Bill Babler

When the water warms to about 70 this early Spring slime that's on the ledges and and wood structures breaks free and the wave action breaks it down. Seems to be a late Winter and early Spring problem on the Rock. Went to a lake meeting a few years ago and the biologist contributed about 99% of it to homes around the lake and lawn fertilization. They said this country was not ment for grass, and nitrogen and phosphate in fertilizer were the culprit. There is a clay layer and it just runs off into the lake. Don't try and grow grass around this lake.

Guys, I'm so far down the totum pole here on crank bait fishing, I hate to even post on it. I will convey something Mike McClelland had told me many times and I find it totally true. The further you can throw that bait the better you are, two fold: gets down quicker and deeper and stays in the strike zone longer. Second part is fishing clear water as we do is staying away from the fish you are trying to catch. Fishing it on 10 to 12 pound carbon line. Good Luck

Kudos for her insight. Don't know how many of you guys have lost count in a derby, but it is possible, as I've been close both ways with only 4 but never 6 in the well, but came close to throwing it in the heat of the moment. I've got a funny story of Beck and I on here somewhere with me culling fish as fast as I can and Beck slapping me in the face with fish after fish while I'm trying to sort and cull Got me so flustered I threw back our 5th. fish and it had a bouy in its mouth. Threw back a bigger one cause it was blind in one eye and Bill thought it was ugly.

Jeff, ask and you will receive. Clarity from Clevenger to KC is about 10 to 12'. Up stream into Long Creek is about 4 to 6' I'm using this 3 pack in the dingy water. In the clear water these are by far the best, not close Hope that helps.

RK Crawler bite at the dam has been good most days. Wind really has not been a factor as much as location for me. Don't really care how much wind is on a flat bank, I can't get bit. Points and transitions I get bit wind or no wind. Most times boat in 14' to 17' with multiple casts at the sweet spot. I don't have to have it digging to get bit. Almost seems as soon as it starts to lose the bottom that's the location. I'm thinking anywhere from 8' to 12' for me is the depth holding the fish I'm catching. Rock structure or bottom composition has not made a difference, either gravel or chunk are producing the same, its just location. Bait color has made a difference. Reds and brighter colors from Big Cedar up Long Creek and more natural hues toward the dam and Kimberling. Pick your locations and don't waste time, start up and move a lot. McClelland and McClelland caught 17.03 in the derby and Mike said they had over 20 keeps on Saturday. I'm not catching that many, but can catch 12 to 15 total fish in 3 hours or so. The bite is LM and Jaws early. As the water starts to warm the K's start moving up and from 11 am or so that's what you catch. As far as the slime. There is slime, but not everywhere. Around the marinas and Big Cedar is the worst. Also around the Branson Belle, and quite a bit in and around Indian Point. Guess we know who the big polluters are. Good Luck Quick PS. Here is a pic if a young man and just a terrific Small Jaw he caught Saturday.

From what I'm hearing Blevins and Blevins, were asked not to fish and told they were not welcome. They showed up, were allowed to fish and won. Someone said AIA had a rule if you were caught cheating in any derby you were banned. They have been caught cheating. I guess maybe there are some legal issues. I know there were a lot of mad anglers about allowing them to fish.

If you look at Regatta permits the Rock blows Lake O away. Usually over 100 more a year. It turns into Winter up there.

Had a buddy that fished the dam today and found 55 degree. Back end of some of the pockets. Main lake I’m sure is what Bobby said.

They are now SOLD thanks guys.

That’s a Falcon reel. They made 2 different reels for about 5 years. That one is a 2500 BC series and it works great, probably just as good as Daiwa stuff that is 3X the price. Good reel if you can stand the color. The other was called a Moxie. Phil sold a bunch of them in his tackle shop and I’m still using about 10 of them on my crappie stuff. They were 500 series. The Durn Moxie have worked perfect for 10 years at about $69.00 each, better than some of my more expensive stuff. Go figure.

We are moving to Shell Knob. We have a lake home there in conjunction with several family members and can live there while our hone is being built We just purchased 3.62 acres at Cedar Falls subdivision with complete unreal lake front and views, very similar to what we have on this 40 acres. We are going to build a new smaller home there. Hopefully retirement is June 1st. But I might do an extra year, just depends. I've already had a $500.00 standing offer on the reels. I was thinking $700 to $750, but I'm listening. I'll give it till Monday unless I get higher than the $500.00. If not he can have them for that. They have only been listed for 2 hours. The 2 bait casters are pretty much like new and there are 3 big Sustains and 2 Certates in the mix. New the Certates were $500 each and the Sustains were close to $400 each. Counting the bait casters that's $2,500.00 on just those 6 reels. There are 27 additional reels that just mostly needs a good clean and lube. Thanks guys

Guys we are moving and I am retiring from guiding. I've simply got to pare down. I've got a boat lot of used reels here that need cleaned. A couple may need some repair. Some are good to go as they are. Most as a matter of fact. Here is the list Shimano: 1 Sustain 4000FB. 2 SUSTAIN 5000FD. 3 SEDONA 1500FB. 1 SEDONA 2500FD. 2 SARAH 1500FB. 1 SONARA 1500FD. 1 SPIREX 2000RD DIAWA: 2 CERTATE 2000. 1 CALDIA 2500. 3 EXCELLOR 2500THS. 3 EXCELLOR 2500HA. 1 PRYTHON 2500. 1 FUEGO 2500. 7 EXCELLOR 1500. LEWS: 1 BB1. 1 TOURNAMENT MG FALCON SPINNING 1 FALCON BC 1500. 32 total reels, to send to a single owner. Some as I said are good right out of the box, some if not all need cleaned with a couple needing some work. Entire lot to one buyer, make me an offer. 417-332-7016 or send me a message if interested.

BP at their Spring Classic has great deals on Panoptix, Garmin Packages. Still around 2 grand but if your looking at forward facing sonar, especially for crappie you might take a look. I will tell you, Its old news and the reason its on sale is Garmin is coming out with new forward facing sonar. Some Garmin field testers have it, with a 40 degree field if vision 150 ft. range and unbelievable definition on structure and fish. Re- enhanced color gain and sensitivity gain for clear target and structure defination and total target separation. . From what I'm hearing its going to be $1,799.00 and will work on all the UHD SV and echomap units. Boys there are going to be lots of livescopes for sale next year as the upgrades and forward facing units get better and better.

Jeff, what it has done to its barest basic extent has changed the fishing world from thinking the fish are there to knowing the fish are there. You still have to make them bite, but fishing where fish are instead of just fishing is the game changer. There are always fish on the bank, but for every one in the bank there are 100's off shore. Some of us here have had the great fortunes of fishing for theses for years. Now with these tools it has changed the game. With the further refinement, and it is for sure coming to be able to pick not only fish, but size of fish out while their in structure or for that matter 7' deep in a grass clump is insane.

The Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit hits Florida this weekend. Spoke to Michael yesterday and he said its mostly a post spawn deal. Fish are feeding and the water seems to be full of bass fry. He caught a Nine Pounder in practice and is pretty excited about the bite. Said the bite is really early as there is a shad spawn going on. You need to catch them quick. Here is the sad thing. He saw it sitting by a grass clump in 7' of water on his live scope. Pitched to it and the fish inhaled it. Said he saw the entire deal. What does this mean? Mike is a great fisherman, but still learning and still a bit old school with the forward facing sonar. If he is seeing fish that shallow and picking them out, just think what the kids are now seeing on their HD boat TV's. When you think of Florida you think of grass, weeds, and mats, heavy shallow cover. You catch them pitching flipping and top water. Now if these guys are looking at them thru the vegetation, its just turning the fishing world around. Be interesting to hear the MLF Live crew talk about this. Michael has a win in Florida and this is a five fish derby, he is in great spirits. Starts this weekend with the nasty weather here at home, so you all tune in and support our local guys.

Randall Tharp said the other day that guys just fishing or power fishing really don't have much of a chance in tournaments anymore. Interesting conversation. Yes, in a 5 fish derby maybe, but not so much in the current catch weigh release tournament. This last weekend on the Rock, the top finishing teams were all looking at them. A rigs and tree tops.

How close can you fish to that dam? Saw the lake reporter within a few feet of the vortex yesterday and some signs on the dam but you sure can't fish that close to any I know. Still! If its OK, that was a terrific day.

Haven't said anything yet as I don't want to jinx it, but, it's pending right now to hopefully close in April. We have a small lake home at Shell Knob, to live in till we buy or build. Becky has closed the B&B and we are working on a few upgrades the new buyers want. I'm guiding a little bit, but just to much to do here at the Lodge.

Looking to buy a lake view home and looked at Eagle Point at Baxter last week. One guy I talked to said at least 15 cars that were not garaged were broken into last week and contents sold. Boat dock in Red Barn also was ravished. They are out and about right now guy, protect yourself.

Got out for a couple of hours this afternoon from 1 till 3. Launched at O!d 86. Surface temp at 48.12 Tried to crank some in BC Hollow but was totally slimmed. Surface temps back by Big Cedar were 52.89. Crossed to big house cove and fished it with a jerk bait and a Keitech caught 2 ice cold shorts on the swimmer. Temp on the West side of the lake was 48.9.

Actually they are running late. Could not be more sorry and I know your pain. I made the same mistake ONCE. Eagle Rock, Shell Knob, Baxter and Cape Fair are the worst on the Rock. Usually dead of winter when its cold About 15 years ago I had all my stuff stolen while having lunch at our Shell Knob lake home in the middle of the day. Boat at the dock just after a guide trip. Had another trip in the afternoon and walked up to the house about 70 yards for 45 minutes. Came down and boat was totally stripped. Lake of the Ozarks and Table Rock are two of the worst in the country. You leave it you lose it. Not if but when. Sorry

Way to go guys. Super nice.

Yes I believe so Bobby. It is extremely flat and that was a private one to begin with. That is not the Oakmont ramp. The ramp in Clevenger was there prior to BC buying the property.

The old Oakmont ramp is considered private. As guides we used to launch there but quite a few years ago were told no more. I believe at one point there were some flat tires. I think Tim Paige had both boat trailer tires slashed. All the guides that go out of there now launch at State Park or Old 86. This is kind of funny because when they shut down Viney Creeks ramps we were told by the corps to use the 3 ramps located at Emerald Beach, that we thought were private. Then like Champ said it now cost at Long Creek which is a total travesty.

I have been told by more than one diver here that they have seen crayfish in the rock spawning on trees.