Opening Day Spoonbill 2010

[Bill Babler]

Dewey, Just putting that much gear together, wears me out. Just hearing your fantastic explaination, wears me out.

When I was a kid I guided Spoonbill out of my folks resort on the Ivy Bend Arm of Lake O. That also wore me out. You are hung up constantly and trying to get unhung with that huge terminal gear, wears me out.

I was 12 years old and that is way to big a job for a kid. IF I even see one of those prehistoric behomiths that is not a white fillet swimming in a crisco bath, I will scream.

I'm worn out, but you hit the nail on the head. Great Post.

[ktm3ten]

I took these shots yesterday up the James. I think some of these might be spoonbills, but not sure. These were all taken with my 997C SI. Let me know if I'm wrong and this is something else, I'm new to all this!

[Chief Grey Bear]

Oh yea, I think the Missouri state record is 143 pounds caught on Table Rock Lake.

60-80 pounds is very obtainable on the James River Arm of Table Rock.

I was thinking it was a 139????? But the more I think about maybe it is 143.

My personal best was 80. Fought like a log. Now if you hook into one of those males in the 30-40 pound range....hang on baby!!!!!! That is a fight you won't forget. Love catching the bigungs but, dang those males will wear you plumb out.

[duckydoty]

I was thinking it was a 139????? But the more I think about maybe it is 143.

My personal best was 80. Fought like a log. Now if you hook into one of those males in the 30-40 pound range....hang on baby!!!!!! That is a fight you won't forget. Love catching the bigungs but, dang those males will wear you plumb out.

You are right. It is 139. Kansas holds the World Record at 144 pounds.

Here is a good link to snagging info put out by the MDC

paddle fish snagging

They dont mention anything about using the flyrod though. Now if you want a real challenge...try a 70 pounder on a 10 wt.

[Predator1]

Here is a link to The MDC website that might help anyone.

www.mosportsmen.com/fishing/paddle.htm

[Seth]

Nice job Don. I think we seen your boat heading under the bridge as we were leaving for home this morning. I only managed to catch three last night (5, 35, and 53) and my two buddies in the boat got zero. Slow night for us. My buddies boat got seven within the first hour and hit several others than got off. A cousin of a guy in my boat was down there and they ended up with five with four of them coming within the first hour of season in the same my buddy got their seven. Guy in my boat went back out crappie fishing at daylight and came back around 8am and said somebody hauled in an 83 just above the 76 bridge also.

I'm probably going to hold off a few weeks for the weather to warm back up before I head back down. Good luck to everybody else.

[tunchi]

Thanks duckydoty. Helpfull info for some one who knows nothing about them. The way you describe the meat makes me want to taste it. Maybe some day I will.

Becky

[CBNMO]

To me the meat is exactly the same as a Sturgeon. Other than the scales on the Sturgeon and the bill on the Spoonbill, its all looks and tastes th same. I cooked some for a friend in Washington (state) and he said it's was just like Sword Fish? (I wouldn't know about that)

I was taught to pull the spinal cord before steaking up the fish. Supposed to put off a bad taste if you cut through it. Don't know if it's true, perhaps an ole wives tale, or just a joke on me? We always pull it, everyone is amazed to watch it come out the first few times anyways.

In Missouri we can use multiple hooks, they can be barbed, can use a gaff, limit of 2 fish/day. In Oklahoma they can only use one hook and must be barbless or the barbs bent down at least, no gaff allowed, limit of 1 fish/day. (I think these are correct ?)

Last couple years we used two hooks, but this year I've gone to just using one hook. A lot safer when you go to pull a fish into the boat, depending on how experienced your crew is. We use 12/0 hooks, 4 to 8 oz sinkers and 12 foot spinning rods from the boat or bank. From the bank if the water is swift and you can't walk down the bank, I'd use anything over 40 pound test, from a boat anything over 20 pound test will be fine for a 80 pound fish. Depends how much you want to play or horse it. My favorite setup is 50 to 80 pound braid tied to a good barrel swivel. Then lighter mono line tied to the hook and sinker. Get hung up and you break off hook sinker and 10 foot of cheap line.