July 4Th Week Fishing Trip

[mchunter]

My family and I just returned yesterday from our trip to Branson. We got to stay up there several days this time (July 3 - July 9). I didn't fish any during the day, but was able to fish 4 nights out of the trip.

Had a blast and caught a lot of fish! My best night was Sunday night with 40 fish from 11:00pm to 3:00am. I would have stayed longer, but my wife wouldn't have been too happy about that! They kicked the water on somewhere around 12:30am and I was afraid my night was ruined, but I ended up catching more with the water on than off. I only spinfished this trip with marabou jigs (black and olive was what I did best on).

Speaking of which, I had a rather comical thing happen the first night I was down there (July 3). I was fishing just above outlet one near the cable and there were two gentlemen fishing between me and outlet one. One of them was doing pretty good and I heard his buddy ask him what he was using. He told him " you know what I'm using". His buddy then went over and consulted with him very quietly. I guess he was afraid I would overhear what he considered a "secret lure". I guess his "secret lure" played out quick though, because it wasn't long after that, that they moved on down the river. It was all fine with me though, because I was catching my share of fish also, but I just found it comical. I couldn't tell you the number of times over the years that I have given lures away to people when I was catching fish and they were having a hard time of it. I've just always figured there are enough fish out there for all of us! I guess some don't see it that way, though.

Caught a lot of nice fish this time also. The best was 3 lbs., but caught a lot of 2-2.5 lbrs. One night when I was bringing a fish in, I actually had a 4-5 lbr. swim straight up to me and run straight into my leg for some reason. Several of the fish caught this time were browns.

Had a great trip and hope to do it again soon. Good luck to all.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Sounds like an overall great trip if you ask me! And a 3 pounder.... icing on the cake!

I promise I was neither of those guys - but what were you using ? Just a simple marabou jig on spinning tackle ??

[laker67]

Good report Mc, glad you got into some quality fish and some good numbers to boot. A taney night trip is just about at the top of my list on any given day. Catching fish after the sun goes down is a special treat for me, and sounds like you enjoyed it as well. Hope to see you on the creek some night.

[mchunter]

Brian, I was just using an ultralight spinning rod and reel with 2lb line. The jigs were just some solid olive marabous and black marabou jigs in 1/16 and 1/32 ounce weights. I just changed back and forth depending upon how deep the fish seemed to be. I was just reeling very very slow and barely bouncing the end of the rod just enough to give the jig some action. It can be kind of tough catching them this way, because it is all by feel. A person really needs a very sensitive rod and smooth reel. You miss a lot of fish due to the light bites. Many times you only feel your line snug up, but then others slam it, especially browns it seems. Laker67, now that I have fished up there at night the past couple of trips, that is the only way I want to do it. It is awesome! Hope to see you there sometime also.