Opinions On Fishing Memorial Weekend.

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

That's great, if you like fishing in the dark...

Actually, you are exactly right. These fish get tired of the boat traffic all day long and as soon as it quits, they'll start to feed in shallower water. Don't overlook boat ramp areas...the constant upheaval of the bottom sediment made by boats getting in and out of the water creates a cloud of nutrients. Also, most ramps have lights and this in turn draws bugs and fish.

Marty Thompson

Thompson Fishing Guide Service

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

Often imitated, never duplicated. Fish The Finest!

[Frost1920]

Well we ended up going. We went up Sunday and were on the water by 0530 and we were about the 6th truck on the ramp. But we put in and fish our way from the where the lake starts all the way up to the main lake. When we got near the main lake we could hear boats rippin and roarin but only saw one or two boats pulling tubes and one bikini girl on a jet ski. other than that we just saw fishermen. more than usual but that was about it. We didnt catch ANY decent fish until about 1pm. Right after we said we would fish this last cove real quick and head in. Ended up staying until 6pm but we caught 8 crappie and a good catfish. But I lost count how many less than legal crappie we caught. 40 or more? Tons of em. and a couple walleye and a catfish. Couldnt really get any Bass to bite. Tried lots of different things but nothing really paid off except the crappie fishing. We had a really fun day and it just seemed like any other weekend at the lake. Until we decided to take out and had to wait for a skiboat and some guys who obviously have either JUST bought the boat or never had it on a trailor before. Jackknife left. jackknife right. back and forth. up and down the ramp. 3 or 4 boats in the water waiting on one guy to move. Really entertaining to watch. Thanks alot guys.

[sixstring531]

We took home 15lbs of bass on Friday evening. Sat morning was not so good, but the 30+ bass was a hoot. PopRs and Sinkos were the trick.

[Fly_Guy]

Sixstring - were these white bass? If so, I wish I could get into them like that - only occationally do I seem to stumble across 'em. Where were you at? (If they were tasty black bass, lookout!! )

And advice if you are buying a boat. I don't have one, but I've been learning trailer backing using a friends boat. It takes a bit to get right - so if you're new to it, learn on a low-traffic boat ramp first!!! (that's what I've been doing) You'll get less guffaws and dirty looks, and have thick shiny hair if you do.

[ozark trout fisher]

Well we ended up going. We went up Sunday and were on the water by 0530 and we were about the 6th truck on the ramp. But we put in and fish our way from the where the lake starts all the way up to the main lake. When we got near the main lake we could hear boats rippin and roarin but only saw one or two boats pulling tubes and one bikini girl on a jet ski. other than that we just saw fishermen. more than usual but that was about it. We didnt catch ANY decent fish until about 1pm. Right after we said we would fish this last cove real quick and head in. Ended up staying until 6pm but we caught 8 crappie and a good catfish. But I lost count how many less than legal crappie we caught. 40 or more? Tons of em. and a couple walleye and a catfish. Couldnt really get any Bass to bite. Tried lots of different things but nothing really paid off except the crappie fishing. We had a really fun day and it just seemed like any other weekend at the lake. Until we decided to take out and had to wait for a skiboat and some guys who obviously have either JUST bought the boat or never had it on a trailor before. Jackknife left. jackknife right. back and forth. up and down the ramp. 3 or 4 boats in the water waiting on one guy to move. Really entertaining to watch. Thanks alot guys.

Sounds like you did pretty well. Sometimes those big Corp of engineer lakes absolutely kick my butt.

[frosty]

Well we ended up going. We went up Sunday and were on the water by 0530 and we were about the 6th truck on the ramp. But we put in and fish our way from the where the lake starts all the way up to the main lake. When we got near the main lake we could hear boats rippin and roarin but only saw one or two boats pulling tubes and one bikini girl on a jet ski. other than that we just saw fishermen. more than usual but that was about it. We didnt catch ANY decent fish until about 1pm. Right after we said we would fish this last cove real quick and head in. Ended up staying until 6pm but we caught 8 crappie and a good catfish. But I lost count how many less than legal crappie we caught. 40 or more? Tons of em. and a couple walleye and a catfish. Couldnt really get any Bass to bite. Tried lots of different things but nothing really paid off except the crappie fishing. We had a really fun day and it just seemed like any other weekend at the lake. Until we decided to take out and had to wait for a skiboat and some guys who obviously have either JUST bought the boat or never had it on a trailor before. Jackknife left. jackknife right. back and forth. up and down the ramp. 3 or 4 boats in the water waiting on one guy to move. Really entertaining to watch. Thanks alot guys.

Hope you had a good Day! 8 crappie sounds like a great Supper! If you ever need help eating them, Let me know.

Good Fishin to ya.

[sixstring531]

Sixstring - were these white bass? If so, I wish I could get into them like that - only occationally do I seem to stumble across 'em. Where were you at? (If they were tasty black bass, lookout!! )

And advice if you are buying a boat. I don't have one, but I've been learning trailer backing using a friends boat. It takes a bit to get right - so if you're new to it, learn on a low-traffic boat ramp first!!! (that's what I've been doing) You'll get less guffaws and dirty looks, and have thick shiny hair if you do.

Good largemouth -- no whites -- and when I mean good, I mean very tasty! Stockton largemouth, Dales breading.........hmmmmmmmm

[Frost1920]

well i always thought the unwritten rule was that you throw back the largemouth. maybe thats just me. I keep crappie and whites and some catfish now and then. but smallies and largemouth go back for the next guys to catch. i think the tournament guys and lake guide services probably appreciate it. i just thought that was proper fishing code of conduct on the lake. are there lots of guys keeping LM? i wouldnt think so but maybe im wrong

[rps]

The keep and eat versus catch and release has been argued many, many times on this forum. Before it starts again, I'll summarize. Some are proud eaters of anything, some keep and eat X and Y fishes but release Z fishes. Some don't keep anything. All believe strongly that their choice is the only correct one and will SHOUT THEIR BELIEFS REPEATEDLY. Usually Phil lets it run on as long as no one cusses or villifies others. Then he steps in and cuts the thread.

My comment: as long as you follow the laws and believe you are doing the right thing, you are.

[ozark trout fisher]

The keep and eat versus catch and release has been argued many, many times on this forum. Before it starts again, I'll summarize. Some are proud eaters of anything, some keep and eat X and Y fishes but release Z fishes. Some don't keep anything. All believe strongly that their choice is the only correct one and will SHOUT THEIR BELIEFS REPEATEDLY. Usually Phil lets it run on as long as no one cusses or villifies others. Then he steps in and cuts the thread.

My comment: as long as you follow the laws and believe you are doing the right thing, you are.

My opinion, is that anyone's opinion is fine, as long as they don't force it on anyone else..............

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Nothing wrong with keeping one occasionally, but if you're taking a limit home every day just to fill your freezer, I'm not sure that's right. The exception would be if you really need the meat to get by.

But honestly, these big corp of engineer lakes have plenty of room for both some catch and release, and catch and keep people. I don't see the need for the constant argument.

Please lets not have another one of these debates. We just got done with one on the Table Rock Forum

Of course we could make it so we have at least once catch and release debate on every lake's forum. Don't want to make any feel left out. I'd say Bull Shoals should be next on the least, then maybe Truman. We should make it a rotation. :lol: :lol: