Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Table Rock 11/27/06:

Kimberling City Area: The deep bite continues to improve; schools of shad have been on the move into creek arms and Spotted Bass have started to school up and follow the shad. The best areas continue to be where schools of shad cross either a secondary point or deep trees holding fish. White War Eagle spoons, single tail grubs and Chomper drop shot rigs will catch these fish with a little effort. The dock pattern is also starting to heat up with some big Smallmouth being caught this past week on larger docks with a PB&J Eakins jig and green pumpkin Eakins craw combo. Try to pitch the jig all the way back to the center walkway in the first three or four stalls of condo and association docks and work it back to the boat on the bottom.

James River: The bite up the James River was pretty good this week; from the confluence of the White and James to Campers’ Point the deep bite has been very good on points and bluff ends with white War Eagle spoons and Chompers’ drop shot worms accounting for the bulk of the catch. Look for schools of shad from 25’ – 60’ deep and work either bait below the shad. Further up river War Eagle spinnerbaits in mouse and white / chartreuse worked through cedar trees on mixed rock banks have been producing a few big fish everyday. On calm days a brown Eakins’ jig and green pumpkin Paca chunk will produce bites in these same trees or on channel swing banks.

White River: The King’s River is still strong. Several big fish caught this past week on Storm Wiggle Warts and War Eagle Spinnerbaits fished on wind blown chunk rock banks, position your boat about eight to ten feet deep and cast parallel to the bank covering as much water as possible. Pay close attention to any laydowns or stumps that you may run the bait into, it is worth your time to make another cast or two to any wood cover. On the White River the deep bite is starting to come on strong; War Eagle spoons and Chompers’ drop shot worms are very effective presentations in and around schools of shad in major creek arms and on bluff end banks.

Dam / Branson Area: The dam area and Long Creek are both producing good fish. For Smallmouth look to pea gravel and mixed pea gravel ledge rock banks and points to hold most of the fish, a Jewel 5/16 oz. or 7/16 oz. PB&J or watermelon / purple flash spider jig with a green pumpkin or watermelon Chompers’ jig trailer fished on the bottom will produce several fish. Spotted Bass are following schools of shad and can be found in creek arms and on the main lake mostly on bluff ends and points, these fish will bite War Eagle spoons or Chompers’ drop shot worms in sand or plum . Further up Long Creek Largemouth will bite an Eakins’ Jig in Missouri craw with a green pumpkin Eakins’ craw fished around laydowns and log jams.