Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Table Rock 08/08/06:

Report #1

Kimberling City Area: There have not been many changes over the past weeks so the report remains the same; water temperature is up to around 90 degrees by mid day just about everywhere and the fish have moved deep. In the mid lake drop shotting trees on points and bluff ends is still a very productive pattern with watermelon or watermelon / red finesse worms being some of the best colors. A few fish are coming off of boat docks as well, they can be anywhere from under the walkways to in shadow of swim platforms 40’ deep.

James River: The James has not changed much either; most of the fish are coming from deep points and pea gravel channel roll offs; Carolina rigged french fries, lizards and baby brush hogs in green pumpkin, Jewel ½ oz or 5/8 oz football jigs in brown / purple flash with a green pumpkin Chomper Jig Trailer and fat free shad or other deep diving contracts have all been effective baits. Search these locations for isolated piece of cover like brush piles or stumps, these locations will hold the majority of the fish.

White River: The White river is similar to the Kimberling City area; drop shotting trees and pitching Eakins’ jigs to boat docks have been the most effective patterns. UP the Kings river there are a couple of the other patterns that have been effective; in the backs of some of the creek arms you will find large schools of shad, in those areas throw a Lucky Craft R.C. 1.5 or 2.5 crankbait around any wood cover that may be present. On the main lake look for tree rows on flats and pitch 8” – 10” worms to the base of the trees from 6’ to 15’ deep.

Dam Area: Boat traffic is still a concern on the main lake after 9:00am, you are better off moving toward the backs of some of the major creek arms and fishing for suspended fish in trees on points and channel swings. Drop shot watermelon / red finesse worms in the trees from 35’ – 60’ deep. The other option is to head up above cricket creek marina and fish for shallow fish with an Eakins’ jig in brown with a green pumpkin trailer. Look for most of the fish to be on points and bluff ends on both the main lake and in the creek arms.

Report #2

White River Area
The bass are on summer patterns. Carolina rigs with green pumpkin fish doctor or centipedes in watermelon candy in 25-35 feet deep on main lake gravel points.

Drop Shot rigs with Zoom finesse worms in green pumpkin color and watermelon candy on main lake gravel and bluff ends in 28-45 feet deep for Kentucky bass. Fish the bait at 28 foot near the thermocline.

Fish 5/8 and 3/4 oz. Jewell football head jigs in peanut butter and jelly or brown and purple on main lake points 25-35 feet deep is working the best for Kentucky and some Smallmouth bass.

For early morning top water bite use a Cordell Red Fin or Zara spook on pole timbered points, back in the creeks and on main lake points. White bass are schooling on flats in the morning and on cloudy days and can be caught on top water lures and spoons during the day.

Mid Lake-Kimberling City Area The bass are on summer patterns. Carolina rigs with green pumpkin fish doctor or centipedes in watermelon candy in 25-35 feet deep on main lake gravel points.

Drop Shot rigs with Zoom finesse worms in green pumpkin color and watermelon candy on main lake gravel and bluff ends in 28-45 feet deep for Kentucky bass, fish the drop shot rig at 28 feet near the thermocline.

Fish 5/8 and 3/4 oz. Jewell football head jigs in peanut butter and jelly or brown and purple on main lake points 25-35 feet deep is working the best for Kentucky and some Smallmouth bass. For early morning top water bite use a Cordell Red Fin or Zara spook on pole timbered points, back in the creeks and on main lake points.

Lower End-Dam Area The bass are on summer patterns. Carolina rigs with green pumpkin fish doctor or centipedes in watermelon candy in 25-35 feet deep on main lake gravel points.

Drop Shot rigs with Zoom finesse worms in green pumpkin color and watermelon candy on main lake gravel and bluff ends in 28-45 feet deep for Kentucky bass, but fish the bait at 28 feet deep near the thermocline.

Fish 5/8 and 3/4 oz. Jewell football head jigs in peanut butter and jelly or brown and purple on main lake points 25-35 feet deep is working the best for Kentucky and some Smallmouth bass. For early morning top water bite use a Cordell Red Fin or Zara spook on pole timbered points, back in the creeks and on main lake points. Kentucky bass are taking night crawlers good on gravel points 26-32 feet deep on the main lake.

Upper End-James River Carolina rigged Zoom centipedes in watermelon red and watermelon candy on main river gravel points in 15-25 feet deep. Football head jigs in peanut butter and jelly in 15-25 feet deep is working best for bass.

Also use deep running Shad colored crank baits. Top Water use a spook in shad patterns on bluff ends and timbered points in early mornings and for schooling bass.

Crappie fishing has slowed down but some are still being caught under deeper docks and deep pole timber, but are scattered.

Lake Taneycomo
I'm catching some nice rainbows and a few browns on a small Rapala in the morning and also swimming a white 1/16 ounce jig.

The trout in the trophy area will also take pink or green micro jigs under a float and a zebra midge has also been very good. Below the trophy are from Fall Creek down, the trout are biting very good on night crawlers or power baits.

In the early morning you can catch them swimming a 1/16 ounce jig or little Cleo spoon, in line spinners are also good in the mornings.

Bill Beck
Table Rock Guide Service
19 Schooner Creek Rd.
Kimberling City, MO 65686
www.tablerockguideservice.com
417-739-3066