Osage River and local lake fishing

[perchplucker]

Saturday went to the Osage River. Others rivers were mud and hoped it wasn't since it has dams controlling it. We knew it was up from discharge. We could see about 1 ft. Deep and temp was 40. Couldn't even get a bite trolling. Bait fished the deepest hole. I caught 7 blue cats. Most about 12" but 1 was 4 lbs. also. Got a Hellbender. Ugly critter. Hubby got a 4 lb. blue cat.but he also hooked something big that got off. He was reeling in to check his bait and said I think I am bringing in a stick. But then stick took off. Just slowly chugged along. But before we could get other rods in and anchors in it got off. It acted like a big lake sturgeon. Fish only bit in 1 spot. Sunday went to a local lake. Hubby got 1 bass and I got 2 crappie. Those blue cats tasted good.

[beagle man]

sure nuff sounds like a great two days, congrats.

[LSL Angler]

Can't beat a nice blue cat dinner.

[Joedog]

also. Got a Hellbender. Ugly critter.

In case anyone else besides me was interested...








https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellbender



Things like this make me glad I mostly fish in trees! Not sure I wanna catch something affectionately named the "snot otter"!!

[peculiarmike]

In case anyone else besides me was interested...








https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellbender



Things like this make me glad I mostly fish in trees! Not sure I wanna catch something affectionately named the "snot otter"!!

Harmless. They are endangered also. MO Dept. of Conservation is trying to get them reestablished in some waters they have disappeared from.

[perchplucker]

Just slimy and creepy feeling. Hubby had to hold it to get unhooked. It wrapped around his hand. Reported the catch to Dept. of Conservation and were caught. Got a thank you email from them.

[dfar]

I have not seen one in years since I was a kid, Thanks for posting.

[Clownfish]

Never seen one, never caught one....but I have been on a few benders.