Annual Guide Trip ?

[fozzype]

I just wanted to say thanks to Bill for the Jig Bite Info. It has helped and hopefully this info can help a little.

Pulled the camper and the boat from Ozark to Branson for the weekend. Took my guide out for our second annual fathers day trip. As you can see, she is excellent with the net. It just doesn't get any better than having your family with you

Put in at 5:15 both days at State Park. Absolutely the best two mornings I have had on the Rock. On Saturday killed the smallies on the jig, DD22, and War Eagle Spoon. Had two smallmouth that were weighed over 4 and one 5 - 9 oz toad. My best smallie on the rock to-date, 23 inches long 6.5" top to bottom on the FB jig at 5:30.

Anyway, had to be very, very, very close to deep water while setting the boat in 12-30' nearby. Channel swings or straight channel does not matter. Started with smallies on the football jig then kept seeing suspended fish on the graph 10-15' over 25' to 30'. Started bombing the DD-22 with a stop and go retrieve and for about an hour it was just plain stupid with a 50/50 ratio of smallies and K's. The smallies calmed down about 8:00 AM and then the K's moved over the channelbreak and suspended with the shad. Starting throwing the spoon under the graph and continued to cath fish until about 10:00 both days. After 10, they just shut off.

On Saturday ended up with an unknown number of keepers, 15 white bass, and 7 smallmouth greater than 18" long. On sunday caught less keepers but simply hammered the 14" K's on the spoons and caught two 24" walley in sight of the dam on the FB jig (go figure) Also, on Sunday my dad showed up and fished. What a great weekend ! All the bass were returned unharmed, the walley and whites were not so lucky.

This report won't win any money, however it can attribute to a good time. This makes you forget all the bad days.

[Bill Babler]

Wow, what a day. If I had that net girl, I would work till I was 90. She looks like a doll. Thanks for a great report, and a very different prespective, using the deep cranker and the spoon.

[tapout]

fozzype, Great report and I'm envious of your weekend. Kudos involving your family.

[rangerman]

Glad you had a great trip..Love the pics

[fozzype]

The rock brought me back down to earth Monday. Paid up for one more night in the campground on Sunday and fished again 5:30 to 9:00ish Monday morning and the fish were less active. Could not get the suspended fish to eat. Did have few fish on FB jig and spoon. Only 4 small keepers and one 7 lb channel cat. Didn't see the surfacing fish and chasers like the last few days. Maybe the windy morning had them jacked up. Had a great weekend and weather. All the points and the boat ramp were full of the PAA guys. Such a big pond, why fish so close.