Mitch f

I pass by that lake several times a week and always assumed it was off limits. Had no idea you could fish there.

Sounds like you did exactly as you said!! Congrats

Please throw in the Kardashians and River Des Peres to sweeten the deal

Ok, Lets stop this conversation right now

Yep, both sets of grandparents were from Paragould, AR and they attended church 3 times a week. My grandmother on my moms side was such a good lady that she absolutely thought God would strike her down on the spot if she cussed or drank alcohol. But the "N" word would roll off her lips so easily. She would never speak however to the only black in town, who was a shoeshine "boy" because they can't be trusted around white women ya know. I remember watching him shine shoes in the barbershop quietly. The men always treated him well because he always knew his place. He had, as they say unforgivable blackness. Another story involves my grandfather back when Joe Louis fought Max Schmeling the second time. My grandfather had a radio back then before anyone else and all the locals gathered around to listen to the fight. My grandfather exclaimed " that Germans gonna kill that Nxxxx" ....well imagine the look of bewilderment on their face when Louis knocked him out in 1 minute!

Yamamoto uses a large amount of salt which keeps fish on longer. They also use very soft plastic and have a plethora of colors... Good stuff

Thanks for sharing!!!

Heard a good one the other day regarding China. My wife gets news from Chinese news papers all the time and this story made it to America. Apparently someone dumped 5000 pigs in the river that runs thru Shanghai. I bet it smelled nice! Anyway she explained what really happend. There was a ring going on where people would gather the pigs who died before they were slaughtered and sold them to restaurants at a discount. Imagine that. Well they got busted and got a huge jail sentence, and paid huge fines. Some of their competitors decided it was too risky and dumped their "stock" in the river.

The bigger rivers do get a bunch of pressure no doubt. As far as Al's #1 rule of thumb from above, I've kind of narrowed the water clarity down to 2 easy theories. One, with the exception of the jerk bait bite in the spring and fall, when the water is clear I only fish the top and bottom. Two, when the water is stained I only fish the mid water column, with an occasional bump off the bottom.

Forgot to mention I was referring to bass, sorry. Well, I know this is a complex topic and process, but I named it the "Art" instead of the "Science" so I would attract Al and pick his brain

Well Jesse kind of redeemed himself today, calling off the attack dogs and telling people to give Paula a break, good move. Although it might be a little too late because Walmart dropped her already

The Google Earth is something I admit I haven't gotten good at, so great call F&F. Also the shade you mentioned is what I look for too, especially mid day. Since I normally fish out of a jet boat its easier to go back and fish an area later in the day if I know there's a big fish there, but I know that's not possible with a canoe. But I usually will look for water that's splitting in 2 different directions usually at the front of a hole. There's normally a couple of fish there and are feeding. It seems to me on average they are smaller fish than the ones at the end of the hole though. The fish on the end are typically the biggest fish, don't know why but it seems to just work that way. Maybe because the big fish are just lazy. I will usually eliminate the entire middle section of a hole when the hole is large enough to create frog water in the middle (opposite of the winter) On the Meramec there are so many logs that the logs aren't a premium like they are on the Gasconade. On the Gasconade you can almost bet every big log near or in current will hold a fish, which allows you to eliminate more water..... not so on the Meramec. On the Meramec, you need to be focused on which are the most productive logs, ones near wood or sand...with current or without, or fast or slow current. Logs on rocks with current are a premium no matter where you're at. Also logs across the river from a Rocky bluff, the majority of guys will fish the rocky bluff and never fish the logs across the river. My 2 cents

Awesome fish! 52 degrees is perfect water temp...is Baldwin a power plant lake? 52 is awfully warm for Feb if its not

I've been thinking about this for a couple of years now and decided just to post it because it came to my mind lately when I took my family to TR for a mini vacation and had no clue what area to fish first. I really wanted to address this subject because this is something we can all learn from. I want to talk about rivers and not lakes...and mainly summertime patterns. I would like each person to describe how they go about dissecting a new piece of water, or adapt to a known piece of water that has changed over the years.

I know the Bass Pros who fish in Florida for the big bass never use a trolling motor at all when they are trying to sneak up on fish. Edited to say that I listened to Denny Brauer, who is the pitching and flipping master, always uses his trolling motor on constant speed because he believes it spooks fish constantly restarting the trolling motor, combined with the fact that you are working at close quarters when you flip. When I'm fishing that advice all goes out the window and the only time I troll with a strategy is when I try to go back to a spot that I know is holding a big fish. In that case I will start downstream and troll against current to sneak up on the fish, assuming he is facing upstream.

Looks like fun!!

I guess it would be perfect for old leaky crank baits and top water lures!

No it won't! Just do the same thing you did when you caught the 18" and she will come!

I had to post this! Jacques Pepin is the absolute best cook on TV, used to cook for De Gualle. This is something that intrigued me...mainly how masterful he is! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAekQ5fzfGM

One thing I always think is important is leading the cast with the butt of the rod toward your target. When I think back about the times I have made bad casts, it's usually me getting too quick and trying to be fancy. A smooth accurate cast in the right location is better than 3 quick casts in the "area" of the location. On the side arm cast, I heard Hank Parker describe the wrist action as turning a door knob. Like anything else, practicing is the way you'll get good and develop your own style.

Looks good!

Great fish Seth!!

I know that the "N" word used in your past can come back to haunt you. Remember Mark Furhman at the OJ trial? They had him on video tape using the N word from 5 years earlier and F. Lee Bailey nailed him on the date...."Mr. Furhman, Have you used the N word in the last 5 years?" knowing the date of the video. Not only did it prove he was lying but cemented in the jurors mind that he was a racist. Definitely a gotcha moment and IMO changed the outcome of the trial.

Sounds good F&F, glad you are making progress!!

From the title I thought you were commenting on the current administrations stance on traditional marriage.