MOsmallies

Saw this own Facebook so I don't know the actual validity of it... But apparently it was caught in a club tournament in Michigan... 9.32 lbs...

I haven't been down to our house since Labor Day but a friend of ours caught this Blue off our dock this past weekend.... 42 lbs

Al... No one here could of said it better! These are my sentiments exactly!!! My intent in this thread has not been to come off as an MDC basher... I am not. I appreciate what they do. But as Al states above, more can be done to improve the Smallmouth Bass populations and size in our state. Just a little thinking outside the box is needed!!!

The problem with your argument is that you are so focused on the dam biology and science of the matter... You can't honestly say the data that the MDC is basing their opinions on isn't skewed. It's impossible for them to collect 100% factual data just like we can't 100% prove what is limiting the potential of our smallmouth populations and size. It's pretty obvious that smallmouth fishing in our state has been declining for years. The current regulations are not making things better. They aren't necessarily making things worse but they aren't making things better. So an argument of mine might sound a little crazy to you... But maybe we should think outside the box a little. Maybe just maybe an approach we haven't tried before could yield some impressive results. Maybe the data isn't giving a full representation of the capability of our streams. What's the harm in trying? Maybe a few meat hunters get pissed because they can't keep a bunch of 12" smallmouth. Or maybe they are surprised that they start catching better sized fish on a more consistent basis. Who knows? All I know is that strictly basing your opinions on circumstantial data isn't helping make our streams produce better smallmouth fishing. Maybe thinking outside the box and trying something new will!!

Definitely go vote for this video... Fishingmill is extremely talented! This video has some killer footage that shows off the Ozarks we all know and love. Let's help a fellow OAF'er win this contest!!

Tim you bring up some great points!!! One of the biggest issues I have with the MDC is that they really seem to care more about protecting non-native, stocked trout than protecting native smallmouth... It makes ZERO sense to me. The biologist Mitch and I talked with at Powder Valley mentioned several times that it's difficult for the agents in certain counties to patrol the rivers often because they have to patrol the trout parks. My jaw hit the floor. Why are we protecting 8 inch fish that came out of a hatchery 2 days prior while native smallmouth that have very slow growth rates are being poached throughout the Ozarks.

This is classic! Gave me one hell of a laugh!!!

Yep... If I know I'm going to be skipping and pitching almost exclusively, I will only fill my spool a little over half way. Much easier to manage and way fewer backlashes.

I'm still trying to perfect skipping with a baitcaster as well. While I have gotten much better, I still suck a good chunk of the time. Definitely easier to do when fishing alone and not having to worry about the boat angle for someone in the back of the boat. Compact baits like a Sweet Beaver or D-Bomb skip much easier. The thought of skipping a buzzbait like wrench's buddy is enough to give me nightmares. Kudos to him. Fishing these baits on a 3/8 to 1/2 oz jig or jighead is ideal. One of the biggest keys is to not have your spool full of line. A half or 3/4 filled spool will lead to a lot more success. Here's a killer video about skipping docks. This was actually filmed in our cove on LOZ last November. My buddy Pat and I were sharing water with these guys all weekend. They did way better than we did, but we were slinging the buzzbait mostly. The video gives great advice on rod, reel, line, bait, and how to adjust your reel for skipping. Brett Govreau is one of the top tournament guys on LOZ... Here's my report from that same November weekend... Wish we would've been skipping behind docks and walkways...

Nice nice fish Joe! And I think I speak on behalf of everyone here... Thanks for covering up your face! The pearl fluke strikes again!

The Fall one is bigger and usually has 2000+ Anglers

The last 2 winners have been young guys that fish the lake every weekend. They definitely have an advantage! But anyone can get lucky!

I have that exact S-Waver... It's got a really nice swimming action. Roll that by a dock corner or a over some of those big black rocks on a windy bank and you never know. I bet this thing will be won on a jig though. Someone who is proficient at skipping and flipping a jig under and around shallow boat docks.

Stud Hybrid!!! and a nice Spot as well!

I wish I was but I will not be down there... A 1/2 oz jig with a beaver trailer, a buzzbait, or a big swimbait is about all I'd be throwing. Maybe a full size brush hog as well. Good luck and look forward to the report and some pictures!

Impressive paint job 5bites! You are very talented

That's a toad spot! Nice fish!

There's a pic on the Bassing Bob website of a 10.2 caught by Wayne Fitzpatrick in March 2013 on LOZ... I remember a picture about 5 years ago of another one that was supposedly 10 lbs caught in the winter on a jerkbait alongside a dock but that was never really verified. And last summer (2014) there was a 9.06 caught in one of the Wednesday Night Tournaments (8/6/14). Those are the biggest I've heard of on LOZ...

Wrench how did your ugly @ss make such a cute daughter Just messing... Glad you were able to get out on the water together! Priceless... And some nice numbers of fish to boot

What does the snap and o-ring do? I think I'd prefer one or the other... I actually fish a snap on all crankbaits and WTD topwaters but don't leave the o-ring on as well. Seems like to much unnecessary stuff hanging off the lip of the bait. I always laugh when I see the guy with the long swivel/snap combo tied to the end of their line and then proceed to just clip every lure or hook imaginable to it. Usually a surefire way to tell that person has no idea what they are doing. But I might be an a-hole 5bites - That looks like a Baitwerks paint job if I'm not mistaken!

Wrench gives some darn good advice and a diagram to boot... Listen to what he's saying as this will apply to several areas not just Soap Creak. You da man Wrench!!

That's your opinion as someone who seems to keep smallmouth for the pan... To those of us who who want to see the numbers and size improve... Yes things are broken! And things are broken because of people keeping limits every time out... And poachers... And illegal giggers.... You must love eating 12" smallmouth to say that things aren't broken

Yep definitely a hybrid in my opinion and a pretty nice one for the river. That 2nd pic is pretty definitive.

#LargemouthLivesMatter

Here's a few... But like billethead the "best" worst ones get deleted right away...