Walcrabass

Fishinwrench, I have a little different opinion about the oil base stuff. (Oil base scents that represent food to the fish.)The oil scents that I use stay on pretty good. In fact you can put it on plastics and fish quite a while and still smell it on them. I personally have found the fact that oil floats up through water is a huge help to catch fish. In this way it travels it's way up to the fish that is looking at it or is just over the top of it. That is exactly why I don't use the paste types. I have actually done "tests" with others fishing in the boat with me that were NOT using scents. I literally clobbered them. Oil scents are an everyday part of my arsenal. I might add a very effective part of my arsenal. I have made many fishing trips when the fish weren't exactly jumping in the boat and I managed to catch them anyway. It's like blood to sharks....raw meat to dogs.....fish to cats......ground feed to cattle....it just plain makes them eat!!!!!

Dutch made a good point. You can tell it makes a difference when they are picky. So that means that it makes it more appealing to them. I know there are many scents to choose from and I know they all help to some degree. But what if the scent you used smelled and tasted like real food to them??? Because it was made from real food that they like? Wouldn't that make more sense (spelled scents)? I have tried a bunch of them and have decided that for Bass in particular Crawdad is No.1. A fish or fish and Crawdad combo is No. 2. I have some of the dyes for plastics and some of them are garlic scented. Great for covering up your scent ( weird food, gas, oil, suntan oil, etc.) but I don't see it as being a strong attractant. I can tell you this for sure.....the guys that have fished with me.....and watched me catch Bass without them catching any.... have certainly started applying it to their rigs. Virtually every time it turns things around for them. I do believe that they can tell the difference between "Real Scent" and "Fake Scent". Just as I do with the Deer urine I use for killing Bucks. These animals and fish aren't stupid you know!!!!!!!

Guys, If you want to know how serious the water situation can get just check into the laws concerning trapping water, drilling for water, or getting permission for other than animals to have water for their needs in "low rainfall states". We are looking for alternative fuels such as tall woody grasses to be made into pellets to burn at Generating plants that presently use coal... and yet we did not look far enough down the road to trap, retrap, and retrap the water we use for hydrogeneration. As I stated earlier we also waste water that we are going to process and clean by pumping it into another area where evaporation and absorbtion take their toll. It seems like "Quick Fix" and "Quick Profits on amount invested" have an enourmous influence on us humans. In all honesty we are always trying to find the easy way out to please the public and make a quick "Happy Feet" crowd. Kind of like blowing the Social Security money to please SOME entities but not worrying about the problem that is coming down the road. While I am doing some very mild venting let me say one other thing about "Looking down the Road". It looks like to me that we are heading for a day that only the rich will be able to enjoy the Fishing and Hunting in states that are in close proximity to them. Yes, I am talking about the Out of State license charges. Talk about greed and not treating fellow americans equally!?!? After all..the water flows from state to state....shouldn't people from other states have equal right and expenses to use it? And what about the $600.00 licenses to hunt in other states on FEDERAL LAND??? After all.....when we fight a war don't we fight for all the states??? Don't ALL people pay FEDERAL taxes???? There is absolutely no way in a country where NO DISCRIMINATION, EQUALITY FOR ALL, and LEAVE NO CHILD ( or other people) BEHIND that these kind of things can happen. Oops, I forgot.....greed, give a select group happy feet, get all you can get and DON'T worry about ethics ( or others). Just in case someone would write to say that people pay certain taxes in their states that others do not pay please refrain. Many people that live in one state work and shop in another state. I am going to stop now before I bring up the slot lengths and Bass species differentiation again. Walcrabass

The problem is much deeper than just a lack of rain guys. Industry doesn't just use the river for transportation. The water is consumed in various ways too. ( Irrigationand other things.) One of the biggest "water losers" is the fact that we don't back up water anymore...like the old low water bridges. ( I DO REALIZE we have dams in lakes.)The water just shoots on down the creek and is gone during high rain periods. On the flip side normal rainfall may never reach a small branch, creek, or river because of terracing of fields, tilling, etc., not to mention how many more ponds/irrigation lakes we have now than 50 years ago. Just ask any old timer if the creek on the back 40 has as much water as in yesteryear. I have never understood why we didn't plan for a "Multiple Dam System" where we would have a string of dams in succession to generate and generate and generate with the water before we let it go, and I don't mean from lake to lake.( I have read where there could be a nitrogen poisioning problem with the fish due to saturation from too much churning) One thing I have always been curious about... if lakes are piping water to cities, like Springfield, and it is being processed for drinking water etc., then why do we dump it into another lake where evaporation and soaking into the ground take their toll. If we are truly concerned with getting the most use and the best conservation out of the water then why does it not go straight to a manmade, non seeping structure for processing. Don't tell me it is because of cost or I will ask how much water would be worth if we didn't have any. Yours truly, The Water Stirring, Walcrabass

Ozarkgunner, Went to a tackle show today. A guy was selling Megabass 110 lures for $20.00. I guess not a bad price........didn't buy any. Actually got rid of some tackle. Any size to the Bass?? Twitching? Jerking? Pulling? Color?

Sundevil, Get a Red fish marker pen and mark your watermelon Kalins. I use the pens and the Dip type dyes quite a bit. One of my favorite tricks when I am Jig fishing with Browns, Bluegills, and Greens is to use a Zoom Craw for a trailer and dipping the first 1/2" of the claws in the Chartreuse dye. The only problem with this is that the Walleye(?) have a tendency to bite off the claws if you set the hook quickly like on a Bass.

Ozark Gunner, I have not tried the 1/2 Senko for a trailer but a couple of January/ February ago I had a very interesting trip in Greaser Cove at Stockton. I was fishing with a friend and we were not doing too well. We could only catch a fish here and there with a Stand Up Head and a Paca Chunk or Small Zoom Craw Trailer. The guy I was fishing with dug around in his tackle and found a bag of Zoom Green Pumpkin worm like things that were about 4" long. Not very big in diameter and tapered towards the tail. He put one on the stand up head and it was like lighting a fire!!! I got one from him and we started tearing them up!!! He only had 5 or 6 and they kept getting torn up so we kept melting them back together with a Bic Lighter. We ended up with 96 bass for the Day!!!!! The 1/2 Senko wouldn't be much different and as you can see some days the profile has to be small and slender. That is why I fish the Stand Up Coil Locks with just a Chigger Craw or something small when they won't bite. Bass Pro also sells a Stick-O that you can cut down and use effectively. Just one more thing...... I fish with the Jerkbaits or whatever it takes to catch them.....Worms....Spinnerbaits.....Cranks..... a guy can't limit himself or it will cost him a boat load of fish on a given day.

Ozarkgunner, I gotta be honest about the Jig thing. 1. They REALLY will bite a Jig when they won't touch anything else. 2. You MUST have three or four types/skirt styles/no skirt to get a bite under all conditions. 3. I still consider it to be a Jig even when it is just a Stand up head with a plastic trailer. 4. With the exception of the "No Skirt Jig" you WILL NOT catch as many small bass as with other lures. 5. When using the larger full skirt Jigs small fish are just non-existent. 6. Jig Head styles that "Hang Up A Lot" really suck. 7. Jigs or Jig Heads that have hooks that bend open suck too. 8. Jigs are made to be drug, scooted, short hopped, pulled and dropped, swam, and spastically twitched and paused. 9. To a Bass Jigs and Craw OIl go together like milk and cookies. I personally spoke to the last 1000 Bass that came into my boat caught on a Jig and they all assured me that even though it was quite a shock being jerked up into the air and lipped they would still do it again. Walcrabass

Skeeter, I recieved your personal message but I cannot reply for some reason. Please try again and I'll see what happens. Walcrabass

Ozark Gunner, Concerning the Senko bite. Think about it.... it slowly sinks and wiggles like a bowl of jelly. That means it stays in their face for a while and undulates in the water. Drives them crazy. The same is true for Jig fishing. If you have the right kind of Jig it will undulate long after you stop hopping and jerking it. This is why I don't use the traditional jigs that have a "Rubber Band" holding the skirt on. It is just a cheap way of making them. The action is nothing like a hand tied Jig. When you also utilize the correct kind of rubber, silicone, mylar, or hair to make a combination that compliment each other then you are reaching out to the fish in the greatest manner. I honestly can't believe that some of the Jigs sold even catch a fish. So many are lifeless and have no color pattern to truly imitate specific prey. As far as how often to use the Craw Oil...... if I KNOW the fish are where I am casting then about every 10 casts. If I am just fishing a good area then more like 50 casts. When I catch a fish I always reapply. If the plastic has been roughed up or has some tears in it then I make sure to put the oil in those places. Where Bass are concerned they truly LOVE this stuff. Duh, they eat Crawdads ALL THE TIME!!!!! I use the Craw/Fish scent when I am using worms or other plastics that do not truly look like a Crawdad. O.K. that is all my secrets!!!! ( Well not quite.... some of them are locked up in my fishing closet!!!)

Ozarkgunner, My thoughts on scent are as follows: This is another thing that will fill your live well. Especially with the slower baits like worms, jigs, craws, etc. I definitely believe it makes them hold on longer and better. As a matter of fact I make my own Craw scent and Craw with Fish Scent. There are a lot of times that if you don't know they are there for sure and you don't set the hook they will have put it away for good. I learned about Crawdad scent some 30 plus years ago and did some of my "testing" with it too. I was river fishing back in those days catching a lot of Kentuckies and a few Smallies and Largemouth. We used No.11 Frog chunks and trimmed the fat on the bottom side. We then cut grooves in it at about 1/8 inch spacing. After dousing on the Crawdad Oil we let them set for a few minutes before using them. Brown Jigs made of round rubber or Deer Hair with those No. 11 chunks brought gobs of Bass into the canoe. I prefer scents made of oil. I put it on the trailers only because eventually it will gum up the skirt material on Jigs. Since Oil is lighter than water it drifts up in the water column to the fish that is looking at the bait. That helps to bring on the bite. I do not like the paste kind because it doesn't spread itself in the water as easily. The oil does not wash off easily as some people think. A small bottle lasts a L---O----N----G time. My son and I did a test on scents one night at Stockton. We were both fishing with the exact same color, style, and size Jig. He was in the front of the boat running the trolling motor. The fish were not biting well at all. I used Craw Oil on my Jig and he did not. We only caught 13 Bass that night. I caught all 13!!!! He did have one fish on but it rolled off coming to the boat. Now think about this.... Do Trappers use scents????Do Deer hunters use scents???? Do Hounds follow scents to find what they are after?????Can a Vulture or an Eagle smell rotten fish or meat in the air???? Do they use a chum slick for fish in the ocean????? I think you know where I stand on the matter of scents now. As a parting note..... you will NEVER find me worm, craw, or Jig fishing without scent on my plastics.

Ozarkgunner, I appreciate your experience. You are right about the presentation..... if a lure goes by a fish at a hundred million miles an hour and two feet under it then having the right color won't matter. On the other hand if a lure has the right presentation but the fish can't see it to grab it then it won't matter either. Unless it is something that thumps, pops, or rattles in the water. I am thinking that all those things you mentioned are pretty important. Isn't it interesting how picky they are about things????

Skeeter, Glad you were by the dam today. Yesterday would have been a KILLER!!! Way to go fishing the Jig stuff!!! They'll bite a jig when they won't bite ANYTHING ELSE!!!! Cullinby9, Try to "personal message" me and I will see if I am smart enough to "read" it.

Skeeter, You are on a subject that is very dear to me. I have done a lot of testing with this color thing. While I have to agree with you that Green Pumpkin is a great color let me share some things with you. Fish and the prey they eat naturally match their surroundings in conjunction with water color. You don't catch bleached out looking Bass on a dark bottom/log/rock because they would look like a white sheet nailed on a black wall. It would kind of blow there chances at a surprise attack. So with this in mind we must always be thinking about color. Here are some of my findings: An old friend of mine who has passed away used to tell me....Kid, they gotta be able to see it to eat it. By the same token it needs to look like it belongs in the water for the present conditions. As you probably know from reading my posts I Jig fish a lot. A slow moving jig gives the fish a chance for a good look. And it better look good because there isn't much to cause a reaction strike. I carry a couple of hundred Jigs with me sometimes. Different weights, sizes, skirts, AND COLORS!!!! Same for my other types of baits. 1. In clear water I have had a lot of luck with Watermelon Red Flake. A little more translucent, an little bit of flash to sparkle in the sparkling water. Trailers to match.Shad patterns with Silver flash also are good. 2. In slightly stained water I use Light Green Pumpkin/Light Brown mixes, Shad Patterns, and Green Sunfish Patterns. 3. As the water gets to a "good" color then a broad spectrum of Green Pumpkins, Darker Browns, Mottled Colors, Bluegill Colors, and Blues do well. 4. When the water gets dirty we have to go to the "gotta be able to see it" mode. dark Green Pumpkins, Dark Browns, Black, Dark Blues, etc. I also have found that a contrast in colors can get attention in dirty waters. Therefore Chartreuse, Orange, Reds, dark Purples can be woven in with these colors. Neon colors can really produce in nasty water as well. 5. Night fishing. I have been up and down the road with this one. I night fish quite a bit. I have literally done testing with a fishing partner at night with each of us using different colors. I have also kept three of my "favorite" colors tied on and alternated them. Black, Black and Blue, Dark Brown, Dark Green Pumpkin, Bluegill.....all these work well. However I have found that a Black with Red Neon brings me more fish in the boat than any "Night Color" I have ever used. Spinnerbaits included. I am firmly convinced they can see the Black with Red Neon better than other colors and that it "matches" well enough to not spook them. All this can be blown by Chartreuse Spinnerbaits/Crankbaits/Jerkbaits in normal colored water. Well...".Kid they gotta be able to see it". Believe me they can see that color no matter what. I have fished on days when a small color change meant the difference in getting skunked or catching a bunch. After beginning to catch them I have switched back to the previous colors to see if they might have just started biting or what. No good. I had to go back to the color they wanted. Now you have my two cents worth. Hope it is of value to someone. I fished Yesterday in the wind, snow, and cold. I did not catch many but vast majority came on a mottled brown Lion Head Jig with green Pumpkin Chigger Craw. Other Jigs close in color and other Trailers close in color failed me. When I hit on the right combo I caught most of them in the last hour and a half of an almost fishless day. COLOR, size, and retrieve are the keys to the bait you are using. Thanks a bunch, Walcrabass

Cullinnby9, I used the Jerkbait a bunch today. I agree with your style on the twitch and pull. Today I twitched, pulled, reeled and stopped, cranked it down and then paused before twitching etc. I was using Rick Clunn and Rogue baits today. I COMPLETELY STRUCK OUT WITH IT!!!!!! Normally my Jerkbait fishing is on fire but I have not done well with it this Fall/Winter. All my fish today were on Jigs/trailers. I tried Shakey Worms too. I froze all day and fought the wind big time. Looked like a Bass tournament was going on and I hope they did better than I did. Water was 41 to 44 and I am bamfoozled about the Bass bite. I think I just need to find some good "Low Water" fishing spots.

looking4crappie, Either you are pulling my leg or you have the greatest person to be a "Buddy" with in the World. I would relish his fishing methods.

Cullinby9, I am curious as to whether you were twitching the Jerkbait or pulling it and stopping. Also what length are the Jerk Baits you are using???

Last Sunday we launched at Ruark. It was icy. Lake was not frozen. We used snow melt and 4 wheel drive and had no problems. Met a guy at the ramp that had been to CC that morning and he said it was froze up and he couldn't launch there. Monday we went back to Ruark with 2 wheel drive. It was bad enough that we went to Mutton ramp. Used 50 pounds of Rock salt and had no problems. As side note the fishing was terrible on Monday but we had a great time buzzing around the snow covered lake watching the wildlife. Deer, Eagles, Hawks, Turkeys, Ducks, Loons, ( and I don't mean the two in the boat!!!! We were the only guys on that part of the lake that were fishing!!)

Cullinby9, We have not done so well on the Jerk Bait this fall/Winter. I believe mostly because we have fished the lower end of the lake. I was up there on the 30th as well and we only caught 7. All on Jigs/Stand Up Heads and Shakey worms etc. I use the Rick Clunn, Rogues, and Raps but don't invest in the high dollar baits. Seems to me and my friends that we catch just as many on ours as others catch on theirs. The water has been really weird in Son's and towards CC for quite a while. I have finally convinced myself to head towards the dam on my next trip. Things should be better up there. Glad you caught several....keep it up. Our favorite colors are Ghost Shad, Black and Chrome, and Clown.

To the Crappie Guys, My son is wanting me to take him Crappie fishing tomorrow at Stockton. I hardly ever Crappie fish in the Winter. Can anyone give me some advice? Probably be around the Ruark Bluff Area. Thanks, Walcrabass

btlifestooshort, We fished on Saturday too. Launched at Ruark and headed to CC Area. Water there was kind of nasty color and fish were not juming in the boat. Could not get a hit on Jerk Baits, Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits, etc. All fish caught on Jigs and Finesse Worms. Most of the jig fish were caught on Lion Head Jigs in 3/8 and 1/2 ounce, Craw Oil, and Green Pumpkin Zoom craws. The preferred Jig color was Creek Sniper. We only caught 12 Bass total for the day. Mostly on points with big Chunk Rock and 10 feet or less deep. One fish 3 lb. 8 ounce, one fish 3 lb. 6 ounce, one maybe two and a half. Also one keeper Walleye. Not a super day but definitely not the worst. I am anxious to find some fish in deep water and NOT on a bluff. Brush would be great!!!! Happy New Year Everybody!!!!!!Keep on Catchin 'em!!!! The Bass Fishing Student, Walcrabass

Skeeter, Zara Spook, Blade, 9lb., and others, What is the Bass Bite at Stockton right now??? Zara Spook, did the cold snap improve the top water/spook bite? How about the Jig bite ( I Hope)?? Is anybody still seeing those big long lines of Shad??? I am wanting to go this weekend and would like some information as I will only be able to fish in the afternoon. Thanks, Walcrabass

Straw Hat and others, I have not been able to fish much for the last month but I did get to go two or three weeks ago. I actually told my fishing buddy that if I didn't know better that it looked like the lake was turning over. We were fishing about 2 miles from CC. I said," that can't be because it is just too early!!!!!" The fish were not biting too good and we only caught about 11 Bass. One weird thing I noticed was that there were "mile long" streams of Shad all over the place. We were on the wind blown side of the lake. I am no genius on fishing but I would think that with Shad all over there should have been Bass there to catch. Didn't even see very many slapping at them on the surface. Now that you guys have expressed your ideas I would say I was right about it turning over. One other thing. I believe I have noticed a weird smell when lakes are turning over. Anybody else had that happen???

Straw Hat, A friend and I have not been able to get on the site www.nwk.usace.army.mil/st/daily.cfm to see the lake level and temperature for quite a while. Do you know what is going on??? That lake level really helps me out on where to fish when I haven't been for a couple of weeks. Thanks, Walcrabass

Bassmaster 21, I hardly ever fish with anything less than 1/2 oz. at Stockton. It helps in the wind and also gives me good contact with the bait. 3/4 oz. or even 1 oz. can be better in deep water. Especially if you are throwing to the bluffs. When that 1 oz. Jig goes screaming towards the bottom in front of the bluff you get a lot of reaction strikes. Be sure to feed line to it and watch for that jump in the line. Set the HOOK!!!!! You would be surprised how many catfish will end up on your line. Big spinnerbaits like 3/4 oz. stay down with the fish better especially when you have a No. 6 Colorado Blade on it like I do. My favorite night color is Black N Red Neon...Spinnerbait, Jig,Worm, Crawdad, or Brush Hog. I am convinced they can see it better. Just one other thing. USE ATTRACTANT SCENTS !!!!!! Cover up scents help but attractant scents taste like food....after all.....that is what they are after!!!!! My 2 cents, Walcrabass