Snagging Missouri Spoonbill (Game Warden Encounter)

My Dad and I spend opening day of snagging season on Lake of the Ozarks trying to snag some spoonbill! We snag a few and get checked by Conservation Agents on the water. Follow along and watch me catch some of the biggest fish Ive ever caught.

[@jeffbye3343]

FIRST thing you do with a spoonbill when you get it in the boat, is get the hooks out of it and away from rest of poles and hooks. Had one “flip” and set hook in my sons hand. You can hold them up for pictures later, get hooks out first

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Thanks for the advice Jeff! Much appreciated. I’m going to pin this comment to the top so it can be read while watching.

[@MarkJLarsonOutdoors]

Great video buddy! That was funny when your dad caught the stick fish lol! The other 3 were awesome fish! I can't wait to see the cleaning video! Good luck with everything my friend!

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Thank you buddy!

[@Livin.in.abundant.grace...]

Great video, enjoyed watching you guys snag those spoonbill!! It's been a while since we've had some spoonbill around here, we might have to go snaggin' now😊 We live in Oklahoma and the last one's my husband got were in Grand Lake.

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Get out there again! There nothing like it.

[@Dark30Outdoors]

Those fish are so wild, and you really know how to put a video together man! Your channel is going to take off man!!!! 👍👍

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Thank you so much!

[@carsonsapp2699]

this is a great video🐟🐟

[@Lowballinoutdoorz]

Great job snaggin, and great job with the game wardens. Man u guys had quite a day!

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Thanks buddy. It was a great day.

[@Sappfarmanddesign]

Can’t wait to try this out one day! Great job on the video.

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Can’t wait to take you !

[@fishincommission]

Great video and great fish! I just subscribed….I started my own KZbin fishing channel a couple of months ago (I’m in Tulsa) and I really enjoyed your video. Keep up the good work!

[@joebogart7093]

Glad you made this one! very few spoonbill videos out there!

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Thanks buddy! I noticed they weren’t very many videos on it and that’s one reason why I really wanted to do it!

[@bellaleefishing]

Love it I'm on LOZ and I wanna snag a spoonbill so bad hopefully one day its on my bucket list

[@curtisanderson2741]

Nice location. I was just there over the weekend at a Mens Encounter.

[@dennissanborn3159]

were you guys down below the dam? my youth was on the osage cat fishin and snaggin. the cats there were as big as i ever have seen and tasty.

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

On the Niangua arm of the lake! Lots of big catfish. Good luck this year!

[@GreenHorn1Acre]

Good fishing 🎣 🤙🏼😁👍🏼

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Thank you for watching!

[@SteveFromWyoming]

This is the first video that I've watched on snagging spoonbills. Very entertaining, what does the meat taste like? With all the mud on them do they taste muddy or fishey?

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Thanks for watching! They can taste muddy but my next video I’m uploading shows how we clean them, and cut out the “red” meat that tastes muddy. If you don’t cut out all the red meat it will taste fishy.

[@brian1204]

I know you can’t really catch spoonbills without snagging them, but that just doesn’t seem like fishing to me. How do you keep from snagging catfish, bass, stripers, etc?

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

It’s not really fishing in my opinion either! It’s a whole different experience. No real method to avoid other fish. The only fish I’ve ever snagged other than a spoonbill was a catfish. swam off fine after being released.

[@fishntalk]

What mile maker is this?

[@n8brekan292]

Just moved to Missouri, that's definitely on the list! trying to dial in a few lakes here around the house. Considering goin out with a guide , know any good ones ?

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Welcome! You’ll love it. Check out the Good Life Guide service. Matt and his Dad are awesome people and get on the spoonbill!

[@tomeickhorst6787]

Looks like u up around 70 mile marker and further up. About 10 years ago at the 82 mile marker the game wardens gave me and couple buddy’s 300 pics they had taken of us over 2 year period tracking a group of poachers. My best fish is 92 pounds caught it at the 75 marker

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Wow! 92 lbs is a big en! Game wardens take this spoonbill snagging seriously.

[@garystoner9212]

where do recommend launching a boat at? We are planning on going down snagging, it will be my first time down there snagging.

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

I would say Larry Gale access would be your best bet. I know several having success there last week. Good luck out there!

[@Jeremyviles91]

Are you dragging the bottom? Do you often snag sticks and other debris? I've been watching spoonbill videos and I'm not sure how everyone isn't getting hung up every 10ft?

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Yes we usually let line out until we feel the weight bouncing off the bottoms. Occasionally we will get snagged up on a dock cable or stump but not too much in The main channel.

[@jeanielipskey1272]

What a great day of fishing, that is the 1st spoonbill I've ever seen, are they good eating? I grew up in Missouri, we always went fishing for Catfish, my favorite to eat. Don't get to go fishing much now. Great watching ya'll.

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Thank you for watching! Spoonbill are actually a great eating fish. One of my favorite!

[@daveward1935]

Used to catch spoons in the Des Moines river many moons ago in S.E Iowa (45+ years ago). Was about 12 y/o for the first and thought to eat it lol but didn't know that ya have to pull the spinal cord/cut around it or it taints the meat, er so I'm told. NASTY tasting.

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

You are right, that does need cut out! All the red meat needs removed too, or it will taste what we call “muddy”. I just uploaded a video a few days ago on how to clean spoonbill for the best taste! They are actually quite good !

[@tonyapattrrson5422]

I have never been snagging my papa and daddy used to catch them in hoop nets I love to eat them

[@davidandrew1078]

Cue the banjos.

[@moozarksphotos458]

If you ever need another cameraman let me know, looks like fun.

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

I will buddy ! Thank you.

[@waterpony09]

Spoonbill fishing is seriously the most fun ive ever had! Its my absolute favorite to fish for!

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

It is so much fun!

[@firestorm8471]

An odd fish and an odd technique..

[@user-by6yc8yl7v]

Why are you purposely snagging them? Wtf

[@Sappwildoutdoors]

Snagging them is the only way to catch a spoonbill. They are filter feeders and do not bite on traditional tackle. Spoonbill are some great eating as well!

[@dylangoodman6624]

Only way to legally catch them, also it’s legal to snag almost any other fish that you will catch where he is

[@user-by6yc8yl7v]

@@Sappwildoutdoors the laws are quite different down there when it comes to fish & wildlife. What do they taste like? What color is the meat?

[@user-by6yc8yl7v]

@@dylangoodman6624 the only legal method for catching spoonbill is to snag them?

[@RaisedOutdoors]

Great job! Caught yon Dark30. Ima check y’all out