fozzype

Fished out of Beaver Creek on Saturday from 7 to 3:30. Could get no takers on the jerkbait and only very short fish on the shaky head. With the wind I would have expected the the stick to work well. Ended up with 3 keeper LM in the 3-4 lb range, 6 shorts, and 1 17" Walley all on the wart. Had to find wind blowing into cuts near the deepest water to get bit. Felt pretty bad - But the FLW college guys had 50 plus boats and only 2 boats had 2 or more keepers and 7 lbs won the tournament. Our 9-10 lbs didn't feel so bad. Graphed a lot of fish ( I would assume whites) they would come up and look at the bait, but no takers.

I run Merc. Premium oil or Citgo Premium Oil (Same as Merc) in my Opti. Where is the closest place to Branson/Ozark to get it at reasonable price. I bought mine last year for $ 12 a gallon, but it is long way from here. Thanks, Brett

Heard they are hitting deep bill rogues fished by "hand lining" Paco will only understand this.

zipstick, I agree with EP on the new vs. old performance. However, I would not pay $15-$25 for the older ones. I think when they want to eat it, they will eat it. ( I should say, I throw the old ones when $ are on the line) Colors: I like phantom Crawfish (clear water), Nat. Red Crawfish, and Hot Tiger or Watermelon in Dirty Water. There are also several "old" colors that have their place.

Jason, There is FLW college series tournament out of K dock on Saturday and Sunday. Talked to some of them down there last Saturday. Really nice guys from Kentucky and we actually swapped out a few W-Warts. Anyway, they said there would be 50 boats and they are limited to an area from 76 to Bear Creek. Ill probably try Beaver Creek or Tucker Hollow ramps.

I have been using the seagar red label for jigs and finesse fishing. However, I don't use anything less than 8lb and I am probably going to use 10 lb for finesse this year. I like the sensitivty and how it sinks which allows me to use lighter weight baits and get them down quickly. However in shallow/dirty water or in heavy cover I love the Yo-Zuri Hybrid Line. It is the toughest, best casting, longest lasting line I have ever used. It does have some stretch, but that is OK for most applications I use it for. I had bad luck with the P-line co-polymers, but I like they have a blacklight visible line that will sink like florocarbon. Does anybody have an opinion on any of the florocarbons in the 10-12 range ie- Viscous, Red Label, Etc ?

The pre-rapala wiggle warts will have "wiggle wart" on the bottom of the bill. The new ones say "storm" on the bottom. The ones that were made in-between are made from a different mold. The new ones are suppose to be made from the same mold as the old ones and I think they run the same. Some of my very old ones actually have a split ring on the bill rather than a snap swivel.

Went to Upper Bull on Sat. Fishing was very slow. They did not want jerkbaits (only shorts), warts, or any thing hard. They did end up liking something soft fished very slow on the bottom. All I can say are find swings and shake it.

Talked with SPRO about the leaky baits. They said some of the first production did have some problems. Their representative said they would backup anything they sell and gave me an address to send them to. He said he would express me back the baits with some "extra stuff" As far as I am concerned, this is all you can ask for out of a company - honesty and integrity. I will continue to buy SPRO Baits.

Tied on several others and they were fine. I going to call SPRO and see what they say about the situation

I have a couple of McSticks that have sprung a leak. Obviously, they sink like a rock. I cannot visually see any holes in them, but they are slowly filling with water. Haven't tried anything to fix them yet or to identify the leak. Anybody have any ideas? Not very happy with the baits durability, but they are fastly becoming my favorite jerkbait. Has anybody else had any major problems with this bait. I know John at F & F told me to glue the seams, should have listened.

Go to walmart.com and you can get a REVO-S for 89.99 or they are on sale for 75 right now at Ozark. As for a rod try a St. Croix Bass Mojo for 89.99 in the "plastics" 7' rod. These are not "top of line" but they would put you in a good outfit for $160. Also, try the Johnny Morris Baitcast Combo in a 7' MH. These are good reels and the rods are very sensitive. You can find these on sale for under $200. Don't go too cheap, or it will drive you nuts learning to cast. Brett

Pro's Choice Marine in Warsaw will be able to fix you up. Largest Triton/Mercury dealer in USA. Have always been treated very well there and haven't found anyone in Springfield that can touch their prices.

Don't go too cheap on rods and especially the reels. A cheap real just won't last very long. In spinning I like the shimano and flueger supreme, In baitcaister stick with the revo or curado. The extreme rods are good for the money if you find them on sale, and I use several for "moving" baits. If I were 100% honest, I can't tell a huge difference between them and my Falcon's or St.Croixs. Just get a good medium spinning rod(6-6 or longer) and a medium heavy casting (6-10 or longer) and you can fish about anything. As for the lures there are two basic categories for me on the rock: warm weather night time fishing and day time fishing. While some colors and baits overlap depending on the conditions, the night and day colors are different for me: Daytime: shaky heads - 1/8th ounce Jigs 3/4 and 1/2 in Missouri Craw and PB/Jelley A few McSticks Wiggle Warts (Crawfish and Perch Patterns) White and Blue or Silver 1/2 to 3/4 Spinner Baits Spook and Chug Bug Texas Rig Stuff Shexy Shad DD-22 Plastics: Green Pumpkin is my main daylight color with a little watermelon Centipedes Chigger Craw Sweet Beaver 10" Power Worm Tubes Brush Hog (4") At night I usually fish the same baits but only in a lot of Black Neon with Red and Blue flake. Everybody has thier own strenghts, but I probably fish what is on the list above over 90% of the time. I should probably also say I dont fish for a lot of deep suspending fish unless that is the only way I can catch them. (I know shame on me for not talking about spoons or grubs on this forum) Brett

ps.. Thanks to every regular on this forum! As a college student up at Rolla not being around any lakes, all of the information you guys provide is such a blessing everytime I decide to make the 2 hour drive to go fishing, which has been quite often! When to UMR/MST myself. If you have flatbottom and a 9.9 you need to try the Jerome Access on the Gasconade River. It is about 15 minutes from Rolla. The first hole at the ramp is over 3/4 mile long and is loaded with big smallies (it used to be anyway) and this is a trophy area (one 18" fish only). I used to have a jet boat in college and this is an excellent area. You might even be able to get over the first shoal upriver. Just thought it might be a good stress relief from the grind of UMR/MST. As for a ramp, I would look at Long Creek. With the forecast rain this week the water could get a little color in it and ther are several good banks up Brush Creek or up Long Creek good points and bluff ends. If the wind is strong, I wouldn't recommend this area. UMR CE 2000

Probably a little strong language, but I did say BAN GIGGING. I do believe additional enforcement would deter bad apples.

I have gigged nearly every major river in the ozarks since I was 6 years old. I also have fished all these rivers. I also tournament bass fish. I have seen a very few people kill game fish. HOWEVER, THEY ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF GIGGERS DO NOT KILL GAME FISH. I would say on average that there are more smallmouth taken due to floaters who fish taking more than there own limits or keeping short fish. DO WE WANT TO BAN FLOAT FISHING OR TROUT FISHERMEN WHO REALEASE FISH THAT DIE, OR BASS TOURNAMENTS THAT WEIGH DEAD FISH. (I believe bass tournaments are great, and all fish are hanled very carefully to stay alive, what fish die are eaten) As outdoorsmen we need to utilize our God given resources while understanding that we are not perfect stewards, but that we do care and try are best. I believe all of you that want to ban gigging probably also think conceal carry is bad, smaller magazines in pistols prevent crimes, and the government can fix everything.

Zercom Digital flasher I took off my boat. It has the tranducer and power cable. Everything on it works. Asking $35 or would trade for just about anything of value. Call Brett 417-230-0343 Sold

Bill, Thanks for the help. I do need to stop by your place, J. Raz says it is sure nice down there. Usually by this time of year the boat is a staging area for all my deer hunting clothes, but this year I can't shake the fishing bug. Just a hint to you, I heard through the grapevine that B. Beck has a freezer full of sirloins. I'd make sure he doesn't hold back on you. Brett

Bill, I know you have used a 520C before, what type of settings should it be on to best "see" in the 50 ft. plus range?

Hello I am Here,Let the Party Begin

I am a long time fisherman, but basically a shallow water guy who fished Feb-May, golfed June-Sept, and Deer Hunted Oct. -Jan. I just can't seem to shake the fishing bug this year. I never have paid much attention to the "fish" or "shad" showing up my graphs (didn't need to) I fish very little drop shot or spoons (shame on me!!), but am going to start since I plan to fish the times when fish are typically "deeper". I have a lowrance 520C and X125 on my Coosa. What are the basic settings you guys like (Chart Speed, Sensitivity, Colorline, Etc.) and what basic pointers would people have to offer ? Thanks, Foz