Got Just What I Deserved. 4-16-26

[Bill Babler]

Man those Jaw’s are just gorgeous. Thanks for the pic’s

[Bill Babler]

Really learned something yesterday. I was throwing that chatterbait 4-6 ft. off the bank 

The guys catching them in it were bouncing it off the shoreline. I was way off and the fish were way shallower than I was fishing after my quick morning bite. 

They were catching them 2/3 ft deep. Yikes!  
 

[Quillback]

3 minutes ago, Bill Babler said:

Really learned something yesterday. I was throwing that chatterbait 4-6 ft. off the bank 

The guys catching them in it were bouncing it off the shoreline. I was way off and the fish were way shallower than I was fishing after my quick morning bite. 

They were catching them 2/3 ft deep. Yikes!  
 

I can't catch nothin' on that blasted chatterbait.  

[Bill Babler]

Your water is to clear. I was in the same boat. Had about 1/2 a dozen on it till this week and added 5 keeps and a couple of shorts in the tannic water. 

Here is the deal however. I think Zack Birge may be throwing it in clear water around docks and he is for sure catching them. 

They’ll have a camera with him today and I’m very anxious to see what he is doing as he is a total power fisherman. 

 

[Quillback]

Part of the time Zack is throwing a little popper on a spinning rod.  And he has caught a few on it.

[razorbackfan4life]

Beaver is a solid lake, especially of late.  Glad you had one of those days.  Cant beat em. 

[Dewayne French]

I feel your pain Mr. Bill, about Table rock, Bull, Norfork, and Beaver. All these dang lakes can humble you quick, but that was a good day and I have enjoyed a lot of that nature time also.😂

[Champ188]

On 4/18/2026 at 6:51 AM, Bill Babler said:

Really learned something yesterday. I was throwing that chatterbait 4-6 ft. off the bank 

The guys catching them in it were bouncing it off the shoreline. I was way off and the fish were way shallower than I was fishing after my quick morning bite. 

They were catching them 2/3 ft deep. Yikes!  
 

Donna totally kicked my butt for two straight days of Central Pro-Am practice on Bull a few years back. I was determined to catch ledge fish on a jig and she was catching one after another in 2 feet of water on a Senko. Worse yet, I continued to fish deep in the tournament and barely weighed a small limit. We did kick butt the next day, though, in the team tournament ... a top 5 as I recall. 

[Champ188]

On 4/17/2026 at 6:00 AM, Quillback said:

Going to be nice and windy - your kind of day!  

Thanks again for the report. Didn't have as good a day as you but managed 19. Winding bite was hard to come by and it was a bit tough dragging that Ned in 30 mph wind. 

Thinking about going up the river tomorrow with a couple of 10-foot crappie poles. I honestly don't believe they've spawned yet. 

[rps]

On 4/16/2026 at 2:44 PM, Bill Babler said:

First cast at 6:30, by 7:15 I had 5 keepers in the boat all K’s all 2.2 pounds.  Chatterbait.

This is for the more mature on this board. Have you ever considered the similarity between a chatter bait and the old Hawaiian Wiggler?