Old friends reunited

[Smalliebigs]

Well my friends Mitch Fields and Paul Mees and I had planned on fishing for some Smallies on our reunion trip well in advance because schedules but, Mother Nature did a number on the water clarity. Mitch decided to find good water at all cost and we ended up at the Osage. By the way that is one excellent quality about my friend Mitch, he wasn’t gonna give up. Even though I was kinda being a female doggy about the river being blown out, he pressed on and got us on 🐠fish🙂

I haven’t fished there in many years but, as it used to be there, it was a Jurassic sort of day. You just never know what yer gonna run into on this river and today was no exception. We immediately started nailing quality bass on the Tackle HD Finesse jig paired with one of their small craws (WOW WHAT A COLD WATER COMBO THAT IS). Paul nailed a quality 4lb largemouth and we were off and running. I ended up catching a nice Walleye and then a nice 5.4 lb Largemouth we all caught our fair share of Largemouth and Spots and even a white bass... then comes Jurrasic  moments. Mitch ran into a Drum the size of trash can lid but bigger hahahaha then....

I ran into a large Bighead Carp, which screamed some drag.

Then I hook up on a Five foot Paddle fish hahahahaha

typical Osage.... that place hasn’t changed at all 😃 the reunion trip was a blast as always and we caught some fish as usual and jokes were told as fast as possible. Mitch and Paul I had a blast as always 

[JestersHK]

That looks like an awesome mixed bag and a great day on the water.  Nice job.

[Johnsfolly]

2 hours ago, Smalliebigs said:

Well my friends Mitch Fields and Paul Mees and I had planned on fishing for some Smallies on our reunion trip but, Mother Nature did a number on the water clarity. Mitch decided to find good water at all cost and we ended up at the Osage.

I haven’t fish there in many years but, as it used to be, it was a Jurassic sort of day. You just never know what yer gonna run into on this river and today was no exception. We immediately started nailing quality bass on the Tackle HD craw. Paul nailed a quality 4lb largemouth and we were off. I ended up catching a nice Walleye and then a nice 5.4 lb Largemouth.... then comes Jurrasic  moments 

I ran into a large Bighead Carp, which screamed some drag.

Then I hook up on a Five foot Paddle fish hahahahaha

typical Osage.... that place hasn’t changed at all😁

That's an awesome trip! Glad that you guys got to fish together. Congrats on a great mixed bag! Definitely a bit jealous in landing that paddlefish. 

[Smalliebigs]

I figured you like that prehistoric thang.... it was my first and I didn’t want to hurt it but, did want a pic.... I had to grab it by the tail and hoisted in on in hahahaha

[Seth]

If you want to catch some paddlefish, just head up to the Bagnell and throw or troll a crankbait around. It's basically impossible to do anymore up there without hooking one of the darn things.

[Smalliebigs]

12 minutes ago, Seth said:

If you want to catch some paddlefish, just head up to the Bagnell and throw or troll a crankbait around. It's basically impossible to do anymore up there without hooking one of the darn things.

Hahahaha that is wild as hell man.... I had never had the pleasure of getting all up close and personal with one of those. Our net wasn’t gonna do it so I had to pick up by the tail and hug it

[Quillback]

That was a great trip you guys had, and judging by the blue skies, the weather looked to be great for this time of year.

[Seth]

8 hours ago, Smalliebigs said:

Hahahaha that is wild as hell man.... I had never had the pleasure of getting all up close and personal with one of those. Our net wasn’t gonna do it so I had to pick up by the tail and hug it

I know it's probably not your bag, but you should go with me or @Hog Wally one of these days to the James or LoZ and tangle with a big one! The one you caught is just a little guy. 

[Smalliebigs]

20 minutes ago, Seth said:

I know it's probably not your bag, but you should go with me or @Hog Wally one of these days to the James or LoZ and tangle with a big one! The one you caught is just a little guy. 

Oh most definitely Seth.... they are just a very cool fish to me.... and yeah I kinda figured that looked a little skinny but long

[Seth]

Those how most of those lower Osage fish are though. I think the competition for plankton with the Asian carp has something to do with it. Then again, I remember them being like that before the Asian carp were an issue though too so I'm not really sure why they are so skinny. The reservoir paddlefish are usually much healthier looking. Those skinny Osage fish are the best eaters though!

A guy will hang in to a big spoony down there every now and then though. @Hog Wally found one a few years ago that broke 60# if I recall correctly. Biggest one I've seen from there. We've caught some 40's, but never broke 50.