Big M area, March 2

[Champ188]

On 3/4/2021 at 11:50 AM, willyfish said:

I knew you were serious. It’s a better lake for sure right now, I think most would agree with that. The only problem for me is certain areas are pretty remote for any kind of nightlife, groceries, restaurants. Convenience leads to more fishing pressure. 

Dave is so far past his nightlife days that he'd be fine in the Canadian wilderness. Groceries might be another story. 😁

[vernon]

On 3/4/2021 at 9:37 AM, dtrs5kprs said:

It's getting out of hand, for sure. Was serious about switching to Bull.

Us too. I’ve been saying it for a few years now but if this year is like last year that might just tear the sheet for good. 

Crowded is one thing but dangerous is another. We use to fish LOZ two weeks out of every year but haven’t been now since 2014 or ‘15 and have no plans to ever go back. I love Table Rock but I’m too old to be playing Dodge Boat and whatever else shows up out there. 

I guess that’s how bygone days become bygone days but at least memories are for however long I last. 

I wonder what the percentage of folks out there now is that have no idea what it used to be like. 

And they think it’s good now.......

[rps]

I was introduced to quality fishing by my father. He owned an Evinrude 18 hp motor, and we rented 14 or 15 foot aluminum boats. We fished Tenkiller, Spavinaw, Eucha, TR, and Bull Shoals. Once a year we went to Canada and used comparable boats to fish Lake of the Woods, Rough Rock Lake, and the Winnipeg River.

I remember when he spent a ridiculous amount of money to buy old man Lowrance's green box.

With the boat traffic now days, my insistence to drive a 16.5 foot boat is absurd. In addition, I have learned how to drive defensively on a lake!

Despite these changes, I still enjoy the moment, the day, and the occasional catch.

Let's stop complaining about what we cannot change. After all, those poor blokes in England fish in artificial canals with maggots to catch yellow perch and carp.

[Johnsfolly]

6 hours ago, rps said:

I was introduced to quality fishing by my father. He owned an Evinrude 18 hp motor, and we rented 14 or 15 foot aluminum boats. We fished Tenkiller, Spavinaw, Eucha, TR, and Bull Shoals. Once a year we went to Canada and used comparable boats to fish Lake of the Woods, Rough Rock Lake, and the Winnipeg River.

I remember when he spent a ridiculous amount of money to buy old man Lowrance's green box.

With the boat traffic now days, my insistence to drive a 16.5 foot boat is absurd. In addition, I have learned how to drive defensively. On a lake!

Despite these changes, I still enjoy the moment, the day, and the occasional catch.

Let's stop complaining about what we cannot change. After all, those poor blokes in England fish in artificial canals with maggots to catch yellow perch and carp.

Sounds like great memories @rps. Thanks for adding some perspective as well. About those UK guys many places you have to pay for a spot just to soak those maggots. You often don't have the ability to move to a better location if there are few fish in your spot. Even worse when you try river fishing.

[vernon]

8 hours ago, rps said:

I was introduced to quality fishing by my father. He owned an Evinrude 18 hp motor, and we rented 14 or 15 foot aluminum boats. We fished Tenkiller, Spavinaw, Eucha, TR, and Bull Shoals. Once a year we went to Canada and used comparable boats to fish Lake of the Woods, Rough Rock Lake, and the Winnipeg River.

I remember when he spent a ridiculous amount of money to buy old man Lowrance's green box.

With the boat traffic now days, my insistence to drive a 16.5 foot boat is absurd. In addition, I have learned how to drive defensively. On a lake!

Despite these changes, I still enjoy the moment, the day, and the occasional catch.

Let's stop complaining about what we cannot change. After all, those poor blokes in England fish in artificial canals with maggots to catch yellow perch and carp.

Don't tell ME to stop complaining dagnabbit!  Some would say it's what I do best and others would swear that it's ALL I do.  You can't deny a man what's obviously coded directly into his DNA for cryin' out loud!

Actually I'm not complaining so much as painfully reminiscing I guess.  Probably my least favorite part of getting old.  

Well, that and the pain.

I've mentioned before that I don't begrudge today's recreation lovers from having as much fun as I did when I was their age and certainly don't expect anyone or anything to change on my behalf.

When the fun is gone for me I'll just go elsewhere and see how close I can come to replicating those times I enjoyed the most and if I don't find it I'll just do something else.

Fortunately or not my sense of enjoyment and fulfillment when on a fishing trip doesn't hinge nearly as much on fishing as it used to.  Now I appreciate comfortable, safe and secure accommodations, a few days on the golf course (NEVER used to do that on a fishing trip) and leisurely boat rides soaking in the scenery and the outdoors.

Catching a few fish is now more of a bonus deal cause I just don't work hard enough at it nowadays to deserve a whole lot better.

Plus, I don't wanna add "cranky" to my already considerable list of undesirable character traits!

 

[mixermarkb]

In all seriousness, Bull Shoals is beautiful, most of the shore is natural, way less in the way of lakefront homes, and condos are basically non-existent. Pressure is up over the past few years, but still nowhere near The Rock or LOZ. 

The big issues with Bull Shoals are crap road access, and nothing but the lake to do for family.
 

EDIT- I forgot the other big issue on Bull is that there is a 40 foot swing from normal to full flood pool. The Corps and Mother Nature have sure been using every bit of it in recent years, so at times expect launching (and fishing) to be a royal pain the buttocks! 

There are some good mom and pop restaurants, Cookie's up at Theodosia the best IMHO, (friday night cajun style prime rib=yum). The accommodations everywhere on the lake tend to be on the rustic side, and folks (especially of the picky female persuasion) who are used to staying in higher end hotels or casino style resorts will find them somewhat dated and maybe a bit more "roughing it" than they would choose. The women ain't gonna be going for a spa day while you fish on Bull Shoals. Shopping is limited to a few towns with a Dollar General, or 45 minute to an hour drive over those crappy roads to Mt. Home or Branson. I'm not a golfer, but I think there is a course down by the dam, and maybe still one at Theodosia. 

All in all, its a great place to get away from people. You can go all day during the week without sharing a cove, let alone a bank, with another boat. Even on busy weekends, there are spots to fish without taking a number. Just be aware that if you think you are gonna need it, you better bring it, and if you have kids or wives who want any sort of entertainment or shopping like Branson and Osage Beach offer, it's not around without a long ride and probably some Dramamine.  

[rps]

If the family wants a bit more, stay at Gastons and drive to Bull Shoals Dock to fish. No shows or shopping, but a serious cut above rustic.

[Macsimus]

Forced as I am to live far too close to the concrete jungle due to nearby grandchildren, I love those southern MO and northern AR two lane roads. Of course, with almost two years of retirement under my belt, I'm not quite in the same hurry as I used to be. My apologies to the locals stuck behind the old guy with the boat lollygagging down the road enjoying the scenery. 😁 

[dtrs5kprs]

1 hour ago, Macsimus said:

Forced as I am to live far too close to the concrete jungle due to nearby grandchildren, I love those southern MO and northern AR two lane roads. Of course, with almost two years of retirement under my belt, I'm not quite in the same hurry as I used to be. My apologies to the locals stuck behind the old guy with the boat lollygagging down the road enjoying the scenery. 😁 

Have you done 160 from Branson to Bull?

😬

[mixermarkb]

2 minutes ago, dtrs5kprs said:

Have you done 160 from Branson to Bull?

😬

My Dad used to say that there are curves on that stretch where you have to dodge yourself to keep it on the road-