Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Table Rock 12/26/04 :

Kimberling City Area: Still a great deep bite in the mid lake area, the colder weather has grouped e shad up better than they have been in weeks and the big Kentuckys are taking advantage. Find the shad on your graph, check deep flats, bluff ends and over the tops of deep trees ranging from 40' - 95' of water. Start by using 1/2 oz or 3/4 oz. spoons in white or chrome, if the fish won't react to a spoon, alternate between a 4" single tail grub, drop shot finesse worm and a Jewel Football jig until you find what the fish will react to.

James River: The jig bite is still good on channel swings and bluff ends up the James, an Eakins' jig in either Missouri Craw or brown purple flash with a twin tailed green pumpkin grub for a trailer is the most effective bait. A few fish are being caught on jerk baits, lucky craft pointers in nishiki or chartreuse shad fished on windy chunk rock points and banks. Look for shad in the area to be successful.

White River: They are still running water out of Beaver Dam pretty much everyday and the fish are holding on points and channel swings staying just out of the current and ambushing bait as it comes by. Your best bet is a jewel 5/8 oz. football jig in PB&J with a twin tail trailer, hold your boat in 25' - 40' of water and work the jig on the down stream side of points and current breaks.

Dam Area: Still allot of fish coming on the deep pattern in the dam area, spoons and drop shotted finesse worms continue to be your best baits, look for shad on your graph in trees, deep flats and saddles the fish will not be far. The bigger boat docks continue to produce a few fish, work Eakins Jigs in brown / purple flash in the shade of the docks, pay close attention to any brush you encounter.