Not Today

[Bill Babler]

All most all the Big Play for Pay boys were out today and will be out all week, trying to put together a pattern for the Big Fishing Derby's this weekend. One of Heartland Tournament Stops.

Everyone was really crying. They could catch a few fish in the rivers on Jigs and warts, but most were just not what you need for a tournament placement or win.

Main lake, a few on the stickbait, and they were the right kind, but no limits and most guys just maby catching 1 fish but some good ones 3.5 to 8 pound fish.

At this time of year you usually need 21 plus lbs. to get the derby first prize, so we will see. You most always need 4 keeps, and a good 6 lb. kicker.

Pete Winners did have a client catch a 10.45 day before yesterday. It was weighed at Big Cedar on certified scales and immediatly released in fine shape, I am told. Stickbait fish.

Right now the key is just flat, find the wind. Find wind, find fish. No wind No fish.

The Shad have seemed to stop dying in the dam to Kimberling City area, so that will be a help next week.

I am on trout all week, but have the boys, keeping me in touch, as long as I don't get real specific. They have been a little crankie about that lately, as it seems the fish only bite every other day, and when they do, they don't want or need any help catchen-em.

Beck's nephew spoke to some guys at the viola ramp last week and they said the only reason they were at Shell Knob, was they had read the reports on Ozark Anglers. I kind of took a whippin for that one.

[CMAC]

BB,

You going to enter the derby this weekend? There will be wind in the forecast.

[shamoo]

Yeah, Bill i'm new to the site but have been reading for sometime. I'm trying to get into the derby this weekend but, they are telling me that they don't have enough pro's. Do you have any advice on how I might get to fish in the tournament this weekend? Needing some help!!

[skeeter]

Shad kill still going on in Baxter area as of Sunday. While trying to drive the boat we were constantly dodging the hundreds or even thousands of sea gulls that have arrived to eat the shad. No way could you run down the lake at anything close to fast as the water was just covered with sea gulls picking off the shad. Don't remember seeing the numbers of gulls like this in previous years. Most of the time the birds are paddling around on the water, not flying, ( probably too full of shad ) but when you get too close they get spooked and take off every which way. They aren't flocked together in one area just spread all over the main lake and the Indians. Fishing results.....ZERO.

[Bill P]

Two spots on mag wart today. My big jig bass......... was a CARP! Took my D*&M jig too!

Maybe next time..........

[Gary Lange]

Nice running into you Bill P. I didn't get a bite all day. Now wind either so maybe next time.

[Bill Babler]

I'm not in the Derby, I am booked full on guide trips thru mid-nextweek. You have heard the saying a bird in the hand is worth how many in the bush?

Lots of the tournament guys work real jobs or have money too burn, I am not one. Any time I can put guide work together, I have to take it.

Local Derby fishing is very seldom a money maker and I promised my wife when I took this job I was in it to try and make a living.

Myself and Tim Sainato won the Heartland tournament buddy series a few years ago, and not only won the series, but came in 3rd. in the national fish-off. It was a breakeven proposition. for the both of us. About $10,000 buck apiece and thats what it cost us to fish it with fees and missed guide trips.

I for the most part fish for fun and seeing people have fun and not stress.

Tournaments are not fun, they are going to work. If you want to win you will treat it as such.

Most of the Derby's now you need to travel and fish the entire series to do well and the time commitment is unbelieveable. Even on the regional level.

I will just stay at home and keep hammering on our home town fish, hoping I can get folks bit from time to time.

If I were fishing out of the back of a boat, depending on the location, I would not hesitate to throw the rogue in clear water or drag a rig in the stained water.

Fully 40 percent of the time the guy in the back will do just as well as the pro in the front fishing the suspending stick. Unless you are fishing cedars, there is no advantage to the front of the boat while stickbait fishing.

That is pretty evident by Bill Beck kicking my butt on two occosions from the back of my boat. Not in numbers, but he always has the big fish. Oh I forgot, he may be a better fisherman. Na!!!!! He is very good you know.

Go get-em boys, it just is going to keep getting better.

[techo]

How does one get a hold of you for fishing lessons. Just to keep you out of trouble with your wife and all.

[techo]

Please disregard last post. I found your web site. I will drop you am email.

[Bill P]

Nice running into you Bill P. I didn't get a bite all day. Now wind either so maybe next time.

Smooth water bothered me too. It was good for breakin in the Skeeter. PM me when you plan to go out again.