Sunday Report. K.c. To Baxter.

[Whack'emGood]

We fished yesterday from K.C. to Baxter (mostly up around Baxter) and fought the whitecaps and gusts to catch 'em okay. We caught some really nice KY and a few nice Smallies. We figured out that we had to be in the direct wind to catch them but, in some places (that we knew were holding fish), the wind and waves were too rough for both of us be able to fish effectively. We didn't get on the water until about 9:30, so we fished through the most windy part of the day. We caught them on crankbaits and spinnerbaits, and a few on jigs. We caught about half on the main lake and half back in the creeks-- points and chunk rock, and it seemed to help some to be around some timber. I guess that narrows it down for everybody ... sorry, that's the way it was. When we caught one on a given spot, we caught a bunch there. No really big fish though... best 5 around 12-13 lbs. We were a little disappointed-- our worst day in quite awhile-- but we still caught enough to keep our interest throughout the day. Water temps were 58*-61*.

We only saw 3 boats the whole day-- didn't run into Techo or Champ and Donna to meet them like we had hoped... but the temperature was nice and we enjoyed the day.

It was a broad pattern, so this report probably won't help anyone, but I figured I would post anyway.

Whack'em

[Champ188]

Whack'em,

Sorry we missed you Sunday. Launched at H Hwy ramp (Baxter) and fished from there up to Sweetwater in the Kings. Made it a point to fish all new water and glad we did. Considering the bluebird conditions, had a pretty good day. Caught around 25 fish including 15 keepers doing the same as you — chunk-rock banks directly in the wind, both main lake and creeks — but threw a spinnerbait all day. Wart probably would've worked, too, just didn't try it much. Best five around 15 lbs, helped by a 4-pound SM that Donna caught early off a dock inside Baxter. Also had a KY close to 4 pounds that also came off a dock later in the day on a spinnerbait. The eagle that lives near the mouth of Big Creek was sailing around when we came back through on the way in. Pretty sight and a nice end to a not-too-bad day. Heck, it was a great day. They all are when you're on the water.

[Whack'emGood]

Hey Champ,

Yeah, we here hoping to run into you guys... another day we will. Sounds like you guys did a little better than we did size wise. Tell Donna nice job on the 4lb smallie. That's a dandy. We saw an eagle yesterday too... a couple of times. He got real close to us as he circled for awhile over Lookout Point just down river from Baxter... he was battling the wind pretty good and just hovering over us. It really was a beautiful day for this time of year. Like you said though, they are all beautiful days out there on the lake.

We will catch y'all next time.

Whack'em

[techo]

I didn't make it out Sunday as Mrs. techo was really under the weather. I did make it out today (Monday). Hit the lake at 7:30 AM. I was a bit late. The day started out not so great. I usually gas and oil up the boat the night before, but my friend was going with me so I thought i would let him see what I do get the boat ready this one time. In other words I was too lazy to get it ready.

Woke up a bit late in the AM and found a text on the phone from my friend saying he wasn't going to make it. I hooked the boat to the truck and went to unplug the charger. Lucky me someone else had unplugged it days ago. I pulled the boat around to the front and plugged it in while I made some coffee. I keep the batteries charged almost all of the time anyway and it only took about thirty minutes for them to show full charge. Loaded everything up and jumped in the truck. I made it about fifteen feet down the driveway and remembered to unplug the charger. That was a close one.

Drove toward the lake to put in at Aunt's Creek. I remembered I needed gas and had to fill up at the Shell Station. It is a great deal spendier there than in Nixa. Luckily I couldn't get the pump to work and only bought a little over $4.00. I figured I could just fish around Aunt's Creek anyway. I had about a quarter tank. Unloaded the boat and was on my way. Somehow I lost my bottle of drinking water and was going to have to stretch that cup of coffee to make it through the entire day.

First cast I caught a small little Kentucky. Everyone knows about the first cast-catch a fish jinx rule. It was cloudy and no wind early AM. How much worse could it get. I said a little prayer for some sun and wind as I wanted to throw the spinnerbait today. Be very careful what you pray for. Wind kicked up and it was a wee bit chilly. I guess I should have prayed for something more important.

Over all it turned out to be a great day. I fished until almost 2:00 PM. I caught nine fish total. A real nice one (for me) was a bit over nineteen inches. I had two 15 incher Kentuckies and a 17 inch LM too. The others were shorts, but not midgets. I had two fish hit the spinnerbait, but they wouldn't take it. I also saw some fish stacked up and tried a shaky head and drop shot for a very short time, but no takers. Every fish came on a Wiggle Wart. The bigger two came out of twelve feet of water. The rest came off of docks or close to rock banks. I never got anything off of any trees or wood. I tried an Eakins jig around the trees.

There is my book report. Be back out there Thursday.

[Donna G]

Techo, what color Wart are you using? I love throwing it and have had good success in the fall/winter before, but not so much this year at Table Rock. We were using the color that's called V45, I think. I've also been using that phantom brown and a V37 some.

Champ188 forgot to mention I caught my 4lb smallmouth on a shakey head. I really like shakey fishing and tend to use it when I should be hurling something else, so he gets after me about it. I like to go 'neener, neener, neener' when I catch a good one shaking. Using those Table Rock Chomper triangle shaped heads 1/4oz in the wind. The smallie ate a Zoom watermelon purple finesse worm.

[Donna G]

Hey Champ,

Yeah, we here hoping to run into you guys... another day we will. Sounds like you guys did a little better than we did size wise. Tell Donna nice job on the 4lb smallie. That's a dandy. We saw an eagle yesterday too... a couple of times. He got real close to us as he circled for awhile over Lookout Point just down river from Baxter... he was battling the wind pretty good and just hovering over us. It really was a beautiful day for this time of year. Like you said though, they are all beautiful days out there on the lake.

We will catch y'all next time.

Whack'em

Thanks, Whack'em. Pretty brown fish. Extremely feisty. Flipped the switch on my spinning reel and was back reeling. I did NOT swing him. Champ lipped him for me. He's a pretty good fella. lol