Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Table Rock 12/03/05:

Kimberling City Area: Still catching a few on a drop shot worm and needle worm on main lake bluff ends and deeper points, the key is to find the schools of shad and work those areas thoroughly. There are a few fish holding on to the deeper docks, they are easier to pattern on sunny days than cloudy ones, simply fish the shady areas from 5’ – 25’ deep with an Eakins’ jig in PB&J matched up with a 4” Chomper jig trailer in cinnamon / purple / jelly.

James River: The upper end of the James has the coldest water on the lake right now, water temps in the high 40’s and low 50’s are common. Most of the fish are being caught shallow on Jewel Lavender Shad spinnerbaits and wiggle warts, these fish are holding tight to whatever cover is available and it takes multiple casts to produce a strike. A secondary pattern would be fishing an Eakins jig around boat docks and brush piles; just like in the Kimberling City area this bite is much better when the sun is shining.

White River: Still a pretty good deep bite from Baxter to Campbell point; spoons, drop shot worms and grubs will all produce fish on bluff ends and deep points. As always look for schools of bait to be successful. Further up the White several fish are being caught on channel swing banks on both the main lake and in major creek arms. Look for most of the fish to be where the channel swings tight to the bank, any cover in these locations should be fish thoroughly with an Eakins jig in brown / purple flash with a cinnamon / purple / jelly jig trailer.

Dam Area: The deep bite is about the same in the dam area, drop shot worms, grubs and spoons are all producing fish when you can find the bait. Jewel 5/8 oz. football jigs in PB&J with a Chomper cinnamon / purple / jelly 5” jig trailer are producing some big smallmouth on deeper points and roll offs. An Eakins’ jig fished around the shady side of docks is also producing several nice fish.