MOsmallies

Awesome news Cory! Thanks for the update

405z06 - Good on your buddy for stepping up and saying something. I'm really hoping the guy wasn't shooting bass but that's just me trying to be positive. Unfortunately this really is going on more than we think, but hopefully we're starting to raise awareness and will continue to report these instances moving forward.

I'l be down that weekend as well (25 MM). That time of year, I'm usually throwing a 10" worm, baby brush hog, football jig, a deep diving crankbait, and I usually have a buzzbait or wtd topwater tied on for early mornings and evenings. We're targeting mainlake and secondary points, bluff ends, rip rap banks, and deep brush next to docks. I'm hoping to do a little night fishing this year despite some lack luster reports I've been hearing. I've picked up some War Eagle (black nighttime special) spinnerbaits and Berkley crazy leg chigger craws (Black Neon) to try. Mix in a black 10" worm, a black jitterbug, and a black buzzbait, and I'm hoping to catch one or two. Paul MOsmallies

Stocking up for some cold water fishing and wondering which color Megabass Ito Vision 110 Jr. you would choose for Ozark stream smallies. Give me your top two choices... http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Ito_Vision_110_Jr_Jerkbait/descpage-MB110JR.html#multiview Thanks, Paul

Nicely done Scott! Looks like you guys had a great time and were finally able to get the SeaArk wet.

We have a GSP named Bruno.... He's about 7 years old and really is one of my best friends. He's the sweetest dog and has made me fall in love with GSP's to the point I think they'll be the only breed of dog I'll ever own. I really wish we could offer our home up to her, but a new born, one GSP already, and city home don't really add up. I hope you guys find her a perfect place. Beautiful dog!!! Paul

Hi my name is Paul and I'm addicted to Tackle Warehouse... It's getting bad... I've only fished probably 10-12 days this year and have spent well over $500 at Tackle Warehouse just this year. Accumulating new and interesting baits, modifying the ones I have, and stocking up on things I'm running out of has basically become my addiction when I can't fish. 50% of my fishing is for stream smallies, 40% for bass at LOZ, and 10% chasing Walleye, Crappie, Drum, Catfish, Gar, Whites, and Hybrids. If I ever get invited on a trout trip, I'll probably end up investing in that as well. In my mind, all require different equipment and baits. Since my actual time on the water is limited, I try to be prepared for any situation or pattern that may occur. This isn't even including the money I spend at Bass Pro Shops and small custom tackle companies all over the US. Thank God for being able to ship to my office! I'm also looking to sell off some of my lower end rods, reels, and tackle boxes so I can buy new, higher end equipment. Shoot me a PM if your looking for any low to middle end equipment. I'll try to post a list of what I have available in the near future. Sorry for the thread hijack! Paul MOsmallies

Come on Mitch! Now I gotta look at these and add a few to my TackleWarehouse order! Always looking for new cranks in this depth range for up on the river.

That's a hell of a deal.... I can attest to that motor being near brand new. I wish I had a use for it, but hopefully someone on here will.

One last bump to see if anyone new might have a few of these for sale... Thanks, Paul MOsmallies

Yeah I made sure to have the rubber dipped glove which helped a ton. Actually caught it on 8 lb test P-Line CX Premium and M action spinning gear. Steel leader is probably smart though.

Gavin... I'm jealous. You guys will be averaging several 18"+ smallies everday. Hope to see a report and pics once you get back. Have a great time!

Looks awesome Old Plug... Let us know how you do tonight! Prop baits are killer on LOZ during the spawn and postspawn up shallow. I had some great days this year back in May. No big ones, but lots of 13-17" bass. Good luck

Larry - The Zip-n-Ziggy is definitely a good bait, but too small IMO for the bigger ozark streams. But it was the perfect size for the smaller tributary we fished on this day. One thing about it though is that the stock hooks are the worst I have ever seen on a bait. Change em out with Size 6 KVD Mustads and you're all set. I prefer the dolphin or sammy on most floatable ozark streams.

Yeah Scott and I had a great time! It was definitely a strange bite. We caught fish on WTD baits, poppers, flukes, and creature baits. The topwater was one of the strangest bites I've ever seen. We would literally make 50+ foot casts and we wouldn't get hit for the first 45 feet of the retrieve. Then, right before you were ready to reel up for another cast they would destroy it with reckless abandon. Some of the hardest and fiercest strikes I've ever experienced. I credit KVD Mustad hooks and a properly set drag for landing that 18". I had two almost identical strikes just before I caught that big one. And I had two more after it. The first one after it, I actually had two largemouth hit it at them same time and both got hooked. One got off during the fight though. The second big hit after 18" was from a 15-16" smallie that literally missed the lure, but came completely out of the water. Literally like a great white breaching on a seal (just in time for shark week). Here's one more pic of it. Just a fat, thick, healthy smallie! In regards to the gar.... This was something I'd been wanting to try for a while but just never gotten around to it. Old Plug... All your info and reports on the LOZ forum actually got me to give it a shot this weekend and it worked on at least one. It was pretty cool to say the least. Your rope flies/lures look killer. I have some tweaking to do to mine. They need a little more weight for casting distance. I also like your swivel line tie as opposed to the split ring I used. We actually caught a few more, but they were on topwater. It's funny to think I was pumped when I caught one on my rope lure, but pissed when one hooked itself on my Megabass topwater. I will say, the one hooked on my rope lure was the worst fighting fish ever. It literally just reeled in like a log. Maybe the bigger ones fight better. On a side note, I sent that gar pic to a buddy that doesn't fish and he said "that's the biggest, ugliest worm he's ever seen".... I got a kick out of that. I think they're really cool looking especially with all the spots. Paul MOsmallies

I replaced the tail hook on a square bill crankbait once with one of the sureset hooks and it did make a difference one day. I was fishing an ozark stream in early October and they were interested in the crank, but weren't choking it. They'd take quick tips at the tail of the bait. I ended up catching around 30 that day, and I believe at least 20 of those were caught on that extended hook on the rear treble. Other than that, they have never mattered and I agree with Al... they do look stupid. Might be a good hook to keep in your tackle box if they are really tentative but nipping at the tail. Paul MOsmallies

Awesome report... That Dolphin is a killer bait!

Nice one! Very thick and healthy looking. Even better it was caught on top!

That sounds awesome JD... Report back and let us know how the new stretch goes!

Welcome... Beautiful Fish and great report!

Awesome! Sam A. Baker was the first place I ever caught a smallmouth (When I was 9 or 10 years old). It hit a 3 inch white grub and was about 10 inches long. That trip literally got me hooked on fishing. I believe I actually caught it on Big Creek as opposed to the St. Francis. I just remember loving that place but have never been back. Any size to the bass Gavin? Paul MOSmallies

PM Sent inquiring about a specific crankbait

I've debated even getting involved on this thread, but this is an extremely sad and scary story that should have never happened, and I have a few small observations... - JD mentioned this being similar to having someone walk down your street and pee in your front yard. I respectfully, but highly disagree with this. Peeing on a gravel bar out in the middle of the woods on a river bank is not the same as peeing on someones property in a civilized, metropolitan area. Besides Mardi Gras or similar parades, there aren't weekly hoards of people drinking and having a good time walking/riding down city streets. And in those cases, the city provides port-a-potties for the parade goers to use. peeing on the river happens several thousand times a day on our rivers. As long as someone's not whipping out their goods in front of children, who the hell should care. Definitely shouldn't escalate to a shooting. Floaters... PEE IN THE RIVER. Stand waste deep and let it flow. Act like your just swimming or talking to someone. Everyone's doing it. - Secondly... Mass floatillas have been occurring on the Meramec since the 70's at least. It's not something new. It's not like Crocker went down to the river on his property that day expecting to have a nice, quiet afternoon enjoying the serenity of the river. If you can't handle hoards of people floating by your property on a weekend afternoon, THEN DON'T BUY/OWN PROPERTY ON THE MERAMEC RIVER... especially in that area!!!!!! It's ridiculous that people think they can own riverfront property especially with a large gravel bar in this day and age and not expect people to stop and get out for a bit. As long as you don't give them trouble, they'll most likely stay for a beer and move on. If you can't handle or understand that then don't hang out on the river on a Saturday in July. Go build a private lake on your private land and shoot your gun in the air as much as you want. Or find a creek that is to small to be floated. I want to be clear, that I'm not saying its right that there are so many floaters on our rivers hanging out drunk and disorderly, but It's naive for any of us to not expect it on summer weekends. It has happened for decades and will continue to moving forward whether we the fisherman or landowners like it or not. So if you can't handle it, then avoid it. It's a lot easier for one person to leave than 5,000 people. - Thirdly, If I saw that dude come out of the woods NOT holding a gun, I would have ran away (much less holding a gun and shooting off warning shots). Nothing good can come from a crazed looking, meth head hoosier like that. Gun or or no gun.

The Asian Silver Carp are the "flying ones". When fishing up on the big river, we refer to them as "Big Stupids"... You run your bait through a school of em and you think your lure just got attacked by a bull shark. Only to realize you just nailed about three or four in the back. Every once in a while you snag one on the back or tail and the fight is on. You will think your snagged, to the point we'll turn the boat around to go after the lure, only to have them take of on a long, long drag peeling run. I've caught em up to 50 lbs on bass tackle and it's a blast. Get em to the boat slit their gills since they're invasive and let the turtles go to town on em.

Looks to be about $12 which isn't to bad compared to most Japanese made baits