JDH_MOangler

Those who were affected are in my thoughts and prayers. I saw some pictures of Kimberling Inn and the Walmart in West Branson and it looks awful.

My partner and I both cashed checks this year so heck yeah I'm gonna try and make it again.

Same here. The weather was awful that weekend but my partner and I had a blast and won $700 to boot. Hope it comes back to Table Rock next Spring.

Great fish! I'd love to get one just like it this weekend

We're coming down next week and I'm GLAD to hear you guys aren't seeing it yet

8.55 and I'll catch it

I'm really looking forward to this. Me and my buddy will be fishing both days. We'll be in my red and white Ranger 518 with the 'Ozark Angler' sticker on the cowling. Say hi if you see us.

Simply amazing!

I saw this on another forum and thought it was good advice. As winter is fast approaching we need to discuss Inflatable Personal Floatation Devices. While the IPFD’s are great for spring, summer, and fall the IPFD’s leave a little to be desired during cold weather and the water conditions of winter. In pressurized gases such as a CO2 canister, when the temperature decreases so does the volume of gas or gases needed for inflation. If the IPFD does not fully inflate then the floatation capability decreases, add to this the extra clothing we often use to winter fish and you have a recipe for disaster. While this may not sound so bad to some let me give you some points to ponder. 1. Decreased floatation due to colder temperatures 2. If the water temperature is colder than air temperature, the longer you are in the water the more the volume of air inside the IPFD will decrease. 3. As your body struggles to warm your internal organs, it begins to shut down from external to internal, so legs and arms become stiff and lethargic, you become confused, unable to make decisions. 4. If you are unconscious and alone, GAME OVER…… I have spent many years fishing and working on habitat projects during some of the roughest conditions East Tennessee has to offer. In doing this I have made some discoveries that I hope will help someone survive a winter dousing. 1. Always inform someone of your intended fishing or work location with GPS coordinates if available. 2. Try to never fish alone 3. Wear a conventional PFD or floatation coat with the highest floatation available. Traditional PFD’s and floatation coats not only retain their full floatation value but will help to insulate your body from the cold and give you longer to get out of the water. 4. When you fall in with rod in hand, remember all things, besides you, can be replaced. There are two kinds of fishermen, those who have been in the water and those that will be…. 5. Clothing a. Never wear lace up boots. b. Always keep a set of dry clothes or coveralls in the boat for emergencies. A 15 minute ride in wet clothes at 38 degrees means hypothermia. c. Keep large sized hand and foot warmers in the boat. Once in dry clothing, place activated packages to underarm and crotch areas. These two areas are where the arteries and veins are closest to the surface and will help to warm you the quickest. 6. Get in the boat. a. If your boat is equipped with a ladder system get to it as quickly as possible. b. Most people in full winter gear cannot climb over the side of a boat in wet clothing. If your boat is equipped with a tilt switch on the outboard motor, climb on the cavitation plate and hit the switch. If all else fails push the motor to one side and climb between the motor and transom. c. If the trolling motor is deployed, it can also be used to climb into the boat. Place both feet on the motor and then roll into the boat. d. If all else fails and you are too heavily clothed to climb, STRIP (no lace up boots, you cannot reach the laces to untie them in the water, and most thermal suits and pants will not come off over boots.)

Good job all the way around. It brought a smile to my face to see you released it, good for you!

Man you aren't kidding about it being tough in the dam area. Been here since Sunday and have caught 4 short spots and my wife caught one nice white bass. I thought we had scheduled the perfect week to come down but these fish just aren't cooperating. I've pretty much thrown everything but a jerkbait because I figured the water was already too warm but after reading your report I'm gonna tie on a vision 110 tomorrow and see what happens. thanks for the report.`

We're coming down to TRL next Sunday 4/11 for a week and was wondering what to expect as far as water temps, clarity, levels and basically what the bass are doing and how you're fishing for them. This is my first Spring trip down there as we usually come for a week in the fall. Hoping we picked a good time. Thanks in advance for any info.

Thanks for the heads up. Did they say anything about rescheduling?

Wow! Those pictures are amazing. And here I thought my 520c was pretty cool. Any idea how the Lowrance HD compares to the Hummingbird Side Imaging?

I learn a lot reading this forum and this is a great post, thanks!

present and accounted for

This is good stuff guys. I was a first timer Sunday as far as fishing Pro-Am’s go and like I said earlier in this thread I have no complaints even though my boater and me both blanked. I went into it with no expectations other than learning and getting some tourney experience and I feel like I accomplished both. I do have a question for the Pro’s/Boaters though. If after a few hours of no bites and fishing how the boater wants to fish would it be considered bad etiquette to suggest trying something different? Not necessarily a different spot but maybe changing the way you’re fishing where you’re at. Looking back I just feel like there were other things we could’ve tried as opposed to staying with the original plan all day long and coming up empty.

I fished the Pro Am yesterday and me and my boater both blanked. We caught a few shorts in the bushes but that was about it. This was my first Pro Am and I have no complaints. I knew going in that I was at his mercy as far as where and how we fished but I was looking at it to be more of a learning experience than anything. I got to fish parts of TRL that I had never fished before and even though he wasn't on any fish I got to watch how a pretty good angler operates during a tournament. I would say if you're just looking to get some tournament experience, which I am, then this is a good way to go. As far as fishing like this vs booking a guide, it cost me $110 entry fee plus I gave my boater $30 for gas and a guide will get at least $300 plus tip. I've actually booked a guide before at LOZ and got blanked in 8 hrs of fishing and that set me back $350...OUCH! Looking forward to the next Pro Am at LOZ in Feb. I have a lot more experience and confidence on that lake so hopefully I can do a little better.

I have three Symetres and have had no problems with any of them. Nice reels for the money.

Thanks for the report. I'm heading down to the Indian Point area Sunday for a week and I'm not real familiar with Table Rock so I'm on here gathering all the info I can.

Hi all, Jim from St Louis here. Just found this forum a few weeks ago and I've been reading everything I can. What a great site! I'm a lifelong MO resident and have fished as long s I can remember. I finally bought boat 2 years ago and although I still consider myself a newbie as far as boating goes I think I'm getting there Living in St Louis kind of limits my time on the water so when I am able to go I try and learn as much as possible. I usually fish Lake of the Ozarks (except summer months) and Mark Twain because they are the closest to home. Heading to Table Rock this Sunday for a week and we're staying in the Indian Point area so if anyone has any advice/tips it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading and I'll be seeing you all online. Jim