Tired Of Rude People Fishing 5 Feet Away

[OzarkFishman]

I live in Ozark, so during the summer I fish the Finley. But, during the winter (being that I have no boat) I am forced to fish at Springfield Lake. The warm water outlet is fine when it is really cold, because most people don't like fishing when it is below 35 - 40 degrees. Yesterday was nice, so I decided to go fishing. When I showed up, it was a zoo ... I still managed to find 20 yards of shore not being fished. Within 2 minutes someone started fishing 20 feet down, and within another 5 minutes (no joke) someone started fishing 5 feet down from me. There is no point in saying anything to these morons.

I did not grow up in this area, so could someone inform me of different access points to Springfield Lake? I go below the dam sometimes with limited success.

OzarkFishman

PS - if you don't want to share your spot with the whole world, then a PM would be nice

[smallmouthjoe]

The bank across from the warm water outlet should start holding some fish sometime soon. I find a lot of fish on the north side of the shore when spring hits because the north side gets more sun and warms faster. You can get there by parking in the parking lot that is on the right immediately after you cross the dam. You can also park down at the park which is the first right turn after the parking lot I just described. Good luck.

[binman]

The way I see it you can go below the dam or above other wise without a boat your S.O.L in my opinion there is too many people and not enough room! It all holds good fish in the winter maybe you can send me a pm and I can give you my spot where there is sure to be no one at

Brandon Inman

[brownieman]

I know how ya feel. Every year I try to make it up to Truman tailrace when the whites and birds turn on. It's always crowded especially on the weekends.

The bunch of guys I fish with after doing so for a few years try to help each other. This helps out alot when everyone helps each other instead of getting pissed. Any of us can shout fish on and if it's a big one most get their lines in and help out...I said most, there are always a few that just don't care and when it's crowded being tangled up with someone else is just part of it.

[LEBHUNTFISH]

Well guys I am from the Lebanon area originally and I fished a lot at Bennett Springs for trout. I fly fish there and let me tell ya people are just rude, but I found that if your the @$$ and act like you don't know what you are doing (casting crazy like) they tend to stop being rude. Its also kinda comical when you work your fish over to them and raise your rod tip to make the fish splash them and get them soaked. But that's something that I used to do to a buddy. LOL I personally don't like having to act that way but be all pay good money to go fishing at our favorite spot each year no matter where its at and other people needs to respect that. If you still have problems with someone just get tangled up with them (your fault or theirs) and instead of spending the next 30 min untangling their line from yours just bite theirs off and keep the bait. I also found if you will respond to them like, excuse me for wanting a place to fish. They tend to give you a little more room. Again I don't like being a prick but I am fed up with other people that are pricks. Just my 2 cents.

[Tightline]

The estimated census for 2008 in Missouri is a little over 5,900,000.

With only 818 square miles of water in the state,well I'll let you guys do the math, its not going to get any better.

Its just a blessing that not all those people per square mile of water like to fish.

Courtesy and restraint from everyone is what its gonna take when its crowded.

[jjtroutbum]

See sig. line below the one about a jerk.

[OzarkFishman]

Tightline,

Thank you for your insight, I am a math teacher myself, so I understand that the fact that there is any water to fish is great. My problem isn't that these waters are busy ... the problem is that people believe it is ok to fish 5 feet away. Restraint is what I showed when I didn't say anything and just left. I understand that the warm water outlet will always be busy (except when it is cold, which is why I am going tomorrow morning), but when there is plenty of room further down the bank I don't understand why someone would decide to fish within spittin distance. If I go to a trout park, then I know it will be shoulder to shoulder. But that is a different story all together. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy having conversations with fellow fisherman, but not everyone that fishes is a fisherman (or fisherwoman for those ladies out there). I guess I will just have to continue learning the waters in the Ozarks.

Thank you smallmouthjoe for the other access points.

OzarkFishman

[smallmouthjoe]

Maybe you can thank me by helping me pass calculus next semester.

[RSBreth]

It's hard to find decent shore access on a couple of our local lakes, the best thing is to gather up all your spare change and buy a cheap canoe or john boat. Canoe is better if you like moving water (like the Finley). Then you can usually get away from most people, although waterborne morons aren't uncommon in this area. Springfield Lake is a pretty good little lake when you can paddle around and fish it instead of being stuck on shore.