Latest "The Bass Pros"episode

[dtrs5kprs]

Just now, mixermarkb said:

Saw them try and get it started in the backs of a few creeks, and it never took off. Maybe climate, but more likely the level fluctuation in Bull. You guys at TR have no idea how lucky you are with how stable your lake is. 

Some of us do. I used to be a Truman guy, until I saw the light, so to speak.

[dtrs5kprs]

Just now, Ham said:

No toads will be licked, except by bass.

The Hypnotoad says to bass:

[Guest]

Bella vista has issues controlling their "grass problem". It grows in a lotta the smaller lakes around the area. Even the american water willow growing along the rocky shoreline would help. 

I grew up fishing lily pads & hydrilla mats in SE Arkansas, so it holds a special place in my past. 

[m&m]

4 hours ago, Sore Thumbs said:

Is it matted grass? Can you punch through it or is it real shallow?

I have too much fun with the frog so I haven't tried punching through it.  While Bull creek is relatively shallow, if you stay in the actual creek, the depth is quite nice.  plenty of lay downs and back around the bend of the cove it is a whole new area to fish. most of the time in August you have the creek to yourself.  I fish it early and get out before the tubers and pleasure boaters come out.

Mike

[dtrs5kprs]

2 hours ago, TrophyFishR said:

Bella vista has issues controlling their "grass problem". It grows in a lotta the smaller lakes around the area. Even the american water willow growing along the rocky shoreline would help. 

I grew up fishing lily pads & hydrilla mats in SE Arkansas, so it holds a special place in my past. 

The grass thing is hard to figure. With MLF at Dale Hollow, I've been talking with a friend about grass. He has a ton more experience, on more lakes. His thought is the limestone in the Ozark lakes has something to do with preventing grass from growing. Dale Hollow also has a lot more clay banks and creek ends, apparently.

We have some lakes around KC that have a pondweed species that grows in colder water, then dies off in late May or so. It mats, has inside lines, etc. Quite a bit of rock in at least one of those, but more fertile, and stable. LOZ used to have some grass too, before all the spilled vodka killed it. Maybe it still does in spots.

Just have to believe if grass was going to grow in the White River lakes, TR would be the one. More stable pool, water from the James and Kings bringing all kinds of stuff into the lake. Must just be a no go.

[Guest]

All the creeks & rivers feeding these lakes have american water willow on the gravel bars.

Some of the area lakes are full of it: Sequoyah, Bobb Kidd, Leatherwood, etc

 

[m&m]

I haven't fished all over TR but the one place I have seen an abundance of grass is in Yokum creek in the Long Creek branch.  I'm not sure why it is there but there are days early in the season where the fish just smash a spinner bait or a frog.

Mike

[Sore Thumbs]

4 hours ago, m&m said:

I have too much fun with the frog so I haven't tried punching through it.  While Bull creek is relatively shallow, if you stay in the actual creek, the depth is quite nice.  plenty of lay downs and back around the bend of the cove it is a whole new area to fish. most of the time in August you have the creek to yourself.  I fish it early and get out before the tubers and pleasure boaters come out.

Mike

There is a small lake called Elmdale lake west of Springdale that has a bunch of vegetation. If the frog bite dies off I will get a 1 oz weight and drop it through the mats. It's a fun way to fish. 

[Quillback]

I'm happy with no weeds lakes.  Love fishing rocks and gravel.  I've lived in places where all the lakes are weed beds with lily pads, it can be fun to fish in that stuff at times, but I don't miss it.  I don't think it helps the fishing either, maybe on those TVA lakes it does, but I don't know if these lakes around here would be any better with weeds.

[Trav]

15 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

Lower Taney is absolutely full of grass and Coontail.  Earlier in the year, some of the local guides were posting 25 pound bags that they were catching down there, on the A-Rig  It is no secret, but it fishes very, very small.  It is like anywhere else however, if you are trying to make a show in 1 day, you have to be very lucky.  Most often if you want a good 30 minute show, it is gong to take at least 5 days to put it together.  I bet they are not wanting to invest that kind of money in each episode.

Also if you go down there and try to fish the bank, GOOD LUCK.  Most of the Big fish in lower taney are on the deep runnouts and the grass beds in the main lower river.  That is why now-a-days it is much harder to catch 5 plus pounders down there.  They are also pretty fickle.  You can catch a huge bag one day and then really struggle the next.  There are just not a Toad Load of fish down there, and you can beat them up.

 

Bill is on the money with this one.