straw hat

Yes, that will work but just be careful not to cut any trees along the bank. That requires a permit.

Great report Whit Warriors. Real good info. Walcrabass, you are dead on with the suggestions (I am not just saying that because you are another old geezer either lol). idn't have those scents back in my day, we just tryed to grab a few crawdads or nightcrawlers and used them to scent our worms. The nightcrawlers especially worked well. They weren't the canadian ones they were ones caught along the river. I think your best suggestion though was the one on little or no weight. It really seems to increase the average size of your bass but I think that, especially if you are fishing deeper water, it decreases the number of fish.

Sounds great!! Studies have shown that cedars last only 5 or 6 yrs before they are pretty much tore up and degraded. Most of your maples, ash and soft woods will last 8 to 10 yeras and hardwoods like oak and hickory last 15 to 25 years. My experience shows these results are fairly accurate but it also depends on limb size, was the tree already dead and rotten. etc. I use only oak and hickory because they do last so long. Have have some brush piles that I put out in 1992 and I still use them! The smaller limbs (1" in diameter or less) are lost pretty quick so I usually use trees that are 5 or 6" in diameter or greater and 5 or 6 feet long. These larger diameter trees reaalllyyy draw a lot more crappie. I think because it provides more shade. If you don't have a source for trees you can go to the tree drop off center for the City of Springfield. They require that all trees dropped off must be 6' or less (which makes them easier to handle). They will let you pick up as many as you wish. Just attach 2 or 3 trees to a cement block or two, put them in your boat and go drop them off. Be sure and mark the gps poit on your fishfinder.

Man, don't be jealous!! This winter, get up off the sofa, load up your boat with brush and cement blocks and make your own. It is worth the effort. Be prepared though, by the end of year 4 or 5 a lot of fishermen will have found them.

No problem on the brush piles NWTF. If you are lucky enough to find them go for it. I have out out over 40 small brush Pile between CC and the end of Shaw's so I still have plenty of options! lol

That sounds like a good idea NWTF! All of our crappie came between Springfield Landing and Shaw's Bluff. You should do well around Shaw's Bluff and shame on you for not bringing your crappie gear!! lol

Thanks for the nice reply. Sounds like you did great at Truman. those are some sweet crappie you caught. Ours were mostly around 11 inchers so not bad but those 13 and 14 inchers are outstanding fish. Keep up the work on the walleye. The weather is suppose to be a little cooler next weel (if you can beliee the weatherman, lol) maybe that will help pick things up some.

The wife took a day off and we hit the lake today. We got a break today and had some clouds this AM and that helped keep the temperature down some but the high wind did make the boat handling and the fishing challenging. We did manage to come back with 22 keepers. They were running 8 to 10 feet deep in standing timber. The funny thing was we never got a fish less than 8 or over 10. they were really in a very narrow depth range.Sure was nice with no one on the lake today. Quiet and peaceful.

Thanks for the offer chj but I don't think my bad heart would handle that. I don't know if it is the birds or people spraying them but the few trees here in Willard never have worms on them. Seems strange.

Man I LOVE using catalpa worms for channels!! Finding them around here is almost impossible. Most of hte trees are sprayed and hte rest are closely watched by local anglers. I have tried to order them on line 3 times only to recieve back notices that they are out of stock. Oh well.

Got 4 channels this morning at 25 to 28'. Only fished a few hours before it just got too hot for me. By the way, I agree with birdwatcher. The larger channels will often be in less then 10' this time of year. Those 1 to 3 pounders often run in the 25 to 30' range though. He hit it right on the head on the flatheads. Fish the heavy cover in 10' or less. Log jams, rock rubble. Good luck.

Managed to get 4 channels this morning before the heat got the better of me. They were running 25 to 28' deep along a steep rocky bank. Caught them all on large minnows. No real size, just 1 1/2 to 2 lbs but they will be good eating. Also caught a few small bass at the some depth.

Spent half a day yesterday trying to catch a cat. Ran 8 jugs and fished 3 rods. My freind ran 3 rods. We tried from 3 feet to 25' and used shad sides, guts, and large minnows. Water temp was 82 to 87. Yeesh what awful weather. Lost one decent channel and caught a 3 lb flathead. Going to try again tomorrow near the state marina. Is it fall yet.

Great to hear you are back at it Charliehorsejigs. The vacation is over for the fish now. lol Go get them.

Well, just got back from the lake. Put in at CC, boated to Shaw's Bluff and then fished our way back to CC.Water temp at Shaw's bluff was 80, at Springfield landing was 82 and at CC was 86. Only caught 1 keeper crappie south of Springfield Landing.We came home with a total of 24 keepers. Most were around 11". They ranged from 4 to 10' deep and were caught on fence rows and isolated standing timber. A few tubers (and I don't mean potatoes..lol) and a couple of jet skiers too.

Welcome to Stockton Daveinozark. Just a note on the crappie. You might want to try jigs instead of the spinners. The surface temp is around 82 and the crappie have been very picky lately. Would suggest around standing timber at this time at 6 to 15' deep. I just don't think they are going to be active enough to chase the spinners. Good luck and be sure to tell us how you do.

Thanks for the info 9lb. I am thinking about going fishing with big shiners next week for flatheads and large bass so I wanted to know the depth. It might help me focus in on them. It looks like it may be too darn hot next week though. Thanks again.

Thanks wtr dogs!!

Great catch of bass 9lb. How deep were they?

Thanks for the help 9lb.

One good thing about it....It has got to get better. lol

I agree with the sinker idea!!

I am planning a bank fishing trip this week near either Ruark or the State Marina. I was wondering if anyone new at what depth the thermocline was in these areas. Any help would be appreciated.

Fished about a dozen places between CC and Shaws Bluff. Came back with 11 keepers. Four came off standing timber (10' deep), and 7 from steep rocky banks 4 to 7' deep). Surface temp was 82 and the thermocline was at 12'. Tough day to be out in a pontoon boat. Wind sure did bounce us around. It took us an hour to take our boat out of the lake. You all have heard the story before....people blocking the drive, parked behind us so we couldn't back out, parked on the ramp to put away their tackle and such. Don't you love the summer idiots. Hopefully the next trip will be a little better.

You got it right ricarter. It lasts until the water drops to around 60 to 64 degrees in the fall.