Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Table Rock 08/29/05:

Kimberling City Area: The deep bite continues to be the dominate pattern, spoons , drop shot worms and grubs from 25’ – 60’ deep over tree tops, humps and bluff ends. Look for schools of shad and the fish will not be far away. There are a few fish being caught on PB&J Eakins’ jig & green pumpkin Eakins’ craw combinations in some of the larger, deeper boat docks. The fish seem to be using the docks as cover and will move up to about 8’ deep early and slide back down to 25’ deep in the afternoon.

James River: The crankbait bite has slowed with a few fish still being taken on DD-22’s and DT-16’s on main lake “roll-offs” and tapering points. A slow moving presentation was more effective this past week; a Jewel football jig in brown / purple flash with a Chomper green pumpkin jig trailer fished in these same areas has been effective as well.

White River: The best bite has changed back to a deep pattern on the White river, most of the fish are gathering on drops and deep tree tops and can be caught on a drop shot rigged needle worm. Look for schools of shad 25’ – 45’ deep, over water greater than 50’ deep. The Kings still has some pretty good color in it, if we get a little rain the fish really seem to turn on that day and for a day or two afterwards. An Eakins’ flippin’ jig on any wood cover 8’ – 25’ deep has been very effective.

Dam Area: Your best bet is still the deep bite, look for fish to be holding tight to tree tops, drops, saddles and bluff ends. Many times you won’t see the fish on your graph until they make a move of the bottom to chase shad or your bait. Chomper drop shot worms, white spoons and grubs are all very effective baits right now. There are also a few fish starting to move up on some of the main lake flats and tapered points, try a PB&J Jewel football with a green pumpkin jig trailer and drag it around from 25’ – 40’ deep.