dwiebenga

In the summer of 2009, I was with Babler and we were chased out of the Kings River area by a pair of A-10s. It was really cool. I also found out from a guy that flies them out of Whiteman...Our boats make great targets to practice "lock-ons". I'm glad I could be of service to my country.

I use Dale Sellars in Wisconsin. Does some great work! I have a bunch of Warts from him.

Finally had the opportunity to get down and visit with Jean Ann and Russ and Cal at Hog Heaven. Wonderfull host and great full. I fished with my good friends Jim and Craig. I started fishing about sunrise and my first Elk River Smallie was about 16" on a Super Spook. Man do they crush it on top. Craig did real well at night on his fly rod. He got most of his on poppers. On 8/4, Jim and I did a long float and we caiught 50-60 smallies and largemouth with 6-8 over 15 inches. The biggest smallie was caught by Jim and it was 17" and I caught a nice largemouth that was about 17" too. Overall, a great trip. Will definently find time to go again in the fall! Best baits: Spook, buzzbaits, tubes, wacky rigged Senko, and finesse worms.

Looking forward to hunting some nice ones like that next week! It will be my first time down. I have heard a lot about it from Craig Heeney. We will be staying at your place Russ, and I am looking forward to finally meeting you.

Those are some great Walters!!! Good Job!

Very distrubing! I am strickly C&R on Bass, but even for those that are not .....this is bad!!! I would contact the DNR if it were me.

Snuck down to the Shell Knob area for a couple mornings of fishing. I did respectable in the Campbell Point to Holiday Island area. The water was very warm 85 in the morning to 90 in the afternoon. There was no topwater bite that I could find, however I did see 3 schools of white bass blow up, but they were gone before I could get a rod out of the box. Very interesting to see. Did well on a 1/2 or 5.8 oz PB&J or Watermelon Candy football jigs. Found fish in 15-30 feet water and I just drug it accross the point or hump. I got one nice 171/2 inch LM on the jig. Caught quite a few fish on drop shot in about 26-35 ft of water off the points. Best color was watermelon red and watermelon red/purple. Also, had at least 6 fish run up to the bait and then dive back down. I am not in to crawlers but that might have got those fish. Good luck everyone, and I hope to run into some of you in the fall. Dave

How do you obtain Tim's Table Rock DVD?

Champ and Donna, Great job! Very exciting to see the OAF represented! Keep it up! Dave

Fished out of Shell Knob over the last 4 days. Had much success, but not too many keepers. I would say a mixed bag of SMJ, SP, and LM. Probably close to 120 fish over the 4 days. Just not much quality, but much fun!!! I did not have a keeper over 17inches the entire time, but I did have a keeper of each species so that was great. Most of my fish were caught on points that went from Bluffs to Pea Gravel. I had the boat in anywhere from 10 to 50 feet ( I know that is quite a range), but the lake is so diverse with its depth. My top baits were a 4" Smoke grub and a white Zoom Fluke. Also caught fish on a Yellow Magic popper, football jig, shakeyhead, and RC Wake bait. Overall, it was a great trip and nice to relieve some stress. I will post pics later. Dave

I got 3 channels this weekend on my trotline with live perch. I was surprised. Looking forward to the summer when I can catch more.

I fish it Weightless

Techno, I use about a #3 EWG hook and the White Fluke is texas rigged. I usually fish it on my jerkbait rod with about 10lb test. If I need to "doctor" it up, I use some chartruse dye on the tail. Fish it similar to a jerkbait, but maybe a bit faster. Dave

Sounds good. I will be in that area in about 10 days, and I am looking forward to the trip. Might hit it right this year!

What is the clarity like between 39 and Campbell Point. It was 15 feet in late March. Has is reduced at all because of rain?

Your in Shell Knob area Campbell Point to the 39 Bridge

Started out the morning with Bill, and we had a great time learning from the "zin master" of stickbaits. I headed out again while Jim took a nap. He regretted it as I nailed a 18" LM on the first cast. Caught 4 more before I picked Jim up. We caught about 15 more in the afternoon on stickbaits. If we found wind we found fish. Most of the bass were males cruising around the staging areas. Warmest water was 50-51. Best baits were the McSticks in your favorite color. Caught them on three different colors.

Nice fish! Can't wait to be down in 2 weeks!!

I think we have reached a solid consensus on this topic. The reel is in the eye of the beholder. It is a confidence issue. Some guys are Quantum, some Shimano, some Pflueguer, etc. JUST FISH!!!!! AND HAVE FUN!!!

Great points Wayne! I learned the bail idea from Ike at a seminar in KC. I have made it habit. Also, to add, I run my line through a cloth with silicon spray on it. This seemed to help with twists and loops over the last couple of seasons.

I am with techno, and I will get beat up by Babler, but I like my Pflueger Presidents . This spring will be my first year with a good Shimano. Maybe I will become a total convert like I am with my casting gear. The President has been a smooth reel for me, and I have not had a single mechanical problem.

Is there any discussion about moving the Classic to a different part of the year. This would offer an entirely new set of tactics and baits.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have created our own group on ESPN Fantasy Fishing. We are The Ozark Anglers....my handle is dwiebenga. Join us. It will be fun. Give us some more bragging rights...like we need more. We already have the best lakes and fisherman Have fun, and I cant wait for March!!! Dave

Not a big suprise...but finds a way to do it every time. Also, anyone interested in playing fantasy fishing on ESPN. We could build an Ozark Anglers group. Might be fun, and just a thought

Here is my laundry list.. 1. Zoom Finesse Worms (Watermelon and Green Pumpkin) 2. Shakey Heads (1/8 to 1/4) 3. Eakins Jigs (PBJ or Watermelon Candy) matching trailers 4. Wiggle Warts (crayfish colors) 5. Spinner baits (white) 6. Grubs (3-5 inches) (smoke, green pumpkin, watermelon, etc) 7. 1/8-3/8 oz jig heads for grubs 8. Zoom Flukes 9. suspending jerkbaits This should get you started. Good Luck