Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Table Rock 06/10/06:

Report #1

Kimberling City Area: The fish have moved into their summer locations for the most part, deep trees off the ends of points and on sharp drops and roll offs. Drop shotting watermelon or green pumpkin finesse worms has been the most productive tactic, position your boat directly above the tree and fish vertically using your electronics to locate the fish within a tree. A Carolina rigged centipede or finesse worm will work as well on the deep ends and sharp drops around pea gravel points.

James River: While this area has the most fishing pressure it is also giving up the biggest stingers of late. Jewel ½ heavy cover finesse, 5/8 heavy cover and ¾ oz. football jigs in brown / purple flash and PB&J have been the most productive baits. Most of the fish are coming on drops and ridges near deep water and are hitting the bait on the fall. On cloudy days a few good fish will move up into the flooded bushes and feed on bluegill and shad, a Jewel bluegill or Lavender shad spinner bait is very effective when the wind is blowing.

White River: Between Baxter and Shell Knob the White River is almost as crowded as the James for good reason, plenty of deep fish being caught on drop shots and spoons as well as fish on points and drops being taken on Jewel Football jigs. Much like the Kimberling City area most of the fish are coming out of trees with a drop shot; look for the fish to be in and around the trees awaiting schools of bait to swim or drift by. The football jig bite is similar to up the James; points and ridges are holding most of the fish.

Dam Area: The dam and Long Creek areas have an unbelievable amount of pleasure boat traffic even during the week making it difficult to fish the main lake after 9:00 am. Before then drop shotting watermelon / red or watermelon candy finesse worms on points, islands and saddles has been very effective for Kentuckies. A few good smallmouth are still being caught on shaky head worms but you will need to fish them slowly to 25’ deep to get bit. The upper end of Long Creek has nice color but shallow crankbait and flipping bite has fallen off in the past week or two.

Report #2

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