Focused Fishing Web Log

Kimberling City Area: Fish have definitely moved out from the shallows over the past week. Several fish are being taken on Carolina rigs and Drop Shot rigs through out the mid lake area. Look to long points with deep water close by to be holding most of the fish. On the drop shot rig a number of baits have been effective; Chompers drop shot worms in purple / brown laminate or plum, Robo Worm 6” worms in Ox Blood and Red Crawler and Kinami Cut Tail worms in purple / brown are all working well. On a Carolina rig green pumpkin or watermelon red lizards, baby brush hogs and Salty Sinkers have all been producing. The C-Rig has been effective from 18’ – 25’ deep while the Drop Shot is working from 25’ – 35’ deep.

James River: There are several patterns producing in the James River; Jewel Football Jigs, Carolina Rigs, Flipping and deep crankbaits have all been effective. Jewel Football Jigs and Carolina rigs have been working on main lake pea gravel points and saddles from 18’ – 25’ deep. Best colors have been PB&J, green pumpkin and watermelon red. Several quality fish have been coming out of bushes and the flooded cover on and around points and channel banks; Eakins jigs with Paca Chunk trailers, Baby Brush Hogs and Salty Sinkers have all been effective flipping baits in green pumpkin or PB&J. Numbers of better fish have begun to show up on ledges and roll offs through out the upper James, target these fish with DD-22’s and DT-16 crankbaits making parallel casts banking the bait into isolated brush and rock cover.

White River: The White River arm is really good right now; drop shot rigs, Jewel Football Jigs and Carolina rigs are all producing from Baxter to Shell Knob, flipping tactics and shallow crankbaits are working in the Kings River and Jewel Spider and Football Jigs are producing from Shell Knob to Eagle Rock. From Baxter to Shell Knob look for pea gravel and mixed gravel / rock points to be holding most of the fish, dragging Jewel Football Jigs in PB&J or green pumpkin green flash or Carolina rigged brush hogs and lizards has been one of the most effective patterns from 18’ – 30’ deep. Most of these fish are holding on the deeper side of the point. Spots have started to suspend in deeper water off channel swing points, target these fish with drop shot rigs with Chompers or Robo Worm drop shot worms. In the Kings there is a bunch of fish holding on flooded bushes and wood cover; flip Eakins Jigs, Brush Hogs and Ultra Tubes in and around this cover. Toward the backs of feeder creeks look for schools of shad and throw square bill crankbaits in and around the shad to be effective. Further up the White most of the fish are coming on points from 15’ – 25’ deep with Jewel Spider or Football jigs worked slowly along the bottom, PB&J and brown / purple flash have been the best colors.

Dam / Branson Area: Fish seem further into a summer pattern on the lower end of the lake. There is still a topwater bite very early in the morning, look for surface activity and throw spooks, sammys and redfins to schools of active fish. Once the sun comes up the best bite has been on drop shot rigs; Chompers drop shot worms in purple / brown laminate or plum, Robo Worms in Ox Blood or MM III and Kinami cut tails in shad or brown / purple have all been effective. Target main lake points with deep water close by concentrating on the 35’ – 45’ depth. Several fish have been suspending on bluff end points and in submerged trees, look for schools of shad in the 25’ – 50’ range holding close to trees and bluff ends and the fish will be close by. These fish can be caught on the same drop shot rigs mentioned above as well as spoons and grubs.

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Best fly patterns: Four units all week long have made for some tough fishing; best patterns have been eggs in coral or pink and bright color San Juan worms, red, orange and chartreuse have been the ticket with the dirty high water.

Best spinning tackle: The best bite has been from Lilley’s to the Gold Mine, drift Gulp eggs in sunrise or flo orange, live night crawlers and red worms on either a drift rig or below an indicator. Key on slack water eddies behind shoals and docks.

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Kimberling City Area: Fish have begun their transition from the bank to deeper water, several fish taken over the past week on a combination of Chompers 4” single tail grubs and Chompers drop shot worms. On windy days, and there have been plenty lately, fish are relating to windy flats and flat points from 18’ – 25’ deep and can be caught on salt and pepper or smoke / pepper 4” grubs. On calm days these same fish will be a little deeper, using a drop shot begin your search at 20’ and work your way out until you locate fish. For the most part they have been relating to the bottom but there have been some marauding groups of Kentuckies suspended over 60’ – 80’ of water destroying schools of shad. A few largemouth have begun to show up in the bushes as well, you won’t get rich flippin the bushes but a limit can be caught in an eight hour day.

James River: The drop shot and grub bite has been very good up the James River as well; look for fish to be holding in the same locations as the mid-lake. From Piney up there has been a very good Carolina rig bite on lizards and brush hogs, look for flat points with deep channel bends close by to hold most of the fish. Make fan casts from the side of the point until you locate the depth the fish are holding in and then concentrate at that depth. The upper reaches of the James and Flat creek have been productive with square bill crankbaits in and around flooded bushes, much like the flippin bite in the mid lake you won’t get rich throwing a square bill but a few quality will bite. With all of the wind this past week the topwater bite slowed to a crawl, not sure if it will pick up when the wind dies down but we will see this week.

White River: The White River is producing good numbers and quality right now; grubs, drop shots and split shot rigs have all been producing fish on gravel and mixed gravel points and flats. The best depth range has been 18’-25’ deep but on calm sunny days you will need to move out and fish 20’-35’ to be productive. Jewel Football Jigs in brown / purple flash and PB&J with green pumpkin twin tail trailers have been very productive on mixed rock points with very deep water close by. Work the bait along the bottom slowly from shallow to deep, pay close attention as most of the bites have been very soft with the jig feeling “spongy” or “like it picked up some moss”. A very good flipping bite has started up the Kings River; fish have settled into the new log jams and other debris and can be caught on Eakins Jigs or Eakins Flip’N Finesse jigs with a Paca or other chunk trailer.

Dam / Branson Area: The dam area is producing as well, drop shot rigs, mojo and split shots, grubs and tubes have all been catching fish from 20’-35’ deep. Jewel 5/16 oz spider jigs in green pumpkin candy flash and green pumpkin / green flash with Chompers jig trailers have also started to produce; mixed rock and gravel points close to deep water are the most effective, work the bait slowly along the bottom paying close attention at all times. The top water bite has been slow on the slower end as well, several fish have been slashing at the bait and not getting it. Further up Long Creek the bite has been tougher, the best bite has been pitching an Eakins jig to flooded debris and bushes or working a square bill on flats toward the back of creeks.

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Best fly patterns: The best fly patterns for this past week have been sow bugs, g-bugs and san juan worms most fished deep below an indicator. Plum, tan, and olive have been productive colors.

Best spinning tackle: Several fish started to show up this past weekend, the best bite has been from Lilley’s down to around the Gold Mine. Drift night crawlers, Gulp Eggs, Power Bait and red worms to be successful.

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Best fly patterns: The best fly patterns for this past week have been scuds, midges, san juan worms, and streamers. Olive, shades of tan and grey have all been producing well. Use smaller size flies and lighter tippet when the water is shut off and larger flies (#6 -#8) when the water is on.

Best spinning tackle: With the release of several thousand fish for the Memorial day weekend the bite for spinning rod fisherman has been awesome. Little Cleos, Super Dupers and Rooster tails have all been producing in the current and drift rigs with power bait eggs, live crawlers and mixed power bait nuggets are working on drifts.

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Kimberling City Area: The point bite has improved since last week as several post spawn fish have moved back off shore and begun to suspend on long gravel points. The typical drag baits continue to produce; Carolina rigged lizards and baby brush hogs, split shot rigged fries and fish doctors as well as Chomper Ultra Tubes and Jewel Spider or Football jigs. Best colors are no surprise either; green pumpkin and anything in the watermelon family will produce bites from 15’ – 35’ deep. The bite changes a little everyday depending on weather if it is windy or cloudy the fish will tend to be shallower and on sunny days they will hold on the deeper end of the range. The topwater bite has been very good during low light hours as well; Sammys, Spooks and Redfins are producing fish, look for surface activity to indicate where the fish are actively feeding.

James River: The spawn is pretty well over in the James River; while there are still several fish on beds it is not the most productive pattern on the upper end of the lake. Much like the mid-lake area drag bait are producing very well on pea gravel and mixed gravel / rock points close to spawning areas. Not every point is producing right now so if you catch a fish be sure to take your time and fish the area thoroughly before moving on as the fish are grouping up. The topwater bite is hot in the James as well; Spooks, Sammys and Redfins are all producing good fish early and late with as many blow ups as fish caught in most occasions. Watch for surface activity anywhere on the lake, the fish seem to be following the schools of shad off shore and feeding when something triggers them, they can be over 60’ of water in the main channel so have a topwater ready.

White River: The spawn is in full swing in the White River, fish are locked on beds from Baxter to around Big M and if you enjoy sight fishing it is prime time. Usual sight fishing baits will produce; Chompers Ultra Tubes, Jewel Eakins Jigs, Salty Sinkers and lizards will all result in bites. If you don’t care to “look at ‘em” dragging Carolina rigs and split shot rigs with lizards or fries will produce on points adjacent to spawning areas. Much like the rest of the lake the topwater action is in full swing, all of the usual suspects will produce when the fish are chasing bait. Note that several fish have been following Redfins and not taking them over the past couple of days, if you are throwing a Redfin make sure it is tuned correctly and swimming right to draw a strike, don’t waste your fishing time tuning the bait, do it before you head in not during the prime time.

Dam / Branson Area: The dam area has several fish on beds as well, just like the White River and Mid Lake area the usual sight fishing baits will produce. The topwater bite is not quite as ht and heavy in the dam area but several fish can be caught if the conditions are right so have a rod rigged and ready. Grubs are still producing fish on windy and cloudy days from 15’ – 25’ deep, some days the fish will be on the bottom and you will need to “scrub” the grub on others they are suspending and you will need to count the grub down to the fish in order to get bit. Several fish have been caught over the past few days on a drop shot rig, mostly Kentuckies out off of flat points from 25’ – 45’ deep, use your electronics to locate the fish and “work them over” and you will get bit.

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Best fly patterns: Not nearly as much generation this past week and the bite has slowed; best flies are san juan worms, scuds and egg flies drifted through the deeper holes. Micro jigs in white and white / pink have also been working well.

Best spinning tackle: Lighten up your weight on a drift to 1/8 oz. with the slack water and you can still catch several fish per drift. Egg and scud or egg and worm patterns have been the most effective. A few better fish have come trolling in the slack water from Branson Landing to Monkey Island, small Rapalas and Lucky Craft pointers have been very effective.

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Kimberling City Area: The bite has slowed a little on points through out the lake, several fish can still be caught on main lake and secondary points if you fish them slow enough. The increase in water temperature has sent good numbers of fish to the bank to spawn and about 50% of the fish being caught on points appear to be post spawn. The fish on points are coming on a couple of presentations; split shot and Carolina rigged lizards, fries and fish doctors in green pumpkin or watermelon are have been effective as have Jewel 5/16 oz. spider jigs in green pumpkin / green flash with Chompers jig trailers. Fish either of these presentations as slow as you can stand, if you think you are moving the bait slow enough, slow down. In the bushes weightless Senkos and floating worms are taking cruising fish, it can be difficult to cast in the brush but it is worth it.

James River: The fish up the James River appear to be much further along in the spawn than in the mid lake area; several fish locked on beds that can be caught if that’s your “cup of tea”. Most of the fish on the beds are smaller males, not big females, the females are holding close by but are not on the nest. To target the larger fish switch up to Carolina rigged lizards, fries and brush hogs, work points close to spawning coves from 15’ – 25’ with a C-rig or Split shot rig, it is important to note that you cannot work the bait slow enough. Early and late there is a great topwater bite getting started; spooks, sammys and red fins are all producing some very good fish, you will not get a lot of bites but the fish are pretty choice.

White River: The bite up the White and Kings Rivers continues to improve. Just like the rest of the lake several fish have moved to the banks to spawn with males locked on nests through out the Shell Knob to Big M area. Larger females are being caught on Chompers Ultra Tubes, Carolina or split shot rigged fries and lizards or Jewel Spider jigs. Colors are pretty simple; green pumpkin, pumpkin seed, and just about anything in the watermelon family of colors. In the Kings River the spawn is as strong as anywhere on the lake; just about every cove has fish locked on beds. Also the topwater bite is much better up the Kings; several post spawn fish can be caught on spooks, sammys and red fins, key on points in the mouths of spawning pockets and coves early and late in the day.

Dam / Branson Area: The fish in the dam area are always the last to spawn on the lake. Several fish have made the move to the shallows this past week and a third of the fish being caught on points are post spawn. Post spawn fish can be caught on tubes, Jewel spider jigs and Carolina or split shot rigged lizards, fries or baby brush hogs are all effective when fished extremely slowly. Much like the mid lake area fish can be caught out of the bushes right now, weightless Senkos and floating worms are working for cruising fish and tubes and jigs are working for fish locked on beds.

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Best fly patterns: Same flies remain effective in the high water, scuds, san juan worms, white jigs and minnow imitators remain the best patterns. A mixed bag of fish will be caught on every drift so be prepared for anything.

Best spinning tackle: White 1/8th oz. Jigs have been the top producing lure this past week for numbers of fish. Scud and glow ball combos are working as well and some larger fish have been taken on jerkbaits (Rapalas, lucky craft, etc) on a drift rig. With the gates closed the drift has gotten slower and better numbers on each drift.

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Kimberling City Area: The bite has changed a little in the last week but for the most part it has gotten better. While there are still fish to be caught in the shallow flooded timber the best bite is out away from the bank. The fish are staging in a big way for the spawn and as soon as the water warms there will be a mad rush to the bank to spawn. The best bite over all has been on a 4” Chompers single tail grub in smoke / pepper or salt and pepper rigged on a ¼ oz. jig head. Look for the fish to be holding from the old bank line out to 30’ feeding on shad and crawfish. Day to day the fish will change the depth they are holding at in that range, one day they will be on the bottom the next they will be suspended less than five feet deep, pay attention to your electronics and vary the depth you are retrieving your bait until you find the fish.

James River: The bite up the James has been very good this week as well, several fish have already moved to the beds in the warmer water. While it is not a full on assault of the bank, there are enough fish up making beds that it won’t take long before they lock on and actually spawn. The best bite has been off of the beds on a combination of a Carolina rigged lizard or brush hog and a Jewel Football Jig. Look for long tapering pea gravel and mixed gravel rock points near the mouths of spawning coves and pockets to hold the most fish and work either presentations from 15’ – 25’ deep. Color selection is pretty standard Table Rock fare; brown / purple flash or PB&J on the jig and green pumpkin with some sort of flake (red, blue, purple, etc..) on the lizard and brush hog.

White River: The White River really turned around this week, the bite has been a little slower than the rest of the lake but this week it turned around. The grub bite has picked up following the same presentation as the Kimberling area, the jig and Carolina rig bite is working well on the mouths of spawning pockets as well and up the Kings River there has been a resurgent spinnerbait bite. Chompers McCutchen spinnerbaits work parallel to large logs and other debris in shallow spawning pockets has produced some very nice fish over the past week. These fish appear to be large females that are holding tight to the wood cover waiting to move in and spawn.

Dam / Branson Area: Despite the cold front the bite at the dam area has changed little, still several fish being caught on Chompers single tail grubs and the shaky head and split shot rig bites are coming into their own. Just like the rest of the lake the grub bite is in and around spawning coves, the fish on the lower end have not begun their spawn yet but they are grouped up and poised to move shallow en mass. Pay attention to the depth the shad are holding in around the dam, it will give you a very good idea where the fish will be holding. The shaky head and split shot bites are not as dependable as the grub bite but the quality of fish seems to be much more consistent. Fish either presentation in the same area as the grub on the bottom from 15’ – 30’ deep. Best baits have been green pumpkin fish doctors and french fries on the split shot and finesse worms and Senkos on the shaky head.

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