Bill Babler

Bought this tent several years ago, and only used it two weeks. It is a Alaskan Guide Model 4 Man tent. It was a special order with the tent fly being Realtree Hardwood. It is the light model with the alumimum poles. It is a dome tent and you can see it on the Cabela's website, minus the Realtree tent fly. That is special order. It is in like new condition. This is not a backpack tent, this is a camp tent. Weight is 20 pounds. There are at least 1/2 a dozen videos on youtube of this tent taking a pounding in Alaska, it is one of the best at that price. Paid $419.00 plus tax for it and have the reciept. The tent lists in the current catalog for $379.00 with just a plain green rain fly. That is the same price they were when I purchased this one. $200.00 firm, call or email me. TENT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE THANK YOU 417-332-7016 or a PM on Ozarkanglers. Thanks Bill

RPS, Sounds like we were a plunkin in the same pond today. I feel your pain. There really should be a few more bass bites out there. Great eye however. We had one eye above the 86 bridge drop shot at 26 ft. Surface temp at Viney Creek when I pulled my boat at 87.5 I really guess that says it all. We spoke to a guy with the right kind of Northern Walleye Rig working from the Flats below Big M up the White. He told us he had not caught any. Lead Core line trolling cranks, looking for Walleye. Did say he had some K's at 22 to 26 feet on the flats he was trolling. I may have to break out the bottom bouncer live bait rigs, and see what that does. Good Luck

Roger and Craig, what super guys to spend a morning with. We were on the water before 6 AM, and glad to be off a little past hot thirty. Really very hard to explain why these fish are not ganged up off these long points and rolloffs better. Seems you catch one on the first drop and then you scramble no matter what the depth you fish. Hit 12 locations for our 20 bass with only 3 keeps, 1 pretty decent, the other two just Shell Knob Specials. Decent 17 inch Eye also came to the surface to check us out as Craig nailed him above the Eagle Rock Bridge. I personally have not seen the upper White River this slow on the Shot. Didn't throw the jig much as these boys wanted to try and work them up and down. This is kind of a repeat of my last 3 trips above Shell Knob. Between 20 and 30 fish and only a scattered Keeper here and there. Might get worse before it gets better, with this sustained Heat. Denny, you are not allowed above the Bridge at Shell Knob anyway, so locations would not mean anything to you. You might be able to go with Champ, he and Donna, have clearance to about Viney Creek. Champ, the fin stayed in the box today. Probably should have let it fly. We saw nothing chasing. I take that back. A school of baby White Bass about the size of my boat came to the top for 2point4 seconds, then sounded. Stay Cool

Dutch, I was just trying to get over that mess from last year, and here you are rubbing salt in the wounds. J. Jermey Rasnick would have the answer to your question. Maybe Phil can contact him and get a answer. YOU can bet, cutting trees off the points and dragging them out is not it.

I am having trouble with getting and sending emails on the forum, they are just vanishing off my screen, as I am sending or writing them, so I will respond here to Greg DeFour, wanting information on fishing the Dam area. Greg emailed that he owns a resort in that area, and is catching fish extremely well on a spoon and a drop shot. Good for you Greg. Couple of weeks ago, I posted pic's of the jigs I am using on a thread, and how I am fishing them, but lets say from Cow Creek to Long Creek, here goes. For me and the jig bite, early seems to be not only better or best, but only. Again, I believe this bite on most days, excluding cloudy, windy, rainey days is 1 hr. before daylight to most times about 7 Am. During these low light periods, I am throwing either a Chompers or Jewell 3/8th. I modify my jig and you can see it in the previous post. You DON'T NEED TO. I also really like the Jewell Spider jig. Cannot beat however Chompers live rubber skirt on their finess jig. I may steal a skirt or two and put them on the footballs. Best color as always are pbj, watermellon candy, green pumpkin, or just plain brown. I am using twin tails from Chompers, Yum, and Yamamoto. I mix and match colores, don't believe it matters. On the trailers, I am really getting fed up and I know the perch and bass are with the Yama stuff, as one litle nip, and it is 1/2 gone or all gone. Just to expensive and to fragile. Very easy if I have two jig fisherman to go thru 2 or 3 bags in a day. I am either crowding the deep long bluffends or long gravel point with my presentations. I will hop the jig down the bluffends or drag it on the flatter gravel stuff. Seems if I can get some chunk rock mixed in on the flat gravel all the better. Bite for me is 12 to 22 before sun-up and then start moving out. Best jig bite at the Dam Indian Point area for me has been that magic 16 ft. range early. I am also targeting the rolloffs. These are areas, where you are fishing a depth no matter what it is, a gradual slope, and then it just breaks off and drops into the river channel. Fish most often hang on the break, and then later in the day, can just move off the bottom and suspend over the channel in these locations. Best bite for sure in the dam area has been the drop shot. Hope this helps a little on the jig. If any of you all are fishing a jig around the dam, please chime in what you are "CURRENTLY" using and how you are catching them. All information on this forum will be kept strictly confidential. Greg, sorry about losing the email, but hope this helps Good Luck

Guided out of the Knob this AM with what I think was very slow results for Shell Knob. Todd and I started this morning out of Rod and Reel, at 5;40. Had to throw the Fin 10 times and Todd had 1, 13 inch LM, on a Bluffend, and that was that. Settled in with the 3/8th. oz jewell jig and caught 6 K's and 2 Jaw's all short. Switched to a shot and caught 3. Todd had a very good one on that was dealing the Falcon Cenderi fits, but came unbuttoned. Went up into Big Creek and Whites were bustin, but it would last all of 10 seconds. We had 3 schools, and I mean good size pods bust and we never hooked a fish. Just two more jig fish. Move deep on suspended fish, fishing 35 to 50 over 105 and caught 8 more with 2 squeeker keepers. That was the story of our morning. I probably left one of the jig locations to quick as we had caught 4 there, and I bolted. Seems to just be a couple on each location, so I probably screwed that up. As for the deep or dropshot fish from Baxter to Roaring River, I have never seen it so slow. There are no or very few fish on the runouts and channel swings. A few on the deeper docks and very little suspended or over the deep trees. There is a jig bite that continues but for me the dropshot on sacrad grounds is just not there. I will keep looking.

As you all know, there is nothing I love more than a jerkbait bite. Second, and not to distant is the topwater junk. It ain't "WORKIN.' Kre 11 is on the real deal, and so is Champ, if he can put down the topwater. Dock bite, somewhat shallow bite and chunk rock bank bite are very good on a jig. So is dragging it out deep I'm saying 26 to 42 feet. Shallow bite has either been depending on your lake location SMJ's or LM. Dam area early the Jaw's are biting, but this bite is 4:30 till usually no later than 7:30. What time is that? Of course we know that is topwater time. Negatory! Throw that Head, or better yet a 3/8th. oz jig of your chosing. Sun up at the dam, start moving out. you will litterly see these fish running to deeper water, as the boat traffic and the sun heats up. Best bite at the dam however has been on the dropshot, and I mean "DEEP." Even early there is a KY bite at 36 to 50 feet off the main lake points. Sometimes these fish are just out there suspended at 40 over 100, so just keep going out and looking with your electronics. Buster and Tim Paige have both been on fire with these deep water fish. Buster was catching them at close to 50 ft. at 5:30 one morning this week, those fish are just staying down there. He said they were just pigs. Up to 3.5 pounds. These fish are not suspended over trees, and are not on the bottom, just suspended way out off the points. Trouble like Champ said is the wave makers running you off the locations. Best to fish early and just let them have it. Up the rivers and above Shell Knob and probably around Kimberling the LM and also some very nice Jaw's have been up tight early. I am catching them a bit deeper than Kre 11. My fish have been in the 22 to 32 ft. range early and have continued to bite till way up in the morning or till I get ran off the lake. Deep bite up the White is as poor as I have seen it. Lots of prussure from tons of fishermen fishing those deep humps and runouts. Moral of this stoy is, don't waste that very important hour or two in the morning trying to bend fish to your will. They will eat a jig, please give it to them. Good Luck

This topic, was up and had lots of interest, about 3 weeks ago.. Don't know which branch of the Indian Creek, it is but the one that runs thru DogWood Canyon had a a person bitten by a Cotton Mouth a few weeks ago. I have seen as many snakes this year, as I believe I have in all my 50+ years. Had 3 Copperheads lying on my asphalt driveway last week one morning. Seems the flood of two years ago was good for more than just the fish. The Timber Rattler deal sounds realy Scary.

You know, Redbud I thought it was at the upper end of the price spectrum myself, if you are just figuring materials. Trouble is on a product like this the manufacturing cost is but a portion of what a company has in the complete package. It is kind of like any product that first comes out, there are lots of design cost, Insurance, website, advertising and a entire list of laundry to be washed and paid for before you ever turn a nickle on a product. When people ask how much is a full day guide trip, some of them choke on their tongues when I tell them. Others say how in the world with what you have invested can you do it that cheap. It is all in the eyes of the beholder. I will tell you this. At some point I am going to get this product, or order one on any new boat and trailer I purchase. Thanks Bill

I was responding to a PM this morning and it just vanished from my screen. Mo-Bowhunter Jeff PMed me about Blue Gill fiIshing on the Rock. My best information is the flat coves most anywhere on the lake. We have been also catching them in near 30 ft. while crawler fishing for K's. Best baits have been crickets using a cricket long shank hook and a split shot. I would say start out at 15 ft. and keep moving out to find the desired size of Bluegill. Have had reports of gills up to 11 inch. Have caught lots in the 9 inch class. Any help we can get on the Bluegill fishing is appreciated

Check out the Safety entry and exit steps that mount on your trailer for safe entry and exit. Fisherman's 2Step. By boatingandmarineproducts.com Contact Bob Fair at sales@boatingandmarineproducts.com. More info on the TR Forum

Guys, know that this is not the place, and as you know, I am not for the most part a product endorser. Usually comes back to haunt me. This product, is something that I believe will really help us "Long in the Toother's," and also be fine for you "Flat Belly's." A very nice young man and a very fine fisherman stayed with us last week here at the lodge and I had the pleasure of taking him and his wife fishing. His name is Bob Fair, and he is the co-owner of Fisherman's2Step. This is a boat entry and exit step system from the ground to your trailer, to the boat. BassCat and Ranger have these as an option on select trailers. You can view this product at boatingandmarineproducts.com This is an aftermarket product that mounts on your trailer, and allows you to easily enter and exit your boat over the bow, rather than crawling over the trolling motor, or getting wet. Bob invented it to help his father enter and exit his boat. It also has a mirrow mounted on it that you can see that also allows you to hit your trailer ball everytime without getting in and out of the truck to look and see how close your are. That is unless you have a rear view camera on your rig like I do. Really saves on the knees. They have models that not only mount on bass and fishing boat trailers, but also ski boats. I will tell you this, I believe this is one of the best safety aftermarket products I have ever seen, and it really hits a home run. I have yet to meet the person that can get in over the bow of a launched boat very easily. Even Beck at 6'5", has to crawl over his troller and graph to get in when launching and taking out. This product basically lets you walk and step right into your boat. If this can keep any of us from taking a nasty slip or fall, it will be worth my time putting it on here. He has 3 designs, starting at about $410.00. Said anyone can mount it in under 30 minutes. You can also reach Bob by phone at 918-237-7775. If you get a chance, take a look at this and see if it is something that will improve your days on the lake and make it easier for you to handle your rig by yourself. The reason I put this here is the number of views the TR-Forum gets. I hope everyone that is boating here takes a look to see if this is a safety item that will help them. I am hoping maybe Becky will get me one for Christmas, I have hinted.

Bb,when you are ready to get that Ranger fixed, give me a call and we at the forum, that wish to, will chip-in and get her done for you. I have a guy that will fix it back to fantastic condition. We are, are brothers keepers, and you demonstrated that. It's our turn now. Let me know when and how we can help, and we all thank and appreciate your efforts. Sincerely, Bill

Kind of like gone fishing said, here one day and gone tomorrow. Nothing you can hang your hat on. Best bite however without a doubt lake wide, has been evenings. Really you just have to get lucky. I know Webb is just running and looking for them in the mornings. Takes some gas, but may be the best way. Good Luck

Sore Thumb, excellent question. That presentation, will work very well. I believe Eric Prey uses it from time to time. Couple of problems this time of year is the depth. It takes that rig a bit more time to reach that 35plus ft. range spiraling down. Also a bit of a problem with line twists, even with a swivel, if your rig is not streamline. I know Tim Sainato uses it on crawlers when the perch are bothering him. He hooks the crawler thru the middle and believes it helps to a small degree to keep the perch from getting it before the K's can take it. Good Luck and Stay Safe out there.

I guess really the best report, would be for most of us locals, to just stay off the pond till about July 10th. I know that ain't going to happen, so here is what is currently happening. Fish seem to be scattered throughout the lake at varing depths. I have guided the dam area, and the Viney creek area the past two days, with good fisherman from Oklahoma, that had no use for a drop shot, so we have been dragging the 3/8th. oz jig. Dam area from Longcreek to Kimberling City; Fished there day before yesterday 19 fish with 3 keepers. No topwater to speak of or very little at best. Few whites schooling in the evenings around Cow Creek, but very sparce. Not seeing any in the mornings. Good SMJ fishing early from 4;30AM till 7:30 I am using that 3/8th.oz jig with a green pumpkin or a pbj twin tail on the rear. Smallmouth bite for me was in the 16 to 26 ft. range early, and then it was over. Dropshot fish are reported now by most of the guys to be suspended, and very hard to locate. One of the guys said last week he had 15 fish on a 4 hr. trip, and 12 had hook holes in their beeks. Kimberling city to Baxter; Dropshot fish in the 40 plus ft. range suspended, with action good some days and very poor on others. Jig bite good in the 28 to 40 ft. depths dragging the 1/2 oz jig. Few whites early in the wind blown coves, but mostly gone by 7 AM. No topwater action to speak of. James River; Was up there last weekend, so might still have a little idea. Drop shot fish suspended over trees in the 40 ft. range. Jig fish very good early in 14 to 26. No topwater to speak of and very little white bass activity. Baxter to Big M; guided there today, and had 21 fish with 7 solid keepers on the jig. Dropshot fish are scattered but available if you want to pick off singles, in the 32 to 45 ft. range. Saw one today loafing at 45 feet. and as I dropped to him he screamed up and meet the bait falling in the 30ft. range. Nice keeper K. Most all fish on the jig in the 22 ft. range, on flat gravel. No white bass to report, and absolutely no topwater. YOu can replace the jig with a splitshot rig with a cenipede, and I believe it will do just about the same thing. Bass are coughing up pumpkinseed perch and crayfish. Have not had one puke a shad in a couple of weeks. Lake wide reports of Bluegill excellent in pockets or gravel flats in 18 to 26 with gills 8 to 11 inches being caught on crickets. One of the neighbors said the catfishing in and around Longcreek and Brushy Creek was excellent on Limblines using small perch. He said he has enjoyed his best year in the last 10. Quality flatheads and channels every night on his lines. Good Luck

Thank you so much for sharing this treasure with us. I am sure there are some very personal and private memories. Even in this economy, I cannot believe it will be listed for long. Very good luck from all of us at Ozarkanglers. Sincerely Bill

I'm just happy everyday that this is not Lake O. Yes I agree, with the crusiers traveling at 1/3 speed are just rolling them out. And I will tell you this. Most of the guys driving them, honestly probably think they are doing the right thing. On Taneycomo, folks in the deep V's slow down and just completely roll them over you, thinking they are doing the right thing. They don't realize, that at a faster speed the less of that hull is going to be in the water to send out those big rollers. Either slow or fast, not imbetween. Really, there is noting we or the water patrol can do with waves coming from a 1/2 mile away. Yes, you as a boat operator are responsible for your wake damage, but enforcing it is a nightmare. This is a big pond, and there is room for everyone. If we don't like the waves, we are just going to have to either fish nights, extremely early or late, or just put up with it. I just put up with it and try and do my best to make it as easy as possible for my clients. It is hard for me however, as I am a main lake fisherman, and we all know that is where the really "Big Breakers Are."

Took perhaps one of the biggest waves I have ever taken today on the Rock. Just up the White River past point 9. I never saw the boat that sent it, but looked up and told my client to sit down and hold on. We were drop shot fishing a flat. It was about 11 AM and the wave, when I saw it coming was at least head high. I turned the boat into it, with the troller, and I rode out the first wave. The second of the series, came completely over the top of my bow and over the top of the graph, which is mounted on a 1 ft. ram mount, that sits a full 18 inches above the front deck. It totally swamped the boat. The pumps came on immediatly and everything in the boat was floating. The third wave of the set also came over the bow, and I am going to say the total, was several hundred gallons of water in the boat. The Champ stayed perfectly upright and the pumps had it out in a few minutes, but it made my lady clients a bit edgy. I had one gal that was 82 years young, and reminded me of my mom. She never would let me put her purse in a storage box, had to have it right under her and my feet all day. After the wave, I looked back and her purse was floating and half full of water in the floor of the boat. Everything inside it was wet and ruined. I took a similar one up at Shell Knob a couple of years ago, but this one was bad. I believe a crusier must have gone up the oppsite side, and I just never saw it. It did wash out the poop from the white bass we had caught earlier in the morning, so I guess there is always a silver lining. Be careful out there.

I'm sure the person I spoke to was quoting the "Letter of the Law." As she said to me a day is a day, not a night and the next day. Great to hear that some common sense is being used. Good to have people like Jeremy out there.

Spoke to the gate keeper at 86. She said the pass was good for a single calander day, or 12 AM till 12 AM. If you buy a pass at 11:59 PM on a calander day, as soon as the clock strikes midnight, you need a new one. You had 1 minute to fish. As far as having to buy a yearly that is incorrect. You do not have to do that, as long as you pay the daily fees during that calander day. Maybe easier to buy the yearly, if you know you are going to be out past midnight, into the next calander day.

Good Luck to you two Kids.

Took off out of Baxter at 5:25 with Kris and Kale, and tried the topwater floppers. No good. 1 on a Spook, 1 on a fin and a couple of near misses. Drop shot would catch one here and 1 there, but really not a pattern or a depth, that I could hang my hat on. 31 ft. seemed about the best. Kale caught 11 on a crawler and Kris and I had probably 7 on the 4 in purple cuttail. When the wind started we went to dragging a jig and a rig and ended the day with 27 and 6. Not world beaters,but not chopped liver either. Jig fish seemed to be 18 to 26, off the main lake flats. It is getting harder. Lots of fisherman out, and I mean lots. Had folks on my first 5 locations, and just had to keep on the move.

I think if you take really good care of that trailer, it should last you the rest of the week. Get some Super Glue and some duct tape and I believe you can keep it patched up. Mark has a load of them over at Table Rock Tackle and Marine. If I see ya on the water, I also have a plenty. Got to say however, they are pretty pricy out on the Lake. Headed for Taney and the Trout Explosion. It is the best I have seen, great fishing everyone.

Your report to me really got me inspired. You had a great day, and if it were not for your intel, I would have just went after those drop shot fish. I just Bulled up and Hunkered down, and said I'm going to do it. It is really a catch 22 when you are guiding. You want what is best for your clients, weather it is catching 40 short fish on a drop shot or catching 10 to 15 real quality fish on a jig. I got lucky this past couple of days, and had the right kind of fishermen. Guys like you. Check out my website for some super pic's of great fish. Gabe, again Thanks and glad you were all over them.