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Weather Underground is forecasting another 2.8 inches Thursday/Friday. I don't think it will be quite as high but this could start to look like 2015.

+1 for the sexy dawg not walking. I have put them in the "use only in case of emergency" pile. Not a fan.

Check out this graph: Strong history that by the end of April the lake will be between 1119 and 1121...

The original Live Target!! Not sure this is the same but it looks similar this Captive Catch on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/gourmet-lures-inc-captive-catch-plastic-minnow-tube-fishing-lure-NIB-/222300312186 The Captive Catch was from the 1970's. It looks like they had a lip on them that makes them dive, although the site below makes it sound like that lip could be removed. Perhaps you have one where the lip has been removed? https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-captive-catch-fish-lures-160226309 Edit: Also found this old lure: Lurk Live Lures from Kansas City MO https://books.google.com/books?id=L8MMozmVi58C&pg=PA417&lpg=PA417&dq=lurk+live+lures&source=bl&ots=eCtVAhwy8h&sig=E6SwTx-711pTGaK1yNzDAwmeh6U&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiWtqDA9LXTAhVhOJoKHb0_BBUQ6AEISzAC#v=onepage&q=lurk live lures&f=false Here is a better image: https://br.pinterest.com/pin/393994667370601744/

Goes to tackle warehouse- increases order.

Thanks Quill... Gonna add that- you had me at big and noisy. Curious: what is your go to for a more subtle topwater? Most all my stuff is big, splashy, and noisy. Probably need to add something a little more chill to the arsenal.

Quill: what do you think of the chan wake? I was thinking of adding a couple to the topwater collection.

Hey Dave...Trying to send you a message about ordering some Ned Heads but for some reason it says you can't receive messages. How can I get in contact? (sorry to jack the thread)

Have you looked at the new Ranger tin boats? They are more than able to compete with anyone else. Their hull is very quiet due to their foam filling process. The design is great with probably the best storage design on the market (obviously this is a personal choice). This is coming from a very satisfied Lowe owner. But the Ranger Tin rigs are legit.

There are ways to drive improved profits outside of lowering product quality. Consolidation brings scale and scale brings things like purchasing power as well as production and distribution efficiency. All of which improve financial performance and none of which requires product quality declines. Of course, the product quality could still decline we will see... but just because these brands have been consolidated doesn't mean produce quality declines are a foregone conclusion.

Stump: I want to try this but I need to get some lights. Any recommendation on the light set up for a complete night light rookie?

I use regular ol' Cabelas unpainted jig heads in 1/8 and 1/4 oz and they work just fine. Also, I always put a couple drops of glue on mine which makes them last 100x longer. The more beat up it gets the better it works! As long as it stays on the jig and the tail is still attached keep throwing it!

Thanks everyone for the input. I will give the Garmin another look for sure. I had read about the Lowrance loading issues. Kinda disappointing because I really liked that unit. Question on image clarity: can I really trust what I see in the stores? I went in yesterday and played with them but obviously everything is in demo mode... I have a fear of getting it out on the water for the first time and being disappointed. I like the video Vernon posted! Awesome. Again, thanks for the input- feel free to keep it coming.

Thanks guys- should have mentioned I want GPS for sure. I had forgotten about the Garmin!

I want to upgrade the sonar on my boat. I am looking to stay in the $500 range. Which means I am probably looking at 7 inch screens. As far as features are concerned: I am obviously wanting CHIRP and probably down scan. I do not think I need sidescan (feel free to tell me if/why I should rethink that). Also: I have an aluminum john boat that is nice but basic which means I do not need to network or connect my GPS to a trolling motor. So, right now my consideration set is the following: Lowrance Hook 7 Raymarine Dragonfly 7Pro Humminbird Helix 7 DI I am curious as to if anyone has any experience with any of these- especially the Dragonfly. Thoughts on image quality, ease of use, overall performance and reliability are welcome. I am upgrading from an old Lowrance Mark 4 so any of these options would be improvement due to the newer technology.

Average last frost here is April 15th!

Mike: What was the water color like back there? Sorry you had a tough day! Look on the bright side- it was a beautiful day out--- errr- nevermind:)

Got out to PC before work this AM. On the water from 6:15 to 8:30. Had a little mechanical issue to start the morning. Turns out it was user error and my kill switch was disconnected. Of course, it took me a good 20 minutes and a few choice words to figure that out. Once we got up and running we were golden. Decent amount of fish in the back of PC. Caught one eye on a Kaitech, then started pulling some flicker shads. Caught another eye that way. At about 8:00 the wind picked up and we got onto some whites. Caught 2 nice whites and then on the last pass through I thought I had a small striper- I was surprised to see this 6lb black show up at the side of the boat! Biggest large mouth I have ever caught- first time going over 6 lbs. And by far my biggest Beaver Lake bass. I had a guy with me who is kinda a rookie but if a guy went to the back of PC with an A-rig in this wind today they could probably put the smackdown on a bunch of fish. Sadly- we had to get back to the office but not a bad way to kick off the weekend.

I have these Exstream foldover mitts. http://www.tackledirect.com/simms-pg-10703-exstream-foldover-mitt.html I really like how you can fold part of the thumb back and keep it under a little elastic strap. I like being able to quickly have my finger tips accessible for tying on and what not. Those G4 gloves are probably a bit warmer but I don't like having to take off my entire glove to tie on and I am not good enough to do it with gloves on.

+1 for the Simms gear. Fly fisherman have known they make some quality stuff for a while now. They also make what I think are the best cold weather fishing gloves out there. It isn't the cheapest but very dependable quality.

Awesome job Mike. Being that close has to burn at you but what an awesome experience!

Wise words. I am pretty sure I saw a sign at Cabela's that showed the payment based on 15 year financing. That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard of in my life.

Happy New Year. Since Quillback is on the IR I didn't want his spot to get too cold while he is out. Sadly- my report will not be as thorough as his usually are. Hit Big M this AM: on the water at 7:15, off at 11. Water temp never above 49 or below 47. The day started well with a keeper on a jerk bait. Followed up immediately by a K on the Rock Crawler. Jumped from spot to spot the rest of the AM. Caught 4 more on the Rock Crawler. Scoreboard for 2016: Rock Crawler lots of fish, Wiggle Wart zero. (Only fished at Table Rock 4 days this year). But for whatever reason head to head (one guy fishing the Crawler one guy fishing the Wart) the Crawler out performed the wart every day. Today, All the fish were caught on classic 45 degree chuck rock banks with with some wind on the bank. Happy New Year! Thanks for all the info you guys share that let's a guy like me pull up to the rock for the first time since September and catch fish. Love this site. My goal for 2017 is to spend more time on The Rock. It's worth the drive from Bentonville.

Thanks fellas... my plans ended up being over-ridden. Going to burn some brush piles today instead. Hopefully I can make it out next weekend. But appreciate the info you guys share on here anyway!

Hey guys: now that the water and air temp are getting right and the deer is in the freezer I am going to head out Sat Am looking for stripers. Looks like a lot of you have been seeing a lot of activity the last few weeks. If you were going out Saturday would you start up near RB or is there some mid-lake action yet?