Shell Knob Report-Question for the Group

[dan hufferd]

On 7/24/2019 at 11:57 AM, Bill Babler said:

I will be retiring as I'm not going to renew it

Dang, I think you just need a good trainee ( I know someone 😃), you know someone to give you a day off once in a while. Really though I wish you well !

[magicwormman]

Bill, I think most of us on this forum know the challenges of fishing, especially during the summer months. Our expectations are much lower than they are in Spring. I personally don't use live bait and have always said that live bait is for women, children, handicaps, and OLD people. Right now I qualify for two of these categories. I will let ANYONE who want to use live bait to fish them in my boat. I even encourage it in the Summer months, especially for the inexperienced fisherman. I wash the crawlers and put them in wet newspaper and keep them cool. This also cuts down on the mess for the people, as well as the boat. I think most people are just happy to learn a few things and catching fish is really a bonus. I think both you and Beck have proven that over your careers. A guides personality and patience is what separates the successful guides from the rest!

[rps]

I haven't been on the lake since May 😒. I know each year is different. Sounds like this year is similar to last year - the fish have not bunched deep yet.

If I had to take friends out, I would slowly stroll Neds or split shot crawlers and/or I would spoon vertically and also as a flutter on long casts to flats and on off the edge. Of course, I haven't a clue what I would after that did not work.

BTW, on the occasions I hire guides, I ask for two things: teach me how to find fish and give me a chance at a good one. On one of my best guide trips ever, I took my 70 year old father and fished the Redbud Shoals through Crooked Creek area of the White River. We caught three fish. Browns. The small one was five pounds. That was the only one I caught.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, m&m said:

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he has to have a boat, 10 rods and reels and $4,000 worth of tackle. 

Mike

and that mike is how you stimulate the economy😄😄.

bo

[*T*]

To kind of answer the original question, there is not a much better scenario than fishing Table Rock Lake at sunrise, with a highly experienced guide, going to fish known productive locations for possibly numbers, and quality fish, regardless of time of year. Personally prefer artificial baits.  Would not question guide’s recommendations, even though when not controlling boat, I struggle with not following my own preferences.  But November, December or February would be my choice months for undisturbed fishery and possible hot trip. You’ve got to watch weather though when planning.  Good luck out there. Be back maybe September or October. 

[willyfish]

On ‎7‎/‎24‎/‎2019 at 11:57 AM, Bill Babler said:

  I have till May of 2021 on my current federal lic and then I will be retiring as I'm not going to renew it

I hope this doesn't mean you will be retiring from posting on the forum. It goes without saying your reports weather or not your guiding are pretty special to everyone.

[wily]

We finally found  some goggle eye...22 feet in big bay by the boat ramp...but I think they came out of deep water cuz we had to fizz a couple

I agree with magic worm.  

Just for the record...I am mostly using a wacky worm fish dr...on my drop shot.  The youngest is using night crawlers or red wiggles...which ever one we have.   The oldest uses both artificial and live bait.   The boys are out fishing me at least 3 to 1

biggest bass so far is 17.5 largie on a red shad worm pitching bushes...close to campground 

[Champ188]

Known Bill for going on 20 years and, as most of you already know, he's a man of character and integrity from the soles of his shoes to the little button on top of his cap. 

As an outdoors writer, tournament angler and guide, I can emphatically say that my time spent in a guide's boat is about learning and not catching. I have the rest of my life to catch fish and I'll probably catch more if I learn something when in the boat with another guide. As for live bait, I have no interest, but I'm sure many tourists and casual fishermen are good with it as long as it gets them some bites.

Thanks for all you freely share, Bill. It's a great service you do.  

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

As someone who has a hard time justifying that amount of money (not that it is not earned), I would expect the full package.  I have learned from this Forum that is not likely.   Had I never came across here, that would be my expectation.   We have learned over the years, what it takes, and the reality of a guide trip.  I don't believe most everyday people understand that.  

Myself, I don't care to get up early and out the door that early on vacation.   But on a fishing trip, I would have no problems.   As far as bait selections, I am no purist, but I would expect an education on the items used.