5-20-19 White River Again

[Bill Babler]

 

Different day and a way different result.  Started at Shell Knob at 5:45 with twp KC boys, Larry Horseman and son.  No topwater at all this morning with only 1 fish on a spook.  Strong North wind from the get go just the opposite of the South wind we had yesterday.  It was hard for me.  We caught some quality but not many fish.  I think we only had 17 but 12 were nice Keeps.  No Jaw's this morning

Caught two on a swimbait, one on the spook and the rest on a 1/2 oz Pig Sticker GPO with a Goby Smallie Beaver trailer and a drop shot.  Jig fish were 15' and the drop shot fish were 22' this morning.  

Fished from Shell Knob to Viney.

Saw Edwin Evers right when we were pulling out.  He was fishing down a bank at the Bridge so fast I could not believe it.  Fishing under 5' deep and it looked like a bladed Jig and he was flat you crankin it.  If he missed one he dropped his power poles and pitched a jig.  We saw him catch two but they did not measure and he went on.  Must have had his trolling motor on at least 7 or 8 as he was just flat bookin down the bank.

[Dock-in-it]

Thanks for the report. I tried Baxter to Campbell's point with red-fin and swimbait and had very limited success. Two keeps on the red-fin and some shorts on the swimbait. I figured I was just out of my zip code/league and needed some more practice. After a few hours bouncing around, I decided to bug the spawning fish and you can catch the MLF size in the right areas. 

[Bgctrading]

Are they moving out to t he deep is why you think the swimbait bite died?

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

 

Different day and a way different result.  Started at Shell Knob at 5:45 with twp KC boys, Larry Horseman and son.  No topwater at all this morning with only 1 fish on a spook.  Strong North wind from the get go just the opposite of the South wind we had yesterday.  It was hard for me.  We caught some quality but not many fish.  I think we only had 17 but 12 were nice Keeps.  No Jaw's this morning

Caught two on a swimbait, one on the spook and the rest on a 1/2 oz Pig Sticker GPO with a Goby Smallie Beaver trailer and a drop shot.  Jig fish were 15' and the drop shot fish were 22' this morning.  

Fished from Shell Knob to Viney.

Saw Edwin Evers right when we were pulling out.  He was fishing down a bank at the Bridge so fast I could not believe it.  Fishing under 5' deep and it looked like a bladed Jig and he was flat you crankin it.  If he missed one he dropped his power poles and pitched a jig.  We saw him catch two but they did not measure and he went on.  Must have had his trolling motor on at least 7 or 8 as he was just flat bookin down the bank.

dropping water and weather changes sure do change the bass's mood this time of year.

bo

[Bill Babler]

It was a bit of a guide fest up the White today with Rick Lisek out of Baxter and Pete and I out of Shell Knob.  Pete went toward Campbell Pt. then turned around at I believe Big Creek.  I fished from the Bridge to Viney and late in the morning I saw Pete up there also.

Lisek said the only thing he could catch them on was a 3.3 Keitech.  At 9:00 I talked to Pete and he said he had a couple on a fin and a couple on a swim bait.  I don't know how he finished up.

Non of us could catch multiple fish on a stop.  i think I stopped 9 times and we caught at least a single on 7 stops.  The only multiples were 7 drop shot fish we caught bang bang that I saw while dragging the jig 

Way different day.  Tomorrow will be interesting.  I'm switching to a small 6" lizard Texas rigged in front of the bushes to start and see if I can catch some of the closer ones to the bank.  I'm prepared to retie a lot.  I know if you get in the right place they will just destroy a fluke, but they are really hard to hook on it as they drop it really quick.  I caught some on it the other day but its hard for customers that don't fish everyday and can be frustrating.

If you watched the broadcast they commented on Evers speed going down the bank, at least 7 or 8 high speed..    In 55 yrs. of fishing the only fishermen I have seen moving that fast were spoonbill snaggers.  I guess he knew what he was doing cause he just barley missed the cut.

[Bgctrading]

I'll be curious to hear your report tommorow. We are heading back Wednesday evening for the week.

[edwin]

1 hour ago, Bill Babler said:

I know if you get in the right place they will just destroy a fluke, but they are really hard to hook on it as they drop it really quick.  I caught some on it the other day but its hard for customers that don't fish everyday and can be frustrating.

Great point re: those that don't fish often and getting frustrated.  I used to take my Dad and brother fishing this time of year when the fluke bite was on.  My fix would have been a nightmare for you guiding folks...but I'd put a treble hook on the main hook as a stinger.  You have to jerk it a bit quicker as it sinks faster but sure helps the hook-up ratio.  

I also saw a note earlier about the double fluke / donkey rig.  I love throwing that on a 7' Cara jig rod, esp once they back off the bank just a bit as it sinks pretty quick.  Great setup for sure.

Thanks for the reports Bill, always a pleasure to read.  Tried to book you for the past few weekends and the Mrs. made it pretty clear that you're busier than a one armed wall paper hanger