The Big M 7/31/2013

[Quillback]

The bass did not like me this morning, caught 8 with 2 keepers, both being 15" smallmouth. Got a few on jigs, one on a top water, couple on the drop shot, and one on the Trick worm. Had a couple of chasers chase the worm in, I'm thinking that a fluke or soft swim bait may have worked. May have to give that a shot next time.

Water temp 81-82. Appears to be a bit of an algae bloom going on.

[Duck]

Quillback, what boat are you in? We were in a yellow Bullet and a Tracker with QZ decals on a 90 Merc. We also caught a total of 8 ( 2 keeper size ) but they were spots and LM. 2 on Pop-R, 1 on WE spinnerbait and the rest on DS with finesse worm ( PBJ ). Man was it hot and humid. If you ever see us stop and say hello. Good Fishin, Duck.

[Quillback]

Duck - I think I saw you guys go by me, I waved, and I was in a silver/gun metal/black Phoenix. I'll keep an eye out for you next time, and like wise, if you see me, stop by.

Man you are right about the humidity, sweat was running down my back by 7 AM.

[Bill Babler]

Saw all of you birds up there fishing on my junk. You all got up early and beat us out. Yesterday was a very strange day all over the lake. Bite in the dam area was reported as very dismal. Guides were having an extremely hard time getting bit, even on crawlers. Lots of fish on the screens, but lots, and lots of refusals.

I had a just turned 6 yr. old and his Papa, and launched at the back ramp at Viney at 0630. You River Rats were already on the good stuff between there and Carter, so I headed for the Knob. I just get lucky on the White River most of the time and it happened again yesterday. Rounded the point at San Succi and they were working that flat pointed cove really hard. We attacked them with the fin and had 6 very nice LM and 4 K's on the wakebait. All 6 of the LM were nice keepers and 2 of the K's.

I worked that location hard with a dropshot for Luke my 6 yr. old, but we only had 4, all short. The fish yesterday were all over the water column, from the surface to 50', but the down fish just were not taking either a crawler or a dropshot worm.

Fish started up again just on the next flat. Shell Knob locals call it Wood Duck. We had 3 more on the fin and 2 really nice K's on the drop shot in 22 over 100' Just saw them worming while we were pitching the fin for the dry fly takers.

About 9 AM I headed up the White River as a buddy had caught a really nice limit of Walters up there last week and told me the location. We got there and again there were fish on top. 4 more K's here chasing, but no quality. 5 drop shot fish here on a crawler, and lots of swim-offs. Just would come to the bait and leave. I also hooked and handed Luke 4 spoon fish here. They had been following it all morning and just not taking it. Usually if you can get them to do that they will eat the shot, but not today. Also had 2 short K's here on a jig while the boys were dangling the crawlers looking for a walleye bite.

Had a few minutes left in the tour, so I pulled out on the runnout across from Owl Creek and again there were topwater fish. Caught 2 more here on the fin but noting down. 1 really nice SM up chasing.

All and all a good morning on the White. I did get into the gas tank abit today, but there were lots of fisherman on places I usually fish and I had to move more and be a little creative. Sounds like I did the right thing, as the take on the community holes sounded down.

Same water temps for me up there today.81 to 82.

Good Luck

[Quillback]

Bill we have to get there early before you sore lip all the fish

I saw a Phoenix with 3 guys in it, maybe it was you? Is your boat wrapped or are you going incognito?

[Bill Babler]

Quill I saw you and was gona howdy, but the youngster was starting to move past medium well to well done. We had continued to dose him with WD100 very similar to sunblock 100, but it was doing no good in that high humidity flat out terribly hot beating down sun with no breeze what so ever. I could ring my shirt out it was so hot.

Boys, when it gets like that be sure to drink plenty of water. I paid for it a week ago with some severe stomach problem and a bout with dehydration. IF you start to gag on so much water, put Crystal Lite in it and it makes it somewhat tolerable.

I am driving that new 2014 921 in White and Black/Red. It is quite a boat. Got a total of 6 hrs. on it so far.

Those fish yesterday were a caution. Beck reported it was a bear at mid-lake and his only deal was topwater fish over deep trees early and then a crawler in the trees. Nothing, not a bite on any roll-off or flat stuff. All his fish were suspended deep.

Guys, the way I have been findin fish to just drive until I see either shad or topwater fish. Seems if you can spot them early, you can stay with them. They just tend to move deep or suspend. It does however take a commitment to the gas tank. You launch at Viney Creek and run to Shell Knob and then back to Eagle Rock and that is a pretty big 4 hrs.

If you figure oil, that is probably going to be a 30 to 40 dollar gold piece, depending on how hard you hit it. We fished 6 locations in 4 hrs. and 30 minutes yesterday. When we arrived on each location, we immediately got bite. Most times it was quick and we would catch all we were going to catch fast. That is about 45 minutes per, counting travel time, and I did travel yesterday. My first stop was by far our best with the great topwater action.

These fish right now are not ganged up. Yes I did hit it just right on the first spot, but mostly you would see only one or two blowups, not schools by any means. Just one here and one 200 yrds. down the lake our out in the middle in 150' of water. One thing though, you see one blow up and you are gong to catch him. They were very aggressive on the wakebait. If they would miss it they would stay with the chore till it was done and come to the boat.

Maybe in a week or so all us River Rats can have breakfast over at Big M if its open after the early bite and cry about the wake boats and how slow it is. Lets keep it in mind. Would be a fun Howdy.

Good Luck

[Champ188]

Let me and Donna know when and we'll try our best to join you. Don't know about Denny. Have we lifted his ban on fishing above Kimberling City?

Oh, and congrats on the new vessel, Bill. Look forward to seeing it.

[Quillback]

Breakfast at the M sounds like a great idea.

[Bill Babler]

Ya I just looked at the Big M deal, and from what I read, it opens at 11 AM. Thursday thru Monday. They are advertising they have the best steaks in the Table Rock lake area. I'm for sure not above a good Ribeye for lunch.

Be fun to put it together.

James, I may have to lift the ban on Denny for a day. I'll have to drag him with me, as he neither likes to fish or eat steak. He and Jackie are strictly Oysters on the Half Shell and Tall Drink people. Kind of getting a little Snooty if you know what I mean, New Truck, New Boat and all. I'll make him drag a jig out of the back of the boat. That should put him back in his place.

Be fun. Don't know how late in the season they will be open, but we will get this put together.

Good Luck

[denjac]

I am in for steak at noon, and then finding your eye spots for supper ! I will wear dark glasses so no one reckognizes me up in the river. I only need to rods in the back of your boat and before days end you will be saying, I am not worthy !