Walcrabass

Allstar1 and mic, A good friend of mine that has been gone for several years had the neatest " Catfish Tank " I have ever seen. When he poured his garage floor he buried two of the old style Bathtubs so that only the rim was above concrete. They both had drains that went outside. He had built large "Screen Doors" that were on hinges over the tops of them. Two hoses from his water faucet had small adjustable nozzles on them and they furnished the water for the cats. He would place a couple of those big Flatheads in the tub, latch the screen over the top, set the water to spray a fine mist on them, and leave the drain wide open. As long as their gills were kept wet they could breathe just fine. After about a week they would be cleaned out and they were ready to clean to eat. The stuff that came out of them most times was like black tar. Another hint when eating cats is to batter or roll in seasoning, fry in oil, take them out and place the steaks on paper towels. After they have drained and cooled put them on a cookie sheet and place them in the refrigerator. When you are ready to eat them put them in the oven on the cookie sheet and "Bake" them. The meat will flake right off the bones and they are delicious. Make Tartar sauce out of Mayonnaise, ground Horse Radish, and Garlic Salt. Things like this are exactly why people were so content and happy in the "Old days". Old Man Walcrabass

Straw Hat and others, I had not heard about them eating Algae before. Very interesting. I had a friend that raised Channel Cat fingerlings when I was young. When he would take some of his older broodstock out of production we would clean them. He always pointed out that we needed to cut out all the "Yellow Meat" around the top fin and back area in particular. These fish were fed fish pellets. He said that was why the Channel Cats were better to eat when they only weighed a couple of pounds. I have noticed these same "Yellow Areas" on Flat Heads down through the years too. I agree with you about keeping them alive for a while to clean them out. Especially the Flatheads. We also used to bleed the Flatheads as their meat has a tendency to be a little "red" along the tail sometimes. Walcrabass

The sad part is that some of them just plain do it on purpose. Last year I had what appeared to be a Father/ Son duo on Jet Ski's run between my boat and the bank while looking at me and grinning. I was only about 50 feet from the bank. They started on the other side of the cove and ran their toys right next to the bank all the way around so I know they saw that I was fishing. It was fairly early in the morning and until that episode I was catching fish. Ruined the entire cove !!!! Very hard for me to understand why someone would want to ruin someone's day on the lake. By the same token I have had the Bay Liner Boats come right by me with their front ends up in the air throwing the biggest waves they could possibly make and not even have the courtesy to drop it down while they passed by. Maybe these things are alcohol induced ???? If so that is even worse. Walcrabass

Blacknosedace, If you are fishing that 20 foot water next to 50 to 80 foot water you should be in the right spot. Most of this deep water is the old river/creek channels and believe it or not it may still be carrying a little current even this time of year unless the dam is closed tight......which really can't happen. Current is like an open window bringing air ( in this case oxygen in the water) to the fish. The fish can easily slide from one depth to another as comfort requires. Stay with those deep and slow baits. I personally believe in huge worms ( 15" is not too big ), scents, and nice big skirted Jigs with trailers this time of year. I really hate to say it but I have caught fish consistently all summer.....not huge numbers..... maybe 10 to 15 fish per trip. The quality of them has been good. The Jigs help you to catch larger fish and keep the little ones away. Keep in mind that I fish very early ( before daylight), very late ( after the sun is not on the water ), and just plain in the middle of the night. As the night goes on and some fish move onto shelves and shallower water a good throbbing Spinner Bait can be a great asset. Use a plastic trailer and a trailer hook too. The Main Lake is the ticket for larger fish right now unless you have a secret spot with cover that has held them in smaller parts of the lake. As far as the spoon and drop shot goes...... the drop shot is fine. Might have to have a long tag line to interest them. If you use a spoon it needs to be light so it will flutter slowly as they are not exactly jumping through hoops right now. Hope this helps... if you would like to hear some more send me a Personal Message. Good Luck and Hang in there, Walcrabass

btlifes3 short, Yes it is August. Yes it is hot. The fish still have to eat. Find deep water. I said DEEP WATER. 50 to 80 feet. Find 20 to 25 foot water nearby or fish for suspended fish in the deep stuff. If you fish in the 25 foot stuff use Big Worms, Jigs with big trailers, or maybe even drop shot. Gotta get down there with them you know. Early and late or cloudy days are best. Fish in areas where there is something for them to hide under or beside. Big Rock, logs, etc. Put it right in their living room. Main lake is much more stable and easier for the fish to slide up or down the water column to be comfortable. If you can come up with a safe ( I said safe..... don't get drowned ) way to put logs in the lake in prime areas you will create some great fishing for yourself. Probably others too, but it is worth it. Concrete blocks tied to 4 to 6" hedge logs with wire are great. Put them perpendicular to the bank in 25 foot. Bass love them. A 4 to 6 foot log is plenty. If you have a favorite spot sprinkle a few on it. I usually put at least two of this type of structure together just a few feet apart. Walcrabass

I have been noticing the scum for awhile too. I have also seen where someone else reported that the oxygen level was low around CC. Does anybody know what is going on with all this??? Straw Hat??? Others???? Seems as though the fish are unusually sluggish. Walcrabass

Everybody, I hope you have read the questions and answers as bfishn has done. I hope you raise your voices ( letters, votes, phone calls, emails, etc.) to those in power ( and don't forget that we empowered them). I for one am having a very hard time understanding how we can pay for it to be purchased and built but then can have it leased or sold out from under us without our consent. The truly ridiculous part is where we have to pay again to another entity to use the boat ramp. It looks like to me that with all those incredibly smart managers, lawyers, and politicians that are running this show that they would be able to write the lease so that the general public could still use the boat ramp with the Corps of Engineer Day Use Pass. I believe it is deplorable to treat your fellow American is this manner. If people want to lease these campgrounds I think that is just fine if they do a good job. I just believe that they should lease with the understanding that the public can still use the beaches, boat ramps, etc. that the public already paid to buy and build. Go get 'em guys.......don't let this slide...... like I said before , " It just ain't right !!!! Walcrabass

Everybody, Here are the answers to the questions I ask concerning the ramps etc. Thanks for your interest in Stockton Lake! I am responding to your questions posted in an email to our office. I am listing the questions and a response to the individual items below: 1) Can a campground/boat ramp can be sold to another entity? In order for Federal Lands to be sold to another entity it would take approval of Congress. Land originally purchased by the Corps of Engineers was intended to be used for flood control purposes, so justification and rationale would need to be provided in order to sell the property. 2) If a campground/boat ramp is leased to another entity does that entity have the right to keep the general public from using the boat ramp? If a campground/boat ramp is leased to a concessionaire/lessee, no attempt shall be made by the Lessee, nor any of its sub-lessees or concessionaires, to forbid the full use by the public of the premises. However, the Lessee has the authority and responsibility to manage the premises and provide safety and security to the visiting public. 3) Can an entity that has leased a campground/boat ramp charge a fee to use the boat ramp? Yes, a concessionaire/lessee does have the authority to charge a reasonable fee to use the boat ramp. This fee is to help recover a portion of their cost of operating and maintaining the area/boat ramp. 4) If a person from the General Public has an Annual Daily Use tag for Corp of Engineer facilities can an entity that has leased a campground/boat ramp keep the general public from using the ramp at no additional charge? A concessionaire does not have to accept an Annual Day Use Pass for the use of the leased boat ramp. An Annual Day Use Pass only permits the holder and all accompanying passengers in the vehicle to use boat launch ramps and/or designated, developed swimming beaches at any Corps operated recreation area. Since the leased area is not operated specifically by the Corps they are not required to accept the Annual Day Use Pass as payment for using the area. 5) Are there currently any thoughts by the Corp of Engineers about closing or leasing any additional campgrounds or boat ramps on Stockton Lake? The Corps of Engineers at Stockton Lake does not have any future plans of closing any additional campgrounds or boat ramps at Stockton Lake. Each year we evaluate and assess our park areas to make management decisions based on usage, efficiency, and performance. As you may know, camping within Masters Park was closed on March 1, 2014. At this time we would entertain interest from potential partners, that express an interest in becoming a lease concessionaire and developing/operating the Masters Campground Area. 6) If a campground has been closed or does not have Corp of Engineer personnel taking care of it or maintaining it can the general public still launch at the boat ramp? As long as the boat ramp is designated as open for use and appropriate day use fees have been paid then yes, the boat ramp is open to the public for appropriate use. 7) Specifically and exactly what fund(s) do the monies for the campsite usage get deposited in? If this is a General Fund then please tell which one it is. All recreation use fees collected are deposited into a general account in the U.S. Treasury. Subject to congress approving appropriations, those appropriations are used for operation, maintenance and improvement of recreation sites and facilities at the project. 8) Specifically and exactly what fund(s) do the monies for the boat ramp usage get deposited in? If this is a General Fund then please tell which one it is. Same as above, there is no specific fund - all recreation use fees collected are deposited into a general account in the U.S. Treasury. Subject to congress approving appropriations, those appropriations are used for operation, maintenance and improvement of recreation sites and facilities at the project. Thanks again for your interest in Stockton Lake. I hope that you have many SAFE and enjoyable visits. If you would like to address this further - please feel free to respond to this email or contact our office. Respectfully, Rod Hendricks Operations Project Manager Stockton Lake Office 417 276 3113 I did the best I could with the questions. If you guys have other questions just give the Operations Project Manager a call or email him. Walcrabass

Bfishn and others, I have received a reply to my questions concerning the Boat Ramps/ Campgrounds at Stockton Lake. I believe they answer the ones that I had for Table Rock too. It is pretty much as I thought. I am trying to find a way to send the answers without showing my personal email or name which was attached. When I get this figured out I will send to this site. Walcrabass

Bfishn, Thanks for the web sites to have questions answered by an authority. As usual you are much more computer literate than myself and I needed a little help. I ask all the pertinent questions that we were discussing and I am hoping to get some clear replies. I hope it will be enlightening for all of us. Thanks again, Walcrabass ( or maybe Mr. W. ..........??)

Bfishn, O.K. I agree with you. I personally don't know how to go about this. I am going to ask for help from Straw Hat. Straw Hat, would you possibly know who can give us information straight from the "Horses Mouth" ??? I guess we are looking for legalities as far as the Corp of Engineers leasing property to private entities. Also what would be the rights of the leasee after acquiring the leased property as far as the general public still being able to use the property without expense above the ordinary expense that the Corp would require?? Mr W. Crabass ( that is kind of catchy bfishn, might have to change my "Stage Name" !!!!

Powerdive, I understand your thoughts completely as it just doesn't seem possible. I am thinking you might be from Missouri, "The Show Me State" just like I am. Believe me I don't bite easily on information when I receive it. So to follow your advice I decided to check again with direct contact to the Marina people. I just got off the phone with them and they told me that they DID have the boat ramp closed due to working on their marina Docks. They also told me that they closed the boat ramp to the general public for launching but the Corp stepped in and told them that they could not do that. Case No, 1 is now solved. In the case of the Viney Creek Campground I do not have a way of contacting them. I do know for a fact that when a annual use pass was ask for to purchase that they sold one to a person that I know well. When he looked at it he realized it said Viney Creek use area and not Corp of Engineers. It was $30.00. He then ask if the Corp of Engineer Tag was legal to use there and was told no as it was run by the State now. He promptly ask for a refund and they obliged. They also told him that the Corp had plans of closing/leasing out other Campgrounds. There were three attendants in the shack at the entrance to the area and they all said the same thing. When he ask why the Corp of Engineer tag was not valid he was told that they could do that since they were leasing the area. All of this goes along with what Straw Hat has said and I know him to be a very knowledgeable and honest man. I want everyone to know that I was not acting on personal conclusions or trying to insinuate anything. I was simply transferring information that was given to me by people that I know and trust. I am glad to hear the change of heart concerning Mutton Creek. I am still very concerned about the information on Viney Creek. Like I said before, it all meshes with what Straw Hat posted on this same topic. Walcrabass

Ranger Dave, For some reason I get the idea that you think myself and others do not want to pay a ramp fee. That is totally incorrect. We just want to pay the fee for the Corp built ramps ( remember with our tax dollars) so that we can use THE CORP BUILT RAMPS !!! We do not want to pay the $30.00 fee to use the Corp built ramps and then pay again to another entity that has leased the ramp from the corp. We want them to keep their "deal" with the citizens as it was originally intended. We do not believe it is ethical ( maybe even illegal ) to lease it out to make income for the Corp and thus cause the citizens to pay for it a third time. It is very simple: 1. Pay tax dollars to build it. No Problem. 2. Charge a day or annual use fee to maintain the ramps etc. for the people that paid to build it. No Problem. 3. Lease out to another entity what was paid for and maintained with additional monies by the people who paid for it originally. Hence making additional income for the Corp and thus causing the leased area to be off limits to the people who paid for it and maintained it by abiding by the rules and regulations that they set forth ( unless of course they pay again to the new entity whatever they demand). NO WAY !!!!!!!! ARE WE CLEAR ON THE MATTER NOW???? If there is anyone else that does not clearly understand please post your comments and myself or others who are reading this forum will try to politely point out the immorality of this endeavor. Like I said.....I am right and EVERYONE KNOWS IT !!!!! Walcrabass

Straw Hat, Very glad to see you comment. I always appreciate your input. Here is the problem.... our Congress ( lawmakers, politicians, etc.) have evidently decided it is just fine to steal from the public. We have paid for these ramps and campgrounds from our tax dollars. Then abiding by their regulations have purchased additional use tags that "THEY" ( Whoever that may apply to ) said would allow us to use these facilities on a day use basis. Now they are taking some of them away from us. I liken this to buying a bag of Groceries at the store and then as you are leaving with them an employee meets you at the exit door and tells you that you will leave a portion of them at the store ( so they can sell them again). Now...... I have spoken to several people about this matter and EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAS TOLD ME THAT IT JUST PLAIN ISN'T RIGHT !!!! I guess those people in California are so use to putting up with all the immoral and weird things that seem to be in perpetual motion in that state that they are just numb and stopped complaining years ago. Not to mention the fact they their income might be 3 times what ours is in Missouri. It kind of boils down to the fact that the Corp of Engineers is backing out of keeping their end of the bargain that THEY initiated and at the same time trying to make income for themselves by leasing something that WE PAID FOR !!!!! How many of us would buy a new car only to have legislation make it illegal for us to use because it had been leased out to someone else.......AFTER WE PAID FOR IT !!!!!! There is absolutely not one angle to view this from that even remotely views this matter as being justified. Just one more thought.....what would you think of the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave permitting everyday ordinary citizens to pay for something that would then be put out of their financial reach and only the RICH being able to use it??? What the heck...... why don't we just have the taxpayers start buying elaborate homes for the Ultra Rich. This stuff just has to stop !!!!! Surely there is still someone in the "Powerful Portion of Government" that has retained the sense of right and wrong that God has commanded us to have. I am sorry but myself and all others that have discussed this matter are just putridly sick. I pray some politician sees this forum and takes up the matter on the part of the people. If none of them represent us rightfully then we had better start praying for God himself to intervene as I am pretty sure what his decision on this would be. I'm right and EVERYONE knows it, WALCRABASS

O.K. Outdoors people, We have had a discussion or two about the ramps being closed while the govt. was broke. Also one about the campgrounds being leased out and then the general public not being able to use the ramp at the campground unless they are camped there. Remember that many of us have bought additional "rights" to those ramps in the form of a yearly usage tag. Remember also that EVERYONE THAT PAYS TAXES BUILT THOSE RAMPS. I found out a few days ago that the Viney Creek campground on Table Rock has been taken over by the State of Missouri according to information I received. That is great because the Corp of Engineer department had closed it ( or was ask to close it by the state). The info I got said that the Corps would be closing other campgrounds/ramps/public use areas because of not being able to keep them up. The person that got this info went to Viney Creek to check things out ( Like the ramp etc.) and found out from the attendant at the entry shack. They also found out that they needed to purchase a "Use Tag" to use the ramp. O.K. no problem, the Corp tag is $30.00 per year right??? WRONG !!!! The tag you need to use the ramp is $30.00 all right but it is ONLY GOOD FOR VINEY CREEK !!!! Do you see where I am going??? We could feasibly be purchasing a $30.00 tag for each ramp we wanted to use if they were all closed/leasedout/taken over by another entity!!!! So I am going to ask one more time. Will you please write and call your Congressmen or Representatives or County Officials????? Please???? Maybe I am just an old guy with mental problems.....or maybe I just don't like paying for something TWICE and still not being able to use it. You know what they say though....Third time is a charm!!!! Walcrabass

Sac River Jim, It is no secret that Black is a favorite to use at night. Most guys, including myself in years past, lean towards Black and Blue. In the last three or four years I have found that Black and Red is a better Night fishing color. My go to baits this summer just like last summer will be Black N Red Spinnerbait with matching trailer, Black N Red Jig with matching trailer, and Black N Red Buzzbait with matching trailer. I like Crack Craws, Lizards , etc. for trailers but will be using a Brush Hog type of plastic this year. The great thing about night fishing in the summer is that unless they are shut off from a storm their appetite for large baits is good. Lots of skirt, lots of Blade, and lots of plastic trailer. Things should be cracking in about two weeks. Good Fishing

Unimog, What is a "Big Stand Up Head like the pumpkin ed"??

O.K. Now that we have 123 replies to this wonderful post. ( I guess 124 now huh??) And now that we know we have the attention of the Fish Biologists. Why don't we have a slot length for Largemouth Bass, a different one for Smallmouth Bass, and no length limit for those stinking Kentuckies on Stockton Lake????? Just thought I would get that in there while we have such a hot topic, everybody riled up, and a bunch of readers looking at all of it. Thanks for the opportunity. You know who.......

Ness, I think that is kind of like saying "Is it possible that the presence of fish in the lake are more important than what you are using"? In other words if you are using the greatest lure ever invented ( I know what it is but I am not telling you guys) but fishing it at Mach 5 speed then you probably aren't going to catch much. Maybe snag one????? I have always said that a good mechanic can do more with a set of channel lock pliers than some idiot with a whole set of tools. However with fish the situation is different. If you want to be successful fishing in all conditions and lakes you need to have a ton of tackle AND the knowledge on how to use it. And colors???? You cannot have too many even though a basic 6 or so will carry you most of the time. I believe that since fish are cold blooded that their perception of color is changed with the temperature of the water. As far as the Hula Popper and maybe the Jitterbug too...... Wow what a flashback to my childhood years catching fish in ponds. Those are two awesome lures. Bullfrog on the Jitterbug and Red and white on the Hula Popper. Dyno-mite !!!!! The Old Man Walcrabass

9 lb. and others, Where the "Brush Hogs" are concerned: You are definitely right in thinking that the smaller bass grab them readily. With it being such a light weight easy to suck in bait they also swallow it easily. It is very easy to catch 50 to 75 fish a day on this rig. The problem is that you might kill a bunch of them because of their small size and swallowing the bait. My suggestion is that you use large brush hogs. and large hooks. They will not take it so deeply. I also agree that you were catching bigger fish on the jigs. In fact there is a simple test you can do with the Jigs when the fish are biting well. Use a very large profile Jig for several casts. Then switch to a small Carolina rig. Compare the difference in the size of the fish that both catch. If you don't catch larger fish on the large profile jig, or no fish at all, I will be very surprised. Another thing that will improve the size of fish you are catching is to use the smaller brush hogs for a trailer on your jigs. It works just fine and if the plastic floats then even better. I have seen the same thing happen with small profile Spinner Baits. I once met some guys on Stockton fishing with small profile 1/4 oz. Spinner baits. They told me they had caught something like 130 fish. All Small. I ask if they had tried bigger Spinner baits and they said yes but could not catch any fish so switched back. Here is my point......if you cannot catch decent fish with what you are using then stop using it. You will kill too many fish if you don't. It is for this reason I do not Carolina rig fish very much. It is also the reason I Jig fish a lot. By proportioning the profile of the Jig and the size of trailer I use per time of year and the bite that is happening I can pretty much rule out catching those small fish.....and thus killing many of them. Give it a try .....I think you will agree with me. Walcrabass

Nice bunch of fish. You have got my interest sparked. I assume you caught them on some darker colors??

I'm sure you are right about the casting distance of the MegaBass. As far as the water temp goes I personally feel we are splitting hairs in this area. It is possible to have a perfectly suspending Jerk Bait but everything has to be right. I have had very good luck using added split rings and changing out hooks. I feel this is also a marketing technique as PERFECT doesn't seem to happen on the lake too often. MegaBass isn't the only ones with lip problems. My son broke a couple off just about two weeks ago on some INEXPENSIVE baits. If you would like to P.M. me with some pictures and prices of your Rogues I will take a look.

Before I list 5 I want everybody to know that I probably carry 555 with me...... 1. Green Pumpkin realistic looking Craws. Absolutely the No. 1 for the most conditions and times of the year anywhere I have ever fished. 2. Brush Hogs. June Bug/Purple 3. Paddletail Swimming Baits, Fluke etc., Shad type of color. 4. Giant 10 - 15" Worms. Green Pumpkin. Finesse Worms/Senkos. Watermelon Red Flake These colors will definitely help a guy to get by. However, I am a firm believer in colors making the difference in the bite on a given day. I have seen it happen too many times. Just like turning on the light switch !!!!

O.K. Let us look at it this way...... 1. One of the states in this fine country takes tax payer money and buys a bus with it. 2. The purpose of the bus is to take the elderly people of that state to the grocery store, bank, etc. 3. These elderly people have to purchase a yearly permit to use the bus. ( This part of my little scenario covers the ramps that were closed due to the government being broke even though we already paid to build them and had a permit to use them. It wasn't like they had an attendant at the ramp they had to pay to watch it all day or something.....) 4. At some point later the state decides to lease the bus out to a private entity that has also leased some land from the state. 5. This private entity decides that no one is riding the bus unless they live on, rent, or sub lease the land from them that they leased from the state even if they already purchased a permit to use the bus. If there is anyone out there in computer land that thinks this kind of practice is Forthright, Above Table, Fair, Honest, Decent, Morally Correct etc. please post your reasons on this web site. If you would like you can also include a post office box address so people who read this can send letters to you explaining why they feel it just plain AIN'T RIGHT.

I hate to bring this up guys but I am thinking that the leasee for the Mutton Creek Campground has leased the entire Mutton Creek area. Does anybody know if this is true ??? I think they lease the group campground that is by Chicken Rock. Maybe they will decide to close the other ramp too ??? !!!??? After all......they leased it.......right??????