Nick

Yes, that wind was tough today. My clients still caught some really good smallies on our little hair jigs. Of the 21 brownies, 10 were over 16 inches long, and the largest topped the 20 in. mark. Water temp was 42.

Yes, that wind was tough today. My clients still caught some really good smallies on our little hair jigs. Of the 21 brownies, 10 were over 16 inches long, and the largest topped the 20 in. mark. Water temp was 42.

Yes, that wind was tough today. My clients still caught some really good smallies on our little hair jigs. Of the 21 brownies, 10 were over 16 inches long, and the largest topped the 20 in. mark. Water temp was 42.

Speaking of Ozark Mountain, the Wyatt's out of Carthage, MO started this company in the early 80's or maybe even earlier. I had a hankering to make wood baits and they turned me on to their process and really helped me get started in 1985. At the time they didn't make a topwater walking lure, and that was my passion because the Zara Spook, at that time, was a very poorly designed lure. Anyway, when my lures started selling pretty good, the Wyatt's soon came out with their Wood Walker pitched by Charlie Campbell, the Ozarks fabled topwater Guru. Anyway, I never really was able to compete with the Wyatt's, but they figured out a walking lure would sell hence the Wood Walker was born. I got tired of making baits and went back to teaching school and fishing. Their biggest seller was the Wood Chopperwhich is still revered by many topwater enthusiasts. One more really popular bait around the Ozarks at this time was the spoonbill Rebel, and I believe it's still a good bait.

I like to go fishing with guys who fish fast in winter. That means I get nearly all the bites at least here where the water temps are now 41. Caught the smallies really good yesterday, but not on anyting moving above a snail's pace.

I like to go fishing with guys who fish fast in winter. That means I get nearly all the bites at least here where the water temps are now 41. Caught the smallies really good yesterday, but not on anyting moving above a snail's pace.

I like to go fishing with guys who fish fast in winter. That means I get nearly all the bites at least here where the water temps are now 41. Caught the smallies really good yesterday, but not on anyting moving above a snail's pace.

My friend, the frugal angler, has two spinnerbaits, both $1 Wally World models. He's had them since Cater was in office. He kicked my butt from the back of my boat with one at Lake of the Ozarks Sunday. Of course, one trout action spinning rod is all he brings. Uses "vintage" 8 lb. line and never loses a spinner.... He also has one little "found on the bank" crankbait, but you wouldn't believe the stories of his catches on it if I told you.

SI is really neat, and the units will keep getting better at picking out detail. My buddy's jig due to hit the market this year. He claims it will revolutionize the jig world. Only guy I know using physics to design his bait. (Go ahead and laugh.) 7:1 gear ratios, high $ Japanese lures that gave all manufacturers an excuse to jump prices, better flourocarbon lines.

SI is really neat, and the units will keep getting better at picking out detail. My buddy's jig due to hit the market this year. He claims it will revolutionize the jig world. Only guy I know using physics to design his bait. (Go ahead and laugh.) 7:1 gear ratios, high $ Japanese lures that gave all manufacturers an excuse to jump prices, better flourocarbon lines.

SI is really neat, and the units will keep getting better at picking out detail. My buddy's jig due to hit the market this year. He claims it will revolutionize the jig world. Only guy I know using physics to design his bait. (Go ahead and laugh.) 7:1 gear ratios, high $ Japanese lures that gave all manufacturers an excuse to jump prices, better flourocarbon lines.

In swampeast Missouri, we called them black perch. Today, I'd call it a warmouth.

In swampeast Missouri, we called them black perch. Today, I'd call it a warmouth.

In swampeast Missouri, we called them black perch. Today, I'd call it a warmouth.

Several of us went to the Quetico between '88 and '04, but I guess we lost a little interest in it. We really caught the smallies good in those years, but the extra work of paddling, portaging and the long drive finally wore thin on us. Now, when I go "up north" I take my aluminum boat with a jet and fish rivers in MN or WI. Lots of bass to be had and the trip is not so far. Guess I've grown a little soft over the years. You're welocme to pm me to discuss if you'd like to river fish in summer.

Citica by Shimano is a good bet either 101 or 201 as are several models by Okuma. You can probably find an Alumina, Nemesis, or Cayenne cheaper than $80 new, and often much less.(not sure about left hand) For the $20 range, check out lots of old Daiwa Procasters on ebay. It's a coin toss as to how long they may hold up, but for dirt cheap, they will help you decide if you like baitcasters. And last, pawnshops may have a lefty or two in them.

We had this same problem of floating grass ruining every cast for us on the Menominee River last year. Only thing we could do was to throw a Senko weightless and let in move downstream in the current. Even a sinker on it was inviting lots of weeds. If you have a shallow bite, this approach may help you. Forget the cranks, spinnerbaits, and jigs. One topwater you may consider, though, is a popper. It's cupped head tends to push weeds away from the lure if you don't work it too fast, or with too much gusto. Good luck.

As adjunct to jigging spoon on Table Rock, it works this time of year.

Surfing ebay, I just bought 2 handmade new squarebills for 8.00, no tax or shipping fees. I'll let you know the quality of these $4 balsa baits. Some fellow out of Florida is selling them, and I bit on it.

A friend of mine said that he never could catch a bass on a black and blue jig. I took him out and I caught 20-25 bass that day with one. He still hasn't caught a bass on a black and blue jig because he won't use one. He also says he's never caught a bass in Arkansas even though he's fished at least 6 tournaments there. He won't ever go back to give it another chance. Go figure.

Basgley's Bulgin B stirs up the surface very well, and they were't that costly. Don't know their availability, but the bargain bines in some areas had them for well under $5. Bandit also had one, but I did not get a good tune up with the one I tried. Just wasn't balanced very well. Mann's has one too now I believe that isn't very costly. I've caught lots of fish on their -1, so their wake bait might be worth a try if yuou can stand a peeling paint job.

Yep, I had a whole flock of Rattle Traps that heated to become worthless fat guppies. Those old amber colored boxes were not meant to be left in the sun! I just got lucky with the A's.

The key deal is what you said in your first post. "I haven't caught anything with them." More than any techninique is the confidence factor. Try to go with a seasoned jig angler and watch him/her fish. Take note of the nuts and bolts of the technique esp. the rod position, the way the jig is worked and the tightness of the line, and the sensitive and correct rod and line used. The mechanics of jigging as well as the equipment are very key to the success of it all. Decisions about colors and trailers and weights and imparted action are not as important as the actual angling mechanics. I once guided a fellow who had never caught a jig bass. And he wouldn't have with me either had I not told him when to set his hook. Never did he realize he had a strike, but I could see his line move sideways or jump just a bit, or even note his jig was delayed in not reaching the bottom. He was amazed at how many fish he caught with some coaching. "I had no idea these were strikes, he said. You could actually be getting some strikes and not realize it. That's an extreme example, but try to go with a good jig angler and you'll really cut the learning curve down immeasurably. You'll pick up topns of confidence with that first good catch, and then you'll be on your way. Docks everywhere hold bass at some times, so thst is a good starting place to look for fish. I woudn't get hung up on any trailers as long as they were green pumpkin or watermelon and matched the size of the jig. Heck, I've seen lots of bass caught on jigs without trailers.

Marty, I shouldn't have all the fun myself. Your new balsa minners might act just as well.

Save your $ for something else.