Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Table Rock 12/12/04 :

Kimberling City Area: The deep bite has started to be a little more predictable, look for schools of shad near main lake tree tops in 40' - 80' of water. Fish a white spoon or drop shot with a finesse worm in the tops of the trees. When the sun is shining there is a good bite on deeper docks with a brown / purple flash Eakins jig and craw combo, key on the shady side of the dock, the fish seem to be cruising in the shad not holding tight to the dock so keep the boat out from the dock and fish all the way back to the boat.

James River : The best bite up the James is an Eakins' jig in black / blue flash with a twin tailed zoom grub in blue, fish channel swing banks about mid way back in major creeks and look for transition areas where the rock changes from chunk rock to gravel or chunk rock to bluff. Additionally when the wind is blowing throw a Jewel Lavender shad spinnerbait on these same transition banks, key into the pea gravel areas in particular.

White River: The water is finally starting to settle in White and Kings rivers, look for fish to be most active on the channel swing banks in major creek arms. Throw an Eakins' jig in PB&J with a green pumpkin twin tail grub on the transition banks where the channel makes initial contact with the bank. When the wind is blowing switch over to a wiggle wart in brown craw or phantom green and fish 45 degree chunk rock banks with wind on them.

Dam Area: The deep pattern is the most predictable right now in the dam area, look for schools of shad on bluff ends and saddles between island, the fish will be suspended below the shad and can be caught on either a white spoon or a drop shot keep your lure on the "edges" of the school to be the most successful. In addition there are quite a few fish being caught on an Eakins' jig in PB&J with an Eakins' craw for a trailer fished on isolated docks on deep points, key on the shade to be successful.