Shell Knob, White River area of the Lake

[Bill Babler]

First question, would have been touch and go, with a big maby

Second, nothing serious I hope. Can't wait too see them.

[twosets]

Nothing serious and they are both great.

Thanks for the reports

[J.E.]

You'll have to drive, so I can take a real first hand look at that 967. I have found out I am never too old to learn.

Good fishing boys.

PM me a cell phone. It's a 997!!!!! SKMO decided not to show up!!!!!!

[Bill Babler]

I got the 9 and the 7 Right, didn't I. That's pretty good for me. SKMO, you may have noticed has not been on the forum in a while. He recieved a very serious injury, falling down some steps.

Dislocated Shoulder and torn Rotator Cuff. He is doing better, but is still not hitting it as usual. I know he also has a very heavy work load,

he is trying to balance with his injury.

This is the only day I have off until May 24th. Might see you on the water somewhere's. 21 ft. Stratos Pro-Elite, Red and Gold with a 225 Yammy.

It's that time of year, that all we can do is just hang-on.

[J.E.]

I got the 9 and the 7 Right, didn't I. That's pretty good for me. SKMO, you may have noticed has not been on the forum in a while. He recieved a very serious injury, falling down some steps.

Dislocated Shoulder and torn Rotator Cuff. He is doing better, but is still not hitting it as usual. I know he also has a very heavy work load,

he is trying to balance with his injury.

This is the only day I have off until May 24th. Might see you on the water somewhere's. 21 ft. Stratos Pro-Elite, Red and Gold with a 225 Yammy.

It's that time of year, that all we can do is just hang-on.

Talked to SKMO a few weeks ago and compared notes on shoulder surgery, mine was last year.

I'll be on the water Thurs. Friday PM me and let me know where you'll be. I run the "06" ZX225 in the same colors as SKMO. Dual console white cap.

[dtrs5kprs]

Bill...thanks for giving everyone the reminder on how to handle the pre-spawners. Have fished the lake almost exclusively for going on 11 years, and I agree there are really a lot more fish, including largemouth, showing up over the last 1-2 years (although maybe not in some of the old places). Good time not to ruin it by being careless with the fish.

[Bassaholic]

Battery was down, do too cold temps. Catch it before long, as I do need some new pic's.

Guys, my reports are just about as explisite as I can make them without casting for you. I will do my best, and I think I do, but there is a line I simply cannot cross. I have to live here and these guys are my friends.

Read my post and ask questions, if you want. I may or may not answer, or if I already have I will direct you to previous post.

Earlier post stated, that I have not been up the James much this year. NONE.

I will make this statement. Most people that fish that far up the river, are there for a reason. That is crappie and white bass country. Also at the correct time spoonies. There are really nice largemouth up there also, if you are good enough to catch-em.

I for the most part am not, nor are the majority of my clients. That area is percession cast rock, chalk, and it just dosen't work for the most of us.

Topwater early floating worm, or sluggo, PBJ Jig, and spinner bug. Probably also some crankbait fish, or a wig. My post the last few days have told you where the fish are. They are at the same place up the James.

I am absolutely not a power fisherman, I am a finess guy and for that matter, I have never guided a really good powerfisherman in all my years of fishing. I have fished with tons, including Bill Beck and Dan Langley.

Right now the heavest line I have spooled is 8 Lb. Spoke to several of the other guys and for the past month, lots of them are fishing 4 lb. One really good guide also said he is swimming his grub on some 2 lb. segar. Lots more bites not so many fish unless your really good. He is!

This time a year a few years ago, Buster Loving on two consective years won Pro-Am's using 4 lb. and catching huge smallies fishing a 3 inch swimming minnow on this lite thread. He is good and everyone knows it. A clear water genius.

I am fishing for large numbers of catchable fish, we hope a good one or two thrown in. Most times up the James you are not going to get that. Sure the pay for play boys can run up there and catch some big ones. They are trying to make 250 to 300 presentations in an an 8 hour day to get 10 quality bites.

They never sit, they never eat, they never rest.

The largest part of our guide clients want to have a cheese burger in one hand a diet coke in the other and the fishing rod sitting at their feet with one foot on the $250.00 rod.

It is a complete different world from competitive fishing. However, everyone has read the report of Tim Sainato, Bill Beck or Kelley Powers catching 5 fish that weighed 24 lbs. with a 7 pound kicker. And thinks on their yearly 1 day of fishing trip that is what they should come up with. They failled to notice that the tournament had 175 boats and 100 of the boats blanked with guys that had prefished for a week and had spent thousands of dollars on equipment as well as hours on the water and still didn't get em.

Accually very few have those thoughts in mind, but some do.

Today for example, I had a 11 year old a 70 year old and a 40 something, that I am telling you, were the nicest people in the world I had a great time on the water with them, and loved every minute. If we had been up the James we would have blanked.

On the main White River we caught lots of fish and very good quality, do soley to shear numbers of fish per acre and the willingness of the K's and the Smallie's.

I absolutely love gin clear water. I am a main lake fisherman that If possible I want to see the bottom in 20 ft. of water. Most all my reports are clear water related as when fishing clear water on the White River, you are including Spotted Bass and Smallies, along with the Largemouth.

When you move very far up the river systems, you are taking away way too many fish and becoming way to specialzed. You are Hunting Big Largemouth.

Some folks love to hunt and try and catch the big-en's. Most guide clients just want to catch one.

I haven't been up to Bridgeport. Good Luck up there however, I am sure some of the others that have fished that area will post.

[Bassaholic]

I understand about not given up everything. I was up in the White about 2 weeks ago and the fishing was great.

Just got back Saturday from Cape Fair and the guys that stayed down said Sunday was the best day all week.

I'm new to the forum and you don't even know me but you almost discibed me to a tee. (cheese buger, Diet Coke etc.)