Daniel My Brother

I don't think BadHabit would mind me sharing. Start with a Mister Twister Keeper hook as shown below Then you remove the straight barb and replace is with a hitchhiker shown below. Our hook-up ratio was outstanding with this rig, and the Senkos lasted a long time.

A couple of weeks ago while planning a family vacation to Orlando, I asked the Orlando guys for tips on places I could shore fish. I got a lot of good suggestions, which I expected, and one very unexpected offer from BadHabit (aka the Headless Bassman / Dave) to join him on his boat one morning. I've seen the size of the fish Dave catches, and I jumped at the chance fish out of the back of his boat! The weather was great when we launched, and he took me to all of his best spots on one of Florida's best big bass lakes. I used Dave's gear, Dave's bait, and Dave's advice, and we caught fish at a steady clip throughout the day. Dave did everything in his power to get me a big ole' 8 pound Florida largemouth, but it just wasn't meant to be. (although I did have a BIG fish hit n miss right at the side of the boat). I really had a blast and hope I can return the favor to any BR members who might find themselves passing through Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Thanks again BadHabit for a great outing! -Dan P.S. He also taught me a GREAT trick for making senkos last about 5 times longer than normal!

On a lake as big as Table Rock, you'd do well to hire a guide for at least a half day. We did and he kept us on fish the entire time on the water. Mostly fished structure in the middle of the lake that I never would have found on my own. A lot of spotted bass, but tons of fun. Here was my best...

Nice Fish! I was at campus lake about 20 years ago for the cardboard boat regada (beerfest)...I've never heard much about fishing there, but you've got me curious. Well done.

A black and blue chatterbait is a good night fishing bait for me. It's got a big profile and puts off a lot of vibration. I don't fish 'em much during daylight hours.

If you're taking kids, ride the ducks first thing. They drive 'em through town, then right into Table Rock lake. The driver will even let the kids take the wheel. Best of all, the drivers all have a ton of experience and will give lots of tips for things to do and see as you tour the area. http://www.bransonducks.com/ Of course, just up the road in Springfield is the original Bass Pro Shops, and next to that is the BPS Outlet Store where you can search for deals on new AND used gear. The Shepherd of the Hills fish hatchery is a great tour http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/hatchery/shepherd/ Branson doesn't get the star power that they used to, but I hear Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede is a lot of fun. http://www.dixiestampede.com/ Have a great trip! Dan

Dink, Did the last blade finally fall off of the prop on that old 7.5? ;D Congrats on the new motor! I'm guessing few boats see as much time on the water as yours. Dan

I would ask him to please go around my marker bouys, if he gave me lip, I would simply pick up my bouys without saying a word, and drive to a new location. As soon as I discover I'm dealing with a jerk, I'm done wasting my breath and time. No reason to lower yourself to his level.

I've never fished Busch, but here's what I read about it in the 2007 MDC fishing prospects guide: I picked up the guide from our coservation office, but you can read the whole report online at http://mdc.mo.gov/fish/prospects/lakes.htm

Great post dink! And congrats on the new motor. Everybody's situation is unique. I don't spend a lot on gear, but I love the gear I have. I guess I could buy more expensive gear, and I do like the more expensive gear...BUT, I'm paying tuition on 4 kids right now, the motor in the mini-van is making awful noises, my 9 year old needs braces, and we're going to Disney World in 2 weeks. Yeah, I'd love a new curado, but it's just gonna have to wait. What won't have to wait is a trip to Cedar Lake with my crooked toothed, soccer playing 9 year old this weekend. btw, that's her in my avatar.

Marty, We used to use old window sash weights in the canoe and I liked 'em better than the mushroom style weights you buy at Wal-Mart. It fits nice in the bottom of the canoe and you don't haul up as much weed and muck as other style anchors. I have no clue how much one actually weighs.

Yes, you can. I called motor guide customer service and they faxed me the directions for free. I'm guessing MK would do the same. It was not a difficult process. Be careful not to overtighten the screws when you put the plastic cover back together, the plastic breaks easily and cannot be repaired.

Swiff, That BPS extreme combo was very deceiving in how it was marketed. Here's a thread on the topic from last month: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1176256806 And you weren't the only one who was fooled. Here's another thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1176227901/6#6 Welcome to the boards! Dan

Nice limit there Harshman! :) I didn't know they'd let you leave the lake without submitting a photo of your catch to the cannon dam store. http://www.cannondam.com/fishingreport/

I'm not seeing the orange. Looks pale to me. The orange spot on a pumpkinseed is very prominent. I agree with both of you. It's missing that tell-tale orange spot of a 'seed, but it's definitely too round to be a pure green sunfish. Could be a hybrid? Hybrids around here are usually a bluegill or redear mixed with a green sunfish...but eventually, the green sunfish wins the evolution battle and your pond is over run with little green sunnies. Just a guess. Pretty fish either way.

Congrats Needemp! I do love seeing big Midwestern bass! Sounds like you were on 'em the whole weekend. What was your most productive presentation?

I checked with Dink, but no luck. He's going to keep an eye out for it. I probably just set it down someplace and forgot to pick it up. :-/

It was great to meet all of you guys on Saturday. Thank you Valascus for putting this together, and thank you Dink for hauling me around the lake all day. Sadly, when I got back to the cabin on Saturday night, my camera was missing! I have no idea where I left it, I was carrying it around with me and probably set it down someplace and just left it. I'll call the lake, but I'm not holding out much hope. If by any chance you guys should find an old hp digital camera that's literally held together with masking tape, please shoot me a PM. Again-great meeting you guys and CONGRATULATIONS NEEDEMP! A nice guy and a helluva fisherman.

Great fish...AGAIN! You are having an incredible year. When you are fishing the Mattlures Bluegill do you add a stinger hook on the bottom?

That is incredible. Congratulations! I think we're all stoked for you.

Hey buddy...I've got 4 kids from 5 to 16, and the 16 year old is so independent that sometimes I forget that she needs my time and attention too. Show your Dad this post. He sounds like a great guy and maybe just needs to know how you feel.

Avid, I can relate. I like the big ones and I like the small ones. Mostly I just like being out on the water. Sounds like a fun day. Dan

Great fish AGAIN Randall. Do you keep track of all your DD bass? It's seems like you're posting unbelievable fish every time I turn around. Congrats!

Here's the bag I take with me. I've got other smaller bags with spare stuff, but this is what I take in the boat. Kind of funny considering that some days I toss the same plastic worm all day. Stupid d#$%n Monkey!

Live minnows are the absolute best bait for crappies. When the spring trees are in bloom is the best time to catch them in the midwest. Crappies like to school around cover. If you catch one by a fallen tree or brushpile, stick around, chances are you'll catch many, many more. Use a bobber & splitshot rig and experiment with different depths until you find how deep the fish are. Deeper water crappie will rise up some to strike a minnow, they will seldom go down after bait. A lighter sweeping hookset works better than a hard hookset. Their mouths tear easily, so keep steady pressure on them when you reel 'em in or they might shake the hook. Good artificial baits are marabou jigs fished vertically, beetle spins, and tiny crankbaits.