Tough Week For Me Until Today

[Bill Babler]

As related on an earlier thread, Beck and I worked hard for our dough the first part of the week. Things started loosening up yesterday, with Bill having over 40 fish an a dozen quality keepers.

Today, for me with John Dickerson, long time great client and a buddy Todd, both from Ohio, we turned the tables around on those sneeky ole basses.

First point and John hammered a 3.7 pound LM "Mind Ya, On Top". Next point and John's topwater was absolutely and I am here to tell you, Totally FLUSHED,

as a post spawn 7 pound 8 oz LM, that just flat ate the topwater. It was one of those strikes, that I just after seeing it sprinted for the net. IT was just a "Ka-Whoosh." That is my biggest client fish in about 12 years. Had a lady on a zebco 33 catch a 9.1 on a fin.

The Falcon Cara 6'6" medium spinner with a Shimano Stradic and 8 pound Maxi, totally controlled the fish, and there was no doubt, it was coming to the boat, as long as it would stay buttoned up. 3 huge swirls and a couple of out of the water head shakes, before it sang the drag 4 times, and she was aboard.

John did a great job, keeping the rod very still and letting the fish run and pull against the drag, on a very tight line and a well bent rod, to absorb the shock. Job, well done.

What a way to start the day.

Top water kind of died on me, but Beck and Denny, continued to gather them up till afternoon, the way they are telling me.

Fished the 5 inch smoke chomper grub a little and Todd gathered up a 4.5 pound LM swimming the grub in a spawning pocket. John would not let this rest and about 3 cast later, collected a very nice Jaw, at 3.9. Both the LM and the Jaw had not spawned. Funny how the big girl was done and these were ripe to pick and had just not pulled the trigger yet.

I am seeing 100's of beds, from Kimberling to Eagle Rock, but most are empty and a few have some small males on them. I am thinking a lot of fish have done the deed and headed deep. Highest surface temps when we quit at 3:30 was 67.8

Not a lot of chasing today, but did catch several on a fin.

Best deal by far was the Shk-HD. sounds like a TV. The Shaky head produced between 40 and 50 fish for us today with a 18 keepers. Mostly 15 to 16 inch K's that have not yet spawned, but are fixin to. Main lake cuts, pockets and chunk with some gravel mixed in. Good depth, was boat in 20 feet and caught the fish about 1/2 was back. I am thinking 8 to 14 ft.

Best 5 today counting the big girl was a huge 22 pound bag. 2 LM on topwater, 1LM, swimming a grub, 1 LM on a shaky head and the big Jaw on the grub.

Beck had the same ammount of fish, but mid-20's on the keeps, fishing the Kimberling City area. Don't believe he had a 7.8

Seemed everyone caught fish today, just probably because of the great conditions, hope it continues.

[dtrs5kprs]

Left Kimberling this morning...weather could not have been better for the TW bite. Congrats to your clients and yourself on the big girl.

Seems that TW bite is always rolling when we reach the water patrol tmt.

[Jason Essary]

Bill what area was u fishing if u dont mind. Looking for the fin bite to start down main lake.

[danny Lawrence]

Bill what area was u fishing if u dont mind. Looking for the fin bite to start down main lake.

I know what a lm sm and k are what is a jaw?

[snakem]

I know what a lm sm and k are what is a jaw?

Great day it sounds like Bill good report.

Danny a jaw is a small mouth.

Snakem Out.

[mrcold]

Thanks for the report! I know what the lm, sm, k, and jaw are, but what's a fin? You guys and your crazy lingo have me all confused.

[Fat Boy]

Fin is a top water bait brand name Red Fin, aka as Fin, jointed minnow, broken minnow, great bait I like them after you have tweeked them a bit.

[snakem]

Thanks for the report! I know what the lm, sm, k, and jaw are, but what's a fin? You guys and your crazy lingo have me all confused.

mrcold its a big stick bait the best way i can describe it , top water swim it real slow making a wake on top of the water if it goes under you wont get bit.

Snakem Out.

[Bill Babler]

Area fished was Point 9 to point 22 all on the White River.

Spoke to both Bill and Denjac several times yestereay, and that pretty much takes in the area up past point 1 on the White.

We were all getting bite on topwater. I also spoke to Don House, and I believe it was the same for him.

I lost that TW about 7:30 and started swimming a grub, and then when it got real flat a little after 8, went to the SH. Believe Donny did the same and the other two dudes continued with the TW bite.

[Jason Essary]

Thanks Bill. Great report. I think i will go dancing between the rain drops this weekend.