rangerman

I'm looking for the walleye, anyone heard anything about them lately? Of course if the lake is muddy, I don't really want to waster my time anyway.

OK, does anyone have any idea what the Niangua arm MAY look like? PLEASE. I dont want to make a 2 1/2 hour journey there and find it muddy.

Doop, Ozarkgunner is telling the truth about LOZ, it can be very dangerous when the prime time comes around for the pleasure boats. I generally fish the upper Niangua arm for walleyes, and you would think it would be far enough up to be away from some of the chaos. Its not. The whole lake is dangerous. Take Ozakgunners advise on going below Bagnell. You can catch the spectrum of fish down there. Hybrid stripers up to about 15 lbs, white bass, crappie, smallies, cathfish, you name it. Truman is a very good lake for bass fishing as generally any area could hold fish. I fished the area near the dam (warsaw) and have done well. By fishing near the dam, you will leave yourself open to catching whites and hybrids that hold just above the wier dam before dumping into the primary dam. Standard summer bass baits apply---I don't really like giving a whole lot of info on batis because things can change day to day. Start out with the standard summer bass baits and see what you come up with. Good luck.

can anyone give me a water temp and clarity for the niangua arm near ha ha tonka. Thanks

Alot of the wakes at LOZ are so steep, if you go down into them you can't see out. I troll the Niangua arm in the summer for walleye and you definitely have to be out of there by about 10:30. The waves aren't real bad, but there are so many boats running it is kind of scary. There are people going every which way and it appears none of them no what to do when they meet another boater. Sat on my dock at Kimberling city on Saturday and just watched water patrol go back and forth stopping people. Saw them get one waverunner that was running up on people. Pretty good stuff, I definitely wished I would have chose that field of law enforcement. The scary part about the big cruisers is how many people operate them that really shouldn't be. I was sitting on the humps near point seven and a large cruiser came by, throwing at least a 4 foot wake. Shortly after passing, it appeared to trim down and lifted, the wake size was cut in half. People need to understand boat mechanics. Trim down less wake. We talk about all the big money going into the system down there, but the majority if not all the people who own these big boats are only there for the summer. What about us fisherman who are there year around supporting the municiplaties and businesses.

Slider, Did you actually get those night fishing or was it evening into night? One more question, was it off of the bank in the tailrace. I went up there yest. They had some flood gates open and I got there about 30minutes late for the topwater hybrid bite. Caught the hell out of small crappie and some decent whites. I managed to get one walleye which is what I went up there targeting primarily. Could you give me an idea where you got the walleye and on what, that is what I'm really wanting to fish for up there. thanks, Jason

There is a conservation access on Marshal Road in Valley Park. I used to catch alot of good whites bass when they were spawning just above 141 on the gravel shoals. If yous area going to use a boat put in at George Winter Park in Fenton off of Old 141. Caught lots of good everything there.

Bill, kentuckies on a split shot and centipede, watermelon with red flake. Has anyone noticed any kentuckies with large patches of fungus on them. A bunch were caught with this. These were caught around point 9. It wasn't damage/injuries from spawning neither. Hopefully not bad news for them.

I have really never used shad down there, never felt the need to. Once you learn those fish down there, it will be a pattern you can repeat year after year. I should start making trips up there pretty soon. I am waiting for a magic water temp. Once I start going up there, I'll be in a ranger fisherman 620VS sliver with dark cherry/maroon accents. Keep an eye open and we'll see if we can't get a wall hanger.

Fisherfriend, What you are doing should get you a big hyrbid, but, another way is to fish the current seams directly below the dam (turbines) . It takes two guys when you have that much water running. One to run the boat and one to cast. You may have to jump up to a 3/4 or 1 ounce road runner when they are running that much water. I have in the past. You can catch hyrbrids anywhere, but they really love the current seams below that dam as it gives them some relieve from the current and they then dart out and grab a shad when they want. Should work really well for you. It is also possible there is to much current. There is alot of water down there now.

SF, The best thing I can tell you to do is gather as much information on the incident as you can. Descriptions of the suspect, vehicle plate numbers, vehicle descriptions absolutely anything you can. Purple paint is the universal color for No Trespassing. It does not matter if they know what it means or not. it is best not to get involved in a major incident. Although its hard not to do. If the suspect is willing to stop and wait for the police that is great, as crazy as it seems it does happen. But you never know what kind of people you are dealing with. You can try to delay them, but don't hold them. I have seen instances where that can turn the victim into a suspect in another crime. Talk to your county MDC agent, if the problem is bad enough inquire with them about the possibility of working a ROBO deer or turkey detail on your property. Alas, when law enforcement is able to catch someone make sure you go through with everything you possibly have to with prosecuting the case.

BD, Did you file a report of your stolen stuff? If you didn't you need to. Guys when you buy stuff, I know its a pain in the butt, but document all serial number information if applicable. If the items do not have a serial number mark it in a way that you can POSITIVELY identify it if it is recovered. I work alot of thefts from vehicles in my county, (franklin), at conservation accesses and alot of times the problem is that the victims don't have their items marked in a manner that it can be identified. Prosecutors will generally not take a case unless the property is marked in a manner that it can be POSITIVELY identified by the victims. I have notebooks full of information in the event something of mine is taken. I'm sorry for you loss. The problem with working for a Sheriff's Office is we cover alot more territory than a muni cop. Here in Franklin, we have 10 guys on at once, with a average of 223 square miles per guy. Franklin is the 2nd largest county in the state. Its hard to patrol and run, domestics, meth labs and every other call you can imagine and get your patrol duties done. I know Stone County is kind of aware of the problems down there, as I have seen them there patrolling in the area in the past.

Ranger fisherman 620vs, silver with maroon and cherry accents, 225 optimax and mercury 6 horse kicker

Poachers and trespassers, I deal with them day in and day out. Post your property with at least purple paint. They usually tear the signs down. Reason being without it being posted, it is considered trespass 2nd degree which is an infraction. A crime that requires no culpable mental state. Trespass 1st degree is in regards to posted property a class A misdemeanor. Higher degree of charge and larger fine usually. Posting property makes it easier for us law enforcement individuals to make a good case against the trespassers. Make sure the paint is 5 feet off of the ground and 20 yards or less from tree to tree, so it can be easily viewed. I had more than a couple of hair raising pursuits with poachers in my county. In the end, I usually seize all equipment used in the crime and petition the court for it to be used in outdoor education calsses. (hunter ed). The criminals usually don't care about paying the fine, its losing their guns, binoculars, night vision, amongst other stuff that botthers them. Try to be friendly with the offenders as much as you don't want to. By doing so, you can usually get their name. By doing that, the officers can just do a check through DOR and obtain address information to contact them. Take this action if you live in a place where law enforcement is far and few in between.

John19, I made a comment about fish mortality during tournaments, only got one comment back for it and it too was negative. I didn't photograph the dead loss aound my dock, but I guess I should have. Its a sad thing. I have never kept a LM or SM on Table Rock. Caught some really, really good ones. They are just not that good too eat. Kentuckies are really good eating however, and they are what I target when fishing for bass. I realease ALL SM and LM. Sooooooo, I do my part in sustaining the LM and SM fishery. They get photographed and put back in the drink. Also if someone gets upset and feels the need to start a fight over someone smiling at them when they catch and keep a legal kentucky, that is their problem. If they want to whine and cry about it when they get off the lake thats fine. Besides a fishermen shouldn't be fishing that close to one another anyway. Whack em it was just talk, I don't think anyone would actually taunt another on the issue. Don't get you panties in abunch. I don't. My brother in law is an avid bass fisherman and fishes tournaments. Don't say I agree with him on the matter. But when the times comes around to go fishing for kentuckies dow at Table Rock, he has no problem with keeping them. I'm really done now. Bye, Bye and good luck to all, be safe on the water.

I didn't know they made bilge pumps for the cabs of pick up trucks. I guess they don't, but they would have to in this case.

I am not saying keep the big LM and SM. I don't keep those and don't believe they would eat that well. Kentuckies are another story. Luv em, eat em up. Why keep crappie while their spawning, why keep white bass when they are spawning, and walleye and so on and so forth. I have a dock near a popular tournament put in spot and have seen the bass floating that were released after the tournament ended. Lots of them. This is no crap. My dad has fished the lake since it filled up, and I have pretty much since I was born. Sam, I have alot of stuff I do down there that is unconventional.. It works though.

Why keep crappie, white bass and walleye? There are far less walleye in table rock, so why should we keep them. I mainly target walleye on table rock. I am not going to be upset with anyone that keeps his or her share of walleye. I do. Since the lake was built people have been keeping limits upon limits of bass. Boy, it really hurt the fishery didn't it. Some people find crappie as their species of choice, some white bass and some walleye. I target all of the above and bass. Catch and release tournaments are about as damaging as anything is. Do catch and release fishers really think they are doing something special. They are not. The reason I pretty much gave up bass fishing on table rock is it is really not that challenging anymore. I can go out and catch my share at anytime. I have caught one 5 pound kentucky and bigger LM along with really nice smallies. I ate the kentucky. Try targeting a species such as walleye. How about this, anyone that wants to release them go ahead and do so, I'll be right behind you catching those green backs and putting them in the frying pan, and I'll be smiling at you while I do it. Personally, I hope the waalleye in table rock eat all of the bass. It would be GREAT!

Lilley its a good site, everything is fine. The one thing is white bass during the spawn is they are always moving. The named spots are good every year, however, the fish you catch one day are not usually the sames one you catch tomorrow. They are contstantly moving upstream if the conditions are right. as far as hot spotting; there are alot of guys that depend on this issue to know where to start. There are alot of people that don't live in the area that need to know where to start looking. Keep up the good work.

Another thing, PETA is against us all. We need to stand together whether you like to keep and eat fish or you want to release them. Shouldn't be arguing about it. I know because I have seen it, catch and releasers despise catch and keepers and visa versa. Nuke this thread and support eachother.

I have fished table rock for 20+ years (have a house there), I have kept countless limts of kentuckies over that time frame. Released LM and SM caught. It is the tax payers and permit buyers that support the lake and if you are in the confines of the game and fish regulations do what you want. If the catch and release bass fisherman don't like the fact you are keeping fish, who cares what they think. I don't. Just remember you will be eating fresh fish that night and they will be going to Mc Donalds for their Filet of Fish. If someone doesn't like the fact that you have a limit of kentuckies in the livewell, just smile. Kentuckies are good baked, broiled and fried. I love pulling into a gas dock with a limit of fish. I learned over the years, it doesn't matter what they think. I fish kentuckies on the beds with large shiners, its fun, and I will continue doing it. I have caught bass in manners down there that no other bass fisherman has, and I will continue doing so. I will also continue keeping them. If you catch a bass down there and are serious about getting it mounted go for it. You earned it and again its your right. Don't let anyone talk you out of it. If you fish with a guide that refuses you the right to keep some fish to eat don't fish them again. Just smile when they show up at a spot they showed you previously while you are putting a fish in the livewell.

Fisherfriend I've fished up there below bagnell for years. In the late late 90's to about 2004 or so, I used to catch alot of big hybrids, My personal best up there was 14 3/4 and the same day I had also caught a 13 1/2 pound straight bred striper. I also have a stringer mount at home with a limit all over 12 pounds. My best bait up there had been the now discontinued Bass Pro Hyper Striper. I fished the current seams and usually they were no more than 5 foot deep. They had to be running water for the technique to work. I have tried bouncing shad on a 3 way rig, but the only thing caught were big drum and a few catfish. The Hybrids really seem to just suspend most times. Never caught them on anything else. Of course the technique I used worked everytime so if its not broke don't fix it. The problem with hybrids are they have a life span of about 7 years so once they get prime size you need to catch them because they don't have much longer to live. Get after them, It will also pick up around the first week of May as long as the water tempature hits 50-55 degrees.

Your trolling speed may be a little fast for this early in the year, I usually run 1.2-1.9 in the spring and reserve faster speeds for summer 1.9-2.5mph. But it is all trial and error. If you use a pair of wind socks/bags off of your bow it should slow you down perfect

Lets here some thoughts on the MDC's electro shocking program, I know how I feel about it, but lets heat what everyone else thinks. I am speaking mainly of the walleye shocking program in the river arms.

When that one fish hits you usually lose it! LOL. So then you cuss and get mad, and keep on trolling. I know you mark alot of big fish down deep and I don't mean spoonbills and such. The marks aren't that big but they are big enough to know that may be something you are looking for. Theres alot of fish in TR that you will never know what they are. For example, I had a friend fishing the upper white river arm fishing for kentuckies on TR. He hooked about a fourteen incher and a HUGE striper came up and grabbed it at boatside. He fed it line and tried to do something with it but it spit the kentucky. One technique I have used at TR and may start trying again is fishing with whitetail shiners. If you didn't know, they are the larger minnows you see swimming around docks with the black and white tail. I came up with the idea years ago, and caught a few on a VERY small trout hook and piece of bread. They are usually around 5 or so inches long. Took a flipping stick and 25 pound test and went out on tree lined points with gravel. You talk about catching some good quality fish. I never got ahold of any walleyes that way, however, with the techinques and locations I've found for walleyes in the rock you could probably catch some good ones if you fish them on a heavy bottom bouncer.