jarhead1970

Plannig a trip to Table Rock Lake May 13-17 with bass boat. Usually stay at Big Cedar (Cabin), but they want $300/night now......a little rich for my blood; any other suggestions? Need/prefer covered boat slip.

Hootie, I kind of thought you were just harrassing a little; but you never know.......some folks have no sense of humor! The Tracker was my first bass boat and it was a great boat to learn and grow. Everytime I take the new Ranger out I almost have to pinch myself to remind me this is real, and it's all mine! I cannot begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to retirement! I sure don't want to rush the aging thing, but this daily grind of 9-10 hours a day is getting to be a real drag. I have been saving and planning for this for 25 years, and am looking forward to doing some of the things I want to do! Fishing, hunting, golfing, shooting pistol competition, traveling, more fishing......these last three months are just dragging. I can't wait!

Hootie, I pointed out everything that was wrong with theTracker, and discounted the price for those things, and the guy still wanted it. He was the first guy to look at it, paid cash, and drove it away. In reality it was a great boat that served me well and it was all I could afford at the time I bought it. Twelve years is pretty good for an entry level boat. I tried to take good care of it, it was always stored in my garage, and was never abused. The guy got a good boat at a very fair price.

I've been there and it sucks! Not to rub it in, but better times are coming. Thirteen weeks and two days until my retirement! Already bought my retirement gift a year ago; New Ranger Z520 (to me - from me) and am getting everything ready. Sold an old POS 18' Tracker that i've had for 12 years! Jarhead

Stayed at Big Cedar a couple of weeks ago. They have a nice marina, and rent bass boats and pontoon boats 1/2 day or a full day (or you can get a slip and bring your own). Nice facility and resort.

Will be staying at Big Cedar next week; any fishing reports near Big Cedar on Table Rock (I will have my boat with me)?

No one commented on using a swivel with a fluke.... it seems to help with the line twist associated with using a fluke. Anyone else use a swivel and a leader?

What is your preferred set-up for fishing Flukes? I mostly fish them weightless on a spinning set-up with a M 6.8 Rod on 8 or 10lb Yo-Zuri fluorocarbon; but use a small swivel with a 12-24" leader (depending on water, etc.). If it's really windy I might crimp on a 1/32 or 1/16 oz Gremlin Bullet weight right in front of the swivel.

Big Bite carries a Jeff Kriet series "Squirrel Tail Worm"; has anyone tried these, and if so, how did you rig them and did you have any success?

I normally put in the Meramec River about five miles North of Steeville (place called Birds Nest....Canoe w/trolling motor) and go upstream to Hwy 19th. It's about 4-5 hour trip depending on how much you stop. If no trolling motor float downstream, and stop at some of the deeper pools and turns to fish. There are several very good deep spots and excellent SM fishing. For bait this time of year I might throw small hair jigs, or Bitsy Bug jig w/craw trailer, or grubs (kalin) until the water warms a little more and the SB show they are willing to chase something. A little later in the season I think the Zoom Ultravibe Craws are excellent as are Shaky Head Worms (Berkley) both fished on a light 1/16oz jig head. Maybe a craw style of Crankbait...although these need to be selected carefully as hangs-up are everywhere.

I live in Chesterfield. I fish the Meramac...mostly for SM. Just wondering if Baldwin Lake is big enough to take a boat?

In addition to the Jerkbait, and Trap (X-cal XR50), I would also try a single tail grub hooked on a 1/16 or 1/8 oz jighead.......fish it slow (maybe a Yamamota Single Tail or Kalin).

I like the Gamakatsu Skip Gap hook for Tex Rig....they help keep the bait on the hook, and are excellent for skipping under docks, etc. I always use an "O" ring for wacky rigging Senkos.

X2 on the Roboworm Zipper

Have you tried the Norman Razor Minnow....about 1/4 the cost of a LC?

I really like the Norman Razor Minnow JB, and it is about 1/3 the price of the LC. It is 3/8oz and 4 1/2in and range is 3-5ft.

I've always done well with Spinners in the spring and not so much in the summer. Anyone have summer success with spinners and if so, please share specifics (size, color, depth, particular retrieve, time of day, type & clarity of water, etc.)?

I would stick with the Yo-Zuri Hybird Fluoro 6 or 8 lb and would get the Pflueger Supreme or if smaller budget requires, the Pflueger President (I own two of each and they are great reels; IMHO for the price,the Supreme cannot be beat). The Woo Davis ML 6'8" single piece is perfect (i have two of them, they are fast sensitive and have plenty of backbone....caught an 7.2 lb. LM last week with one of them on 8 lb Yo-Zuri Hybird.

Try using a "Petey Rig".... it is a Miniature Carolina rig with a 1/16 or 1/32 oz weight (depending on the water) pegged with a swivel an a 12-18 in leader. Twitch it slowly and continue to raise it and let it fall.

Strike King - Rodents....anybody use these with any success?