MOsmallies

Good advice from abkeenan... I just prefer the 5 armed rigs because they seem more balanced to me. The times I have thrown 3 armed versions they seem to spin a little on the retrieve.. So I just run dummy baits on the top two wires. Just my preference... But abkeenan is saving a lot more money and heartache. Try some options you see here and pick the one you like best.

A-Rigs http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_School_E_Rig_Bait_Ball_Jr/descpage-PSRBBJR.html#multiview http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Eco_Pro_Tungsten_Roll_Tide_Junior_Rig/descpage-EPRTJ.html Jigheads http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Revenge_Darter_Hedz_3pk/descpage-RDH.html Dummy Heads http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_Smart_Mouth_Medium_Spring_Dummy_Head_5pk/descpage-PSMDH.html Swimbaits http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Keitech_Swing_Impact_FAT/descpage-KSIF.html http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lunker_City_Grubster_Swimbait_10pk/descpage-LCGRBST.html http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lunker_City_Swimmin_Ribster_10pk/descpage-LCSWRIB.html

We have had raccoons open the lid previously and steal the crappie out but it's been awhile... Have yet to notice otters.

Well done Brian... That is a SOLID SOLID day!!

Very Nice Old Plug... In retrospect I probably should have done stainless steel or even just PVC pipes... I do not have any welding tools or skills though... And I thought the wood looked nice. I treated it with 4 coats of weatherproof decking stain, used all galvanized hardware, and PVC coated chicken wire. Hopefully it holds up for several years.

Sounds like some nice fish were caught on a Wiggle Wart last weekend. I'd be throwing the A-Rig, Jerkbait, Wiggle Wart, and a Jig. Good luck! I wish I was down there!!

That was a groomsmen gift... Surprisingly I've never used it. I need to bring it down to the lake house next summer cause that is the only place I can imagine using it. It holds ice about as good as a sock.

That's a good point. I guess that's a possibility.

I put this on the main forum as well, but I know I know there are a lot of Phil Lilley supporters here in the Table Rock forum and I'm not sure you guys visit the General Discussion area as much... Many of you may read Jay Kumar's BassBlaster and have already seen this but if not... He has asked for reader input on the best Fishing Forums by state. I'm assuming he's putting together an article or list. If you have the time please email him (bassblaster@bassgold.com) and let him know about OzarkAnglers Forum for Missouri and Arkansas. Phil deserves some recognition on a national level for providing such an awesome forum!

I've been wanting to build something for my father-in-law for his lake house for several years but I've just never put any of my ideas into action... Until this year. He's had the same live fish basket on his dock since I can remember... It's seen thousands upon thousands of crappie and the elements have finally taken their toll... He has no idea I built him a new one, so hopefully he enjoys it on Christmas and for many years to come! Some old and new pictures...

Many of you may read Jay Kumar's BassBlaster and have already seen this but if not... He has asked for reader input on the best Fishing Forums by state. I'm assuming he's putting together an article or list. If you have the time please email him (bassblaster@bassgold.com) and let him know about OzarkAnglers Forum for Missouri and Arkansas. Phil deserves some recognition on a national level for providing such an awesome forum!

I've seen Mitch fish 2 different RK Crawlers and both filled with water... They seem to have some quality control issues. I won't spend money on them until they get those types of issues fixed. For a bait that is made to bang the rocks and costs nearly $10, it should hold up to abuse.

I believe this is the fish you are referring to Mike... Caught by Chad Deaver last March and I believe it was 3.74 lbs on a Megabass 110... Just an unreal crappie from a large lake here in Missouri. That's a farm pond type crappie....

I'll take 5 of em!!!! Very impressive!

Al that is phenomenal... Glad you decided to share! Entirely different method that also produces some really neat lookin baits... I'd pay good money for that bleeding shiner Rapala!!

WHARFRAT well done! Glad you finally had one of those days! Old Plug - That's a beast of a crappie! You get it on one of your homemade roadrunners?

Well done Bret... Thanks for sharing!

Tried my hand at a float and fly type jig tonight....

Very sorry to hear this man... Glad you are doing ok now! Hope you continue to feel better! Enjoy the Holidays with family and you'll be rearing to go in the Spring

This has been touched on before... Al Agnew has a lot of first hand experience and therefore a well thought out theory about the smaller streams in the winter. Hopefully he'll jump in and share again. I'm sure there are some fish that hunker down in the smaller streams... But they are probably less active and much tougher to catch. Fishing bigger, deeper, more heavily spring fed water will greatly increase your odds this time of year. You'll get some differing opinions as some on here don't buy that Ozark smallmouth will migrate to larger tributaries with better wintering water. I personally believe that a large chunk of the population will move, and great distances in some cases, to find the most suitable, comfortable water during the cold weather months. That being said, every stream is different.

Great info! Makes sense

Thanks for the update Bo... In regards to your quote above, wasn't part of the wiggle warts nostalgia that they ran somewhat sporadic and had that hunting action? This makes it sound like that may have been "fixed".

I haven't targeted them much on LOZ but I would focus on wind blown main lake points and chunk rock banks on or near the main lake. Throw topwaters, jerkbaits, a-rigs, and crankbaits (all in shad/baitfish patterns).

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by desired effect? I prefer a football head for any jig that I plan on dragging or letting sit still. The reason being that they are less likely to roll or lay down on their sides. Therefore the baits is always in the optimal position for action and hookset. I don't think that changes with the weight but maybe I'm wrong. Just my preference. Maybe you are referring to their supposed ability to get hung up less in rocks? If so I can see what you are saying about the smaller weight football jigs probably not being much different than say a ball jighead. Mitch's custom football jig is the best dragging jighead I've ever found. It is so balanced and the design does not allow it to fall on it's side or roll. You could throw the thing in the air 100 times and it will land with the hook pointing straight up 100 times. Smalliebigs actually tried it one day at his desk. They are extremely snag resistant as well!