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Thanks, Big Al. I've been a big fan of micro finesse lures since Z-man started introducing all their tiny lures. Even before that I was cutting and super glueing a lot of Elaztech stuff up to make little things that work great. I'm a little late to the trout slayer party but I'll use them in different places as time goes on. Happy 4th! Don

No Gman, it isn't. Do you know who to call in the bass pro administration to see about access to 131? Don

No, I do not. I was just looking at the map of that county trying to figure out where you were because you have the most coolest places where you go.

Thanks, Jack. Everharts has a good selection of lures (I googled them because I didn't know Clinton had a sporting goods store). Make sense since you are so close to Truman. Hope you have a great 4th of July! Don

Thanks, Sis! I ran across a YT video on these slayers and wondered about them because there wasn't much of a description. As a fan of Crappie Magnets. I checked into them and ordered the kit. They are seriously Cutsey Wootsey little craws and are excellent micro finesse fish catchers. There's a lot of places I'd like to try them out in the future...as long as they don't pinch Rudie's nose hahaha. Welcome to July! Xxxooo RTR Don

So Lorraine when is the team REAPER getting back together? Haven’t see you guys ripping lips in a while. Hope you are well, Rick

@@rickbrown7067 thank you for the nice compliment on our Reaper Team fishing shows! Don and I had such fun bringing everyone along on our sibling trips and glad you enjoyed watching. It’s been a challenge to get back together as we don’t live in the same city anymore. We hope to get back on the water again so be sure to stay tuned 😊. Doing well, thank you, Lorraine. RTR Don and Lorraine❣️

Thanks, Bill. I really enjoyed using the tiny lures. And, yes, agree that the secret is to have an aquarium hahaha where there's lots of fish to be caught. The later we get into summer the more I will probably wilt in the sun, but hopefully some decent days for fishing will occur. All the best, Don

Hi, Rick. I was using 4 lb Spiderwire super mono on the Slayers. It worked well but I'm always worried about 4 lb test anything hahaha when fishing in the Aquarium. Those bass, and there's big ones, can easily rip through light line. I didn't show the fail scene when a larger bass took my Slayer to the house hahaha. I retied with 6 lb fluoro. Have a great 4th of July. Don

Thanks, Gary. I think they are a great addition to the toolbox for anyone who enjoys the micro finesse scene. I can see how they would work well in streams with running water... unfortunately i dont know of any streams like that hereabouts. But since fish in impoundments love craws too, I'll be carrying my Kit! Happy 4th to you, too. Don

Thanks, Virgillio. I really enjoyed using a new (for me) tiny lure and having some success. I think the slayers are very realistic fish catchers for panfish and everything else. Best wishes, Don

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on this rather vintage show. It was fun for me to be reminded of those areas of the river that I discovered held lots of fish. A fish finder sure can help. Best wishes, Don

Thanks Sis. Yes, it probably has a great number of catfish. I was just out pulling my Pitt Boss around the back yard a short distance so I could put the riding mower back and said to myself NO MORE hikes in hot weather hahaha. Old age and worms for sure 😆😆😆 xxxxxoo RTR Don

Thanks, Sis. Yes, bobber and artificial worms like Bear Paws garden worms is reminiscent of the goid old cane pole days. The color of the BP worms was Funky...it is really good. The aquarium hahaha has such a great population of panfish and bass that the action was practically non stop and lots of fun. Those modern Thill slip bobbers are quite the improved version of the clip on ones we had as kids. I remember having no bobber and finding a piece of a stick and tying my line on it... invention was the mother of necessity.... and grasshoppers were great bait in the creek! Xxxooo RTR Don

Thanks for stopping in Jayrock. That craft is called a float tube or belly boat. This one is a Cumberland by Classic Accessories. These platforms are really good for small waters and I use mine about 75% of the time. Best wishes, Don

John, your Garden Worms are the cat's meow no matter how they are fished. Funky color must look very realistic to the fish and you pour them beautifully. With this heat my hiking adventures will be curtailed, but so will heat exhaustion 😂😂. Have a wonderful week, Don

Thanks Dennis. I know a lot of folks often use slip bobbers. Recently, a friend and I were discussing the Float and Fly technique that was a cold water fad on big lakes some years ago. I decided to see how the fish in the "aquarium" would like it. Part 2 will be a bit of a surprise. I'd never used those tiny Trout Slayers before but they are definitely micro finesse! Have a wonderful week, Don

Thanks, Bill. Man I'm with you on the heat. 100 here today so I'm melting and inside with the a/c. You are a slop bobber king so this was nothing new to you, but watching it go under is always great fun, isn't it. Best wishes to you and your family. Have a great week, Don

Yes, indeed. These micro finesse lures are phenomenal. Thanks for stopping in and best wishes. Don

Thanks KY22 and so glad you enjoyed the show. Always nice to welcome a new subscriber and hope you will enjoy the upcoming shows too. Best wishes, Don

Thanks as always, Virgillio. So glad you enjoyed the show. It was a different kind of fishing but lots of fun. Best wishes, Don

Thanks for stopping by, much appreciated. The Pro 2000 is no longer made by Caddis. I didn't purchase the new pro 3000 when my 2000 finally fell apart. I can't comment on saltwater tubes because I'm in Missouri, all fresh water. Surely there are other channels who fish salt water you might ask. Best wishes, Don

thanks Don ❤

Great questions, Brian. I'm fortunate to have a nice 10x12 shed with an upper level. I store two (mine and my sisters) Cumberland tubes INFLATED on the upper deck and the floor space is for my kayak and all other kinds of guy/yard stuff. A float tube should be ok under a deck if it is on a pallet of some sort. I don't think rodents would build nests.... If stored inflated, do not be alarmed with the loss of pressure in the tube as the temperature rises and falls. Sometimes Boston valves allow a little aircto leak over time. If you have any questions about float tubing please ask. I've been a "tuber" since the 80s. Don

Thanks so much, Brian, and glad you enjoyed the show. I'm pretty sure I've been shadow banned by the YT algorithm since starting the (family friendly) channel in 2007 because I'm unapologetically a conservative. Fortunately, I've never chased subscribers but rather believe in the "if you build it, they will come" philosophy. I enjoy videography as a hobby and make these (hopefully informative and entertaining) shows for family and friends. Have a wonderful week. Don

Thanks, Bill. When I fished this lake a few years ago in the drought era it was a total mess of clogged lily pads. If we get a steady diet of normal rains, it might become one of my favorites. Have a great week, Don

Thanks a lot, Rick. I'm keeping this lake on my radar because it has a lot of inviting characteristics. Since we are just now emerging from a really bad drought that messed up nearly all the small waters around here, I think there's still a lot to learn about this one. Have a wonderful week, Don

Thanks, Dennis, and I'm glad you enjoyed the show. Hope you had a happy Father's Day as well. Blessings, Don

Thank you, Virgillio. Exploring the potential of a new spot can take quite a bit of time and require a lot of techniques. I'll be exploring if there's crappie gathered in the forest of trees one of these days. Typically it will require dropping jigs straight down into the limbs... thankfully, I've got plenty of those lures. Best wishes, Don

Nice to hear from you, Bill. Hope all's well up there in Chitown. I sure hope to keep some fishing adventures coming this season. We have broken the drought and now have to wait a bit for the fish to return to their old neighborhoods. Best wishes, Don

Thanks, Sis! What a surprise to see how good those fake worms worked. Also, this trip was remininiscent of the good old cane pole days. That aquarium should be settled down by now and I'll see what's up if we get a nice cloudy day. Have a wonderful week xxxxxoo RTR Don

Thank you, Virgillio and I appreciate your kind comments. I'm looking forward to fishing this place again when we have a nice cloudy day. It is starting to be very much summertime hot! Have a blessed week, Don

Thanks Bill and always good to hear from a Catfish King! Those smaller cats were a hoot on an ultralight rod. If I had a Catfish river like you do I'm pretty sure I'd have to buy a Heavy action rod to tangle with those giants. Have a wonderful week, Don

Do you have these crazy insects where you are in NY Bill? I remember that some years these cicada swarms made it difficult to sleep at night when in a tent or camper. Fish love them, of course. Don

@@Winkiedoodles dont have any yet but i hear them in my trees every summer but not like you have it there

Thanks, Eric and so glad you enjoyed the show. My friend in Stratford said you guys have lots of cicadas too. Hardly any at our house only 30 +/- miles from this noisy aquarium. Do you fish the James and Lake Springfield? Don

@@Winkiedoodles You know Don, I really should. I haven't been out in a while. Since momma had her knee surgery, she's been really depressed, and really been afraid to go much any where. Now in the next month or so, I get to have it done...I do have a question for you though. Do you still have your Colorado XTS??? I bought a used one, just a Colorado, that didn't come with a travel wheel. Classic Acessories don't carry the line no more. While I was able to get a seat frame with the square tubing, no Travel wheel kits are available. If you have yours still, could you take the measurements so I can get one made. the tubing is 1" square, but thats all I have. Thank you for any help my friend. Eric.

@ericpierce4510 Eric. Sorry, I sold my xts a while back and got a kayak. I really enjoyed using the xts on the James River east of L Springfield. The swivel seat was a nice feature for easier use of the trolling motor. I know you must have had some really high water/floods in May and also some heavy rains recently as well. When everything settles down there's no current, after a while the fish congregate in certain areas. Excellent bass and crappie. Plus lots of Redear Sunfish but I didn't fish for them.

@@Winkiedoodles Well, Thats ok. I'll get someone down here to help me out and weld up what I'm needing. I thank you or the info anyway. You were talking about the cicada's. Right now, not many here around the house. I'm about a mile west directly behind the Walmart on Kansas Expressway. And yes we have had the rain this year. I've been here since Jan. 2018 and this is the first year Fellows Lake and Mcdanial's lake has been closed due to flooding and debris. They not sure when they'll let us back. I can only imagine what the river and Springfield lake is like. Class 10 rapids below the dam I'm sure...

@ericpierce4510 Wow, never saw Fellows closed due to high water. There's a lot of good fish out there and it has a white bass bonus too. Speaking of where you lived, we lived in perhaps the same place... Windsor Park. We almost bought in Crown Meadows when we moved there in 2000. I missed the good fishing when we moved to Jefferson City 2016.

Thanks, Charlie. I think Rudie has some more ideas up his 4 sleeves 😅😅😅. Looks like we are clear of the every other day storms for a while...but the heat is on the way. It will be interesting to see how the fishing goes when we start baking. Best wishes, Don

Thanks Charlie! Add up the panfish, bass and kitties and I was a busy boy for sure. It might be worth another trip later in the season but I hope it doesn't get choked with lily pads like it was during the drought. Have a great week, Don

Thanks as always, Virgillio. A lot of anglers specialize in catching catfish and they are plentiful in almost every body of water. Really huge ones 100 kg + are in major rivers and large lakes. As for me, I run into the crazy things all the time using artificial lures. They fight like tigers! Glad you liked the show and have a blessed week. Don

MO Fishing app on your phone shows them.

Ken, although it can be a bit of a pain to navigate, mdc.gov breaks down the state by county and lists conservation areas. I usually Google map the area on satellite view to see the pond(s). Have a great week, Don

On second thought, I agree with Charlie. The MO Fishing app is probably the easiest thing to use to research the places because it also gives an estimate of the driving distance. I've been trying to scout several new locations but the results have been lackluster. I think the drought took a toll on a lot of our waters.

Thanks, Rick. Many years ago I used to deliberately fish for catfish. Yes, cat filets and nuggets can be excellent! These days I just order the catfish special at our favorite small restaurants and enjoy them immensely. Glad you enjoyed the show; have a wonderful week. Don

@@Winkiedoodles Don I’m heading out for my first float tube trip this weekend since hip replacement! Can’t wait!

​@rickbrown7067 wow, please let me know how it went! I'm using a new FFM.com lightweight system for my tubes fish finder. I'll show it in a video shortly. Don

Ha, love your description of your 90 lb knucklehead, Jeff. We've always had little guys and gals and they seem to enjoy tricks and learn quickly from each other, especially at a young age. My RUclips channel actually started as WinkieDoodles and was a way to show our family and friends the antics and adventures of Winkie the papillon and the "Doodles". That bunch, through the years has included Corky (Shih Tzu), Louie (lop eared rabbit), KC (cockatiel), Tinkie (papillon), and Rudie and Leila. We've lost all the originals except Winkie and he will be 20 years old in a month or so. These precious little family members are only with us for such a short time. 😪😪😪. Don

Ha, thanks, Charlie, for commenting and taking me back to this duck weed adventure. That goop was a real mess to spray out of my float tube and off my gear when I got home. The fish didn't seem to mind so it was a fun day. Actually I can cast "pro" style and learned the (to me) clumsy hand switcheroo thing first. Somewhere in the past, I saw L handled reels and loved them right off the bat. They are normally what I use these days with casting reels and have the same "rod stays in power hand" as spinning (open faced) outfits do. Have a wonderful June, Don

Howdy Sis and glad you liked the "N-bass" show 😅😅😅. A March 2021 video of this same pond at full pool just popped up on my YT. While watching the big bass on a Project Z Chatterbait it sure reminded me of the reason I loved this place before the drought and the hole in the dam. It is/was almost on par with Lake Joy...if that is even possible. In the march 2021 video Rudie Tootie is barking and keeping squirrels out of the yard. He's come a long way and now runs the show around here hahaha. RTR xxxxxoo Don

Thank you, Virgillio, and as always, I appreciate your nice comments. For a small body of water, this pond has always been a good place to catch bass. Have a fantastic week, Don

Thanks for the kind comments, Falcon. I'm glad you liked the show and have a great week, Don

Wow, great story Let's Go. Indeed those catfish, especially that size, are ferocious on an ultra light. Congrats on getting the monster in! I'm sure a lot of the swimming logs I've had on using micro finesse lures (and pulled or broke off) were big cats. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week. Don

Thanks, Sis and it was a reminder of the DD4 Reaper Team Reaps scenario! 😅😅 I think you will also like the companion vid stories. Nuisance bass will be out tomorrow and kitty kittys a few days later. Basically it was a day full of action even in less than optimum water level conditions. I called the mdc folks and also sent photos of how the pipe needs repair. It is a nice little pond in the middle of nowhere that gets very difficult to fish in low water, high lily pad conditions. Makes me wonder how L3 is doing... RTR xxxxxoo Don

Thanks for stopping by, April. It was fun to see this video again of when the 'kids' were younger. Have a blessed week.

Hello Dave and hope all's well with you and tge concrete on the Cape 😊. The bass portion of this trip will be out Saturday and the cats a few days later. Glad you enjoyed the show and have a wonderful week. Don

@@Winkiedoodles Thanks Don, I'm going through some health issues and if you could keep us in your prayers. Thanks and God Bless.

@GrumpyandCricket will do. Keep the faith, and God bless.

@@Winkiedoodles Thanks Don, God Bless.

Nice to meet you, Nick. Sounds great. Message me on FB Donald Baldridge and I'll tell you where this pond is located - between Sedalia and Cole Camp. I'm going to release the bass video from this trip Saturday and am also just finishing up the catfish video that I'll release a few days later. I hear you on full or over full conditions. Unfortunately, flooding huge beds of hydrilla or coontail means there's still a mess that might take the rest of the season to normalize. Don

Ha, thanks Dennis. Reviewing and editing the video clips for adventure like this one was, for me, like reminiscing about a visit to an amusement park.... Worlds of Fun in Kansas City comes to mind. Lots if fun and thrills without the large crowds and long lines. 😅😅😅 Don

Thanks Big L. I'm finding that the big rains and rapidly rising water levels in my mud puddles has confused the Sunfish varieties home location this year. It will all work itself out of course. Yes, these panfish (+ crappie of course) are excellent for the table and a blast to catch on light gear. Have a wonderful week, Don