Late Season Whites And Hybrids!
Last weekend up on Truman Lake the white bass and hybrids were still active and up shallow! The latest cooler weather has dropped the water temps down into the mid-50's but that hasn't slowed the action. Sure, you'll need to bundle up but as I reported in my last post there's only a couple baits to you need to get into the action. Again, a #5 Shad Rap, or similar type of bait, will do the trick.
The fun part of this time of the year is as your catching 1lb or so whites, at anytime a bigger, meaner, and full of fight hybrid, could hit! Tossing smaller shad type crankbaits on 6 and 8lb line is best to give your bait it's best action, it also means when a hybrid smacks it you're going to be for a long fight. Keep that drag loose for just that situation because when one turns quickly for deeper water if your drag's set too tight, you'll get broke off.
You don't need a ton of wind blowing into your spots but it's that wind that pushes the shad onto the key spots and the whites and hybrids are sure to follow. Flat points and banks near deep water makes for the best places to catch these fish. And pound for pound there's no harder fighting fish than a hybrid!
Sure, it's colder out but it's well worth the effort so try and make some time to get in on the action before ole man winter shuts it down. Good luck and we'll see you on the water!
Local 10-Year-Old Takes Two Monster Deer!
Most hunters, myself included, go their whole lives and won't match what a local 10-year-old has accomplished during this years archery and firearms deer seasons. It's an amazing story of Drake Taylor and his passion for hunting and of his father that has taken the time to instill in his son a love of the outdoors. In a recent episode of my Ozarks Outdoors podcast our friends at the Missouri Department of Conservation talked about this years deer and turkey hunting regulations, the loosening of crossbow regulations, and its impact on the sport. You can learn more about that by clicking HERE.
On the evening of opening day of this years archery season, 10-year-old Drake and his father were out in their blind watching a field where they had seen a few nice bucks on their trail cams. Late that day a huge deer appeared, Drake used his crossbow that he and father had been practicing with and took down the huge deer pictured below!
That's just half of the story! On opening day of the firearms season Drake did it again! This hunt was down in Howell Country and once again all the practice and trail cam worked paid off as Drake took down another nice buck! Listen to him and his father as they relive these incredible hunts in the latest addition of my Ozarks Outdoors podcast! It's and amazing story of what a father and son can accomplish with a little time, work, and love of the outdoors.
Fall Walleye And White Bass
It's finally officially fall. And with it comes the fall turkey, archery deer season, and several other hunting opportunities. Matter of fact, we're talking all about that with our local Missouri Department of Conservation agents on my latest Ozarks Outdoors podcast. However, don't put that fishing tackle away just yet. Some of the best white bass and walleye fishing is happening right now on our area lakes.
What makes it fun too is all you need is a little wind and a handful of baits. This time of the year most predator fish are feeding up in preparation of the long winter to come and when the wind pushes the schools of shad along the banks the whites, walleye, and other game fish follow. Over the weekend a cold front blew though and after a day or two of northwest winds, the shad were pushed up along the southern banks, coves, and flats. What's nice too is that you don't always need a large boat to access the best spots. Check the lake map and look for where the winds been pounding in and slip your kayak in the water or just walk the bank.
A #5 Shad Rap or a Berkley Flicker Shad almost perfectly mimics the walleye and white bass's favorite fall forage and it's quite possible to catch either on any cast. Remember to go with the lightest line size possible. 6# test works great and make sure to have the drag set a little on the loose side just in case a big white, hybrid, or better yet, a monster walleye hits your lure. The lighter line helps the bait retain it's best action and allows for a longer cast. Over the weekend, I was fortunate to catch one the better walleyes I had caught in a long time! Guess who's having fish taco this week! Good luck and happy fishing!
The Champion's Tour Visits Springfield
The Kansas City Chiefs Champions Tour made it's way to Springfield Friday! For those of us old enough to remember when the Kansas Chiefs won the Super Bowl in January of 1970, it was a very long 50 years before The Chiefs won their second. I was just a kid, but I recall all the family huddled around my Grandma's TV screaming and hollering when the game ended with Kansas City winning the last AFL-NFL Championship as it was called at the time. It was a huge upset! The Chiefs were 13 1/2 point underdogs to the Minnesota Vikings. It's only been two years since The Chiefs rallied to beat the San Francisco 49th in south Florida in early February of 2020. Of course, on February 12th of this year The Chiefs rallied once again to knock off the Philadelphia Eagles to win their second championship in two years.
On Friday, the Lombardi Trophy, along with Danan Hughes, Neil Smith, a few Chiefs Cheerleaders, and team mascot KC Wolf, rolled, quite literally, into Springfield as a part of "The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival" parade in downtown Springfield. The former players hopped off the float and marched the trophy to the stage to the excitement of area fans.
There was talk of The Chiefs repeating as NFL Champions. A feat not pulled off since the New England Patriot's in 04 & 05. Not only are teams much more evenly matched in today's NFL, the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs have the toughest schedule in the league. Half the opponents made the playoffs last year and the AFC is the much stronger conference. If KC makes it back, they will have indeed earned it! The regular season gets started in about three weeks! Catch all the action on Springfield's Home For the Kansas City Chiefs, our sister station 104.7 The Cave!
The Crappie Party Is Get'n Started!
It's almost that time of the year! The annual crappie spawn in The Ozarks! You just never know. Some years, it can start as early as mid-March, other years its early May before the spawn hits its peak. The last several days of warmer weather have got things started. On a recent afternoon trip to Truman Lake, I found 65 degree water in a few coves and pockets. The north coves with more sunlight and protected from the north wind warm first. Also too, the lakes upper ends warm first and that's usually where the party starts.
On this trip we also found a few white bass chasing bait in the area we were fishing. I still had a shad rap still tied on one of my combos and those active whites jumped all over it! We must have boated 30-40 fish, both whites and crappie, but only kept the better fish. All the crappie were males. They're the first to show up and prep the beds they hope to coax a female into.
What's made this year better so far are the consistent water levels at our area lakes. The last couple of years, when things were about to get going, we'd get a flood and that pretty much ended it. We need rain in the region, so lets hope we get some. A slow rise in the water level can be a good thing, too much of a "good thing" and really screw it up. Best of luck and be safe out there! The crappie part is just get'n started! We'll see you on the water!
Take In A Missouri Department Of Conservation Workshop!
I recently spent an evening at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center taking in MDC's "Advance Crappie Fishing Clinic." No matter how many years you've spent on the water, there's always more to learn. That not only applies to fishing but everything "outdoors!" I spent a couple hours listening to the experts break down crappie seasonal movements, patters, baits, and fishing styles.
No matter what you're into, hunting, fishing, hiking, gardening, and more, there's an event for you! Hopefully you caught my Ozarks Outdoors podcast conversation with Francis Skalicky, the Director Of Media for the Missouri Department of Conservation. In there, we're taking about "The Plight Of Pollinators." Bee's, butterflies, and other pollinators are declining at a troubling rate. The good news, there's still time to help restore their numbers and coming up on April 1st at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center there's an event you don't want to miss! Take in their "Native Plants" event from 9AM to 1PM and find out what flowers and plants to can add to your garden to help restore these vitally important insects.
Again, they've got something for everyone! Take a few minutes and check out their upcoming events by clicking HERE! If you're like me and love fishing and hunting, there's more to learn at a MDC's clinic. Maybe you'd like to improve your tree identification skills, learn more about birds, water conservation, you name it, there's an event for you! Check one out, you'll be glad you did, and we'll see you in the Ozarks Outdoors!
Pollinators Need Your Help!
Ever want to be a "Superhero?" Well, now's your chance! For reasons that are still unclear, there's been dramatic declines in pollinators across the country. This is troubling because they pollinate 75% of all trees and plants including those that produce fruits and vegetables. Did you know that Missouri has over 450 species of native bees? Sadly, their numbers are dwindling at a rapid rate. Fortunately, whether you just have an apartment complex window planter, a backyard in the suburbs, or several acres in The Ozarks, you can help save our pollinators!
In my most recent "Ozarks Outdoors" podcast I'm talking with Francis Skalicky, Media Specialist for the Southwest Region of the Missouri Department of Conservation. On the podcast you'll hear all about Missouri's pollinators and how you can help. You don't necessarily need a "green thumb" to participate either. All you need is a willingness to learn a few tricks and plant native flowers where you can. Give the podcast a listen. You can listen to it below and CLICK HERE to check out more episodes of "Ozarks Outdoors".
Mark your calendar! There's a special event coming soon to the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. On Saturday, April 1st you can learn everything you need to know about the plight of pollinators and how you can create a space for them. You'll also get connected with nursery's in our region that sell native plants and flowers. It's fun for the whole family! We'll see you there! In the meantime, enjoy your "Ozarks Outdoors!"
Hiking Fellows Lake
Sunday afternoon was the first 60+ degree day so far this year. A perfect day to get out and experience the new trail system that now surrounds Fellows Lake. If you've not been recently, you've not been. These combo, hiking, running, and mountain bike trails offer outdoor opportunities for everyone. Sunday, I encountered all three along the trail Sunday. I made a trip out last fall and hiked the Stick Dance trail along the lakes south side. This weekend, I hit The Hoff Trail on the lakes southwest corner. For a downable copy of the Fellows Lake trails, click HERE.
Since the Watershed Committee Of The Ozarks management of Fellows Lake, the improvements have been amazing. The partnership with Ozark Greenways and Trailspring has elevated the trails to another level. The Dirt 66 system is now a part of the Fellows Lake hiking and biking trail system. Dirt 66 trail system is an incorporated greenway system providing safe passage and connecting 66 miles of trail between several parks in the the Springfield area.
Make this the year you visit Fellows Lake. It's a real gem right here in our backyard. Along with the hiking and biking there's fishing, boating, sailing, kayaking, and more! Back in September, I spoke with Operations Manager Matt Taylor on my Ozarks Outdoors podcast. Give it a listen and find out more!
Missouri Deer Hunting...Record Setting Style!
As we wrap up another great Missouri deer hunting season, take a few minutes and check out my Ozarks Outdoors podcast! This time, it's a 2 part conversation with record-setting bow hunter, Ty Cumley. A few years ago this Osceola, Missouri hunter had a 12 month stretch most of us can only dream of! The run started when he harvested one of biggest deer ever taken in St Clair County, Missouri. That deer, pictured above, green-scored at over 200! In Part 1 of the podcast, he details the years of watching and scouting as the deer grew to record-setting proportions! And, of course, he talks in detail of the day all that hard work finally paid off!
After that record-setting accomplishment, he set his sights on another monster. This time, he was determined to test himself even further by attempting to take this deer with his longbow. The story of him stalking, and ultimately crawling, to creep up within 7 yards of this beast is incredible! In Part 2 of the podcast, he describes the planning, perpetration, and the day in great detail! Shortly after that, he completed the "trifecta" by harvesting yet another massive deer with a muzzleloader!
Of course all this success ultimately caught the attention of outdoor writers and magazines. He appeared in several including the two editions of the national deer hunting publication, "Rack" magazine, pictured here. Again, I couldn't think of a better way to wind down this years hunting season by having Ty retell these stories, again, for all of us to enjoy on the Ozarks Outdoors podcast. Check it out and thanks for listening!
Meet Artist And Outdoor Enthusiast Garrett Melby
Garrett Melby is a local treasure. From right here in the Ozarks he's a lover of music and all things outdoors. While growing up on a farm in the Willow Springs area he spent his spare time hunting and fishing. A skilled bow hunter who took his passion of hunting and turned it into a way to provide for his community through Missouri's Share The Harvest program.
He's most famous for his artwork. His paintings are abstract colorful depictions of wildlife, birds, and fish each which appear to be in motion. I met Garrett some time ago. Needless to say we hit it off. He, like myself, is a music fan and of the outdoors. He recently donated a beautiful guitar that's proudly on display here at the radio station.
I'm fortunate enough to be an owner of Garrett's artwork. Being a fisherman, and having dropped a few hints while complementing some of his work online, he was kind enough to paint me a beautiful smallmouth bass and a crappie.
Find out more about Garrett in my Ozarks Outdoors podcast. You can find it right here on The Bull's website. Follow him on Facebook and make it out to a concert where he's painting. You'll see him off to the side of the stage with a brush in hand using the music to inspire his work. It's amazing stuff.