Focused Fishing Web Log

Kimberling City Area: The best bite continues top be shallow for now, wiggle warts in just about any crawdad pattern on windy pea gravel flats and points have been tough to beat. Chompers 4” single tail grub in green pumpkin or watermelon and Chompers McCutchen Spinnerbaits on the same banks from 1’ – 8’ deep have been a close second. The deep bite remains inconsistent, finding schools of shad near the trees on channel swing banks has been the key, Chompers’ drop shot worms, Bink’s spoons and Chompers 4” grubs have all been effective when you find the right conditions. Still several smallmouth being caught on Jewel 5/8 and ¾ oz. football jigs in green pumpkin candy flash and PB&J with green pumpkin Hyperflex grubs from 10’ – 20’ deep on pea gravel and mixed rock points. Large community docks will still produce a mixed bag of fish on Eakins jigs in PB&J or brown / purple flash with a green pumpkin Eakins Craw trailer.

James River: The shallow bite is king up the James River; wiggle warts, Chompers McCutchen Spinnerbaits and Lucky Craft RC 1.5 crankbaits have all been very effective on windy pea gravel flats and points. On calm days a Jewel Pro Spider Jig in brown / purple flash or Missouri craw with a green pumpkin Hyperflex Grub has been tough to beat from 8’ – 15’ deep on gravel and mixed rock points and flats. With cold weather moving in Sunday this bite will likely change so take advantage while you can.

White River: The White River continues to produce some impressive fishing. Deep anglers will find the deep bite a little more predictable with good schools of shad moving into the creek arms, with Spotted Bass close behind. Chompers Drop Shot Worms, Bink’s Spoons and Chompers 4” Single Tail Grubs are all producing in these areas when the bait is present. On windy days the fish have been moving shallow with the best bite coming on main lake and secondary points with wiggle warts and Chompers’ McCutchen Spinnerbaits. With all of the rain predicted over the next few days look for the bite to move toward the back of the creek arms; focus on the last channel swing with an Eakins jig and Craw combo from the bank back to the channel.

Dam / Branson Area: The dam area has been producing some really nice fish over the past week or so, just like the rest of the lake windy banks are critical to success. Chompers McCutchen Spinnerbaits, Single Tail Grubs and wiggle warts are all prime baits when the wind is blowing. On calm days back out to 10 – 20 feet deep and throw Jewel 5/16 oz. and 7/16 oz. Pro Spider Jigs in PB&J or green pumpkin / candy flash with green pumpkin Hyperflex grub trailers. Work either Jewel jig slowly along the bottom with short hops to draw strikes. The bite around boat docks has remained pretty strong; Eakins Jig and Craw combos pitched to the center walkway of a dock will usually result in a several bites through out the day.

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Dam area to Lead Hill: Several fish have followed the bait up shallow over the past week or two and can be caught on reaction baits like wiggle warts and Chompers McCutchen Spinnerbaits in 2’ – 10’ of water on windy pea gravel and mixed gravel / rock banks. On calm days the best bite has been with Jewel Pro Spider or Football jigs from 10’ – 30’ deep on these same gravel and mixed points or banks, most of the fish will react to the bait better if it is hopped off of the bottom rather than dragged. The deep bite has been a bit tough over the past week; while several fish can be caught most are small spotted bass. Chompers’ drop shot worms and Bink’s Spoons are accounting for most of the fish in 30’ – 50’ of water on bluff ends and deep channel swings.

Lead Hill to Power site: The bite above Lead Hill has been very strong with several fish being caught on Chompers’ McCutchen Spinnerbaits, wiggle warts and Lucky Craft RC 1.5 crankbaits on shallow flats and flat points. Crushing wind is critical for success and the fish will be very close to if not right on the bank. On calm days move to channel swing banks and deeper points, use Eakins Jig and Craw combos or Jewel Pro Spider jigs and work from the bank out to 15’ deep.

Don’t Miss Tournament Fishing Radio on ESPN 1400 AM Springfield
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Link to the Generation Schedule: http://www.swpa.gov/generation.htm

Best fly patterns: Most of the bigger brown trout seem to have finished their run, still a few big rainbows showing up but for the most part smaller fish have been the rule. Scuds, g-bugs, sow bugs and egg patterns have been dominate with ginger, olive and plum being the best colors.

Best spinning tackle: With the slow down in bigger fish most of the fish have been coming on rooster tails, panther martins, Zig Jigs and buoyant spoons. As always mixed colors of Gulp eggs and corn and live red worms are working around the docks.

Don’t Miss Tournament Fishing Radio on ESPN 1400 AM Springfield
Mondays 5:30pm and Saturdays 5:00 am or on-line at www.espn1400.com
www.focusedfishing.com