Fishinokie1

As you watch the footage of this disaster it will make you wonder how they will ever recover. Most people don't know that Japan OWNS over $885 Billion... yes Billion... of OUR debt. Can you say "time to settle up"! Uncle Sam is going to be writing a big check. Better start stuffin' your extra change under your pillow before Uncle Sam comes looking for it!

Just to get a grasp of the size of this disaster. "The world's fifth-largest, 8.9 magnitude quake was caused when the Pacific tectonic plate dove under the North American plate, which shifted Eastern Japan towards North America by about 13 feet. The quake also shifted the earth's axis by 6.5 inches, shortened the day by 1.6 microseconds, and sank Japan downward by about two feet. As Japan's eastern coastline sunk, the tsunami's waves rolled in" you can read the rest here... http://news.yahoo.co...e-of-the-planet

that is the one. last year it was mid-spring before they started selling them though. I don't know if they will sell them again this year. They posted signs up around the warm water outlet last year right before they started selling them. If you find some close to our area, let me know.

Last year they sold minnows down at the boathouse past the park. I think they were around $2.50/doz or so. I have not found anywhere else to buy them around Ozark or Nixa. The only other place that I know of is up in Springfield.

Right there with you fly guy! Another few weeks and they will be starting to go nuts. Just needs to warm up a bit more. Fly.... I will have an easier time leaving my driveway in the morning not seeing you standing out by your garage showing off your catch as I drive my butt to work Hope NC is treating you and your family well and the new job is going good. Now you need to find you a new fishin' hole. My girls keep lookig for your dog every time they go outside.

I used to catch them in Tennessee below spillways using two 1/16 oz jigs rigged about 18" apart. These make excellent bait for large stripes and big cats. Most people fish for them and catch one or two, then switch to their heavier gear and chunk these things out into the rushing water when the gates are open. I have seen some monster stripers caught on them. I never was lucky enough to hook into one of the monsters, but have caught several avg. size stripers. Skip Jacks look just like a miniature tarpin. They jump like one too when hooked up. I caught my first one by accident and had no idea what the heck I had just caught. I had to go home and Google it to find out. They are fun to catch if you can find them. I have not caught any in the waters around here, and don't know if you can find them in Ozark waters.

All I can say is WOW! We all dream of days like the one you just had. I just got done driving back to Ozark from working in Branson. Took over an hour with more of this white stuff falling from the sky.... Does MODOT know there is a road called HW65? Anyway, I love getting home and pulling up more of your awesome pics and videos! Man.... I gotta get on the water! Thanks for keeping the "fishing bug" alive in all of us who are unable to get out on the water right now!!!!

Looks like it is clearing up out there. I can almost see the house on the other side of my street through the blowing snow. I think I will take you up on the night fishing trip. I will throw on a pair of shorts and grab my flip-flops and meet you out there.

UM...... can you have your wife call my wife???? Sounds like an awesome 5 day trip! I am sure whatever week you choose, you are fishing for FIVE days without the wife and kids! Have a blast and enjoy!

Any luck on the Finley yet? The water looked pretty clear from crossing over the bridge at the park. I was not able to get the rods out of hiding, took the kids to the park at Springfield Lake. Looked like half of Springfield was out fishing the warm water outlet. I saw a couple of guys wading down below the darn, I looked over at my wife and just smiled with that look of "that should be me down there" and just kept on driving.

That is preceded by the most famous of all hillbilly phrases.... "hey ya'll, watch this"

I would say that is a good way to start 2011. I hope my first trip out is as successfull. I was thinking I would get out there today, but decided to take the kids to the park. At least I can watch all of you as I help the kids down the spiral slide. Good luck this weekend and look forward to the success stories

Would have been more hillbilly if you would have told us the extension cord was still plugged in......

Sorry for the confusion guys..... when it is this cold out and my poles collect a bit of dust, my brain comes up with some crazy things. I do feel bad for the guy who had his stolen car and end up in the lake.

Thanks for the tip, but I am pretty sure that Ford that was pulled out was stocked. I don't think these are indigenous to our local lakes. I will take your advice on using jigs when I am hunting bass. I have always had luck using black Power Worms. I have not had much luck when hunting that illusive Ford though. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A fisherman found two cars in Lake Springfield on Sunday. The man's boat motor caught the top of one of the cars at the access near the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. http://www.kspr.com/kspr-two-cars-found-in-lake-springf-01172011,0,6781314.story

I am glad some fish are still being caught out there with this crazy weather. I saw on the news a guy catch a keeper size Ford while fishing from the bank. I did not know they stocked these in Lake Springfield. Anyone know what the best bait to use to catch one of these?

Went out to Fellows this morning to offer myself as a human sacrafice to the highly populated North Springfield Mosquito rally. Every mosquito from SE MO was in attendance. After nearly falling into the lake from swatting the pesky little bastards, I was able to catch 4 keeper size whites. They are still slamming shad early in the morning right before the sun comes up and right along the banks in about 1 foot of water, crazy and fun to watch. Also caught 1 LM around 14" that went back to grow some more. The whites were caught on a 1/16 oz white Road Runner. Even though it is hot enough to make the water boil, fish can still be caught at Fellows. Oh, and don't forget the Deep Woods Off when you go!

I was out there the other night around 3 am. There were a few other die hards out there as well. I talked to one guy who was walking the banks chunking a spinner. He caught a few short ones. The other fellers were either fishing or they were taste testers for the local brewery. I think the only thing biting for them was the skeeters. I caught 7 keeper size whites on a small rattle trap and some live shad that I was able to catch Nights are good, but you better take some Deep Woods Off with you out there. The mosquitos are thick.

I went out the other morning and was bass fishing out a Fellows. I spotted a crawdad in the shallows and was able to grab it. I cut off the claws and stuck it on a hook. Ended up catching a nice catfish on it. Then I spent the rest of my morning searching for crawfish. I have seen several people fishing for cats there. I have not seen many big ones though.

From my house in Ozark to Honey Creek Marina in Grove is exactly 2 hours. I have made that drive many times. Some may get there faster, but I keep it around 75 mph. My father lives right on the lake in Grove. He has been calling me daily telling the whites are everywhere! Honey Creek is a great place to find large schools of whites. I am heading out there in a week to chase after them myself. It is well worth the drive. Aslo, the yearly out of state license is very affordable. I think it cost me $35 or $40 on line for the entire year. If you don't have a boat, there is a public fishing dock not too far from the marina. Lots of fish caught off that dock. Good luck!

Looked bad as I was heading over the 65 bridge. Can't believe some people think it is safe?! Not only is the water moving quickly, looks like a lot of stuff is being washed down with it. If they want somewhere to paddle around, my back yard now has a nice pond in it. Too bad it is not supposed to be there. Although it makes for a good excuse not to mow.

Oh man Bill, you are in luck! I hear the muskie are hitting like crazy! The other day this feller told me his secret to his muskie fishin' success. As much as you like to muskie fish, I want to pass his info onto you. Ok, here it goes..... He told me you gotta get down there EARLY!!! Around 2 AM. The big ones only hit that early. Gotta go EARLY! Next thing..... are you paying attention???? By chance there is a full moon, you will need to howl 3 times as loud as you can, then do the crazy chicken dance before making your first cast. I am telling you all this because this feller I talked to swears by it and said this is the only way to catch muskie when fishing for them. Seems silly, but very effective. Ok, now onto your bait selection. Stay away from all those gimmickey plastic baits and frilly things. They will only attract gay bass, and we both know you are after the big momma muskie.....what you need is to get you one of those rubber chickens from the party store, stick a big circle hook on the front end of it and heave it out to the middle. While you are at the party store, get a bag of balloons, these will be used for your bobbers. Again, you must do all of this before the sun comes up. After that, pack it in. Now don't go passing all of these secrets onto all of your muskie fishin buddies. I am telling you this in confidence. I really want you to catch a big muskie, and not be bothered with all of those gay bass that Fellows has in it. Happy fishin!!!! Now you can blame it all on me instead of all the rest of the OA family when your muskie fishin' trip turns out sour! I don't mind, because if you follow my advice, all of the "gay bass" in the lake will be laughing their tails off and not be a bother to you....... In reference to Bill's post in Pomme's "muskie fishing"

The main thing to remember is there are a lot of young kids out there fishing for their first time or just having a day out with their dad. I have had to bite my tounge a few times when another "angler" decided to impose on my spot. I know I have to be the bigger man and let it go because I know small eyes are watching my every move. I just explain to her what they are doing is not the way to fish. If you teach them young, this will stick with them their entire life. I can still hear my dad's words in my head when I would cast over another line, or wanted to fish too close to someone. I don't get to fish as much as I would like, so when I encounter these so called "anglers" I move, my time is valuable and I don't want to waste it bickering over one little spot on a big lake. Have fun, take a kid fishing and let them do the catching. This will help them when they grow up..................... being 10 trillion in debt, they will need to know how to put food on the table.

That's great. Off work on Wednesday, the kids will be in school, honey do's all done...umm...... well, ok... not all done, will hopefully get to go out for an hour or so. Thanks for the report