Dutch

For you to be able to tell about your buddy's setup you need to know the age and power of the tmotor, the age and reserve capacity of the batteries, and the size of his charger. I have been running an onboard 3 bank with an 82# thrust tmotor for 8 years. I have a 15 amp charger with 200 reserve amp batteries. Sometimes I fish every day for 2-3 weeks in the wind. My batteries are always ready to go the next morning.

I would have more money in my pocket and not be nearly as mad if I had stayed home today. I fished all over the lower lake and didn't get a bite. I fished all the way out to 65'. The shad are suspended 20' off the bottom in lots of places. I could see 6 fish on top of one brush pile and I guess they were carp because they wouldn't look at anything I put down there. Stockton and I are close to a divorce I just don't know which one will get the kids.

Brand is not my concern. Shape color size are what I look for. Some stuff of theirs I buy and some I don't. Their plastics are just fine imo but I'll stick with major brands for hard baits and I make my own jigs, spoon, and spinnerbaits.

I haven't heard a word. I'm going farther down the lake hoping everything is open.

Thanks. That little won't keep me home.

Anyone have any info about Cedar Co and the Stockton lake area. Did they get snow on Sun and Mon? Are the ramp coves open? Are the ramps dry or icy? Planning once again to try on Wed.

Isn't it a bit early for whites to be doing much migrating yet? I haven't even heard anything about Bull Shoals and it is usually the first to start.

Spending that kind of money. Try the stuff on. Don't order it on the net or phone. I drove all the way to KC to try Cabela's Guide Wear because a friend recommended it. For some reason it did not fit my body at all. So I went back to Spfld and tried on the 100 mph. It fit a lot better on my misshappened body.

The best stuff I have ever had on is BPS 100 mph Gortex. I have 3 others and they don't compare.

Here you go. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=0,0,18286349554051978871&fb=1&hq=nature+center+spfld&hnear=mo&gl=us&daddr=4600+South+Chrisman+Avenue,+Springfield,+MO+65804-4931&geocode=5361644995369565648,37.129196,-93.240199&ei=PYR5S5WgAce9rAfp06X1Dw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=directions-to&resnum=1&ved=0CA8QngIwAA

I'd start by looking at bluff ends and fish something vertically like a jig, spoon, tube, or slab hunter. If that didn't work, I'd move along some timber and see if I could find anything on the df. If still nothing, I'd move into large coves and creeks and look for large groups of shad, then fish in and under them.

I've been thinking the same thing. I just can't decide how far down to start and how far to go. It is a good haul from where I live to anyplace on BS.

What species? I have been fishing 40-70' deep all winter on the northern lakes.

It was really foggy at my house this morning. I looked at the radar and saw snow heading down with rain coming in from the SW. Then I checked the weather and they predicted rain before noon. So I chickened out. I have been saying bad things about the weather bureau all day long and kicking myself in the behind. I really should have gone.

Reel in very very slowly.

My wife was down that way this week and said the coves were frozen in.

It is supposed to snow on Sunday with strong winds. Only the tough will be out there.

Sammy is a top water walk the dog (like a Zara Spook) bait by Lucky Craft.

I am going to try to find an open ramp and cove tomorrow if I have to drive all the way around the lake.

I have tried lots of knots attaching line to leader and found the the Alberto's works best for me. It is a modified Albright which is smaller easier and faster to tie and requires no glue. I have used it for over a year and never had a knot failure. http://www.stripersonline.com/Pages/Articles/article_arby_albertos_knot.shtml

I have several Curados dating back more than 10 years. I have braid on all of them except 1. Those old reels are workhorses. The old cranks 3.8:1 have been going for over $200 @ and sometimes as much as $300. I only keep mono on one for jerkbaits and grubs.

If you really are a newbie, I suggest you buy a few molds and learn to pour and make sure that you like doing it. Sometimes when I make a mold it goes well and I get it first time. Then sometimes my ideas don't work and I try off and on for a year or two to get stuff to go right especially with injection molds. A good site to go to for learning as well as supplies is http://www.bearsbaits.com/forum/index.php?action=forum Bear is a good guy with a growing company. He has some knowledgeable pourers on there who can answer your questions and teach you lots by just reading on the forum.

If they are people sure are keeping it quiet.

Sometimes it is, especially if the water is cold and the fish are slow. I normally use some type of leader when I am using slow moving baits. For spinnerbaits and buzzbaits I just tie on and hang on. I use it for all of my deep fishing because of the feel aspect. If I am fishing very deep I don't bother with the leader.

Once you get used to it you may never go back. I have it on at least a dozen setups. I won't throw it with any thing that has multiple hooks. BTW: Are the ramps and lots on the lower lake clear?