Quillback

They are fish from the same hatchery as the "normal" browns, they aren't some special strain. In the unlikely possibility that they do spawn, it's the same as if the hatchery browns stocked in the river spawn. They aren't some kind of freaky genetic mutation.

Found this on the web. What is a Triploid Fish? In simple terms, a triploid fish is merely a fish that is sterile. Triploid fish have three sets of chromosomes, unlike a fertile fish that have two sets of chromosomes (a diploid fish). Triploids are common in many industries; Seedless watermelons are triploids, as are bananas. Triploids are also naturally occurring. A triploid fish is not a genetically modified organism. The genes of the fish have not been manipulated or changed in any way and do not result in the expression of any foreign or novel proteins or tissues. Triploid fish simply have 3 sets of chromosomes instead of 2 and for this reason are not able to reproduce, but are otherwise normal fish. Recent legislation codified in the Fish and Game Code describes the rational to use sterile fish for recreational purposes. These include the conservation of native fish genotypes (genetics) and the protection of endangered or threatened species. For these and other reasons the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is producing triploid trout eggs that hatch into fish, are raised, and ultimately result in sterilized trout released for recreational purposes. Triploid trout are created by forcing the egg to retain a chromosome that is normally ejected during egg development. There are many ways to do this; the California Department of Fish and Wildlife uses the pressure shock treatment method. As you can see in the graphic below, in fertilized trout eggs, normally a chromosome (N) is kicked out of the egg as a polar body at some stage of development. Using pressure treatment at a specific time in the egg development, the polar body and chromosome is retained. With 3 chromosomes the fish is sterile and cannot reproduce.

Elite series marshals PAY $100 to sit and watch the pro fish. As far as lodging I think they are on their own for that. MLF format is a little more involved as the marshals have to weigh each keeper andrecord it. Maybe MLF will pay them to do it, hard to say. So far it looks like MLF has been using the same marshals for their events, some of them are becoming part of the show. I am sure they have it figured out whatever happens.

I just remember reading that somewhere, but I could be wrong, or it could change. There has been some history built up in BASS over the years as far as AOY winners, tourney winners, etc., and that will change if a bunch of guys bolt over to MLF. Elite series won't be the same without KVD and a bunch of the other "names". Thinking of the names that are currently fishing MLF - KVD, Ike, Ish, Hackney, Wheeler, Amart, Duckett... I wonder if Watson will be part of it?

I thought I read somewhere that BASS would not allow anglers to fish both MLF and BASS. If that's true, BASS will lose a lot of it's top names. It will mess up our fantasy league also. 😰

Sounds interesting, and I like that it will be real time, and I bet the competitors will be updated on how the others are doing. MLF has been fun to watch, but I always wondered what it would be like if they are fishing for money, going to be a whole nother level of pressure on the anglers. Looking forward to seeing it.

Just for grins I've been checking out different tourney's rules on trolling - every one is different. Joe Bass does not mention trolling at all. Walleye guys are always complaining about those pesky bass eating their cranks - they should go fish Joe Bass.

Here's the BASS rule: . "An electric trolling motor may be used for slow maneuvering. However, trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited. The “Long-Lining” or “Strolling” technique is NOT allowed in either practice or competition and defined as intentionally using a trolling motor or outboard to mechanically extend a cast. No exceptions." FLW rule - Sounds like you can stand on your TM all day and drag your stuff around. "Trolling is defined as operating the combustion engine to extend a cast or lengthen a retrieve. "

Yeah I know someone that was a back seater to a guy who was trolling, whoops, I should say "dragging" a jig using the TM. They won and took home some money. Trolling was not allowed in this particular tourney. So I asked him about it and his response was that the front seater says he does it all the time, nothing wrong with it. But as Bo says, a rule that says "no trolling" is up to interpretation just as we see in this thread, lots of gray area there. If I was going to fish in a tourney where I was planning on using the boat to move the lure, I'd bring it up in the tourney meeting or if no meeting, I'd clear it with the director.

From what I understand, strolling is casting your lure out, then free spooling it as you move away with the boat letting out line, so you're not moving the lure with your boat. A technique to get a deep diver down. If you use the trolling motor to move your bait, you're trolling - but you should take that up with a tourney director if you believe that is not trolling and see if they allow it.

I've always considered trolling to be defined as using the boat to move your bait. Sometimes I'll drag a c-rig when I'm looking for fish and I consider it to be trolling, but I'm not doing it in a tourney. It's funny how sometimes that the fish will bite really well on a bait that's being dragged.

If BH approves, then it must be a good book, I'll pick one up.

Saw this reviewed in the latest Arkansas Wildlife issue. Don't have it myself, but may order a copy. Thought some of you might be interested. https://www.amazon.com/Pheasant-Quail-Cottontail-Upland-Birds/dp/0996944818

Our fantasy fishing league might have a lot of new names next year to chose from.

That is downright funny! That being said, I'm in the kill as many as you can camp. Monday on the way back from Table Rock had two does run across the road in front of me, maybe 50 feet in front, there was a third one that stopped at the road edge, probably would've hit that one if she had followed the others across. This was on the edge of the Pea Ridge battlefield which doubles as a deer sanctuary. They really need to have a hunt on that property, there's always deer on the side of the road every time I drive by on my way to fishing.

I have talked to a couple of bass fishermen that like to throw a big jig with a big trailer in early fall. I usually throw 3/8 up to 3/4 oz, but intend to give a 1 oz with a big trailer a try this year.

Hauled the boat out today, hoping that a cool, cloudy day would get the bite going. A few years ago I had a really good day on buzz baits on a similar day in September. There was a bit of a buzz bite early, but not a good one. Caught my biggest bass of the day, a largemouth that might have been 2.5 lbs on the buzzer, had several other swirls, one other briefly hooked up and that was it for the buzzer. Fished it pretty hard for about an hour, and threw it a few more times during the day, but it just wasn't happening. Fished with my buddy Mike today and he put the most in the boat, on a shakey head with a Fat Robo worm. I caught a couple on the jig, and so did Mike. We boated about 10 total. 3 keepers, one LM, a couple of nice spots. Buzzer fish were shallow in coves, the rest were on bluffs or steep rocky banks. I missed several jig bites, they just weren't eating it that good. With the missed buzzer fish, and the missed jig fish, I probably missed 8-10 bites. Not my day. Surface temp 80.

They do look interesting, as a winter time bait.

I was thinking the same thing, looks just like a steelhead. Congrats Travis!

Tuesday I had to fish hard for 4 little 13-14" bass on one of the Bella Vista lakes. No sympathy for Bo here either. 😃

I'm fine with an inch or two. I was able to get the long dog walk in this morning which is a plus. Thought I would wake up to pouring down rain.

Well no rain here so far this morning.

Man that is tough fishing. I sure don't have any recommendations. Might make a trip to TR next week, but I will set my expectations pretty low. Maybe the big storm will shake them up.

I think there's always stripers some where in the dam area this time of year. Last time I was out , saw one caught in the cut between Big Hollow and the island, that was about 3 weeks ago. Won't be too much longer and they'll be chasing shad on the surface in the mornings and evenings.

And I had to back way out to get my boat on the trailer too. I'll probably launch at Shell Knob and motor up next time I fish that area.