Walcrabass

Guys, All very good information. However, Fish that have already spawned WILL SEEK THE CURRENT OF THE RIVERS AND GO UP TO SPAWN. I MIGHT ADD THAT IT WON'T TAKE MUCH OF A "CREEK" TO ACCOMPLISH THIS. We would definitely need to shut off fishing for them for a time period. ALSO, DON'T SHOCK THEM IN THE RIVERS FOR COUNTING AND SIZE PURPOSES AS IT MIGHT MAKE THEM NOT WANT TO GO UP THERE AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just some more thoughts Wally

Smithville Steve and others, Here is another 2 cents from Walcrabass. The conditions in Stockton are not perfect for Walleye but I personally believe they are good enough. Good enough for them to spawn that is. One thing I learned early in life is that with fish that normally when stocked will not spawn there is an answer. They have to be taught how. Not kidding. Taught, have the knowledge, and have already spawned in other waters. That is where the problem comes in with Stockton. The Walleye are put in as small fingerlings. These fingerlings were more than likely "spawned" by stripping eggs and milt from mature fish. No instinct, no knowledge, no perpetuation of previous habits. Think I am nuts ??? Read on............ When I was a kid I was fortunate enough to have contact with a guy that loved Channel Cats. As most of you know they are not real excited about spawning in ponds and non moving water. The person I knew had a simple solution. Get fish that already knew how to spawn. We would go to the river and fish with frogs for bait on bank poles and limb lines. We would hook the frogs through the underside of their hind end and then wrap the line around the pole until he just barely sat on the water. After setting the lines we would go camp on the bank with a fire and listen for the fish to bite. Solid plunging sounds meant Flatheads, not what we wanted but good for Catfish steaks. Thrashing and rolling sounds meant Channel Cats. When we had several fish hooked we would go back in the flat bottom boat with Gunny sacks we had soaked in water. Upon carefully taking them off the line if they were large enough that they had already spawned we would sex them ( females eyes are narrower than their mouths when you look at them from the front ) and then put them in the sacks. These fish were taken home to put in ponds that had previously been sterilized of other fishy life. They were fed chicken guts and pellets and became great pets. When the next year would come around we would stick Cream Cans back in the bank and wait for the Cats to move in. After they spawned, ( remember they already knew how) we would carefully run the parents out and cover the cans with screen wire and wait for the fry to hatch and get free swimming. The Cream Cans were then pulled out and the small fry were taken to another pond that had also been previously sterilized. They were fed until they matured. The point of this long story??? If Walleye that had already spawned naturally were put into the lake we would have a lot more spawning going on. These fish would "teach" some of the Hatchery fish and they would in turn teach others. Of course this would probably also require that we did not fish for them during spawning time, kind of like some of the Northern states do with their Bass. Still think I am nuts ??? I am betting............... NOT !!!!! Like I said, just another 2 cents from the guy that would like to see increased length for the Crappie, Slot length for the Bass, Lower length limit for the Kentuckies, and so on............ Wally Before you say it...........yes it would require catching some wild fish that had already spawned and putting them in the lake. Remember, we stocked Elk and Deer here in Missouri. Probably a little more difficult than catching some fish and driving them in a tank truck to Stockton and letting them go.

Hammertime, I too don't want anyone brandishing a weapon. That is why it is concealed. Only there if you need it. Too many crazies out there today. Wally

To the Lady learning to fish, I hope you enjoy the sport as much as other ladies I know. They are lifetime Fisher-women and never turn down a chance to go. Please take the advice to contact a guide. They are invaluable. Please also make sure you are conceal weapon ready. I had an incident several years ago, and yes it was broad daylight, where I thought I was going to have to take out a couple of guys with my 6 foot boat paddle. I had my 5 year old son with me and I am sure I looked like an easy target. They were saying things back and forth across the boat ramp where I was taking out the canoe. While mildly swinging the paddle and letting them know I was not going to be a push over I locked my son in the truck. I told him " If these guys get Daddy don't get out of the truck". One of them started towards me and I faced him with my back to the truck. He stopped, said something to his friend, and then backed down. I threw the canoe in the truck and left. I called law enforcement to alert them to patrol the ramp realizing it was an easy place for a robbery or mugging while someone would be tending to their boat. Not trying to scare you to death. Just use caution. It doesn't matter whether you are a man or a woman it can happen. Walcrabass

Mhyde, I have heard ( no proof at my fingertips) that the decision was that the fishing at Stockton was so good right now that they were not going to make any changes. They are right about the fishing being good. If this is all accurate I believe it is a terrible mistake. Again I am asking for comments from Straw Hat on the matter. Wally

Ok, I am like WM. Roof fell on your boat? Commercial dock and no insurance on anything but the dock itself? Did you have any insurance yourself? Since the boat is in water then it shouldn't be a problem with it being on someone's property for their insurance to have to pay. You really have my interest on this one. Please tell more. Wally

Lowe, You made a good comment about the guy behind the counter. Guess he cannot answer questions or help either??? What a wonderful world .......................... I guess this is to keep the guy behind the counter from selling a 454 Casull pistol to a little old lady that only weighs 80 pounds. I love the way they are always looking out for our best interest...................... NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wally

bfishn, You are completely right about the bull pootie and eyes bugging out. I am also completely right about the oxygen. In this case two rights do not make either one wrong. Straw Hat I am waiting for you to make some comments on the Bass in the picture. Wally

Everyone, The Red eyes can be caused by a couple of things. Good diet is a large contributor. Lots of oxygen is another. Just like in our bodies the blood that is high in oxygen is red and what is low is more blue. The same for the eyes of a fish. The eye is a window where we can see the effects of high oxygen in the corpuscles of the eye. Which makes them red. We need to get Straw Hat involved with this one. The jaw on the fish looks pretty normal, maybe a little short, for a largemouth. A count of the rays on the dorsal fin and a look at it's structure will give a better answer. Also don't see any black spots below the vertical line on the fish. Please keep in mind that in nature the "Meanmouth" is a cross between Smallmouth and Kentuckies most often. It is the offspring of these fish that do the most damage in crossbreeding with "All " the other Bass. And Yes, I would greatly appreciate it if all of the Legal length Kentuckies were taken home, fileted, and eaten. 10 years from now all of the people still fishing Stockton will be wishing the same. The Tragedy of Table Rock Part 2 is set to happen. Walcrabass

dprice, I honestly believe your last post is the most intelligent and thought worthy post I have ever seen on this site. Absolutely on target and graphically the best representation of fishermen I have ever seen. Thanks for the laugh on Friday morning. It will definitely give my day a better outlook. Walcrabass

Dutch, As usual you are correct !! The 16/20 is exactly the other version I was talking about. This is the only two knots I use EXCEPT if I want a real loose wiggling top water knot and then I use a Loop Knot. I very rarely do this as my Top Water fishing is pretty aggressive. In other words my top water baits don't sit still very long. Interesting enough I use Fluorocarbon in a lot of my top water fishing. This allows me to Jerk it on top or swim it just under the top. Remember mine do not sit still very long. My rode tip is usually held pretty high and so the Fluorocarbon works just fine to Jerk It along the top. Then I can put the tip down close to the water and swim it just under the surface. Not bragging but trying to pass some information on to other fishermen as to my techniques so they can enjoy the results too. You know............ another thing............ I catch fish on Top Water pretty much all year round. There is only a small amount of time where I cannot find even one fish to hit. I remember well a very knowledgeable fisherman making a statement one time. He said, "For every fish that will come clear to the top to hit there are 10 that will hit just below the surface. Hence the "swimming" of my top water baits just under the surface. It pays to pay attention to those that are smarter than you and I am glad I paid attention to him. Netted ( no pun intended) me many pounds of fish !!!!! Walcrabass

To anyone interested, I have watched knot tying videos many, many times. Knot wars etc. There are some very good ones out there. For me some of them are too time consuming or tangle-y especially where treble or multiple treble hooks are involved. I use the same knot for Mono and Fluoro and have tested the knot strength with a "De-Liar" type of fish weighing scale to check for strength. This knot will meet or exceed the strength of the line you are using. 1. Pass the line through the eye of the hook by about 6 inches. 2. Double it back on the main line and pinch the two together about two inches above the hook. 3. Wrap the line end around the "two lines" heading back towards the hook about three times. Now you have a loop above where you pinched the two lines together. 4. Pass the end of the line through the eye of the hook a second time making sure you pass it through the same direction as the first time. 5. Take the end of the line through the loop you formed above the pinch point and begin pulling the "tag" you have up. Make sure the knot is being worked in a pretty manner. I usually pull the main line and the tag together until things start to get pretty small. 6. Wet the line and finish pulling up tight. Trim it off. This eliminates the need to pass the lure or hook through a loop. I do not know what this knot is called. No we did not use it on the "farm" as Mr. Swindle. I have been tying this or one other variation of it since I was a little kid. It works well. Ties fast. No giant loop to mess with. Knot strength is great !!! Hope you can use it and have success with it. Walcrabass

Hammertime, I always knew you were a very intelligent guy. From the picture of your favorite Jerk Baits I am positive you have HUGE intelligence !!! I know there are a bunch of good ones out there.... Mega........... Rapala....... many more............ But I have to say that I chuckle when I see a guy with a box full of 25 dollar Jerk Baits. The Smithwick Rogue is one awesome lure. I have made them to be slow sinkers etc with split rings and other stuff. Also used Fluorocarbon to get a little sinking from them. One thing is for sure........... people like you and I have caught a ton of fish on them. Very hard to beat. I am in agreement with your color selection too but have to say I like a Shad pattern and something with Chartreuse too. Keep sending your reports as I get huge enjoyment from them. Old School but still catching them, Walcrabass

Merry Christmas, Straw Hat, as usual you are correct. Hope Christmas is awesome for everyone reading this. Walcrabass

Fishinwrench.............. it is OK to spotlight fish because Deer don't have gills and stay in the water................... Wayneblevins..................... good to see that someone else understands what MDC stands for.............. Money..... associated with DEER................ C ompany Sorry guys but there are instances where the rules need to be changed. The farmers always seem to be footing the bill but not sharing in any of the profit. Wally

Dutch, Those are VERY nice plastics !!!!!! How long are they??? Great color selection too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wally

Guys, When the water is around that 40 degree mark just remember this............................ keep it small...................... keep it slow..................... keep the color very drab....................... fish deep water 20 to ???????, watch for "dead weight' on the line. I winter fish very hard, no jet skis, nobody in my spot................................. it is great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah, one more thing, keep it a JIG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Walcrabass

Dprice, I have enjoyed several of your posts to this site. The fish you caught are awesome. I would like to congratulate you on becoming proficient with the Bass Jig. Personally feel it is the greatest lure ever invented. I also feel the fish you catch are in general better fish. THanks for sharing your success with us. Stay with the Jig........... winter is close............... it will be a fish catcher all winter long !!!! Walcrabass

To Fishinwrench, Amen Bruthaaaa!!!!

I love you guys............ we went from hogs to quail............ to diseases................but somehow got back to money...................... the perfect circle. I just say this....... if you see a hog it should be legal to shoot it, corp property, private property, etc. Quail............. don't get me started.......... without proper cover they can't make it.............. BUT pen raised birds can be successfully ( and without disease ) released into the wild.....proper time of year........ proper age bird.................. doesn't work without the cover though. Elk????? Finally got them started again. But if I remember right the ones that were "let go" by an Asian investor that kind of went broke in Missouri were killed by MDC. I might be wrong about this as it was several years ago and I cannot pull up the info. This was AFTER a couple of young men who shot one were fined for hunting big game in Missouri illegally.Seems as though it would have been much cheaper ( I cannot believe they passed on that one ) to "start them back from these" instead. Oh yeah, the farmers that are near where the Elk were released aren't very wild about it. I know some of them. Of course they will end up feeding them. But then on the other hand they feed the Deer too. And likewise get no income from the sales of the licenses. ( oh yeah, want to point out, the Deer were stocked too ) Pheasants native to Missouri?? You are right as they are not. Nor Nebraska or any other state. OK, so as I see it.......................... MONEY....................... make it worthwhile and in this life that " thing" will get the best attempt at being accomplished you can imagine. Wallcra-hogger

MoPanfisher, Chief Grey Bear, and others, OK........ I have been watching the comments for a few days. Let me see if I have it straight................. 1. The corp CAN SELL LAND THAT OUR TAXES BOUGHT !!!!!!!!!!!! After all Mopanfisher said so........ might take a little bit of government paperwork but it CAN HAPPEN !!!!! Or lease it..... whichever brings in the most money............... wish I could buy something with other peoples money and then lease it or sell it for personal income. Great deal huh? Smart idea number one. 2. After spending all this money and time to trap the hogs they ARE BURYING THEM !!! Why not spend some more and get a little something out of it for the hungry??? Let me put this in perspective........... one word................Spoonbill...............there has been plenty spent on that one........... but then it creates income ........... not food for the needy. Smart idea number two. And wasteful. 3. So if a guy is Deer hunting on corp land and a group of hogs comes by ( like has happened to some of my friends..... and they shot them ) he now cannot kill them. Pretty smart huh? A chance to get rid of a few more but NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! We can't ............... Smart idea number three. 4. Why is it that we haven't done more about killing them already? Because Bass ( you know who) or other outdoor retailers haven't started selling "Hog calls" , Hog Guns, hog attractor scents, etc. Get the picture? In other words not enough money pumped into it yet. People are suckers for marketing...... we just haven't done it enough yet for Hogs.If everyone knew how good they tasted and how to hunt them ( bait included) they would have been pursued much harder. Why?? Because certain agencies have made this a "gray area" and most hunters did not know where they stood with legally killing them. In other words............NOT PROMOTED !!!! Smart Idea number 4 5. Chief Gray Bear. Great comments about Shawnee Trails. Plowed it up for Doves.................... Hmmmm ..... many , many, Dove hunters, much money............... not many Prairie Chicken Hunters,............ not much money............... old man not so dumb............ understand perfectly. Smart idea number 5 OK guys, tear it up........... I just basically repeated some of the comments .... with a little of my personal touch. Walcrabass

MoPanfisher, Campgrounds.............. remember................. and selling them if they want.................... As far as me killing them??? Nope, I have enough trouble with a 100 pound Deer let alone a hog that was shot a mile from the truck. I have friends that have targeted them though. A small group of hunters ( maybe 8 total) has killed 4 that I know of at Ruark and Table Rock. If this hunting was PROMOTED by the MDC instead of making it "there game only" on these lands I have a very hard time believing that hunters would not line up to help them out. Dogs............. you're right............... don't know boundaries....... I imagine most of the farmers would like to be rid of them too. One thing is for sure.................. we better get with it. We are on the verge of a mass population explosion.. Walcrabass

Straw Hat, So good to hear that your wife is doing well. Glad you guys got to go! ! ! !!!!! Glad she showed you up too !!! Both of you hang in there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Walcrabass

OK, Now they have really done wrong!!!! And I thought selling and leasing land that our dollars purchased was wrong............ this one tops it !!!!!!!!!! The HOGS !! Can't hunt them on Corps land??? Wow....... and I was just thinking how stupid the political commercials are................. A few years ago I met a guy at the Ruark Ramp who was unloading a hard aluminum gun case from his boat. I ask what he was hunting. He shyly said that he worked for the FDA ( I believe ) and was after the wild hogs. I ask how many he had harvested. Zero in two weeks was the reply. He was baiting too. My point?? They can't get it done without our help. The hogs are too smart. It will take many, many hunters, and probably dogs to get it under control. A friend of mine rid his farm of them with a professional hunter and well trained dogs. The key?? He got after them when there were only a couple of breeders and a few young ones. That is not the case at Stockton now. They will be epidemic in a few years. Even the campgrounds ( Like Ruark ) will have them. I already know of some being killed just South and East of the campground. They greatest tool known to man to control animal populations is................. well....................... man. The greater the number then the greater the control. Lets just take it a step further......... like fishing on Corps land............ after all it does have water on top of it................... or Duck hunting on Corp land............ I told you guys a couple of years ago when we found out they were leasing and selling land that our tax dollars bought and paid for to write your Congressmen and ask for just a little of their power to be revoked. Better get it in gear guys. Obviously SOMEONE who is running this " corp thing" is a little bit daft. CAN'T HUNT THEM ON CORP LAND????? UNBELIEVABLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOPE, ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE !!!!! Bullying is being aggressively eradicated in our children's schools. Wait until they grow up and find out it is perfectly OK to do it to adults !!! Makes me sick.................. Walcrabass

Hammertime, You give such great reports !!!! And you fish with such great lures...................... Like JIGS and PLASTIC WORMS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a true Bass Fisherman Wally