Kramr

Phil, I just checked the automated number and it's now running 4 units. I'm assuming that more than 2 units. Guessing it's the number of gaits open. What happened since this morning, has it been raining a lot or are they just trying to drain more water out of TR?

Thanks for the trailer angling tip, seems so common sensible that I probably wouldn't have thought of it. Ok, since were talking newbie stuff, what's a good hook size? Only previous trout fishing was at the state parks where we use size 12 - 14.

Thanks for all the advice and info. Much appreciated. "just in case pigs are flying"? Use a shotgun or rifle on them?

Ok, if your trying to scare me, you succeeded. Will not be using an anchor. Guess I will use the trolling motor and try to slow our drift as much as possible. Maybe I'm making more out of this than what it is. With the water level up, how strong is the current?

Thanks for the quick reply, especially about the safety issue. Also, thanks for the fishing recommendations.

Plan to spend a couple of days during the week of June 1 fishing from our boat. Have a few boat related questions. 1. Where's the easiest place to launch? By easy I mean with the least amount of current. 2. Worried about hazards such as rocks and rebar. Any advice on how to stay out of trouble? 3. I have an anchor. I figure I can use it to keep the boat in one spot for awhile so I don't have to be on the trolling motor constantly. Is it okay to use it or is it dangerous in the current? Also looking for advice on where to fish and what to use (spinning reels/rods). Not interested in trophy per se (ok, everybody is interested in a trophy ). Just want to catch a limit and have a nice day. Thanks.

Got a variety of crappie lures, etc. Friend from work was there last week and did well on blue/white tubes. Been told we are to supply the fish for mother's day.

Oh yes, still checking. Supposed to rain Sat and Sun around here (St. Louis). Doesn't the weather usually come from the north/west? So hopefully it will already be passed by the time we get there on Sunday. This time of year, weather is a crap shoot. Can't be worse than it was last year, can it?

I have a 17.5 foot aluminum so I know what it's like to deal with high wind. We tried Stockton a couple of weeks ago and were pretty much blown off the lake. Told my wife, we gotta get a heavier boat if we want to fish these big lakes.

Shaker, what bait/techniques do you recommend for crappie?

Thanks for the info redbird. I have been checking the sterett creek report. Main concern is the weather of course. High wind can be hazardous. Also, they're having a tournament that weekend. Have to try to stay out of their way.

We'll be staying at a resort near Long Shoal. Was hoping to get some advice on where fish and what to use for LMB's, WB, and Crappie. Heard the water is dingy last weekend, is it clearing up?

Thanks HOOKEDONFISHIN! After reading about all of the good fishing people have been having, I'm getting nervous that we won't catch any!

1. Get a hotspots map if you don't have one. Study it. It will give you an idea about where to fish. 2. Get a decent color fish finder, one that not only shows depth but able to locate bait fish. You need to locate the bait before you can locate the fish. If you have one, turn off fish ID. It is pretty much useless. Learn how to adjust it yourself. If you mess it up, just reset the default and start over. 3. Once you locate the bait fish then start looking for the fish under the bait. If you see a ball of bait and there are streaks going through it, get a lure down there stat. 4. You didn't mention any soft plastics. Get some plastic worms and such, watermelon, junebug colors. You can fish these slower and get into places other lures can't go. Lots of different lures for different situations. 5. Seems most of the fishing at LOTO is done around boat docks. Learn how to fish docks and how to skip a lure under them. Good Luck!

HOOKEDONFISHIN, Thanks for the info. Someone else posted about fishing high point and said they caught whites so I wonder if that's what you were seeing. Wife and I will be there this W/E for 4 days. Would like to fish for walleyes and smallies. So far I haven't seen any good reports about either. Kramr

What were using as bait? Lures, minnows, etc? Also, what did you catch, I'm going to assume they were what you were seeing on the "TV"

Thanks for the info Chipper T!

Sounds like an amazing day! CONGRATS! Wife and I are headed to Stockton beginning of April. Mostly targeting SMB and LMB's. Any adivce? What color Wart's were you using? Any advice on what areas to fish? Thanks!