Thanks a bunch for the comments, guys! Sorry I'm just now seeing them. It's been a busy Summer. Those were some nice pre-spawn males except for the largest one which appeared to be a female with a row ready to go on a bed. All were released (most by law, but all by principle.)
basshoe - The lake is a small one called "Lake Remote". It's only reachable on foot about 250 yards up a hiking trail above the spillway at Smithville Lake. Below is a map to show you the location. You'll find a lot of bass about 1 - 3 lbs in there, but I have strong suspicions that there are larger ones in the troughs of the coves. There is also good catfish and crappie to be caught there. When you first come up the trail to the lake, come up slowly and quietly. Right as you approach the lake, there is a fallen tree just past where the water flows out of the lake into a stream. There is ALWAYS a few bass in that tree. Just don't spook them out by stomping up to the water's edge before you get set up to fish. From there, you can play it by ear. I will often go around the uphill side of the lake to the first point and work that shoreline and then out at the point itself. That usually yields a few nice ones. Then of course the coves as well. With this heat we've had lately, they're sluggish and usually down deeper, so keep that in mind with lure selection and presentation. I probably don't have to say this to a fellow club member, but please practice catch & release with the bass there. I've been burned telling people about it before and watched them walk out with 5 bass that would have hardly made a meal but would have been a lot of fun to catch again and again. Good luck, and feel free to share the location of some other nice remote spots north of KC!
Cheers,
Scott
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