Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Table Rock 07/11/05:

Kimberling City Area: The deep bite continues to produce in the Kimberling area; look for most of the fish to be suspended in tree tops around 40' deep. Best bait on the drop shot has been a Chompers drop shot worm in sand or watermelon red. Find the trees on your electronics and follow the bait all the way down into the tree, most of the fish are suspended under the larger branches using them for shade and an ambush point for schools of shad as they come by. Pay close attention to the depth that you catch your fish at most of the fish will be holding at that same depth.

James River: A Jewel 5/8 oz. football jig in brown / purple flash with a cinnamon / purple / jelly Chomper 5" jig trailer is the hot bait up the James right now. Look for large main lake flats that drop into the main lake channel, if there is a secondary ledge between the flat and the channel it is even better. Keep your boat in the deep water of the channel and throw up onto the flat then drag the bait slowly back to the drop, pay close attention while the bait is falling off the drop as most of the bites will come as the bait is falling. If the action slows down, try hopping the jig back to the boat on the flat to entice some additional strikes.

White River: Although the White river is a little clearer the bite in both it and the Kings is similar to the James with color being the only significant difference. Just like up the James your best bait is a Jewel 5/8 oz. football jig with a Chompers jig trailer, while brown /. Purple flash will work; I have been catching a few more on PB&J with the same cinnamon / purple / jelly 5" Chomper. Just like in the James look for large main lake flats that fall into the main lake channel, a secondary ledge will hold several fish if you can find that as well.

Dam Area: Fishing deep is your best bet in the dam area, deep tree tops, saddle areas between the shore and islands and channel swings into main lake flats are all holding quality fish. Best baits continue to be a white 3/4 oz. spoon and a drop shot rig, look for schools of shad in and around the afore mentioned structure and cover and the bass will not be far away. Most of the fish are between 25' - 50' deep and are either suspended in the cover, below the shad or locked on the bottom 50' deep or less.