Big Bassman

My son and I fished pool 9 of the Upper Mississippi last week for 2 days. We fished out of Lansing, Iowa and the weather was great. Fish are starting to move into the shallow bay areas with rock and becoming very active. Water is cooling down but you can still find smallies off main channel as well. Water was + or - 80. We caught 100+ bass mostly largemouth with the average weight 2#. Biggest smallmouth was 3# and largemouth 3.5#. Fish weren't big but healthy, active, and on the feed! Should be a good fall, but be careful of low water level, there was many rock formations just under or at the surface. Get the feel of the area before running hard out of the main river channel. From here on out should get better & better until cold. Fish were hitting shallow cranks on rocks and over weed beds. Northern Pike drove us nuts! Isn't fall wonderful!!

In the old days we used mostly divided plastic boxes and had to replace them every so often as the well juiced worms would break them down. When Plano came out with the water tite boxes I tried those and liked them because they give a real good seal. Now I use them strictly for worms, lizards and some variables. For craws and swim baits I have gone to the new speed bags which I believe some of you already use. I have one big one in orange color for the craw type baits and one in blue for the fluke and swim type baits. They each hold a minimum of 20-24 bags each. This way I can tell at a glance which bag I want to get into. It allows me to leave the baits in the resealbale bags that they come in which with different scents etc. works best. It also allows me to pick and choose when going with someone else in their boat without disrupting my setup too much.

Thanks for this list Glenn, I'm enjoying every one of them!

50# Spider Wire What a great thread!! Where was a site like this when I was youngster and joined up with Ray Scott? Oh yea, no computers!

Structure first, then cover. Cover can be above or below.

My wife and I have been together for 40 years and honeymooned on Table Rock Lake. She wasn't to happy about it and the accomodations at the fish camp weren't great either. She was handy with the dip net when we were dating but didn't fish and never went with me again after we married. Last year I suggested we should spend a little more time together considering we're getting older and asked her to try bass fishing with me again. First time out together she caught several small bass and liked it, probably went with me half dozen times. Now she has her own set of rods and is looking forward to going this season. Can't wait until she ties into a big one like some of the photos in this thread. She will be addicted then! Congrats to all you young fellas who have wives that go with you, it will make for a lifetime of memories!

Congrats Teal!

The reports I read is they currently are catching fish there on jerk baits, wiggle warts, and some jigs. I'll be there for the week of March 11th through the 15th. Probably fishing Kimberling area and James river north of Cape Fair. Maybe I will hear something when I'm there regarding your question.

Very nice hooligan! Congrats!

My choice is a lake/resevoir because I can catch much larger bass on a regular basis. 5-6# is a big river bass, while depending on the location of the lake it is not. I live on the Mississippi River so at least 1/2 + of my year is river fishing and I love it. However, I disagree with some who would say it is the same as lakes, I feel it is much different. I also love resevoir fishing simply because it is different than the river. I fish every week weather permits so I do fish alot. I am always in search of the really big one so naturally I want to put myself in the best place to accomplish it. Different strokes for different folks! All that being said, as long as I'm bass fishing no matter where, I'm really happy.

Average between $3-500 per month with TW & Cabelas. Never miss a sale, but unfortuately buy when there aren't any sales also. I too am very tite with the Bait Monkey. I know I'm addicted like some of you other guy's, but I don't care anymore. If I think I need it, I get it. Love to Bass fish and shoot, both good things. I've been a good provider and figure I can enjoy life in my old age. Look at it this way, we are all keeping the US economy going! GOD Bless America! (Bait Monkey is also patriotic!)

I'll try them for sure, but I agree with previous poster, probably a fad that won't last. Fishermen are always trying to get their baits to run straight!

I like the colors, eyes & hooks and have used them extensively last year. Caught alot of fish on them. That being said, I did break three at the bend in the wire. I'm not used to breaking the shaft wire on spinnerbaits. I'll keep using them though as long as they catch fish.

I'm easy, I'm in. The Bait Monkey is prancing on my head as I post!

Probably another buy-in like the Berkley Sick Fish/Trash Fish. I checked and the USA distributor doesn't offer the "Whacky".

I hate to say it because I'm old enough to know better, but I take every bait I can put in my boat that will still allow me room to fish. If I don't, I always seem to want something I don't have with me. The "Bait Monkey" just torments the heck out of me all the time (he's been doing this for over 50 years) so I have plenty of assorted baits and tackle, why not use'em. I've been doing this for alot of years, and using an assortment of baits is part of the fun. All that being said, I could and would if I wanted to do exactly what Warmouth stated, but why? That is why I have a bassboat, so I can take my arsenal to the fish. It's all part of the experience! I realize I'm Bass Crazy!

I ordered a bunch, hope I like them as well? BB86, thanks for the fishing reports on this bait, I have heard so much talk both ways it leaves a guy scratchin his head. It's nice when somebody can speak on a topic from actual usage. I gotta feelin they will be just fine though, particularlly considering they copied Beanos.

Thanks fellas. The fishing report is a nice report and current, not like some of them that don't stay current! I'm taking the family down to Tablerock for spring break in two weeks and the fish should start turning on by then if it continues to warm up. This will be our second year and most likely starting a new tradition. As stated above my Texas trip will be this December, but I like to plan early. When I was a young man I fished Lake O the Pines and really loved it. I was thinking maybe Palistine might be similar?

Thanks W601, is there a good fishing report available to keep me up to date?

Welcome aboard from the "GREAT STATE OF IOWA"!

Welcome aboard from the "GREAT STATE OF IOWA"!

Welcome aboard OA! You will love it here.

Welcome strikequeen from the "GREAT STATE OF IOWA!" Sounds like that bass wasn't the only one who got hooked that day.

How is Lake Palistine doing? I'm thinking about fishing it in mid to late November.