Focused Fishing Web Log

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.

Main Lake: Bass fishing is tough on the main lake, most of the fish are coming over 15’ deep and are not biting well. Small baits like finesse worms, French fries or shaky head worms are your best bet. Look for most of the fish to be on points and bluff ends near deep water and expect to catch about 6 or 8 shorts for every keeper. Night fishing has been much better; big worms and even a few fish on black spinnerbaits fished to 10’ around standing timber in creek arms has been your best bet.

Above the bridges: Shade, look for shade from standing timber, brush piles and laydowns to be successful up the rivers. Flats and flat points that have schools of shad on them seem to be producing better than steeper banks but without shade you won’t get bit. Eakins’ jigs, big worms and square bill crank baits are your best bet. Make multiple casts to the shady areas to be successful.

Walleye are still on their normal summer pattern; chasing shad during the low light hours and hunkering down in the mid day. Casting or trolling crankbaits on flats near deep water at sunrise and sunset has been very productive.

Crappie are still in brush piles and can be caught on live minnows from 15’ – 25’ deep.

Dam area to Lead Hill: The fish are definitely deep in the dam area. Smallmouth are being caught as deep as 40’ on points and bluff ends with Jewel spider and football jigs with Chomper jig trailers, PB&J remains the most productive color. Spotted bass are suspended for the most part and are following schools of shad from point to point. Spoons and drop shots are your best bet and you will need to find the bait with your electronics to be successful. Largemouth are not as deep and can be caught on Jewel football and spider jigs or Carolina rigged French fries are effective on points near deep water.

Lead Hill to Power site: the fish are still holding tight to cover; smallmouth on rock and largemouth on brush or other wood. Much like in the dam area the fish have moved fairly deep with most of the smallmouth coming as deep as 30’ and largemouth as deep as 20’. Both species are feeding on shad and crawfish so Jewel spider and football jigs, Carolina rigged fries and deep crankbaits have all been effective. Look for most of the fish to be “stacked up� on points whenever there is any generation.

The typical Pomme summer pattern is in effect with most of the bigger fish coming from deep brush on the lower end of the lake. Jewel football jigs, Carolina rigger brush hogs and baby brush hogs and Texas rigged 8� – 11� worms are all effective ways to fish the brush. For numbers of fish check the backs of creeks and up the river for schools of shad and throw square billed crankbaits and Rattle Traps around and through the bait and close to any wood or rock cover in the creek or river.

Best fly patterns for the week: Smaller flies continue to dominate; scuds and midges in green, tan or grey. Griffith’s gnats have been effective in low light conditions.

Best spinning tackle: More generation this week and the bite improved; live crawlers, yellow nuggets and super dupers have been effective.