Paddlefish... yes in also known as Spoonbill can be caught right here on Tablerock Lake. The state record caught not far from my house here on the James River Arm of the lake was 139-lbs 4-ounces.
The spoonbill/paddle they have for a nose looks like Jimmy Durante's ugly sister is called a rostrum which accounts for 1/3 the length of the fish. These creatures have no bones, totally cartilaginous and people love to not only catch them but eat them as well. They filter zooplankton from the water for their food source.
March is the madness and Ive seen them strapped to the side of boats and was amazed. I remember the first one I saw was way back in 1979 on the main lake near the damn. We were water skiing, crossing wakes and trying to act cool with the donut flotation device that looked like a marshmallow weenie tied around your waist. I remember crossing a wake and seeing this huge monster of a fish and wiped out. Ok, Yeah I freaked out but it was worse not only seeing it but now being in the water near it. At only 14 years of age my imagination was running wild with thoughts of sharks.... yes I thought it was a hammerhead shark or something. My dad laughed and you had to know my dad because he was always trying to get us to wipe out as it was. He thought it was funny I wiped out way before he saw me freaking out thinking Jaws was in the water with me.
Jump forward about 20 years and here I am fishing a Capefair tournament with Tate Womack and I think we were fishing with a purple back gray bodiy thin fin or something. Had to have a bit of red on the gill but Im telling you Tate was catching them left and right. I hadnt caught any as i was set on using a rogue but with a speed presentation to cover more water as Tate was doing I gave in and asked if he had any others. I finally tied one of the wierd colored baits on and actually caught a few before the day was over. Moreover the day was memorable because of the boats with guys and their surf rods snagging out on the main channels for these monster Spoonbill. I remember seeing a 16' fish and ski probably and Astro and tied to the side of it was this fish yes a spoonbill it was quite a sight stretched out along side of this boat. Definately got a double take from us. HUGE ... HUGE... Well back to this year. Its coming and if you want to read an article about these James River Monsters go to :http://www.mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2005/02/10.htm
Or
Get off your butt and go fishing or at least visit my ebay store and check out some cool old lures!
Ha ... see you on the lake or catch ya back here!
www.inbranson.blogspot.com
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