Law Enforcement Tournament.

[Bill Babler]

The Annual Table Rock Lake Law Enforcement Charity tournament was yesterday. What a great event. Three flights of 67 boats, per flight. went out starting at 7 AM. Tournament Head Quarters was What's Up Dock Marina out of Kimberling.

Great to get to meet J.E. as the Water Patrol had him on the measuring board. He got to handle a ton of fish and really saw some be-Utes.

Since I'm one of those old Water Bugs they let me fish. Bill Beck and I came in 11th. We had 15.51 lbs. of great smalljaws. Two of those jaws were 4.2.

Total catch for us was 14 keepers mostly on topwater with a few on the shakey. WE stayed on the top looking for that big bite all day and just could not get one of those big green fish to nip.

Mike Webb named our team of B. Babler and B. Beck the B Squared team.

We were top guide combo with almost every Table Rock Guide fishing this derby.

All of our buddies boo'ed us and gave us quite a razing as we went up to the podium.

It was just a great day. For the right cause, wonderful job done by the MSWP, and all involved. The work that goes into this is just flat amazing.

These guys are out making our lakes a great place to be, putting it on the line day in and day out and then throwing this shindig on top is quite remarkable.

My first two casts of the day I put two in the livewell, and then we went about an hour before another goodie, however, we were catching whites on the bluffends as they are going to explode in the next couple of weeks on the main lake. Everyone reported lots and lots of whites.

Sun and clouds and now wind were playing with our emotions all morning and at noon, we still had only 3, till Bill got us going with a good brownie on a shakey head.

We then preceeded to cull the livewell 2 times, as the sun went away and the wind started to blow.

Several bags in the 20 lb. range and the total number of teams that weighed in fish, let you know this lake is one of the best clear water fisheries in the country.

All our small jaws were males and when you can catch 4 pounders that are bucks, you know there are big girls just waiting to play.

I believe there was an 8.6, a 6.6, and several 5 pounder Largemouth brought to the scales. I believe all the big fish were caught on top. Lots of reports of huge blow-ups and follows from just about every boat.

A couple of my guide buddies that were guiding and not fishing reported huge topwater days in the dam area for their clients, with 20 keepers, as they fished the top all day.

Tim Paige said he had a customer ask him if they should do something else, after he had a huge smallie slam a topwater. Tim said he felt like asking the guy, what planet are you from? Fantastic sometimes is just not enough, I can't explain it.

Cloud cover again today, I've got to get back out there and brace my feet.

[techo]

I saw that you placed in the tournament. Congratulations! It was a fun tourney with a lot of top water action for us. The red fin was sweet! I owe you a big thanks for introducing me to it! Thanks.

The only down side I saw to the whole tourney was that it was for a charity, and the Port of Kimberling still charged $5.00 per boat. I think they received a thank-you plaque as well. I have put my boat in there quite a few times lately and don't mind the $5.00 for non-events. The ramp is a lot quieter than it used to be. For a charity though....you think they might have opened the gates!

We caught quite a few google eyes. What the heck are they?

[J.E.]

Bill,

Good to put a face on the name. I did not know you were an old "water bug" but heard a lot of stories from the current officers. I spent 15 years on the Jackson County Airwing as a training LT. before moving down here 12 years ago.

Seems my limit was a little smaller than yours........... 12# did not make the money.

[denjac]

We caught quite a few google eyes. What the heck are they?

The are good eating. Caught some Sunday and had them with eggs and fried potatoes for breakfast, Yummy Yummy!