Quillback

Excellent! I hope you have a great week of fishing. You'll have to show me that rod at the derby.

Come on down and join us. We are going to be at the Eagle Rock ramp.

A news blurb from AGFC: SPRINGDALE – The White River arm of Beaver Lake is a well-established walleye hot spot during the early spring. Last week, it gained some extra attention when Springdale angler Jessie Wilkes hooked into a paddlefish that topped the century mark and shattered the state record. Wilkes and his fishing buddy, Richard Wynne, were trolling Walleye Runner crankbaits on 30-pound-test line in search of some eating-size walleye when one rod bowed under the weight of the giant fish. The paddlefish had been snagged in its side, which is not uncommon for the species. Regional Fisheries Supervisor Jon Stein said, “Paddlefish strain plankton from the water using their gillrakers and rarely hit a lure, so most that are caught are either intentionally snagged below dams, caught by commercial anglers in nets or are foul-hooked by anglers after other species like Mr. Wilkes’ fish.” The fish was weighed on certified scales and measured 105 pounds. It was 65 inches long from the tip of the tail to the tip of the nose. The previous state record, caught from Beaver Lake in 2007, weighed 102 pounds, 8 ounces. Stein said the paddlefish likely was the result of stockings that took place in the late 1990s from the Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery. The species was stocked in the lake five years during the 1990s, once in 2000 and once in 2008. “The paddlefish from that stocking are 15 years old and older, so most are likely over 60 pounds by now. But this is the largest I’ve ever seen.”

Well after reading Bill's report, I know what I did wrong. Should've fished deep trees all day, I did for part of the day and caught all of the 8 bass that I caught around trees, 15-30 feet deep. I thought I might find some fish moving into pre-spawn holding areas, and fished quite a few of that kind of structure, but never got a bite on the pre-spawn stuff. The fish I caught all came on the Ned, I briefly threw a float and fly and a Menace grub, but no bites on either of those. Got checked by the MDC wardens on the water today - that was a first. They were courteous and friendly, checked my license, wished me good luck, and they were off and on their way. Water temps were anywhere from 43-46.

Great stuff! Those fish are just crazy fat, really good to see those healthy fish.

I'd say bring 2 if it is not too much trouble, thanks!

Welcome!

That is a sweet looking underspin.

Thanks - I'll have to look that one up.

Yeah they are, but seemed to be an uptick in numbers last year due to the weather being more bird friendly.

That trade surprises me a bit, I thought they would give Bradford one more year.

I heard they were down there last year. Can't remember what lakes. Looking forward to the show.

From what I can tell, it comes with one spool which is both braid ready and designed to also better manage floro. I would call whatever retailer offers it and check on that.

Ok, cross Pflueger off your list.

I picked up several of the "old" model Pflueger Supremes, so far I like them just as much as my one and only Stradic. $79 right now in Cabelas Bargain Cave. But, the last couple of months they have bumped them down to $59 (which is a steal). Seems to be no pattern as to when they drop the price to 59, you just have to watch the Bargain Cave. You can get the Supreme "XT" for 119 in the Cave, it's a bit lighter, but other than that I think it is internally similar to the regular Supreme. I've only had mine for a couple of months, so I can't say if they are durable over the long term. Compare reel weight of the Supremes to comparably sized reels in other brands, the Supremes compare well to more expensive reels. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Fishing/Reels%7C/pc/105591780/c/105740280/sc/105742980/Pfluegerreg-Supreme-Spinning-Reel/1254593.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Freels%2F_%2FN-1102770%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105742980%3FWTz_l%3Dundefined%253Bcat105591780%253Bcat105740280&WTz_l=undefined%3Bcat105591780%3Bcat105740280%3Bcat105742980

I've always wondered why pheasant aren't found south of roughly the MO/Iowa border area. Here's some speculation from MDC. covhqspring2015.pdf

I've tried to watch it a couple of times and I did not like it at all.

Yes interesting to hear some are moving into the coves. Wish the water would start warming up.

Roster is updated.

It sure will be interesting to see where DGB goes in the draft. Could be late 1st round.

Thanks for the report, that's some good fishing!

Interesting you got some on the drop shot, Fishingaddicition, I haven't tried the drop shot since the fall. After watching Omori catch some on the DS at the Classic, and seeing your report, I might have to start toting the DS around. I have trouble thinking of it as a cold water tactic.

Dave - I was thinking you'd have a booth there.

Looking at the mock drafts, the prognosticators seem to think the Chiefs will draft a safety #1. Case being that it looks unlikely Eric Berry will ever be able to play again.