Fishing Report

[Bill Babler]

For the last week, we have been completely covered up. Ton's of guide trips with varing results.

Good average is 10 to 15 keepers per day, depending on location. Shell Knob, White River area does not count, as you can catch more up there. They just don't recieve the prussure.

Long Creek to Campbell Point you will catch lots of fish but Quality is question.

Big Corporate trip the last few days, with an average ot 8 keepers per day, topwater early and draging late. Fish seem to be in 14 to 22 ft.

Work very hard and fish lots of shelf rock, not bluff or flat gravel, but transition from shelf to gravel.

Pole timber seemns to be a key. Swim a grub or drag a soft plastic thru the timber and you will get bit. You will also hang up. Be prepaired to loose gear, and you will be fine.

[Phil Lilley]

I just used the standard grubs... pumpkin seed green and smoke is my favorite colors. 3-4 inch. Is that about what you use? Mann's I think is what I have in my box.

Do you ever scent your baits?

I heard shakey worm is tearing them up in shallow water in some areas.

Lastly, what was the water temp today?

You forgot to mention you kicked Becks and Co.'s butts today.

[Fishin' Freak]

Bill,

Are you still fishing the dam area mainly? I saw Beck up in the Indians Sat. He was fishing your "big smallie point"!!! I understand what you are saying about Quality being a bit questionable up around Baxter all the way to Campbell Pt. Lots of fish but no hogs to speak of. Caught lots of fish despite the flat water but couldn't get the big boys to play. I did catch one short fish from under a dock in about 20 feet of water and as I was bringing him to the surface there were 4 other spots "worming" below him and chasing. I would have loved to of hooked any of those 4 instead of the one I hooked. I guess thats why they call it fishing!

[Bill Babler]

There was diffinatly no butt kicking. I had 7 keeps, but Tim Paige took honoers, with a 3.5 lb. LM.

I can catch keepers, with anyone, but the big boys like Beck, will smoke me every time with quality. Just edged them out today, with numbers.

It takes a different mindset and a lot of lake knowledge to catch the big, big, boys and Bill has that as well as anyone.

He can do it. I didn't say his clients could. You have to be able to catch em. Bill is the Best and I am not in his league, Period. If I fished 10 tournament against Bill Beck and won 2 I would think I had kicked some major bouty, He is the best.

On numbers of 15 inch fish, I may be able to catch a few. After all. I am, a Shell Knob, guy.

Water temp was 60 and we caught all our fish on a 3/16 oz shakey with a Watermellon Candy Cenepiede.

Depth ranged from shallow to 22 ft.

4 guide boat had from 15 to 30 fish today, most dragging a rig, with either a dr. or a cenepiede. Clients caught all the fish as this was a tournament and guide fish didn't count.

Continued tomorrow....

[Phil Lilley]

Can you say BROWN NOSE JOB...

I know you have to "get along" with these guys but gosh! I know Tim can take alittle ribbing- he's a mild mannered guy.

Sorry- feeling phisty this evening.

We gotta continue our pool marathon series soon, huh Bill.

16-16

[Bill Babler]

Are you forgetting the 4 games I won on Sunday? You won 2 so I am up on you 20 to 18. Don't forget it. It's only going to get worse. I am improving and you are at your peak. I have even thrown down the gaunlant to Buba, and we both know how your match with him turned out.

White River Lodge will be the scene for the throw-down. Bring your wife for support and supper.

The challanged has been issued....

PS, don't give me that brown nose stuff or I will have to give you a wipping on the fly rod also. How can I be so good at everything, its a wonder.

Maby its all in my mind.

You notice I didn't mention a straight line jig. You might be better at that, but only quite a bit.

[Paul Nienhaus]

It takes a different mindset and a lot of lake knowledge to catch the big, big, boys and Bill has that as well as anyone.

Mr. Beck not only understands the quality fish movement, He misses very few fish. Next time You get to fish together, track your missed fish count and see how You compare. Good Luck!

[Whodat]

Bill, I have fished over 30 years and have a cabin in Shell Knob. Was there saturday and put in at Big Bay and fish was far and few between until about 1:00 and we caught a limit of fish all kentucky's dragging a lizard and a zoom worm. What is this Dr. bait you all are talking about? Green with gold flakes, both lizards and centipedes. I guess the Shrine tournament is this weekend anybody fishing it, Pt.20 from the boat docks down in to Big Creek. All fish was in about 15 to 20 foot of water. Had one on a chomper. Didn't see any shallow fish to speak of. Fished my boat dock,2nd dock from the very end of Big Creek and had one good fish break off. I am thinkin early morning topwater bite would be on back there.

[rps]

Fished Saturday A.M. between Eagle Rock and Viola. In coves and cuts on the North side of the lake, water temp was 58 - 61. Saw a few nests with males amd many cruising males. Saw only one sow and she was crusing, not bedded.

Could not talk shallow fish into eating a bait. Tried jerks, hard and soft, spinner baits and wiggle warts.

Only fish came on ring fries (watermelon) at the 10-15 foot level near points. Six bass (1/2 LM and 1/2 K) and two walleye, all barely short. Ask yourself, what is more frustrating than a 14.5 inch Kentucky? Answrer: A 17 inch walleye.