DerekB

I use Maxima on my UL rigs. One has 4 lb. and the other has 2 lb. for those finnicky trout at Bennett Springs.

I used the Z-man Fatty-Z in green pumpkin w/ black flake just last week on a split shot rig. I used a 2/0 worm hook Tx-rigged and caught fish. I also used the exact same setup using the Strike King Zero in PB&J and it worked even better.

We caught fish on the split shot rig. We were using senkos and Z-man fatty Z's in red shad and green pumpkin. The wiggle wart bite was good before the sun came up.

A buddy and I just returned from three days of fishing. We stayed on Indian Point at a condo in Jake's Creek. We spent the entire time fishing moderately sloped gravel banks, some were wind blown points, but most just banks just off the main lake. We ventured as far as Cow Creek to the west and Cricket Creek to the south. Our most productive part of the lake was the creek where we were staying. We ended up catching about 8-10 fish per day, with about half of those being keeps. Most were spots shaped like footballs, but our heaviest two were LM. We would put the boat in 25-30 feet of water and cast to the bank. We started the mornings off with stick baits (Megabass) and wiggle warts and moved to split shot rigs with red shad or green pumpkin senkos. I had made up some of the MW finesse rigs often talked about, but I evidently do not work them right, because I drew a blank using them. We wish we had caught more, but we had a great time anyway.

If you're going to Taneycomo, try a split shot rig using night crawlers. Get a worm blower and blow that night crawler up with air, that'll keep him off the bottom. You may heavier than you think with the split shot if they're running water due to the current. Good luck!

A buddy and I will be fishing Thursday thru Sunday. I've been watching everyone's posts closely. Anything I should have in my tackle box that hasn't already been mentioned? Hopefully the fishing is every bit as good as it sounds this week. I'll be sure to post a report when we return.

Thanks for the report. I'm meeting a buddy of mine in Branson for four days of fishing beginning Thursday. We're looking forward to it.

Do people prefer the round jig heads or the mushroom heads? I have both, but just curious.

Thanks for the tips!

Nice fish. Just curious - at what point is the Ned rig rendered ineffective? We'll be down there next Thursday for a few days and I'm curious at what kind of water I should look for. Thanks.

A friend and I are coming down April 24 to Table Rock to do some fishing for a few days (Indian Point). He now lives in Cincinnati, so we haven't fished together in over 15 years. We used to fish Table Rock 3-4 times a year, usually in the Spring or Autumn. Like most, we had some good days and some not so good days. I now spend 99 percent of my time fishing Truman, as it's only an hour from home. I'm really excited about this trip, and part of the reason for that is the great information I've picked up from all the fine people on this board. While I know we'll have a good time fishing and catching up, I now feel confident we'll catch a few fighters, no matter the size (we don't keep bass, anyway). I'll keep reading up on here up until the day we leave, but I just wanted to give a shout out to all those who do such a great job posting results and techniques. I wish the Truman board was this good. Thanks a bunch, and good fishin'! Derek

I agree with you, but it is what it is. It's worse on TVA lakes. You can carry on those lakes, but it's prohibited on ramps and marinas. Go figure.

From Federal Regulations Title 36 concerning US Army Corps of Engineers property: 327.13 Explosives, firearms, other weapons and fireworks. (a) The possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, loaded projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, crossbows, or other weapons is prohibited unless: (1) In the possession of a Federal, state or local law enforcement officer; (2) Being used for hunting or fishing as permitted under 327.8, with devices being unloaded when transported to, from or between hunting and fishing sites; (3) Being used at authorized shooting ranges; or (4) Written permission has been received from the District Commander. ( Possession of explosives or explosive devices of any kind, including fireworks or other pyrotechnics, is prohibited I apologize for hijacking the thread. I hate hearing about rude behavior on the lake, especially when I'm usually going out of my way to be extra polite. It's like people don't have any regard for others anymore.

I have a CCW and NEVER carry when I'm on the lake fishing, as it is against the law on COE lakes. I know that doesn't matter much for those that break the law, just throwing that out there.

I may have to call in sick tomorrow. I have anal glaucoma...I just can't see my a$$ coming in to work!!

I'm not a crappie expert, but by the looks of their tails, I do believe several of those fish have been fanning beds. Would you agree?

We thought the weather might impact the hybrid fishing, so we bought some minnows and tried the crappie on Saturday. I was able to come away with 13, but it was hard work, having to catch 1 or 2 and move on. Ended up not fishing yesterday because I took my boat in for service on Saturday afternoon and probably won't get it back until Thursday or Friday.

I'll let you know how it is this weekend, but we've had good luck finding 4-5 inch shad just east of KK island (Turpin?).

Great feedback, guys, really appreciate it. I'm heading down tonight and will be up early to try and net some bait. I'm fishing with a friend who has a boat with a good baitwell, as my bass boat isn't really made for hybrid fishing. I wish I'd bought a bigger cast net, I went with a 5-footer thinking I'd need some practice throwing it and I'm actually better than I thought I'd be. If we can't get the right bait or the bite isn't on, we'll just cut them up and go fishing for cats :-)

Wahoo, thanks for the info. I've heard of Jack, but never met him. I've certainly toyed with the idea of hiring him to learn the basics. If you're serious about booking a trip with him and don't have anyone else going, maybe we could split the cost. I think the rate is for two people. Let me know.

Thanks, Bird Watcher. That doesn't sound much different than how I fish for cats...except that the bait is still alive, of course :-)

I sometimes throw a cast net for shad when I'm catfishing. I've always had decent luck in the coves just east of KK island (north of Osage Bluff). Sometimes they run too small, but lately it's been good. I'd like to try my luck using shad for hybrids, but I don't know the best way to rig them. I've thrown deep diving crankbaits around O-3 and had decent luck, but I think live shad is the better way to go. Any suggestions? Great thread, by the way.

I've been down here most of the week. I'm having serious trouble catching fish with this constant generation by the corps. I've drifted power bait, salmon eggs, etc. with little to no luck. I've always fished below fall creek (cooper creek to monkey island), but these conditions are giving me fits. Maybe I'll try your night crawler pattern. How much weight do you use when two or three units are running?

I'll be giving it a try when I get down there. I've always fished it near the bottom under a small float. I've got several colors, white being one of them.

That's a lot of fish on a trout magnet. I've caught a few on the magnet (pink, I think), but not in those numbers. How deep were you fishing it? We're heading down next weekend and we'll be there a week. I'd be nice if the dry fly fishing would pick up during that time. Thanks for the report.