Fishing Report 7/17

[Champ188]

I guess I'm "dumb" but I'll be fishing Central Pro-Am there next weekend and I'll bet my fish are alive and well at weigh-in both days. It's all about taking proper care of them ... running the aerator constantly, adding ice occasionally to cool the water and using additives. The Thursday night derbies are only 3 hours. Shouldn't be hard at all to keep fish happy and healthy for that short time.

[adjust555]

I have noticed the Stockton tourneys on Thursdays have quit giving results to the winners. I hope is isnt because dumb guys think they can keep fish alive in this heat.....

A Dumb Guy would be someone not knowing what they are talking about. Then talking about it anyway.

[sportshop]

And we're off.

[Thunderin Gobbler]

On the topic of keeping fish alive in tournaments, I fished one about a month ago on Stockton that was a little different. Instead of actually putting the fish in the livewell, they would take the measurements and write them on cards. It is all based on the honor system and they alternate teammates each tournament to keep it somewhat honest. I didn't see any problems with it that time.

I don't think it would be such a bad idea for some of these smaller tournaments to consider doing it when the temps are so high. Even with the best aerators, fish will occasionally die.

The bad thing about it is you don't get to see the other guys weigh in and show off your catches. But all in all, it saves fish.

[adjust555]

On the topic of keeping fish alive in tournaments, I fished one about a month ago on Stockton that was a little different. Instead of actually putting the fish in the livewell, they would take the measurements and write them on cards. It is all based on the honor system and they alternate teammates each tournament to keep it somewhat honest. I didn't see any problems with it that time.

I don't think it would be such a bad idea for some of these smaller tournaments to consider doing it when the temps are so high. Even with the best aerators, fish will occasionally die.

The bad thing about it is you don't get to see the other guys weigh in and show off your catches. But all in all, it saves fish.

Great idea. I can tell you it does take a lot of work in this heat to keep your fish alive. It can be done. The hard part is when you are in line for weigh in, if it is long. Treat your water. freeze some 1 gal jugs of water, put one in in morning and 1 half way through. Use addatives. Run your airrator. Did not mean to start trouble but hate it when people bad mouth others without the facts. Been to a few thurs. night tourneys and have not seen a dead fish yet.

[Thunderin Gobbler]

I agree it can be done. It just takes some work. I heard something about 80% of bass will die right now after being kept in a livewell. Some may even take a few days before they do die. I don't know how true that is, but I will look into it some more and let you guys know what I can come up with.

[Stockton Lake Guide Service]

Does anybody else feel lots of love right now.

The fact is that if people will take the time to take care of the fish, then it will dramatically increase their chance of survival. Us dumb thursday night fisherman are so dumb that we don't even weigh dead fish. We figure that if we can't keep them alive for 3 hours, then it isn't worth weighing them.

I don't have any problem with someone that wants to stay home in the heat and not fish. That is their choice and this is America for another couple of years. So if you don't feel like fishing, thats fine, but to get on a forum and say you know a little about fishing and then call others dumb is what I would consider a little.....how do I say it and stay politically correct?. I'm not even sure what time oprah comes on, but I sure don't feel like sitting around in the house all day and finding out. If it cost a fish his life so that I don't have to sit around inside all day then so be it. The fish won't enjoy it as much as I do, but then again, I'm human and it's a fish.

I'm so glad I decided to read all the post after putting up my fishing report. Now I can take a nap in peace after a great morning on Stockton Lake.

[Stockton Lake Guide Service]

Fished for crappie from sunrise til just after 2 PM. After reading all of the recent reports, decided to focus on brush piles. In a nutshell, we didn't do squat. Fished from Googer north to the mile long bridge. Even tried briefly up towards Crabtree. We must of fished at least 15 different brush piles...some marked and some not. Fished in them, around them, on top of them...you name it. Caught one keeper and a few shorts. Also caught a handful of whites, one LM and my buddy caught a nice cat. Fished plastic jigs, hair jigs, and Road Runners.

The water seemed very clear with water temps ranging from 86 to 90. The boat traffic was just terrible. The heat wasn't much better. Noticed a lot of fingerling bass swimming around. Just not sure what went wrong. My step father comes into town tomorrow and was looking to take him out on Monday. Thought we could get into a good Stockton crappie bite, but my confidence is a little shaken.

Anyone else have any luck Saturday?

Jason

Jason,

I didn't take the time to read thru your entire post closely, however you are in the right area of the lake. I have been catching mainly keepers on black chart 1/16 oz lead head jig fished 1 foot off the bottom in the brush. You need to work the jig slowly thru the brush, bump some things, and both watch and feel for the bite. if you see your line make any sudden move, set the hook. worse case you retie. Some of the fish will catch it an the fall, no feel, but the line wont go down, set the hook. Its either in the fishes mouth or on a log. color doesn't seem to matter much. I changed all day and had fish on all colors.

I have a small trip that I can reschedule on monday. if you are interested let me know and we can discuss a deal. If you are looking to catch some nice crappie, I think if would be worth your time to get a guide. It takes some experience and hands on to learn how to fish and catch these crappie. It;s not like springtime. 417-208-9535 is the best number to contact me and we can talk. If you are unable to afford a trip, I will do all I can to show you some things to make this a memorable trip with your dad. Thats what it is all about.

Give me a call about monday.

[hungup]

July 17, 2010...Got started at 8:30 p.m...fished for crappie main channel banks in maze creek, with BIG TREES close to the bank..Minnows 3/0 split shot, 1/16 oz. bare jig head, under the lights.. Depth 10 to 15 feet over 25 to 30...Three guys with 39 keepers many shorts..Back on trailer at 11:45 p.m...Lucky i guess.....

[packersooner]

Bob,

Just saw your note and appreciate the offer. Been a busy week for me. We ended up going down to Bull Shoals and fishing for walleye this last Monday. We did fairly well. Caught about a dozen but only had two keepers. Released 4 that were between 17 and 18". Mission accomplished though. He got his first walleye

I may try and head up that way early next week...depending on the weather. Something is indeed different so far this year versus last year. Seemed like you could put a jig right on top of the brush last year and "watch" the fish come up and get it. Your logic of them being way down in the brush makes sense given the clearer water. Guess it may do me some good to get the courage to lower a jig down into the land of snags. Will probably have to scrap the ultralite with 4 pound test

Jason