Quillback

I have a Rat or two, just never fished them that much as the Dog Walker and Plopper were working so well earlier this year. I have to set aside some time for it once the TW bite gets going again, seems like it's a bait that ought to draw in a few big bites.

Dadgummit! Champ beat me to them once again.

I think that's about as good as it gets for daytime bass fishing this time of year. Congrats on a good trip!

You're free to join the "White River Gang". The initiation is somewhat embarrassing - it involves running naked through the BPS Springfield store yelling "RELEASE ALL BASS". All I am going to say is that I have seen the results of "Maximum sustainable yield" policies in Washington state. Granted that involved steelhead and salmon which are certainly more finicky than smallmouth to manage, but the MSY policy was a long term disaster. MSY is a phrase that biologists need to just drop from their vocabulary. It is not a good guiding principal to manage wild life populations of any type.

Loved Skynyrd back in the day, but if I hear "Gimmee 3 steps" whatever device it is on gets turned off.

I don't even like fresh tamales, something about that cornmeal on the outside that just doesn't taste right to me.

Same for my merc setup, and there is an additional trim switch at the bow.

Everyone's a critic...

Now you're talking...

Yeah, it is closer and the daytime bite right now for me really isn't much better on TR. Indian creek arm is very scenic, not much development, and there is just all kinds of good looking cover to fish. Things could set up for a good fall bite in that area with all the shad that are there. In the words of Ah-nuld: "I'll be back."

Wesley's Vee "W". A wake bait made out of Balsa. No hot dog trailer needed.

Always liked Johnny Cash. If you can do a self portrait of yourself with a song, he did it here when he covered this one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1Pwfnh5pc

I was out there yesterday myself, except I was in the Indian creek cove all morning. Caught a half dozen dinks, had one strong puller that got off about 2 seconds after it was hooked. I got them on jigs and top water. I wasn't expecting much, but I was hoping I could get a couple of nice smallmouth. Little one inch shad are all over the place in that cove.

I hate to admit it, but I think they are pretty tasty. However, I doubt you will ever see them on the shelf at a health food store. Potted meat spread is pretty good too, and I love spam. Spam and mustard sandwich, yum!

All this hot dog talk and no one has mentioned the one food item that is hot dog like, but with it's own unique, distinctive flavor. Also serves in a pinch as catfish bait, but I doubt the bass will touch it. It comes in a can with a pull top -you know what it is:

I see it is in stock at TW, probably is at other places also. Some of the colors are sold out. So far I have resisted the urge to purchase, but I'm thinking it could be a good bait this fall.

Glad to hear you made it. Those wake boats can really kick out some big wakes.

I don't know if trailering your boat is an option, but I would do that and launch at Big M or Eagle Rock, rather than make the long trip by boat. If you fish the early morning, launching at daylight and fishing until 10 or 11 the boat traffic usually isn't too bad. That's on a week day I should add. Weekends it is worse I am sure.

Very nice - I always like the coloration on browns, they all seem to be unique.

Big Ol' white! Me and a buddy were out this morning up the White near Big M. About the same results, we each caught 10 bass, mostly spots in the 12-14" range, drop shots and C-rigs. Fish were around gravel points.

Nice one! That's some sweet fishing for this time of year.

Putrefied fish are the worse stink there is. Had a buddies bird dog roll in what was a plastic bag of long dead fish remains out in the weeds once when we were loading up the truck after hunting. Worse stink I think I have ever smelled. Dog thought it was great.

Grubs - Danged if I know. Swimbaits - I like white and something in a green top/light colored bottom., Trailers - Green Pumpkin or black (with some sort of flake).

I like to lose them when they are about halfway back to the boat. I don't have to worry about livewells, weigh in bags, sand papered thumbs, and fish escaping the confines of whatever they are confined in. Bonus is I can tell the "I would have won if I had landed that huge bass" story back at the weigh in.

Hmmmm, an MMA bout between Fat Cat and Dance?