Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Table Rock 1/20/05:

Kimberling City Area: The best bite this week has been on an Eakins' Jig in PB&J with a Yamamoto green pumpkin twin tailed grub trailer> the fish are holding on the transition areas near channel swings. Docks and brush add to this pattern but are not necessary to be successful. The deep bite has really been inconsistent, with the amount of water they are drawing out of the lake the shad are stretched and the deep fish are hunkering down.

James River : The James has a little more color than the rest of the lake and the fish are being caught on ledges and channel swings with a 7/16 oz Eakins jig in MO craw or black / blue flash. Fish sunny banks from 6' to 25' deep on deep ledges, channel swings and transition areas. Fish slowly and pay extra attention to any wood or rock cover and any area where rock changes to gravel.

White River: Still allot of current from Beaver Lake in the upper area of the White, if fishing in the area key into current breaks on point and channel swings with a Lucky craft Pointer in chart. shad, the fish will be fairly active so you won't need to pause the bait long to get bit. Closer to the main lake your best bet is go into the major creek arms and fish an Eakins' jig in brown/purple flash with a Yamamoto cinnamon purple twin tail grub for a trailer on channel swing and transition banks.

Dam Area: The deep pattern has slowed in the dam area as well just like the rest of the lake, you can catch a few fish but you will have to work the fish hard to get them to bite. A better pattern right now is to fish a Jewel 5/16oz. spider jig in green pumpkin / green flash around docks on pea gravel points close to deep water. The fish will be near the shade line using it to ambush bait as it move into the sun, fish the jig from 4' - 25' deep along the shade line caused by the dock.