Quillback

Phoenix BFL this weekend - explains the number of bass boats out there.

Lived in Massachusetts for part of my life, still a part time BC fan. Going to record this one, hoping for a BC win! I've got it @1145 on the SEC network.

I tell people all the time that these Grand Lake blues are one of the best eating fish I've eaten. And I've heard the same on the big ones, that you don't want to eat them. Should I ever catch one over 8 lbs. or so, it will go back on the lake.

I could see 1/4 oz on a Hula Stick. It's not as large as a Zinker, but still a decent sized piece of that dang Elaztech.

A couple of times a year I striper fish with my buddy Ken. He lives in Neosho and every time we go fishing, I'd tell him how good the blue cat fishing is in Grand and how good to eat those fish are. We finally made it over there today, first time in 15 years I have fished for blues at Grand. We started off on my sure fire flat, we marked fish, had a few bites but no fish in the boat. I was getting nervous, all the stories about the great blue fishing I'd been telling Ken and here we are after about 4 hours, skunked. We'd bene using some brined shad that I bought at WalMart and some tilapia strips that Ken had soaked in some garlic concoction he'd made up. Those fish just weren't interested in that stuff, so we made a decision to go to the bank and get some bream for bait. Fortunately, we caught 4 green perch. We went across the lake to another flat which was out of the wind and would allow us to drift slower, cut those perch up, and we finally started getting some fish. We caught 10 or so, couple of 5 lbers., with the rest being 1-2 lb. fish. Our best depth for the cats was in the 30 foot range. We marked lots of shad out there. It was good to get reacquainted with fishing for the cats, if we get out another time I think we'll do a lot better. Lots of bass boats on the lake, must be a big tourney this weekend. Lots of big rec boats too.

Not a lot to talk about, fished from daylight until 1030, caught 5 smallmouth, all small except for one keeper sized. Tried a lot of places, threw a lot of stuff. Best bait was the c-rig with a Zoom Speed Craw. Saw a few blow-ups that looked striperish so maybe they are starting to get going. WT 77

Whenever that happens to me, I always blame it on a flathead. 😃

Yeah, 3 lbs. 12 oz got a co-angler a check. Really low weights for the co's.

Winning boater had 30 lbs. for 2 days. 2024 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Table Rock Lake Presented by Suzuki Marine - Major League Fishing

I know someone that was fishing today with his son. He did not say, but I think they came over here to fish a tourney, might be a youth tourney of some type. Beautiful day to fish!

I parked in the back lot, thought about waiting for a shuttle bus but saw there was a trail to walk to the venue. I'd like to see them move this to a bigger location, they've outgrown the nature center. It was fun, but I don't know that I'll go to another one, at least at that location.

Hey, I forgot to mention Marty's hand, the one he tore up pretty bad. He shook my hand and of course i had completely forgotten about his hand mishap so I gave him the good old firm hand shake. Had I remembered I would've lightened up on the shake. But his hand was fine and looking at it you could not tell that it had been torn up not too long ago. His surgeon did an amazing job! I forgot about the band and yes they were very kid friendly. They had a moo contest going on where they held a mike to the kids and got them to give their best MOOOO! It was funny to watch. I would've like to have seen the squirrel skinning contest, but I was ready to go and did not hang around for that.

I went. Saw Marty and Pat, did not see Bfishin, but I was outta there about 1145, so he may not have yet arrived. A lot of people in a small area, it was a lot more than I expected. But it was good for a visit. Got some free food, several bowls of excellent Jambalaya which seemed to be the most popular deal for the cookers out there. Only squirrel I got was in a sort of Asian soup, but it was good. Also ate an Asian Carp fish cake, my first taste of that particular fish, and it was pretty darned good. Scored a couple of fried crappie chunks and a piece of goose sausage. It was all good stuff. Ended up spending money on a T-shirt, but got out of there without any other wallet damage. Visited the nature center for the first time. It's more geared towards kids, if you're ever in NW Arkansas and are looking for somewhere to take the kids, I'd recommend it. Had to walk a half mile from the parking lot (I need some exercise so no big deal). If I ever go again I'll shoot for getting there right before they open for closer parking and more food is available. Could not ask for better weather. Temps in the low 70's, bluebird skies and no humidity. Pack goats: Weird stuffed elk (leucistic?) Spotted kingsnake:

Those gar are nothing but muscle. I read something the other day, I believe it was on the AGFC website, that they are releasing alligator gar fingerlings into the lower White to boost the population.

I'll be sporting my light camo big brim all around hat. Kind of a light gray camo. Probably get there around 11 AM. I'll dig out my green camo T-shirt. Of course with all that camo on, I'll be hard to spot.

I hear good things about Mark IV's. I have thought about getting one, but now that they've come out with a Colt King Cobra chambered in .22, I kind of like that one too. Handgun market has exploded, so many choices out there.

Beautiful fish!

It's scattered all over the place. Find some flats where the water is 20 feet deep and drag something like a c-rig or football jig and there's a chance you'll dredge some up. You might be able to spot some on the bottom in places too if you look around. I have not seen anywhere where it grows to the surface.

That is a good one for sure.

You going to wear the big furry hat? So I can spot you in the crowd of course.

I hope it moves fish shallow, or gets a top water bite going. I looked at the list a couple of weeks ago and noticed there was some kind of "youth" tourney and a BFL on the same weekend. Is it this coming weekend or the next? Whenever it is, it is a lot of boats.

Dang that's cold! My body has adjusted itself to tolerate mid 90's, dunno if I can handle 51, might have to turn the heat on! 😃