive involved it changes the game of truth or consequences, and its up to you as a Buyer to Beware. Good Luck

Way better than me today. I just could not find them in the dam area. On the water at 7 off at 11. 1 big blue gill for me was the only bite I had. U G L Y Main lake surface temp at 44.5 coves and creeks at 42. Saw a few dead shad floating, but no birds or fish around them. Did see 17 deer swim the lake. Should have taken a pic, but they were really motoring.

Really nice group of experienced fishermen attended, with a lot of fantastic contributions from those in attendance. Right off the bat had a guy ask for locations, and before the evening was over, I think we gave him more than a handful. It was really funny, as Phil Stone would say "Here is another spot for you to try." Stony did just about as good a job as I have ever heard, and I have listened to all the big names. His preparation was excellent. He spoke for an hour and a half and I really don't think folks were done listening when it was time for us to roll up the carpet. I personally thought the Library Center has the Nature Center beat 6 ways to Sunday. Easy in, easy out and very handy off the hiway. Lots and lots of front door parking. No long walks, in 20 degree temps and 40 mph wind. Look forward to seeing more great turnouts for some very good presentations, next week on Taneycomo and in a couple of weeks, probably the pie'ce de re'sistance on fishing that infernal Bull Shoals by Expert Buster Loving. Looking forward to seeing and meeting you all at this great Winter series put on by Phil Lilley

Plus 1

Champion was absorbed by Stratos. President of that boat company was Jerry Clouse. When Ranger, Stratos, and Champion, and now along with Triton were purchased by a huge ConGlom. Jerry took what he thought were the best features from all of these lines and produced Phoenix. Any of the major brands anymore are excellent boats, including the Nitro. A guy really needs to look at features and performance and see just what is important to you. If you want a boat that has won every major JD Power award since the beginning of time I would look at the Bass Cat. NO better record for least repairs and quality construction, the best there has ever been, with no other boat company in its class and the hardware to prove it. For what used to be the best resale of any boat company and very quality not only construction but very through detail, a Ranger is also in a class by its self. For exceptional dry and smooth ride with speed in the top end of the spectrum, not Bass Cat Speed but getting on down the pike. Lots of emmenities Huge fishing platforms and unmatched stability and rough water performance. Lots and lots of fisherman friendly goodies just for you, Phoenix is a very big competitor. Take everything I just said there and throw an additional 10 grand on top of that and you have Stratos Elite. Or Stratos-Champion-Elite. Legend offers a much more compact fishing surface but has very good stability and extreme quality made appointments Nitro is continuing to tweek and adjust and if you watch yourself very close, you can put a package together with the boat company that all the other companies will be hard pressed to beat on price. Probably if you are a TR LO or Stockton fisherman you should stay in the Z8 or larger boat for the performance you want. Tons of deck space and again lots of goodies with very nice boxes and appointments. Probably the best carpet in the boat industry, but the worst vinyl. You would think? Triton-Skeeter-Charger Are probably in that order when you judge performance to quality to resale. Other areas of the country the shoe may be on a totally different foot. For me personally I will never own a Bass Boat under 19' and never buy a boat without at least a yr. full warranty hopefully two or 3 yrs. of warranty. Recently had a buddy buy a 2008 no warranty the motor had less that 100 hrs. Long story short transom cracked/split and the motor blew chunks about a month and a half after he bought it. $7,500.00 later now and he hopes its ready for the upcoming season. Should have been looking for a boat in the Fall, they are going to get harder to find what you want and no body is taking any money off this time of the year. That being said. Just like Denny Said, my 2012 Phoenix is currently priced at $20,000.00 under new with 3 yrs. of warranty and looks like it could go on any showroom floor. Good Luck with your purchase

I'm a very different cat on giving a bait a good chance. More of a Bulldog than a Cat as I will just blister it in every condition and ask clients to use it if they wish after seeing it and seeing other use baits in comparison. I have not throw it a bunch, I'm going to say maybe counting client time I've had it wet between 20 and 30 hrs. Not a great test, but pretty good for a new bait for me. thrown at good low light time here on the Rock. I have had several fish boil on it, but at this time have not seen a catch or a slam on the bait. And I am talking about the floater. In the same time period out of the same boat I have had catch after catch side by side using a fin. As I said, I'm not going to give up on it yet, but I have given it a pretty good bath.

Tried to watch some of these video, but they completely wear me out. He is surly marching to his own drummer. Spro has got to love the publicity however.

I just have not gotten enough bites on the crazy thing to keep throwing it. Seems to be way to many other kids in my tackle box that they like much better using the same presentations. I'm going to check out that video

Why are you guys swapping out a Gamakatsu hook on this bait. For my money that is just about the best hook you can get. If I were going to swap it with any thing it would be a Death Trap, but the hook on that bait is way good enough. A mustad triple grip is about 1/2 the hook that is already on the bait. Personally I have yet to have very much success with the bait, and I have every size and color. This thread makes me for sure want to try them again.

You asked for it and here it is. The number 1 seminar you all wanted by far, was how to catch bigger fish or a tournament Kicker fish. Phil Stone of Stone's guide service has been plying the deep waters of Table Rock and Bull Shoals for over 20 yrs. as not only an accomplished tournament angler but a full time fishing guide on both highland lakes. Phil and competed very successfully in all the local and simi-local tournaments. He not only fishes Buddy tournaments but also fishes Pro-AM's. He and his fishing partner are the current Homer Sloan Derby Champs. Phil for as long as I have known him has had the ability to catch Big fish, but for him it has been catching big fish under tournament pressure and on an extremely regular basis. HE is pretty much going to be right in there when the Biggins are weighed in. I for one am looking very forward to hearing his tournament strategy along with his how to on how to catch or target a Big Kicker Fish.

I have a 25 hp. Pull Start Evinrude if that would do him any good. Been setting in the garage for 5 yrs. $400.00 if he wants it and it runs. Was perfect when I put it up.

If you get a chance just run your boat by any of the Battery Outfitter Stores and they will test them for you. If there good they will tell you and if not they will recommend the size and quality you want in your price and performance range. They have stores here in Golden, Springfield and Rogers. Golden being home base. I have been running Trojan and Pro-Guide nearly 15 yrs. and just think the world of them.

A-Rig

Got to believe the majority of those fish came on a Rig, and I don't mean Carolina

Whew!!! Got what I asked for. The deal for me fishing most everyday, is the higher the sky the tougher the fishing. Usually the higher the sky the higher the pressure. Good old low pressure cloudy slight ripply days that don't vary to much either in temperature are the ticket. Most often the same old same old is the deal. The more consistant the weather the better I like it. Good Luck

Today here at the lodge I have 31.33. Just wondered your thoughts on these type or reading. Seems to me as soon as that barometer gets into and above the 30 range it gets tough for me.

I got ya on that. Just between a Rock and a Hard Spot trying to put a Table Rock article together for Brent. We got end just as it got horrific. Looking out at the lake this morning I can already see 3' water and we have 26 degree here at Old 86.

I had made a commitment to good friend Brent Frazee of the KC Star to fish today. I would not have taken a guide party, but out we went from Moonshine Beach. Surface temps at 45.3 exactly what it is on Taney, so water from Surface to 160 ft. is the same temp. Barometer is at 33.10, and wind is sustained at 45 to gusts to 55. Some of you weather people may know about the pressure, but I do not think I have ever seen it that high. We caught 1 deep fish to start and then fished 3 more hours without a bite. There was simply no place I could fish that held fish. Wind is currently out of the North-West with gusts out of the East at times. In front of the dam there is 4=5 ft. water and every bluffend where you would hope to fish water comes over the bow or stern. I took waves over the side. It is just horrific. Tried to deep fish in Jaques, Clevenger, Beardsley and the Big and Little Indian, but could not hold the boat for any type of a deep vertical presentation. Did not get any line drops in the trolling motor, but could not stay anywhere near good enough up and down. Tried to throw an A-Rig but I was either trolling it or could not throw it into the wind. Stickbait was pretty much out of the question. Looks like the same deal tomorrow only 20 degree colder. Be careful if you go out there. Good Luck

Still abit early for concentrations on that presentation. Most fish are still suspended in the 30 ft. range and will not come up that far. Also the weather has not been correct for that rig. Wind is the enemy of the floater. It is pretty much just impossible to present it in the type of wind we are having. It must be super calm for it to work and for you to throw the durn thing. To Early

Dave I think you are right as far as the electro fishing is concerned. The spawn for the most part in the dam area due to the clarity of the water is often times deeper than up the river systems. My three biggest fish have came 1st. in Big Creek I had a lady catch a 9.3 certified on a Redfin. Baxter area on a floater 9.5 and last year out of the Big Indian at the dam another one between 9 and 10 pounds. Bought the same day Mike had his big fish.

During Phil Stones Seminar we will have the complete line of Lew's reels for you all to gander at.

Also a pick of the hour meter