Missouri Lakes Fishing Report by Steve Wilson

Lake - Lake of The Ozarks 07/19/07:

Heavy generation has muddied the waters between Dams at the Ozarks. But there is always some water that is stained to clear. The dirty water has really hurt the night fishing. But since my Bass Factory Instructional Fishing Trips only fish during the day that is fine with me. When the fish can’t see at night they bite better during the day.

Lake level: 660 with heavy generation scheduled till they get Truman down. The lake should stay around 660. Truman: 727.3 and falling as fast as they can let water out.

Water temps 83-87 degrees

Dam and Gravois areas: Mostly dirty in main Osage with some stained water in some places in the Gravois. With all the current going through the main lake. Points and other structure has been the way to go. The best ones you will see baitfish all over the screen on your depthfinder. As far as depth goes. The current and water color has them spread out at all depth ranges depending on clarity of the water. I have caught good fish 2' deep on points near the main lake and 25' deep in the clearing water. So have an open mind in these changing conditions. For example Wed I started fishing at 6am. I went to noon without catching a keeper because my fish changed. Then I changed caught 2 over 5#s. One of which was probably 6#. And two solid 4#ers along with 3 other 2-2 3/4 # keepers. All between 12-3pm. Was it timing? No. It was a change in location and tactics. The basic lures are the same for structure fishing: 10" Texas rigged Power Worm, Carolina rig, football jig and deep crankbait. Colors depend on water clarity. You just need to move around enough to find some structure that is holding an active school. Once you get a bite it activates the other fish because they been really grouped up.

Glaize: Stained. The best fishing has been in the first couple of miles of the Glaize. The current and clearing conditions have these fish positioned on structure. Points, Humps and channel swing ledges are holding fish. If there is brush present the fish will be buried in it. 10"power worms, jigs and carolina rigs have all been producing. The best depths have been 8'-16' range. But like I said above these fish are moving around a lot on structure and you need to cover the whole depth range. On cloudy days try a topwater on the points.

Nianguas: Stained. The first couple of miles of the rivers provides the best structure fishing. Points, humps and river channel ledges are holding fish. Texas rigs, football jigs, deep diving cranks and carolina rigs all are producing fish. Brush around docks on steeper banks (best if around points) has been holding quality fish. Jigs and Texas rigged worms are best. During cloudy days the topwater bite has been good in this area of the lake. Steep main lake points have been good for walking baits such as the spook.

Osage River: Muddy with some small pockets of stained water. Lots of floating stuff in the main Osage. The fishing isn’t as bad as last weekends tournament made it seem. The water level right now at 660 and with strong current from all the water coming out of Truman lots of things are flooded that haven’t had water in a while. We use to see 660 and strong current often. Isn’t like Truman hasn’t flooded before. The fish in the upper reaches move to the newly flooded cover. Not all the cover. The stuff around the shad schools is a good place to start. Also keep it simple. A good moving bait like a spinnerbait and a flipping bait like a tube or creature lure Texas rigged with a light weight because you fishing shallow. As you go down the lake into the longer creeks you will see more bait and more stable conditions. You can continue fishing the newly flooded cover but your better fish will be located on the docks. Docks with brush are best. Use a 3/8 Rattleback jig or the same plastic as you caught fish in the flooded cover with a larger weight. Fish the brush on the bottom around the dock and swim your bait around the floats. After a few fish you know if you need to be swimming it or fishing it in the brush. And that’s usually a timing thing. Meaning they will be doing one thing I the mourning and be different in the afternoon.

Note: I have changed internet providers. My new internet address is Bassfactory@Charter.net Drop me a line and book a trip with BassFactory Intructional Fishing Trips. Fishing could not be any better in the Ozarks!

Good Luck!

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