fozzype

I would like to know what you guys feel about getting on fish directly below boat. I used to think this was the most productive way to fish deep brush and suspended fish, but the last couple of summers/winters it seems the fish are just like Bill said..spooky. I can't decide if this is fishing pressure or if I am just making this up in my own head.

bet they still increase the cost of the parking tag too...🤑

Probably more to do with the oxygen reading was July 30th at the Dam.

Thinking about running up to upper Mississippi first of September. Any advice on how it fishes, concerns, navigation, or where to stay?

Ya, over thinking it. I live close and run down there a lot. My wife just hates riding in boat at daylight 😂😆. She thinks on plane is scary fast. She lets me have a 250 and a 21 footer and fish when I want, so when she wants to go, I take it easy. 20 years ago I took her on our first "date" on a bass boat ride. I had a 190 zx skeeter that I hung a 200 on when rated for a 150. She later told me I scared her to death😀. The little boat was fast and rode pretty wild and of course I showed her what it would do. Was wanting to fish campers point area first but will just run up there.

Are there any public access ramps up the James halfway between Aunts and Cape Fair. Sad to say I never really put in anywhere up there and usually always run up or down. Taking some your kids early this week and need a closer put in.

I was on the water a few days during bot events and I saw several of them. They were all very respectful and nice. I was by accident at State Park when they were taking out after Martens won. Martens aske if I had a cold ohne in my boat. I said water and cherry Pepsi. He said a Pepsi soumded great. He talked with me for 20 minutes and showed me how and where he caught his fish. The next weekend my boy wanted to meet them and we went to moonshine for take off. Ike wanted to see him when he went by. He asked my son if he fished and he said he has been this morning with his dad. He said he caught a 2.5 smally on a swimbait. He them told Mike it was a keitech and not a crappy Berkley one. He listens to what I say I guess. Mike laughed really hard. Enjoyed seeing the live feed on your home lake.

Anyone try the new Berkley ones?

They all have pluses and minuses. I have used all 3 extensively. The elite ti 2 is the best for me for the money. However, they do require a setup and ongoing adjustments to be really great. Garmin's are simple and dont require much setup, but the 3d down imaging isnt good. Also, they have limited zoom adjustments for drop shotting. Humminbird are good too, especially 2d, but side imaging isn't my favorite. The elite ti 2 will wirelessly transfer data and waypoints and are touch screen. Screen quality is great and the fish reveal really works to find fish in trees. These the biggest selling points for me. They are all good, just really up to you.

I really think they need to up the one pound to at least a 1.5 lb fish. That would at least make you catch a 14 incher (lm) or so to count. I like seeing the fish caught, but on a lake like Table Rock, 1lbers aren't hard to catch in May and water it down a little to me. I will say toward the end of the rounds it is pretty fun to watch. It is made for TV fishing. I just wonder how this would be in true prespwan or mid summer.

This format will definitely change up what past history has shown for these guys. Running up a river to catch 16 lbs wont do much good if 5 or 10 is all you can catch. With a one pounder counting, my bet is several will find SM and K's in bunches and catch a ton of them. With post spawn in effect they will be eating somewhere all day. I bet the junk fishermen that cover water and then set down when they find em, will play great here. Martens, Ike, Skeet, and even Bobby Lane do this well. A lake with as many short fish that weigh one lb like table rock will be interesting for sure. With big five out of play, I am interested for sure.

I am not a proponent of banning tournaments or banning allowing people to est a few fish if they want to. One thing that is very simple that could be done during April and early May, do not allow culling. That would mean if you keep it, you weigh it. That would allow maybe a few more fish to remain where they are. I also would not have a problem with a two week period where no fish could be kept. However, I really dont know how much tournaments or keeping a few fish effects fish populations? Everyone seems to think this is killing fishing on table rock. I will say it makes it tougher with fishing pressure, but when you get around em there seem to be plenty of good fish. If you think about it, if 4 weekends during the spawn if 500 boats relocate 2500 fish, for a total of 10,000 relocated. Some fish will still spawn or are males? So let's say 5000 are moved that truly dont get to spawn. I truly believe this is unconsequitional compared to the overall fish population on this lake. If you have ever dove on this lake, you will literally see schools of 1000's of bass. It will make you wonder how you cant catch em sometimes. Considering that there is 745 miles of shoreline that is only 6 fish per mile. Considering I see 30 fish on beds in a single pocket, this doesn't seem like much. That being said, I believe stocking would help. It is a proven tool that at least our MDC should have. I am not sure why they wont spend the money we give on what sport likely gives them more revenue than any other. Also, these are man made impoundments, so dont give me the line they want them "natural" and don't want to throw them out of balance. Like em or hate em, tournaments and being able to keep fish have a huge impact on our economy and region. Just drive up to Millelacs where hotels and cabins are empty and businesses gone. This is what a no creel can do. I believe in taking care of the sport of bass fishing and our great fisherys. I also believe in finding a balance and not going too far in either direction.

Ttt

Help me out here, over the weekend I fished long creek from 86 bridge area up. I have fished that area for 20 years with a lot 9f success in March. Generally with the conditions we had over the weekend 50 plus water temp, wind, and slight stain, I can just about count on 15lbs. I blanked up there Saturday in the AIA. Tried all depths and techniques. Crank, shakey head, jig, wobble head, and even a little a rig (please no comments..lol). I committed to the area based on the shad kill I saw in brief ride around Thursday from Moonshine to Old 86. Didn't practice in other areas of the lake and just wondering what I missed as this was the worst butt kicking I have ever recieved. Anyone else have an idea? If not I might have a boat to sell..lol

Everyone seems a little worked up..lol. I have not ever thrown the a rig and decided not to throw in the aia this weekend. Got my butt handed to me and my wallet robbed. I will tell you the a-rig is not a a throw and wind bait. I didn't practice and tried to throw it in jerkbait spots and got my butt kicked. Personally, hats off to those guys who have learned it and catch em on it.

Ras, darn same day as the anglers in action.

Will be fun to watch. They put less pressure on the lake than any other type of tourney. Be neat to see if it is a Kentucky fest or someone targets others.

Sold to a loving crappie fisherman

I have a spare prop that is 100% percent perfect and needs a new home. It is a rare 25p wide ear trophy plus that has a small amount of extra cup added and blades thinned. It was blue printed and balanced and has only been run twice since. This cost me $200. It also has the blowout ring on it (can be taken off) to adapt to large torque master power units. This is a very hot prop but I bought a new boat and I over spin it. I havent run it much at all. It is great for a big boat and smaller boats with a 225. It ran 69 mph on my buddies z521 ranger with a full tourney load with a 250 pro xs at 6100. Will turn similar rpms as a 25 fury or a few less than 25 tempest. Need $350 or trade for 26 fury. Brett 417. 230 0343

Forgot about this..will take 120 for either or might trade if you have some fishing stuff I could use. BRETT

On just about any lake there are people who will find them and always someone who catches them. It is what makes doing this so much fun and can piss me off like nothing else. I have fished Ozark lakes for 35 years and they give and take away. It is short term memory and the fun of the good days that bring you back. I remember two years ago I prefished 2 days on lake of the ozarks and 2 days in a tournament and caught 1 fish. This was the worst 4 days I can ever remember. Before the 120 boat event, my partner said it wouldn't take 15 a day to win. Well, it too north of 22 a day to be in the top 20. I wanted to sell everything🙄😡 and still am completely lost. Later in the month the same basic folks were on table rock. I got on a good pattern and got 2nd by .01 lbs. We were 6lbs above 3rd and only 10 limits out of 150 boats. We probably had 25 keepers. So morale is, sometimes you don't hit the matrix and sometimes you do..Just keep fishing.

Physics will tell you your secure it from the motor to the trailer. Like Wrench said, be sure to secure it the boat to the trailer. Other opinions on this are based on a lack of facts or mis information. Also, always tighten and check motor to transom bolts regularly as they cause most problems.

I will say the jigs 4 bass jigs are nice, quality made ones. If I don't make them myself I usually by his or Waco Johnson's. I think we all have too many colors. If I only had two colors I would be green pumpkin with a little orange and green pumpkin with a little blue. Oh and PB &J, oh and black and blue...never mind I have to have a lot of colors.

The plueger and Abu spinning reels are the same reels in comparable models over the last 4 years. I have both the older xt pluegers and some revo sx, sxt, and premier spinning reels. The newer sxt revo and premier has a great drag and excellent spool for braid. I like them over about anything I have tried. You pay more for lighter reel and a better drag. Used to only have stradics, but they aren't what they used to be. Also, Champs spinning reels.work good because he uses them twice a year😀

Has the recent rain muddied up the dam area?