solus_vero

DANG IT !!! I KNEW THE FISH WOULD BE BITING. I made the mistake of taking a fair weather fishing buddy with me today. We were on the water at day break and a couple hours later he decided it was to cold and wet to fish,,, "WWWWwwaaaa !!! I get up at 3:30 am to take him fishing and drive from Lebanon and he gives up on me a couple hours into the day. And now you say the fish were biting. Man,,, talk about rubbing salt in a wound,,LOL !! Lesson learned. I know of one guy that wont be in my boat again. I think I'll be busy with,,, something,,,, this summer when he asks to go fishing! Glad you had a good day Chris. Keep up with the reports.

How very sad. My prayers and thought go out to his family. This story brings up a good point though. Always wear a life vest. I can't honestly say I have always done this because I haven't. I find life vests too big and cumbersome to wear all the time. Yes, I put it on when the big motor is running but as soon as the trolling motor hits the water, the life vest comes off just because they are too big and bulky. I have always been a good swimmer but in the last few years I've put on a few pounds and the cigarettes have takin allot of my breath away. Besides, if the water is cold enough it doesn't matter how good of a swimmer you are. The cold water makes your muscles stop working and takes away your ability to breath. I found a solution though. They are making new life vests that have a CO2 cartrage and inflate automaticly (or manually) when you hit the water. They are small enough to wear all the time you are on the water. Yes, the high quality ones cost about $250.00 but Bass Pro had them on sale for under a hundred bucks. As I see it, you can spend $40.00 on a pack of 4 life vest that are to large and uncomfortable to wear anytime or spend a few more buck and buy something you don't even notice your wearing, and wear it all day long. I was on the lake last year the same day the 2 older gentlemen hit the water while trying to put they're life vests on. You may remember the story, 1 gentleman lived but unfortunately the other didn't. I only wish I had been fishing close enough to help them. I made a new years resolution to wear my life vest 100% on the time when I'm on the water and advise anyone in my boat to do the same. Here is hoping every fellow fisherman has a safe, fun and productive year. .

WOW !!! "Didn't catch any in Arkansas " HOLY COW YOU GOT A LONG CAST !!!! Just yakin your chain a little there. We've never met and I shouldn't pick on you like that, but, that is the type of mistake I would make. I'm sure you were trying to post in the Table Rock section. Otherwise,,, I want to know exactly what kinda rod and reel your using to cast that far !!! I'm heading out to Pomme tomorrow (Sunday, 14th) And I'll let you know how it went. I've always fished the eastern arm and put in at Nemo or Pittsburg park and never did any good. Tomorrow I think I'll put in at Bolivar park and fish the western arm. If anyone has been doing any good over that way, I'd sure like to here about it. I'm a little worried about the water level being down because of work on the dam. If the water level is so low a person can't launch from Bolivar park, It would save me allot of gas and $$ to hear about it before tomorrow mornin (3:30 am). .

By the looks of the photos you guys really know what your doing. GREAT JOB ! Back in the late 70s catching fish of that size was common place. Catching 30lb flathead cats, 8lb red horse, 10lb drum and seeing Giant hellbenders (It is believed hellbenders live for more than 50 years) was quite common. In the early to mid 80s all the real large fish seemed to be far and few between. In the 90s they seem to disappear all together. The same thing happened in the Big Piney and Osage Fork. My Grandfather said it was because the rivers had been "Gigged out". I didn't give it much thought until one day I went fishing for drum where the Little Piney drops into the Gasconade (at Jerome?) and on the bank I found a pile of fresh fish, Carp, redhorse,drum, etc. Obviously someone had been gigging all night and for what ever reason decided to just throw all the fish up on the bank. I was a PITIFUL SHAME! When I seen the fish you caught that had gigging scars it really makes my blood boil. It is, however, good to see large smallmouth / largemouth still being caught in the rivers. I have no doubt you practice catch and release. I only wish giggers were able to do the same. Personally ,, and I say this not to make anyone mad ,,, it's just my opinion,,,, I don't think gigging is regulated enough and it wouldn't hurt my feelings at all if was outlawed altogether. IT"S JUST MY OPINION.

. In the early 90s A friend of mine poured his own jig heads and bodies. He took me small mouth fishing on the upper Osage Fork. I used store bought lures and he used his home made lures. MAN,,, did he take me to school!! Not only did he use his own design jig head but he had a specific way of fishing them that absolutely floored me. He passed away 10 years ago but the last time I visited him he still had a 6.6 small mouth hanging on his wall that he caught that same day,, with the lure he made hanging from his mouth. As good as that lure worked I thought for sure I would see it hanging in the tackle stores by now. I HAVEN'T, AND BELIEVE ME, I'VE BEEN LOOKING. I would like to find someone who has the equipment and time to make a few. What you do with the design after that is up to you. I have other ideas too but I just don't have the time or equipment to follow through with it. Without giving too much away, it is a specific lead-head jig with a specific plastic body. If you have the time and equipment and are interested please, PM me or e-mail me. You can contact me through this forum in my profile page. .

I'd just like know who on here likes to make / mold / tie or whittle there own lures. Growing up I lived on the Big Piney River and had allot of time to experiment with lures. Of course we didn't have allot of money so I would whittle popping bugs out of just about anything and take the hardware off old lures to incorporate them in my own designs. It was a great thrill when I caught a keeper with some thing I made with my own hands. I think it would be silly to ask if anyone else on this forum builds they're own lures, so, I'll ask instead,,, what do you like to build? How did you get started? what do you find enjoyable about it? Have you ever sold anything you made? Do you have any tips you'd like to pass on? If you have any pics,, post them too !

Quick fishing report - Wednesday March 10th, Bennett Springs State Park. Fly rods, wet flys and tiny jigs. I caught maybe 5 average trout, 1 chub minnow, and 1 strange looking brown minnow about 2 inches long, Fishing cricket caught over 20 trout. (yes, he took me school that day). After they released fish food pellets upstream and I was surrounded by BIG trout that wouldn't eat anything but fish pellets (By the way, if anyone knows how to tie a hook and feather on a fish food pellet,, PM me) We decided to go down stream where the spring meets the river and dawn the ol belly boats to try for some small mouths. (This is where the day got interesting) To see a cricket, wearing green waders, belly boat and swim fins (he looked like a giant, skinny bull frog that had eaten a huge bagel,,, whole), walking backwards down a boat launch was hilarious enough, BUT, to see his face when that COLD water went over the back of his waders, down his back into unknown territory - was PRICELESS ! I guess he was worried that certain parts of his person would melt. That's not a good thing because he is built like a flag pole with ears anyways. He said he "enough of this" and went back the the spring,, what a wussy !!! I, however wanted to get into some fish that weren't hand fed from birth. I ended up catching 3 smaller small mouths, 1 - 13 inch smallie and one nice,13(ish) inch trout, all in front of a large group of people fishing from shore who had been watching Cricket and I the whole time,,,, I hope someone got it all on video. I had a great day, I'd say Cricket had a good time and no one lost an eye, so I guess one could say it was a good fishing trip. Hey Cricket, wanna do it again this Wednesday? .

. -UPDATE - I Called "Fishmaster Manufacturing" in Oklahoma and ordered a pair if "Paddle Pusher" fins. They sell them for 1/2 of what they are auctioning off for on E-bay ,, AND THEY ARE NEW !!! Not only that, but, the little lady I spoke with was the owner. Her name is Jeannie and I must say she was one of the most pleasant people I have ever spoke with. She was VERY personable and helpful. She told me she is the only one who makes these type of fins and used to sell them through Bass Pro, but, Bass pro was charging way too much and she decided to drop them and sell these fins, float tubes, bags and ETC her self. SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT HER CUSTOMERS AND DIDN'T WANT BASS PRO CHARGING SO MUCH. That is an attitude you wont find in business nowadays (except for a car salesman I know who goes by the name of "Fishin Cricket)!!! So, I don't need a pair of fins now. And thanks too Flysmallie I'm going to have a great summer. Flysmallie ,, you won the finders fee ,, you do know what that means right ?!? YUP ! A great big wet kiss from Fishin Cricket. Just post the following info right here on this thread and I'll personally drive him to you. ,,, Here is the info I need ,,, (Real) Name Date of birth. Address, Work address Home, work, cell phone numbers, Social Security Number, Bank account numbers,( Checking and savings) Mothers Maiden name your favorite pets name shoe size As soon as you post all this info, I'll drive FC to you, PERSONALLY. I know you are looking forward to the kiss as much as I am looking forward to recording it on video. .

Darned if you didn't get this thread of topic FC (wink), but, that's alright, I'll bring her back in time. Yes, you got me talking. That is the easy part. Getting me to shut up is the hard part. Thank you for the introduction (I think) and your right, I'm not a stalker (By the way, your new couch looks great from the front yard). I don't have a nervous tick, it's called tret syndrome. It can be fun in the bars but a little distracting in church. (And what the heck is "Gout"?) I really don't think you can tarnish my reputation anymore than my 8 ex-wives already have. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Now, back on topic) ,,, The fins that were on e-bay slipped away and the manufacturers haven't called me back, so, I'm still looking to find those side fins. Everyone look in your garage and dig out those old fins. The finders fee (a kiss from FC) and $50.00 is still up for grabs.

Great post Sam. I can not see sport-fishing ever being outlawed. The economic impact would be devastating. I do however see how they could raise prices and tax so high that the regular Joe could not afford to fish. If there has always been a sport a regular blue collar man could afford, it would be fishing. It would be a pitiful shame to see that go by the wayside. I read that article and I could feel my grandfather spinning in his grave. I remember stories my mother told of gathering myself and my 2 sisters up, putting us in a little red wagon and pulling us down to the river to catch diner. Yes, we were that poor. But my sisters and I never realized we were poor because our bellys were full and we knew we were loved. After years of hard work I find myself with a bass boat and time to fish when I want. Something I always though was a pipe dream. AND NOW ,, you say the government wants to take that away from me ?!?! Well ,, all I have to say is,, THEY CAN HAVE MY FISHING ROD WHEN THEY PRY IT OUT OF MY COLD DEAD FINGERS !!!! .

. Oh my ,,, What did I start ?!?! You boys play nice now ! --------------------------------------- Yes, It is true that those little snakies get a little curious at times. No biggy though, nothing a little slap across the back wont cure. Besides, 95% of the time they are just non poisonous water snakes. It's the big, short fat ones that float on top the water you have to look out for. Oh ya, and look up in the trees before you go shaking a limb around. I have always used the round type tubes and I find them to be quite adequate. I bought a brand new "U" shaped boat at the Bass Pro shop spring sale ($63.00) but I haven't had a chance to use it though. I plan on putting Fishing Cricket in it and letting him test,, eeerr,, I mean ,, use it. I'm sure I've got him very confused because I have a 2005 Nitro bass boat in my driveway,, ROTFL !!!! I find gas is much cheaper in my tube. Some beans and cucumbers and your good to go ,, lol. Anyways, when I bought my new tube I also bought 2 pair of those dive fins ($40.00 each) I thought it would be nice to use them to get me where I wanted to go quickly then switch over to the side fins. And yes, you can be sure that anything you bring along WILL get wet and, unless you want to send everything you carry to the bottom, tie it onto the tube, fins and all. I have fly fished out of the tube and although your setting low in the water, you never get over your chest, just like wading. Ponds and strip pits are the best because your not fighting a current, but, any water is good for a tube. If anyone wants to try one out, just PM me. I have 2 tubes and my time is open. .

. Mr Bill B. ,,,, OUTSTANDING !!! I thought I searched e-bay perty thoroughly, but, I guess I missed that one. THANK YOU !!!! Mr. Flysmallie ,,, I called and left a message asking them to call back. Time will tell if they do or not. Thank you for the info. (I forgot to mention there is a finders fee for helping me find these flippers ,, A BIG WET KISS FROM FISHIN' CRICKET !!) Mr. Vanven ,, I TOTALLY agree with you. Using regular swim fins in a belly boat is enough to turn anyone off from ever trying to fish out of a tube. What style of fin and boat do you prefer ? I would like to know if there is anyone else on this forum who has tried to fish from a tube and whether they liked it or not. .

In hopes of clearing up any confusion on the type of fins I'm trying to describe, here is a picture of the fins.

Mr Farris, I do hope you check with your father before you sell them! Until then, as long as no one else comes up with a pair they want to sell, I'll be looking forward to hearing from you. With spring here and summer right around the corner, I'll be needing those fins ASAP. I'm actually looking forward to seeing Fishin' Cricket using my extra belly boat. I've never seen a Cricket fishing out of a tube before. Oh ya,,, and Mr Cricket,,, You were cracked up WAY before we ever met so, don't try to blame your mental state on me !! (wink) .

Here is the problem, I can't find fins that fit on on your heel, with the "Paddles" set off the side of your foot. They don't make them "New" anymore. I made the mistake of buying regular swim fins and I absolutely HATE them. Regular swim fins have great propulsion ,,, BACKWARDS ! There is no way to walk with them on except for ,, BACKWARDS ! Not to mention they make you look like some kind of giant frog. I know they make a newfangled fin that attaches like regular swim fins but have a flexible plate on the bottom of your foot (If anyone has used this type of fin, I'd like to know what you think of them), but The side paddles are going to be hard to beat in my mind. I have searched the net over and over and I can't find them anywhere. I know sooner or later a pair will come up on e-bay but I'm hoping with all the great anglers on this form someone will have a pair laying around and will be willing to part with them. The type I'm looking for strap to your heel with the paddles set off to the side that fold up when you kick forward and open up when you kick back. If they are in good shape I'm willing to pay - GOOD $$$ - to own them ,,, just PM me - PLEASE !!!! If you have never tried fishing out of a belly boat/ float tube I HIGHLY recommend it. In rivers and ponds (IMO) there is no better way to fish. It's quiet and you can fish the riffles by walking through them instead of floating over them. It's cooler in the summer because your setting in the water. If you wear waders you can fish in the winter and, You can get into spots where boats can't go. My first experience in a belly boat was on Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma. My father talked me into it and we were catching carp on fly rods. There is NOTHING like being dragged around a lake by a 30lb carp in a belly boat. I've been hooked ever since. If you know of someone that owns a pair and doesn't use them anymore, give them a call and see if they will part with them. If they are in good shape they are worth about $50.00 to me. At that price, you can buy them and sell them to me and make a little $$ for yourself. .

UPDATE - After a wonderful day of trout fishing with My good friend Fishing Cricket (Thanks again FC !!), we drove by Fellows lake just to take a look around. WoW ! It's been a long time since I seen that many regulation signs ! Don't get me wrong,it is a beautiful lake, if you can see around all the signs,lol. First of all you have to buy a yearly boat launch tag ($25.00), there is a slot limit on the bass, you can't fish the southern arm of the lake after 1:00 (something to do with the ducks) and you have to be off the water before dark. I understand the need to keep the lake clean and pollution free (After all, it is a water source for ALLOT of people) and it looked to me like it would be a gret lake to sail or take a good jon boat out with the kids for a day, but, if your wanting to do some fishing without big brother breathing down your neck, I think it would be better to hit a bigger lake. I'm hitting LOZ this Saturday to stretch out the legs on my Nitro for the first time this year. Looks like it's going to be a beautiful weekend. Here's wishing everyone a productive and safe year on the water. .

(BUMP!!!) I ran into the same conclusion as jeb did. HB seems to be the way to go. I had my eye set on the 997C SI till I seen the price ($2,000.00) OUCH !! (If I spent that kinda $$ on a fish finder, my wife (the boss) would kick me out and you'd see me along side the road with a cardboard sign that says "WILL FISH FOR FOOD" !!) Anyways, my second choice is the HB 798CI SI. and I see Jeb already has one. Hows that working out for you jeb? .

If voting "Home" water, Big Piney will always be my home as I grew up 1 mile above Devils Elbow. I now have a Nitro Bass boat and I don't think it would be wise to put it on the Big Piney! (LOL) If asked where I fish the most it would be the Lake of the Ozarks, BUT, only because it is close. The traffic and water pollution there is getting WAY out of hand. Pomme is looking better and better, although I never really catch much fish there, there is less traffic, better water quality and it's not too far away. Great Poll ! I sure hope more people vote on it.

I have a couple questions I'm hoping someone can answer for me. I've been reading the "Sportsman's connection Missouri fishing Map Guide" (bought at Bass Pro shop for $25.00,, worth every dime!) and I'd like to fish Fellows lake near Springfield sometime this summer but there is a 40h boat motor restriction. I'd like to use my bass boat but it has a 115h motor on it. My questions are, 1- Can I take my boat with the 115h on it but just use the trolling motor and not even start the big motor? (I'll probably end up calling someone to find out for sure, but, I'm not sure who to call.) 2- Is the fishing in Fellows lake even worth the trouble? Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

Hey, Thanks for the explanation!! I've never heard of a shad die off. I grew up fishing the rivers and just started fishing the lakes last summer. Man, am I in for ALLOT of new lessons! And good, wise people with lake experience like you will be a HUGE help. Thanks again!

WOW ! Nice catch ! My cabin fever temp just jumped a few degrees ! Thanks for the report and pics ! One question though, you say there were allot of shad dying,,, is that a seasonal trend ?

I have read reviews stating the same thing about Lowrance. It is a good product, middle of the road in price but support is a problem. What ever the reason is, be it the economy or bad management don't mean didley when your out on the lake with a 2,000.00 GPS/graf that doesn't work. I am leaning toward Humming Bird more and more. I am finding it hard to validate the cost though. No matter what the brand. Believe me, I'm no puritan when it comes to fishing out of my boat. Just because it is considered a "Bass" boat doesn't mean I'm just going to be fishing for "Bass". What drives me to want to get a good fish finder is the fact that when my kids go fishing with me I want them to catch fish. It doesn't matter what kinda fish it is, Bass, Crappy, Cats, Drum, carp. I just want my kids to go home feeling like they just had the greatest day of fishing they could have ever had. If some think it is "Cheating" well then so be it. I feel I would be cheating my family and friends out of allot of enjoyment if I didn't use every means available (short of TNT) to catch fish when we take the boat out. I love the idea of turning off the "Fish" alert and reading the bottom cover. I never really thought of it that way. I think I'm good enough of a fisherman to know where the fish are, or at least, where they should be. Thanks for the tip Gatorjet. Another good reason I want to have a good quality, reliable GPS system is that my wife is disabled. She can't fish but she loves to get out in the sunshine and ride in the boat. I traded my 2003 Harley Motorcycle for the boat because she can ride in the boat but not on the bike. I would love to be able to take her to all the different lakes with the confidence of knowing I can find my way back to the boat ramp no matter where I am on any lake. By the way Fishing Cricket. I'm going to purchase a larger cast net this year. Like I keep saying ,,,, shad are fish too,,lol. If they ever hold a shad tournament, I'm a shoe in !!!

Seams as though I may have hit on a touchy subject to some. Like Mr. Bigredbirdfan said, Fords and Chevy's. I haven't been around fish finders enough to be biased in my opinion so they are all optional to me for now. I have done a little research and this is what I have found,, WOW !! TMI !! I had no Idea there were so many options! The first thing is price, (of course). Put in order of cost (cheapest first) it would be, Eagle, (Eagle Fish Finders are made by Lowrance). Hummingbird, Lowrance, Garman. As far as Quality, the list would be exactly backwards (of course). It is all according to the type of fishing a person does. They make fish finders that you can use from the bank (You cast out the transducer and it floats on the surface like a bobber). If your fishing from a sea going boat catching shrimp, of course you need more than a bobber you can cast out. Mr. Fishing cricket asked what kind of boat/fishing I'd be doing so,,, I have a 17ft 05 Nitro Bass Boat. I'll be fishing the local lakes, LOZ, Pomme,Tanny, Truman and hopefully Table rock. I'd like to get a fish finder in the front of the boat with a screen big enough to see from the steering console, side scan, dual beam, GPS with chart mapping and maps of US lakes installed (or at least included). As far as networking goes, I'm not quit sure what that is yet. I was up till 3:00am reading reviews and I passes out about the same time I got too "Networking". Right now, I am leaning towards something in the Hummingbird 900 series. It's all still up in the air though. That is kinda the reason I started this thread. To gather as much information as possible to make a good informed decision and maybe help a few other fellow anglers at the same time. Especially sense these dern things are SO DARN EXPENCIVE !!!! Maybe I should just watch for the gulls like Mr. Kcriverrat suggested. Sure would save a lot of $$. On a different note, I personally seen Mr. Fishing Cricket catch 2 fish on the same lure(I think it was a Goggle eye and a small mouth) So maybe I should just nail his feet to the deck of my boat.

In Your opinion, what is the best Fish finder made ? Eagle, Lowrance, Hummingbird? Side scan, GPS, etc? Have you had any bad experiences with certain fish finders? I am looking to purchase a good quality fish finder and I don't mind paying a little more for quality but I haven't had that much experience with them and I don't want to get stuck with a P.O.S. If you know of any links to reviews it would be nice to see them.