Bill Babler

PD Thanks, I am not a shallow water guy in the least little bit. Boys have been telling me 22 to 30 and not much else. This time year I'm usually in 50, so anything under 35 from me is shallow water fishing. Beck did have some at 40 plus but they vanished. I checked my GPS marks up the White today with many of the over 500 locations are in depths from 28 to 60. When I said I went in and out and out and in, I was not kidding. After i hit the 30 ft. mark, I was usually looking at nothing but bottom and lots of water inbetween. Saw nothing on the bottom, and not much suspended. Lots of shad in the under 30 ft. range, but nothing on them. Boys have said the fish are very tight to the bottom in the under 30 ft. range, but we could not scratch them off with either soft plastics or live bait. Thanks for the heads up however I will work that depth more carefully tomorrow.

Our last day group went out with Mike on the Reel Fun They limited on Kings, Cohos, Rockfish and Halibut. I believe it was the second best day on the water for any of our groups. We had several members catch Hally's over 180 pounds and lots of guys catch 100 pounders. Salmon really just were taking off as we were getting ready to come home. As you sound like you probably already know, there are cohos and kings year round in the salt at Kodiak. Silvers in the streams on Kodiak have been getting later and later. October being the best month. Fred at Olds River Inn and Cabins told me they had fresh Silvers in the Kaslin, Olds and Pasagshak in January. Said without a doubt October was by far the best month for Silvers on the Road System Last year. 6 yrs. ago we caught them great in September out of the Olds and Chiniak, but Fred says they just are not there in good numbers now till later part of September and later. Few years ago when I was on Kodiak we stayed at a B&B out a Chiniak. Woody the owner said without a doubt his best week is always the week last week of October on the Olds, and he has caught them good on the Road at Kaslin Pond the week of Thanksgiving. Mother Nature usually does not put all her eggs in one basket. AS far as weather is concerned look at Cincinati, Cleveland, Chicago and compair it with Kodiak, very similar. Kodiak has less days under 32 degree than all of them or very compairable. October on Kodiak although rainey is an average of 47 degree. It has an average of 134 days with at least some period of time at 32 or less. Springfield Missouri has 106 days with 32 or less. Kodiak gets a very favoratable Pacific air flow. It is however very rainy in October. Been doing some research on the Sacramento River on Kodiak and it is full of fresh Silver Salmon in November. Depending on the ammount of rain and the fresh water flow in these rivers, the Silvers keep comin in later and later. One of our saltwater Captains was deer hunting the Sacramento River out on the Cape last year in late November and he said the river was just teeming with Chrome Bright Silvers, from the mouth on up. They had had a big rain the week before and the river was flowing lots of fresh water and the Silvers had their noses stuck in it.

Mike, most of what we are talking about is Table Rock Junk. Down here the majority of our docks are multiple slip deep docks. Most will range from the back end of the dock being in 15 to 20 ft.of water and the front or lake side end will be in 50 to 100 plus feet of water. Most all these deep docks have "Dead Man Anchors." These anchors are out in the front of these docks in very deep water for the most part. Most all these docks have at least 4 cables with some having as many as 8 to 10. The deep end cables will sometimes be as much as 200 ft. long. Kentucky bass will suspend off these cables usually just above the thermocline, out in front of the docks on the cables and sometimes on the cable of a NO Wake Bouy that also sets infront of these big community docks. Usually 26 to 35 ft. I have however seen them suspending on the dock cables at 60 plus feet and have seen them on the concrete dock dead man anchors at 60 plus feet. You can find them early in the day or on cloudy days in these locations. On very sunny days they will most often pull off the cables and retreat under the shade of the big docks. What we are talking about is not the cables that anchor the dock to shore, but the cables that anchor our Table Rock Lake docks on the deep ends of the docks. On Lake O. however I would like to have a dollar for every crappie I have caught in the Spring on shore cables going from the dock to shore. If that dock cable gets 3 to 6 ft. under the water on the back side of those Lake O. docks, the crappie will also set on them. Not much cover, but neither is a small tree branch and we all know they hold fish. Hope this explains it. Wro. Guide Service

OUCH!!! Kind of thought it might be tough the way the boys were a talkin, but had really no idea. Launched at Baxter this morning at 6 AM in the ink black of night, hoping to sneak up on a pre-dawn feeding bass fish. Joke was on me, and the fish played it well. For the most part the Lowrance HD8's looked very similar to the top of the pool table in your rec room. First location was a long runout up the white river. John put his 3/8th. oz PigSicker jig up on the hogback and wiggled it twice and a nice K munched it. He played the same trick again fishing the jig in about 23 ft. of water and got the same result. I banana looped mine out next door to were he had incarcerated the first two and got a very nice result in our third K in less than 5 minutes. Wish I could tell you it continued, but that would be trash talk as that was pretty much it for the next 3 hrs. I mean not even a bluegill sniff. I fished in and out and out and in. I went thru the tackle drawer like a corn picker going thru a field of grain. In simple words, "They were not havin it." Told John we got to get more bites than this and we started looking at some shallow docks, with the jig. Caught 5 more, but not on the docks. They were shallow alright, inbetween the docks in the sunlite. Not on the shady side or under the docks, but just out runing the banks in between the durn things. No keeps here but we did catch at least one of everything. Moved back to Baxter and started fishing a bit shallower on the same type of stuff and of course nothing. Saw a couple of chasers and tried to get them mad enough to eat our junk, but again we were rejected. On the way in we stopped on one long flat point and tried a dropshot. Fish were come off the bottom to it, but reject it or perch bite it and nothing. John asked if he could keep on the jig and I said, "As good as that jig has been, keep throwin it." He caught another short Jaw. I threw it once and got a keeper K and at the same time he caught a nice K. We fished on a cloudy windy day with surface temps at 83 degree in off color water and only caught. 11 fish, and for Cripes Sakes we earned everyone of them. It is pretty tough. Beck, fished the dam area and reported about a dozen bass one nice walleye and he had 5 white up top early. Pretty much covers the lake from the dam to Campbell point. If there were some real hands out there today, let us know how ya did it as of today, I got some learnin to do. Good Luck

Magic Worm, we had Black Rock Fish Tacos last night with Texas Slaw. They were Yummy. Will get out a report this week on the lake, good or bad. Have been hearing both from the boys. Seems to be a pretty good shallow drop shot bite, Sounds like a rig bite to me. More later. Thanks Guys.

I'm Back. Wonderful 3 plus weeks in Alasky with Phil and two great groups of clients. Guys, does anyone on the Lake rent Glass Bass Boats? Can tell you of at least 10 locations with alum. But don't know about the glass. Might want to think about October down Indian Point road past SDC. At that time of the year, I will not go there. Just flat to much traffic, even with the new roads SDC has installed it is still unbearable. Plus it is quite away to anywhere form there. Kimberling City or the Knob is much better. Stillwaters is very nice, but for a mid-upper end place you have to check out the Village at Indian Point if you want to go down that road. Our Lodging prices are currently pretty close to Big Cedar and Chateau, so there are less money options that are available. Not the ammenities we or the other upper ends have but very nice places. Might try Indian Hills Resort as Baxter has bass boats to rent at a great price. Also try Viola for very good prices. Campbell Point out of the Knob is alxo good. Best restaurants in the area at the knob. Close to Eurka Springs and very good fishing for non-guided fisherman. Way easier than the big water. October is jig month and I expect the fish will remain shallow and very active. Great to be home and good luck out there.

Got to Kodiak yesterday and man the weather is spectacular. Fishing is completely off the charts with fresh Pink Salmon crusing the beaches. Not in the rivers yet, but I landed at least 30 as the pods worked up and down Rosyln River Beach. Best deal was a jig and float. I am either fishing pink or peach 1/8 or 1/4 oz jig under a big float on a 7' spinning rod. jig suspended about 3 ft. down. They just hammer it. Had 1 jump about 5 times, and I thought for a minute it was a silver. Big Sow Pink, probably about 7 pounds. Fishing the jig completely eliminates any snagging. If you fish the spoon you will snag some. Been to windy for the fly rod. Lots of breath taking pics, but phil will have to reduce them in size for me. Saw no one yesterday where I was fishing. I fished 5 different locations, all to myself and the salmon. Will pick up Phil at the airport at 3 Pm. I hope. Weather has been 68 degrees and mixed clouds and sun. Lots of wind and surf. Zero Bugs. Locals have been seeing lots and lots of bears working the flats from Bell Flats to Cape Chiniak. More as we progress.

Guys, hate to leave you with the maybe record heat coming, but Phil and I have chores on Kodiak Island Alaska for the next few weeks. We heard they had a salmon and Halibut problem that needed some thinning. Don't want any big Blowups here and hopfully will be monitering from the Lodge on the Island. They have WiFi. Also, I want the fish to be biting when I get back and lots of reports on how, where and what I can catch them on lake wide. Failure to gather this information will have grave results for the lot of you. Champ, Donna and Denny get your butts out of the house and onto the water and keep us posted. T you and Gone Fishing need to work the lower James and Shell Knob area and let me know whats up. This is the most fantastic Board on the Web. I will keep you all informed on our Alaska deal. You can see it on the Alaska Board. Weather on Kodiak yesterday was a mess 70 degrees partly sunny and a light 7 mile an hour ocean breeze. Guess I can get used to that kind of crappy weather. Miss ya all, but hopfully I can contribute abit, from the Emerald Isle. Good Luck

Adventure starts this morning. Leaving for Anchorage around noon. Be on Kodiak this evening. Phil is to arrive on Thursday, hopfully without any Bear Bites from Brooks.

Gone Fishin is right as he can be on the Eakins Jig Rod LFC-5-1610-EJ OR EJS for split handle. $149.99 for either. This is a great rod, however it is the same rod as the CC-5-1610-S Cara T7 Finess Jig Rod. Not quite the same as it is heaver in weight and does not have the quality components as the T7. That is priced at 2 bills. There has however been millions of bass caught on that LowRider. It is rated for 3/16th. to 5/8th. and 10 to 20 pound string. As GF stated this rod works best for sure at 1/2 and under. I believe as do the Eakins boys, that 3/8th. oz is where it really shines. It also in my opinion, works best on the lower line ranges at 10 to 12 with 15 and up pushing it. This is a great RedFin Rod and a super dock flipper with the very light stuff 1/4-3/16-3/8-1/2. For the most part, I believe the Eakins boys use it for 3/8th. and under. Very small dock jigs that they are famious for. It is an ok Blade rod, but you cannot use to large of a blade or it puts a pretty good strain on it. 3/8th. or 1/4 with small willows work best on it. It was designed as a finess jig rod and fits that bill to a T. I know Denjac fishes one and he would be a good sounding board. I do use the finess jig rod the most of any of my rods, but again, i'm staying under 1/2 oz with it. As I stated if I were just going to fish the River systems here or some of the other local ponds, i go with a littler bigger gun. When your shopping for either of these rods, put the reel on them before you make a decision. Just go up to the counter and say " I want to feel this setup complete with the reel." Makes quite a difference than just shaking or flexing. Good Luck

Skeeter, take a very close look at the 6'10" Cara T7 Head Turner. You can get it with either a split or a full grip. I prefer the split, but others prefer the full. IF two hand casting is your style, it is hard to beat. This is a great very light weight very tight tipflex rod, for fishing a 1/2 oz and up jig, a big 10" worm, a full brush hog, a big spinnerbait or an excellent rod to fish a swimbait. Some prefer the Amastad for the swimmer, because of the length, but the Head Turner is a great duel purpose. Kind of like with Ham, if I could only get one, and really could not afford any flub-ups, I would not get the micro. These are specialty rods that have extreme topend preformance, but may be a bit tricky to fish. That T7 Cara Head Turner is absolutely the bomb, and pretty much bullet proof. It is my go to rod for the James and Kings Rivers and when fishing either Grand, Truman or Lake of the Ozarks. On the White River sections of our lake, I fish the T7 Finess Jig, as it handles the lighter line and smaller baits.

Again, voice of experence here. Locking storage compartments on a bass boat is like putting a dimond behind a piece of thin glass in East St. Louis. All you get then is the glass broken. Had my storage compartments popped out with a crowbar, and it was just pretty much unfixable. Know guys that have a locker bar on their boats broken out of the sides with a crowbar also. We have had at least 500 blogs on this. If you leave your boat and you absolutely must leave it overnight. Remove everything that you want to keep, and lock nothing you don't want broken. It is a cryin shame, but it is more than reality and we all know this after 50 yrs. here of this kind of behavior. It is not worse than it has been as a matter of fact, it does not seem as bad, but it still happens. It may never happen to you or your dock or folks you know, or it may happen repeated times, as it has with us and our dock. We also had all the storage boxes on the docks broken into. Mostly looking for electronics and props. Since the invention of the Battery opperated Sawsall, nothing cannot be penetrated in seconds or minutes at the most. The battery deal is a tough one as they are hard to remove and heavy. So is the prop if you use it everyday. For sure if I had to leave it on the rock, if there was not a ramp to take it our every night I would remove everything but those items. If I were going to not use it everyday and only once a week, I would remove those also. I'm lucky, the ramp is only 2 miles from my house and I pull my boat everyday and keep it in the garage. Since I started this, all is well. When we left our boats and equipment unattended on our lifts at the dock at Shell Knob, it bacame the property of whom ever wanted it, and lots of people did.

Taney is still fishing extremely well from Lilleys' thru the lower restricted zone. Very nice fish are being caught on Crawlers just below the Restricted area and both dry fly and nympth fishng has been very good for not only numbers but quality Bows from the Overlook down to Fall Creek. Two clients today in the bait zone on Crawlers catching and releasing rainbows over 21 inches with a picture perfect 24 inch 6.5 pounder coming in early before the sun hit the water. Lots of numbers in the 2 pound 18 inch and up range. Rick Lisek reported this morning fishing in the lower restricted area excellent on 1/256 1/2 green micro's about 4 ft. under an indicator to be simply on fire. Sculpins and terrestials have become the major two food groups in this river section and dry flies of any size between 6 and 12 fished along the shady banks will get some attention. Day before yesterday we caught very nice numbers of fish just up from Fall Creek on 1/16th. oz green jigs on straight line and also had very good results stripping a size 6 olive bug eyed wooley in the same shady areas. Scud populations are almost non-existant from Andy's to Fall Creek, but the Sculpins are there by the tens of thousands. Fish are eating them. Good Luck

Not even going to comment about folks leaving fully equipped bass boats in slips on Table Rock Lake. We have two slips at Shell Knob. If I ever leave a boat in one of them over night. I would like one of you to take the heel of your boot and grind my most tender parts into mush. Don't mean to be callus, but how many times do we have to go over this. Everyone just thinks it won't happen to him or her. BULL. Do not under any circumstance leave your boat unattended on Table Rock Lake. You could not do it in the 1960's and you for certain cannot do it now. Sorry it happend to you.

KVD runs a Nitro because of a 6 plus figure contract with not Bass Pro Shop, but NItro, a subsidery. You will notice he does not fish BP equipment, for the most part, he just drives a Nitro. KVD made one of the most honest statements I have ever heard either a NASCAR driver or a Pro Fisherman make. He said, and I'm sure his sponsors chringed. "Never buy a product just because I use it or any other pro uses it.." " Buy a product on what you consider its merits to be and how it applies to your fishing application. Can't get anymore honest than that. Also remeber this. KVD fishes a boat for about 8 months, and then turns it in for a new one. KVD does not have to worry about any maintenance issues or any structural problems. Something wrong, he gets a new one. We cannot do this we have to live with our choice, no lemmon law for us. You buy it, its yours. Pretty good reason why guides don't drive Nitros. I have to pay for my boats, I have to have a boat that if I keep it nice and it keeps its self nice I can get a good price for after a few years. Another reason why we might shy away from the Nitros. At one time Ranger and Nitro were the leaders in sponserships. About every 3rd. Ranger was a deal and about every 10th. Nitro. Those days are gone. Very few deals out there. And with Nitro backing off on a lot of there derby money, I believe you will see quite a few changes in the water. I know that one of the Big Cedar Guides that MUST run a Nitro got a better deal thru a private dealership than his Bass Pro team deal. KVD, Stacy King, Brian Snowden, MIke Webb, Steve Bayou, and a few others still have great team insentives, but not like they were in the past, with the exception of course of KVD. On the ride of the Phoenix, there are several reasons besides the resign why you get the preformance. The speed of this boat is just a by product of the entire package. It like the BC are both completely moulded boats, meaning there are no droppins. The boxes stringer system and floor are all moulded reinforced fiberglass. Phoenix is the only boat company that not only mounlds them into the boat halfs, but also completely bonds them throughout the entire stringer system to add a very tight rigid package. Phoenix also uses a bonded layered Coosa transom that it also completely bonds and reinforces thoughout the entire rear section of the boat both top and bottom. That boat from bow to stearn are really one solid unit, with the top not only attached but anchored thru the interior box system. Phoenix also has a very different strake design, with strakes completey from the middle of the hull outward. Where the majority of boats run on a pad that gives the boat lift and set up and back, the Phoenix strakes add quite abit more stability at high speed and in rough water. You hear folks speak about top end preformance or when you drive a boat at high speed you have to drive the boat. You hear lots of guys complain about their boat preformance, and the factory rep, will say, "He just does not know how to drive the boat." You have to learn how to drive it. Not so with the Phoenix. You don't have to drive it. It is not going to chine walk it is not going to pull left or right, its going right where you point it. Don't matter if your at 4000 RPM cruising or at 5700 at full trim. It turns and handles like a dream. Same type of dry ride as my old 201 Stratos. Stratos has been for years recconized as the driest ride of any bass boat by far. Unlike the wet ride of the Nitro and the soaking ride of the ranger, the Phoenix has the same downward throw of the water as does the Stratos. No one has yet to duplicate this and to me keeping all the spray off is a blessing. Everyone touts the Champion as a dry boat, but my 20 footer was not nearly as dry as the 201 Stratos and it does not even come close to the Phoenix, even in a choppy cross wind. As Techo mentioned the boxes are just unbelieveable and the livewell system is fantastic. My 921 has 32 Rod Tubes THIRITY TWO FRIGGIN TUBES. It has a rotating tackle system in the bow and without a doubt the best box storage system I have ever seen. Every stoaway is liffted off the bottom of the storage box to prevent any water from ever getting in any box. There are bag hangers, and crankbait clips. There is a system for every size of box and you can see into stoaway. The LED light system on the boat is unbelieveable, turning night into day, with multiple lights in each box. The Rod Box Pistons are SS and are double on most boxes, it will never fall back on you when you are inside a box. I am not taking anything away from the Bass Cats, as i just love those boats. The building quality is very similar in both boats. They I will say again are not this. The in and out of the second console is a Phoenix design that almost all boats are using now. They invented it. Takes 20 seconds to add or remove your passenger console. Midship popup tie downs and on and on. This boat has features that I had not even thought of and for cripes sakes the price is very competitive. The absolute highest componets are used and there is not a short cut anywhere on this boat. They are completely covered up at the factory. I toured it last week and they are turning them out as fast as they can and cannot keep up. Not to many BAss Boat companies can say that right now. They were laying down pieces of the structure of the boat and telling me to try and destroy it with a sledge hammer. NO Could Do. Call Greg Wood or Rick Lisek and just take a peak at one of these boats. As Edwin says, also take a look at the Kit Kat. Don't believe you would be disapointed in either one of these fantastic boat companies. Both very similar.

Wish I was but I'm not. Phil is already on the Naknek and I'm headed up to Kodiak on Monday. He will meet me there later in the week. We have two groups of 8 coming up for saltwater Halibut, King Salmon, Lingcod, and Rockfish. We are also flying out for Silver Salmon and will catch Ocean Bright Pink, and Chum Salmon, along with Sea Run Dollies from the Lodge. It has been 60 to 65 degrees everyday with light breeze and sun or partly cloudy. Man does that not sound wonderful. We both wil be home on the 25th. of August.

That is probably the best info you will get. He picked a great spot for you. Might catch a big wiskered kitty over there is you fish it right. Doubt you will catch any crappie. Good Luck

Quill, you might take a look at the 719. I just about bought this boat. Maybe everything you are looking for. For a ride in any of the Phoenix Boats you can contact ; Greg Wood Regional Sales Manager 417-527-3999 Complete model line Bill Beck Table Rock Guide Service 417-335-1867 Phoenix 921 Mercury 250 ProXS Bill Babler White River Outfitters Guide Service 417-332-7016 Phoenix 921 Mercury 250 ProXS Rick Lisek Phoenix Boats 417-224-5108 Phoenix 721 on hand Complete model line Yamaha Outboards Going to get with Greg this Fall when it cools off and maybe we can put all these models on one section of the lake and get anyone out in one that wants to see what the Bird Boats are all about. I'm also sure JE would be glad to give anyone interested a hop in his 721. Just shout at any of us.

Love Rick and Ivan down at Kitty Cat Central, and for sure think the Kittys are great boats. They are not this however. I have worked hard to be in the situation I'm in and it has taken me over 20 yrs. to get here. That gives me the opportunity to pretty much have any of the fine quality boats that are out there. This boat is special. Quality of ride, ergonomic setup, with everything at your finger tips. This boat is a preformance machine. Everything on it makes my job easier. When I get back from Alaska, I will do a piece on it and show it from the trailer up. Even that is special.

He is really dark for a Copperhead, and HUGE. Never seen a Head that dark or that big. That for sure is a Mature snake. Copperheads are almost a yellow gold, and usually not that big. Have to look that one up, he might be. Good Idea to leave it in piece.

Brand New 921 Phoenix is setting in the driveway as we speak. Have had it out twice. Got about 3 hrs. on it. May be a different story at Lake of the Ozarks, but this lake does not have a wave that boat cannot handle with ease. At close to 22 ft. and wide enough in front of the console for a barn dance this is some kind of fishing machine. Will know more later, but I was kind of like the jet skiers yesterday. I was hunting big waves and it made a laughing stock out of them. Even Becky said WOW! "This boat tames rough water." Give you all the details later.

Just heads up on this. As you probably know Shimano every 5 yrs. completely remakes the Stradic. The ones Cabelas has are going out of date. Look at the Shimano website and you will see completely different Stradic reel bodies. The C14 and then another one, looks like the old White Stradics. They will discontinue parts on the ones you buy now within 5 yrs. The new ones on the market will have 10 yrs. of parts. The reels are so good, it dosent matter 5 yrs. is enough. Be looking at something else by then. Probably have one that reels in the fish automatic like. Good Luck

Ham, wish I would have known you didn't like it. Would have taken it off your hands at a non-steep discount. As a matter of fact, you could have sent it back and they would have given you a T7 of your choice. I Love the Split Grip. Placing the knob in your left hand if you are a rigthty allows you to put exteme prussure on the tip during cast and throw those things a mile. One thing about the micro's is you do not have to bear down and throw them like you are heaving a javlin. Due to the small eye on the base of the rod, if you do it will not let the carbon line get thru and the spool will contine to spin and you know what that does. Let the tip of the rod throw the bait and use about half strenght. It will go as far or futher as a normal cast. If your spool is wide open and you really bear down trying to throw it a mile, "which you do not have to do with that rod" as it will do it for you with less effort, your going to get in a bit of trouble. Not telling anyone here how to fish or how to cast. Just the characteristics of that particular rod. Good Luck

Phil pulled up stakes and is headed for Bristol Bay, after a short visit in Denver. I'm headed to Kodiak leaving next week to meet our first set of guests. Am really pumped. Weather on Kodiak has been very good with sunshine and mid-60's. Wow, what a break. Just got a report from Mack's Sport Shop that fishing has been off the hook so far this year. Kings in the River mouths, Halibut in Shallow Water, with lots of Ling's and Rock Fish. Fresh water is just now starting to see some chrome bright Pinks edging in, with thousands in the salt at the mouths of the bays. Lots of Sea Run Dollies are in amoungst them. Kodiak has had an excellent run of both Kings and Sockeye and they are still coming in fresh, but the report says it will probably end by this week. Still we will tie into some pretty fresh Kings I believe in the rivers. Little gal I spoke with said she fished the American River yesterday and caught pinks in the salt till she was exhausted. None in fresh water, but you can see them rising and schooling in the mouths of the bays in the saltwater. You just wade fish the shoreline. She said they grilled the chrome bright pinks fresh from the salt water on the beach over willow fires with lemon pepper and chives and they were the best salmon she had ever tasted. Livng her entire life on Kodiak that is some kind of a statement. Said the saltwater pinks were running 4 to 7 pounds and they simply slashed the 1/2 oz chartruse Pixie, pulling drag and line till her arms burnt. We have Saltwater Fishing Advenures planned. Fresh water fly and spincast fishing. Fly Out fishing and Bear Viewing, and many other activities. It is going to be a great month on Kodiak. Will keep you posted and you can join us thru the computers.

Went out of Indian Hills this morning, and really had not been to the Baxter/Mid-Lake area in a while. Don't like to do that, like to have fresh intel, but after reading of the leadcore line trolling and talking to a few people in the area, I hade an idea. Cannot put that PigSticker down, so had the boys all geared up with 3/8th. ouncers in green pumpkin with a twin of the same nature on the butt. I have cut this bait down and with the 4 inch trailer, it is a very tight package. Fishing it on 8 pound maxi on the spinning reels and 12 pound invisx on the grinders. Mike and Dave boarded the Champion on one of its last voyages in the dark at 5:15 in the AM. Wanted to hit some rolloff transition runouts up the white with a ridge and then a deep slide off to the main channel. Not so much bluffends, but more where the long points dump into the channel. Kept our eyes bugged out for any topwater action. Caught glimpses of a few, but to far away and did not stay up very long. First location with the jig Mike caught 3 fish on the top of the break. Boat was in 40ft.. His jig was acting like food in about 12 ft. of water on the snaps. 1 Keeper Jaw and 2 K's that would both reach without a measure. Started hopping up the White River fishing these locations as they are everywhere. Only hit two spots in 4 hrs. that we did not snaffoo something. Really a nice morning with a mixture of K's and Jaw's. No LM today. Stayed with the jig as there was no reason to put it down. Just kept moving when the bite stopped. Usually about 3 fish per location. Most keeps, that you would not need a board for, but for sure not derby fish. Thought it was going to be a bear, as when I left the house it was 84 degree at 4:30 in the morning. Cloud cover stayed on and it was a little cooler when we were finished at 9:30 temps had dropped to 83 air. Water surface temp up the White river from Baxter to Campbell Point was a solid 89 hot degree. Eagles were a flyin, and that is always luck for me. Saw two different pairs, and caught fish in front of both pairs. Lots of Gizzard shad breaking the surface and I'm sure the White headed birds were watching them too. Tried a swimmer on several locations, with all the shad but nothing. Drop shot is useless as the gills are thick from 15 to 40 ft. They will not let a dropshot worm alone. You can see them follow it in the water column, as it drops. Beck however did have 2 keeper eyes on crawlers in the Kimberling Area on the shot last week. Pretty nice morning with really zero traffic as far as fisherman. Big Bozo boats did get out right when we were coming in, so that was not a problem. Yep 5:15 to 9:30 is the deal Good Luck