William

Welcome to MarbleConnection! Since you already jumped right into the forums before posting here, you are already aware that the folks here are a wonderful group. You are definitely in the right place, The knowledge, experience and history that some of these collectors here possess in my opinion is second to none. Enjoy!

We're using anywhere from 30Ib-50Ib test, braided line; 4oz-10oz weights. Depending on where your casting, definitely need the weight or your line ends up drifting back to you. Ole Miss has got some current! Braided line instead of monofilament recommended because the Muskie and Northern can easily slice right through the monofilament. Giant nightcrawlers, 2 inch shiners or minnows, fish heads are some of the bait used. Depends on what you're after. I'm starting with a couple of lures from the "vintage" tackle box this coming Sunday, see if I can't nail a Largemouth Bass or Northern. After that, gunning for the giant Flathead Catfish I saw getting pulled in last week. Plenty of pictures forthcoming, I promise you!

It's not "what happened to your cat", more like "keep letting this happen to your cat!" Nice 👍

Had a monstrous day yesterday, missed West Virginia Wednesday...nice marbles everyone! 😊

I don't have very many for this category around here, being that I haven't been collecting a very long time (or buying online or trading), so I'll slowly put what I have. 0.99 Bennington 😊

Yep, 29 Lock and Dams total covering the states of Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. And from what I could quickly gather, almost all of them have some sort of fishing Float or Barge service. Nice little "stairway of water" from South too North. From Minnesota to Missouri, it's a steady 420 drop in the river, with the Lock and Dams serving as "stairs" for vessels too make the climb coming North. If anyone here is within driving distance and loves to fish, I suggest you try one of these places. It's some of the best fishing you'll find in the midwest. Sturgeon, Walleye, Bluegill, Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, Catfish, Sauger, etc. Great variety and they get big 😊👍

Someone at work told me that each Lock and Dam on the Mississippi River has a similar fishing Float? Might have to check that out....

⏳ 🤔

What a twist...Awesome, Ric!

I will get alot more pics next weekend! Loved the Pelican flyover, alot closer than they appear! Another great moment of the day was seeing a resident Bald Eagles diving for fish then landing on a nearby shore with their catch. The whole Float erupted in applause when one eagle dropped his fish but quickly circled back and recaptured it. Awesome! And the view is great anywhere you look. Happy Monday everyone!

Well deserved 5 Star rating in my opinion. Yes, they do have some on sight rules and restrictions but they are necessary. The few that complained in the reviews are the ones who can't have their way. For example, one pole per person. On a busy day you couldn't have one person with 3 lines out or a few people taking up one whole side. Plus I was told that people would do that then walk away leaving their gear unattended. If you've ever fished before, lots of reasons you don't do that! Another gripe was the cost. Really. Sure, go find a spot that's going to put you out on the deep water in a comfortable, snag free, bug free environment along the Mississippi. Have too cover operating costs. $20 for all day well worth not dealing with bugs, logs, rocks, mud, etc. And people in their own boats should feel lucky that the business even lets them bring their craft in as close as they do. Some even port and come on for the food! Captain Tom is your typical barnacle encrusted water dog with a great sense of humor that some just wouldn't understand 😊 If anyone is ever in the area and loves to fish stop in! By the way, there is a bait shop on the Minnesota side where you get picked up by the boat, up by the parking lot with a great selection for river fishing!

Found it, my pink 5 vein Cat...it's the only one I've seen yet amongst the masses I have so she has her own little spot 😊

Indeed, Welcome and thanks for sharing all those great pictures. Myself, pretty much new to marble collecting and the marble world, having basically started earlier this year. Also love collecting the Akroware and whatever slag glass pieces I come across that grab my attention, be it Akro, Fenton, Westmoreland, etc. Looking forward to your mib pics 😊

Yeah, really cool place! Everything you see in the pictures is built on a float system. The little house you see is a nice lounging area complete with tables and chairs. The walls are covered with all the great catches made there, the owners grill burgers for lunch. $20 a person too fish all day from 7am until 5pm, and $1 gets you all the coffee you want in the morning. The boat you see pictured, piloted by Captain Tom, makes pickups and drop offs from one side of the river to the other every hour. A $500,000 investment by 2 brothers that simply is an awesome time. Besides the big flathead and Sturgeon, I got to see a young kid bring in a monster Northern pike at least 36"-40" long! Can't wait until next weekend!

Gotcha....well worth it I'll say, especially for the football fan in ya! 😊

It was a little over 25 pounds...the gal you see holding the Sheepshead and the Shovelhead Sturgeon is Patty's sister Stacey. She has the Best Dam Fishing Float record for the same kind of Sturgeon I caught which weighed 68 pounds. Just got home, fun day! Definitely think we're going next Sunday. Hope you checked out the Website 😊

Some of the fish caught today, me with my Lake Sturgeon! Saw some big flathead catfish caught by some folks upwards of 15 pounds or more. Good day so far 😁

Fishing on the Mississippi river as we speak!

I've only got one, somewhere, and I'm sure I inquired in a thread a while back, but I was thinking that pink cats aren't easy to come by?

Great! Good too know 👍👍

Such a great thread 👍

I absolutely love mythology....perfect comparison too this once fair maiden 👍

Have two of them, both around 0.80 give or take a little. The one pictured is in great shape, the other became the cat's nighttime toy. Thanks, Ric!

Another odd vein...