Walcrabass

To all Readers, As all of you know I have always been in favor of putting the Kentucky Bass in their own category as far as our fish and game laws are concerned here in Missouri. After reading the post concerning the differentiation on Channel cats and Blue Cats it brings this to the front of my mind once again. It only takes a simple picture, explaination, or set of guide lines to be able to easily distinguish the two catfish. My point is that the same thing can be done with the Kentucky Bass. I would truly appreciate Adam Boman who is obviously knowledgable enough to reply with a simple set of photos, descriptions, or whatever else is necessary to make THIS species differentiation clear to all anglers as well. States around us have already put the Kentuckies in their own category and I think it would hugely improve Bass fishing here in Missouri to do the same.If possible I would also like for Adam to present us with the thoughts from the MDC as to why we have not followed this same pattern as other states. I am truly not trying to cause any trouble I am just concerned for our future Bass fishing. The increased incidence of catching the Largemouth/Kentucky crossbreeds and the Smalmouth/Kentucky crossbreeds seems to be on the rise according to other fishermen and personal experiences of my own. Once again, Walcrabass

Everyone, Just another note to go along with all these crazy comments to a very serious suggestion. Legal KENTUCKIES are extremely delicious!!!!!! maybe even more than Walleye and Crappie combined!!!!!! However, Largemouth and Smallmouth are terrible and I would not THINK ABOUT EATING THEM!!!!!!! So, now I have joined the club with my FUNNY comments and maybe furthered my point as well. Walcrabass

Wakenlake and other "True Fisherpeople", If you recall in the past I have pleaded that everyone should tell our Conservation Commission to increase our length limits on the Bass, Create a slot, and give us species differentiation for the Kentucky Bass to be put in their own category. I have also pleaded to increase the length limit for the Crappie. As you have mentioned last year was "On Fire" for the Crappie at Stockton. Many people I talked to told me about catching 11 to 13" Crappie. If we had increased our length limit to 11" two years ago we would have put back those 11" and under fish last year and they would now be over 11". We would have more fish in the lake to spawn which would make up for a "Not So Good" spawning year like this one.I remember all too well when the length limit on Stockton for Bass was 12" and for Crappie was 8". Basically speaking as long as the length we choose is well within their growth potential and attainable age then the length we set is only dictated by the supply of food. Stockton has plenty of food. Let's get this done guys. Email the Department of Conversation and make your voice be heard. Bump the quality of fishing in Missouri lakes up closer to it's true potential. Signed, "That Level Headed Walcrabass"

I know this is a day late but here goes. Luckycraft and Lvn2fish are both on target. The Senko and Jig are a great way to fish a vertical structure like a bluff. Just make sure that the rate of fall is fast enough to attract attention but not so fast they won't go after it. Put a plastic craw on the Jig for a Trailer and some Crawdad scent. Browns, Greens, etc are the Crawdaddy type colors right now. He will get the hang of it real quick. Right now another way to catch those pesky Bass is with a Fluke. 6 to 10 pound Flourocarbon line, a large worm style hook and maybe a split shot up from the Fluke about 2 feet. A lightly weighted hook is also acceptable. I would use Pearl or Shad colors. Just let it fall down the bluff and when it comes to rest pull it up and let it fall again. If he doesn't catch some I'll be VERY SURPRISED!!!!!

Ham, I have fished a few lakes in your home state. Lake DeGray, Lake Greason, Lake Ouchita. You have some pretty good ones too!!! Caught more fish at Ouchita and Greason than you can imagine. Ouchita has got to be a premier Bass lake for medium sized ones. Caught 21 Wipers between 10 and 12 pounds on Lake Degray in one morning!!!!! Isn't is great to live in this part of the United States and enjoy things???? Makes you wonder why some people don't fish.....

BATCAB, 9 LB. is right about the Jig bite. It is definitely a good time for it as the fish move up. Jig fishing flows through my veins like blood and if you would like some advice on it please send me a PM.

Crappie Jerk, Read the post "Headin to Aldrich ( It will be a Traffic Jam)" on this website. It is only down the list a little ways from this post. There is a post written by Walcrabass ( that's me) and it truly works. I have done it for years. I also saw a cooking recipe I am going to try on them soon. Put filets in skillet, squeeze lemon juice on them, add salt and pepper, add Olive Oil, sprinkle on bread crumbs, place a little parsely in juice in skillet. Bake in oven until done. Sounds like a good one for White Bass!!!

I am very glad these guys are taking the Whites out of the Lake. If they didn't Stockton could turn into "Grand Lake". Uh-Huh, THEN what would we do????

9LB, I hope to meet you at the lake some day. You sound like a normal and good person. I'll bet that kid was in heaven. I have given lots of tackle to guys at the lake that weren't catching anything. Came back later to find that most of them started catching fish. Makes your day better than limiting out. Good Job!!!

To all Fishermen, I have read all this discussion on the taste of the White Bass. Let me give you a method of preparing fish that have a little "Red Meat" in their flesh. Soak the filets in a bowl of heavily salted water and add about 2 Tablespoons of WHITE VINEGAR. Place in the refrigerator 24 hours. Take them out and rinse the bowl and fillets well in cold water. Put fillets back in bowl with only water. Place in Refrigerator for another 24 hours. Repeat the rinsing and plain water for 3 more days. The fillets will give up the blood in the meat and they will become almost "Crappie White". I have done this for years with White Bass, Carp, Buffalo, Drum, etc. You can now fix them in your favorite way...fried or baked.

Powerdive, Don't forget your name and fishing license number too. Especially if there is more than one person in the household putting fish into the freezer.

btlifes2short and other Bass Catchers, When you are getting your butt kicked by the Bass and they won't bite the Megabass, Yellow Magic, Shakey Head, Crankbait, Worm, Spinnerbait ( get the picture????) , you need to remember ONE THING!!!!!!! JIGS!!!!! Lifelike jigs with the correct skirt for that time of year and Crawdad Oil!!!!!!! Can't beat 'em!!!!!

I am guessing that the water in Son's Creek, Big Sac/Turnback, Maze Creek, and Turkey Creek are in the same shape with muddy water as Aldrich. If anyone can report it would be appreciated.

jlm7070 It already is in some tournaments. Wish the others would follow suit.

blue79, The bottom isn't "Dry" at 39 bridge. In fact it looks like the softest muck and silt you can imagine. If you are going to put brush piles in you will probably need the assitance of a helicopter.

Everybody, The ramp on 39 at Son's Creek is completely out of the water. I don't believe even with a smaller boat and a four wheel drive truck you could launch there as the bottom is pure mush and water is very shallow. There is basically no water on the West side of the bridge and very little on the East side. On top of that I am not fond of the ramp area there as it is extremely secluded from view by people passing through on 39 HWY. Looks like a great place to get your vehicle damaged when there are not a lot of people using the ramp. Sorry to give so much gloom and doom......just don't want anybody stuck or boats damaged.

9LB, I was told one time that the main reason Bass eat these weird things we throw at them is to keep something like that from getting started in the lake!!!!!

Straw Hat, I couldn't agree with you more. A couple of years ago I talked about a seperate set of regulations for the Kentucky (Spotted Bass) on this site. I am still all for it. I just don't need those kind of Bass cross breeding with and taking the food and spawning areas of the Smallmouth and Largemouth. You are also right in that it is a slap in the face to us fishermen that we are not able to tell the difference between a Kentucky and other Bass. After all, we have trophy Smallmouth areas and we are expected to tell the difference in those waters. If we did what you are suggesting AND made a slot for the Largemouth AND put a larger minimum length on the Smallmouth I would be tickled to death.

Straw Hat, Once again you have provided us with some accurate and interesting information. It is great to see that we have a large number of 12" Bass in the lake. I hate to ruffle some peoples feathers again but here goes. Let's all get together and write the good people in the Missouri Conversation Department and BEG THEM DEARLY for a slot length on Stockton lake for the Bass. If we cash in on this bumper crop of ALMOST SPAWNING SIZE BASS we could keep this thiing going for many many years. Not to mention the fact that we would ALL be catching bigger Bass. Isn't that what it is all about anyway???? Quality size fish??? Mature Fish???? More spawning??? Straw Hat.....do you know who to contact or how to go about this????? There is surely someone in the Department that shares my feelings on this matter and would help.I've even got an advertising slogan.....BBBF......BIGGER BASS, BETTER FISHING!!!!!! After the mild Winter we have had there should be plenty of Shad to feed these guys .......growth rate for the next couple of years should be great. Whaddya say??!!!??!!!????

Guys, Thanks for confirming what I always thought.....they're cold.......I kind of knew this anyway because I have noticed sometimes when I bring them in the boat their teeth are chattering. Maybe that is why I miss so many .....they can't keep there mouth closed all the way for me to set the hook!!!!!

Straw Hat, I know you are the "Biology Information Guy" on this site so I have a question for you. When the Largemouth turn bleached out white in color.....other than they don't feel great.....exactly what is it that makes this phenomenon??? Additionally.... am I right about going lighter with the colors we throw at them during this time???? Sure seems to help for me.

Buzzbaitr, Only on points. Can't even find one on a good log/brush pile. Also, Ditto on the snow. The weather could really shut them off. Also could help you to put the boat AND the truck in the lake at the ramp.

BuzzBaiter, We have had some success on Jerkbaits and Jigs. The Jerkbaits are 6 to 10 foot suspenders. Just a little twitch twitch and pause. When you go to pull again they are just on it. The fish are pretty bleached out. We have been using Finnesse style and Lion Head Jigs. They are small in profile but have used 3/8 and 1/2 oz to combat the wind sail in our lines to feel a hit. If your Finnesse Jigs are too bulky just pull a few strands. Keep the color of the Jig and the trailer kind of light. Maybe Light Brown, Watermelon, etc. Hopefully have some contrast in the rig to get some attention. Use some Craw Scent....you'll need all the help you can get. 4 pounds or so is our biggest but most fish have been running right at 15"

rs00765605, The sense of taste and smell in fish is unbelievably accurate and sensitive. I have seen it written that Salmon find their way back to where they were spawned by tasting the water to find the place of their birth. Then you also have to consider genetic tendicies. For example some families like certain foods and others don't. Hence from lake to lake the same species of fish in different places have different preferences. Glad to see a comment from another scent user. The stuff really works!!!! If you can P.M. me I will tell you where to get my favorite for Stockton lake.

Don't know about the White Bass thing but I do know this....if a fish has 10 senses and you appeal to all 10 of them your chances of getting them to bite is better than if you only appeal to 9 of them. Albert Einstein, Circa February, 2013