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Copyright 1999-2001

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Sept. 27, 2001 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina

Its been a tough week on Truman this week. The white Bass and crappie are doing ok but the bass fishing is slow. You can still catch a bunch of short bass but keeper size fish are kind of elusive. With the change in water temp. its just a matter of time before they move to the way backs of the coves.
LAKE LEVEL: 706.32
WATER TEMP: 73 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Grand river in the Bucksaw area has alot
of color,but the rest of the lake is clear to
lightly stained.
BASS: Right now there is no certain bait on Truman that is doing better than any other bait. This week we have heard of fish being caught on a little bit of ererything. The jig and frog seem to be doing better on the better fish. But then again the spinner bait and the 5" flippin tube is also catching a few fish. The only thing we are sure of right now is that most of the fish are comming out of 1' to 5' of water and laydowns are doing the best. Jigs in black and blue, spinner baits in white/char. with gold blades and tubes in smoke with black or blue fleck are all working. Last wekend the Pop R was working a little but haven't had any reports on them in the last couple of days.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing is not that bad right now. Our head guide Steve Blake has been bringing in limits everyday. He said he was catching his fish off the bluffs in 24' to 27' of water. Minnows are working the best when fished on top of the brush. We would like to congratulate Derrick Vetter and Emmit Hughes on their win in the MO. Water Patrol Assn. crappie tourn. last weekend. They weighed in 10.81 lbs. to win the Assn. first annual tournament.
WHITES AND HYBRIDS: The whites and hybrids are still biting good. They are still hanging out in the same old areas. KK Island and the wier are two of the best spots yet. Yesterday we had some reports that there were some whites moving up on shallow flat points. Rat L Traps and Rooster Tails were the baits of choice. For the hyrids the 4' sassy shad in chartruse is still working. When fishing the flat points pick the ones with the wind blowing on them.
CATFISH: Jugs are still working the best. Fish the flats next to the river channels with cut shad or cut perch on about 12' lines. Seems the floating jugs are out fishing the anchored lines. Haven't talked to anyone running trot lines this week.
This weeks ratings fron Sterett Creek are:
Whites and Hybrids: # 1
Crappie # 2
Bass: # 3
Don 't forget this weekend is the Sterett Creek Invitational Buddy Bass Tourn. Everyone is welcome to fish ! It will go out Sat. morning at 7:30 and weighins will be at 3:30. For more info call 660-438-2280 or e mail critter@dam.net. Hope you can make it !!!
Thats it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina. We bid you all good fishing and GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!!!!!!
Tommy


September 27,  2001 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 909.67      Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP. Main lake 72-76   Rivers  72-78

The best bite is still deep 30-35', suspending over 40'+(as deep as 130").  Best spots are where the old river channel swings up against a point or flat, also over submerged timber in 60'-80'.  Where the tops of trees are 30'-40' deep.  The best way to find these spots are, idleing around off the points and flats, watching your electronics.  Also, if you find shad suspended 20'-40', fish around them.  My best baits have been 4" drop shot worms, in shad colors.  Also, 3"-4" grubs, single tail in smoke, salt & pepper working well.

JAMES RIVER - We are still catching fish on spinnerbaits, & shallow crankbaits, early, on main river points where chunk rock turns to pea gravel.  The bite has picked  up as the water temps cool down. Look for shad activity from the center of the creeks to the backs.  Slow roll a 1/2 ounce spinnerbaits under the shad, also try shad colored shallow diving crankbaits.

Mid James-most of the fish are being caught here are suspended, anywhere from 30'-40', in anywhere from about 30'-80' of water.  This bite also seems to be over early, around 10-11 am.  Fish long sloping points, and humps- best techniques-drop shotting 4" worms, 3"-4" single tail grubs, smoke or salt & pepper, fished on a 3/8 oz. -1/2 oz. darter head.  You have to spend time on the trolling motor & electronics, on these large flats and points, locating the shad.  The fish are under or around them.  The spoon bite has slowed down for me.

LONG CREEK - Fish are up in the upper Long Creek, from Cricket Creek on up.  We are catching them on, shallow crankbaits, Texas rigged worms, & spinnerbaits.  Fish the shad on the flats, if they are present.  If not, crank and flip the wood along the edge of channel.

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  - Some good smallmouths are being caught on small jigs in the tops of visible cedar trees 15'-25'.  Best colors are craw-dad colors.  Kentuckie's, are on the same patterns we used in the James.  Topwater action on Red Fin, Storms Jointed Thunder Stick, Spooks, & spinnerbaits.  Fish around cedar on main lake and secondary points.  This bite is over when the sun gets up.

Sept. 12,  2001 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service

Water Level: 909.5 - Normal Pool: 915 - Water Temp: 75° - 80°

Kimberling City/Dam Area - Bass are changing to their fall patterns fast because the water temperature is dropping quickly with the cool nights. I'm still catching deep fish, but it has slowed down over the past week. Most of the fish are coming from jigging spoons and drop shotting or a grub. Fish are suspended in 35-55 feet of water over 60-100 feet of water, off the main lake and creek channel points. I'm starting to catch a few crank bait fish and spinner bait fish on transition chunk rock and pea gravel banks early in the morning, but that bite is over once the sun comes up. Then at that time, start fishing deep. Try throwing top water spook or red fin in the early morning, which also produced nice fish last week.

James River - The James River has been the most consistent for the best fish. I'm catching some nice 2-4 lb. Blacks in the river on crank bait and spinner bait, but as the sun gets higher the bite gets tougher. At that time, start looking for schooling fish in the middle to back of the creek channels. Try throwing a single-spin spinner bait or swimming a smoke-colored grub underneath the schools of shad. Also throw Spook or Red Fin at the schoolers, which also produced some nice fish last week. The spoon bite slowed down for me last week in the rivers. The best spoon bite seems to be down by the dam.

Sept. 12,  2001 -Lake Taneycomo - By White River Basin Guide Service

Above Fall Creek to the Dam - Fishing has really picked up. I'm catching a lot of fish on soft hackles. I'm still having success with the size 14 dark olive or insect green. Try fishing both of those with or without a split shot, 12 inches above the fly. It depends on the day, sometimes the fish like it on top and some days they want it deeper. Tan or black-colored midges are still working good. The standard scuds, sow bugs and olive woolly buggers are working.

DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following:

Shamois leech size 12, olive wooly buggers size 10 or 12, or gray/olive scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either dead drift or under an indicator, just off the bottom.

Below Fall Creek - Not much has changed below Fall Creek. Air inject night crawlers or orange and chartreuse power eggs, with chartreuse on the shank and orange on the tip of your hook. Bounce off the bottom using standard Taneycomo drift rig, which is available at most marinas on the lake.

Good luck!

 Sept. 19, 2001 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina

Small, would be the best way to put it right now. I haven't talked to anyone who isn't catching fish but not many are catching big fish at this time. With the weather fronts we have comming in and out and the water temp on the fall its just a matter of time before everything breaks loose.
LAKE LEVEL: 705.94
WATER TEMP: 77 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Tebo, Pommie big and little. and the
Osage are clear to lightly stained. The
Grand in the Bucksaw area has alot of
color to it.
BASS: Bass fishing on Truman has been slow this week. We are catching alot of little fish but very few keepers. When you have 300 boats in a tourn. and a little over 9 lbs. wins it that is tough fishing. The reports we are getting is the fish have started hitting spinner baits about 1/2 way back in the creeks. Work the laydowns with short arm single spins in white and chartruse with a gold blade. Tubes are also catching fish in the same areas. Smoke and watermellon are the two predominant colors. The fish seem to want the baits swam instead of bounced like a worm. Also heard of a blue fleck worm bite on the secondary points in the Big Tebo arm. The main key seems to be fish the shad.
CRAPPIE: Here again the fish are small. We have had a few people bring in better fish in the last couple of days. These fish were mainly caught off the bluffs at the mouths of the coves .30' of water
fishing a minnow 20' down seemed to work the best. Still a few fish hitting 1/2 way back in the creeks in 8' of water around the cedars. Here again minnows are the bait of choice.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: Now this bite is going strong ! We are seeing lots of whites and small hybrids brought in every night. The weir and KK Island are the to top producing spots on the lake right now. Small spoons seem to be working the best on the whites and the 4" sassy shad on the hybrids. Fish are holding in the 8' to 12' range. Another trick you might try is to drift a minnow on the flats in these areas this is another good producer on the whites. They are still surfacing and small Rat L Traps and Rooster tails are working well on these fish.
CATFISH: Jugs are still working on the flats. Cut shad and cut perch are the best baits. Set jugs at about 12' for best results. Trot lines have produced some fry pan fish this week when set on the flats. The guys were using floating lines with stages set about a foot deep.
We have the Sterett Creek Inv. Bass Tourn. comming up on the 29th. of Sept and would like to invite everyone to come out and fish it. $ 50.00 per boat and $10.00 big bass pot with a 100% pay back. You can sign up at the marina Friday aftrmoon on the 28th. or before the tourn. on Sat. morning. Tourn hours will be 7:30 to 3:30. Hope you can make it !!!
So untill next week we bid you good fishin !
Sterett Creek Marina - 660-438-2280 - critter@dam.net - Tommy

September 19,  2001 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 909.84  Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP. Main lake 72-80   Rivers  76-81

JAMES RIVER

We are catching fish on spinnerbaits, & shallow crankbaits, early, on main river points where chunk rock turns to pea gravel.  The bite should pick up as the water temps cool down, and should get a little more color in the backs of the upper creeks from recent rain.  Look for shad activity from the center of the creeks to the backs.  Slow roll a 1/2 ounce spinnerbaits under the shad, also try shad colored shallow diving crankbaits.

Mid James-most of the fish are being caught here are suspended, anywhere from 30'-40', in anywhere from about 30'-80' of water.  This bite also seems to be over early, around 10-11 am.  Fish long sloping points, and humps- best techniques-drop shotting 4" worms, 3"-4" single tail grubs, smoke or salt & pepper, fished on a 3/8 oz. -1/2 oz. darter head.  You have to spend time on the trolling motor & electronics, on these large flats and points, locating the shad.  The fish are under or around them.  The spoon bite has slowed down for me.

LONG CREEK

Fish are up in the upper Long Creek, from Cricket Creek on up.  We are catching them on, shallow crankbaits, Texas rigged worms, & spinnerbaits.  Fish the shad on the flats, if they are present.  If not, crank and flip the wood along the edge of channel.

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  

We are catching Kentuckie's, on the same patterns we used in the James.  I also have heard some reports of smallmouths starting to bite small jigs and Carolina rigged 4" worms, or twin tailed Chompers, fished 25'-30', on main lake points.  Also, some topwater action on Red Fin, Storms Jointed Thunder Stick, Spooks, & spinnerbaits.  Fish around cedar on main lake and secondary points.  This bite is over when the sun gets up.

Sept. 12, 2001 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina
It is with a sad heart that I sit here doing a fishing report telling how good things are when things in the world around us are so bad. We here at Sterett Creek are offering our prayers for the victims and their families of the tragity in New York as we hope that our readers will do the same.
LAKE LEVEL: 706.14
WATER CLARITY: Clear to lightly stained
Water Temp: 84 deg.

BASS: The bass fishing on Truman this week has been a little slow. We saw some good weights turned in this past weekend in the tournaments but since the fish have slowed a little. Alot of the fish we are seeing now are comming off tube jigs in smoke to green pumpkin with gold fleck. 5" tubes seem to be working best. Laydowns in 1' to 3' of water seem to be working. Spinner baits are also producing fish on the same pattern. Single blade Colorado in white or white and chartreuse are the best colors. Suspended fish are still hitting big worms and jig and frog at about 5'. Tequila sunrise and black and blue are the colors of choice. There has also been a few Rat L Trap fish caught 1/2 way back in the coves when fish are chasing shad. Its alot of casts for a few keeper fish, but the little guys will keep your attention up.
CRAPPIE: Have had some good reports on crappie moving back in the creeks about 1/2 way. 8' of water seems to be the magic depth. Cedars have been working better than the hardwoods and minnows are still the best bait.There are still some good fish being caught in the Berry Bend area on the outside tree rows.12' of water fished 5' to 6' deep with minnows has been working. Steve Blake has had some real nice crappie off brush piles so if you know where any are you might want to check them out.
WHITES AND HYBRIDS: It seems kind of funny that when some species of fish slow a little some of the others really pick up, and thats exactly what we are seeing right now. The white bass and hybrid are going again. Surface activity right before dark is at its best. 4" sassy shad and shallow running crank baits are taking alot of fish. Best areas are the wier in front of the dam, Little Pommie flats and Point O 3 are the hot areas on the lake. Remember don't crowd these fish when they are surfacing or you will spook them right out of the area. Stay about a casting distance away for best results. I know they have to be hitting really good because Wayne Ruby the drum king is even catching them.
CATFISH: Jugs are still working on the flats. Shad and cut perch seem to be the best baits when fished about 12' deep. Haven't had any reports on trot lines yet this week but Marty Zych is going to start tomorrow and said he is going to put some floating lines on the flats using shad.
This weeks ratings from Sterett Creek are:
Whites # 1
Hybrids # 2
Crappie # 3
Bass # 4
We will be running the Sterett Creek Invitational Bass tournament on Sat. Sept 29. This is a buddy tournament and every one is welcome to fish. $50.00 entry, $10,00 big bass and 100% payback. For info you can call 660-438-2280, its a lot of fun hope to see you there.
So from Sterett Creek Marina we bid you GOOD FISHIN !!!
critter@dam.net
Tommy

Sept. 12,  2001 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service
WATER LEVEL - 909.76  Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP. Main lake 81-84   Rivers  81-85

First thing I would like to say before I enter this report, is that we are deeply saddened by all of those who lost their lives, & loved ones yesterday.  Also, for the brave men and women who made the attempt to save lives and lost their own. A special thanks for all those who continue to work diligently.  Please keep all of these people in your prayers, as they attempt to recover from this tragedy  We are still in a state of shock today, as is, everyone else I know.  God Bless America, and all those who love her.

JAMES RIVER

Water temps. continue to cool, and the Bass are making the change into their fall patterns, and the fish continue to  move from the flats. With the fish moving from their summer patterns in to their fall patterns, it is hard to pattern the bite, it varies greatly from day to day.  You can catch them today one way, and not get a bite the next day, using the same pattern.  This is very typical for this time of year.  Carolina rig bite and deep crank has continued to decline.   Jigging spoons near the mouth of larger creeks as shad and fish start moving back into the creeks. I am finding them in 25'-45' over 25'-100'. The Upper James and Flat Creek are still producing on small crankbaits, spinnerbaits and tubes. The best fishing seems to be in the Mid James, Baxter, Campbell Point, Kimberling City areas.  

LONG CREEK

Shad have still been active in Upper Long Creek, & Yocum Creeks, fish the same patterns as noted in the James areas. Also, try a buzz bait early, around isolated cover on the shallow flats.  As the lake level continues to drop, more brush piles and stumps are becoming visible.

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  

3/8 & 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits are working early on main lake rock transitions, chunk rock to pea gravel, or ledge to gravel areas.  Also catching fish n small crankbaits, such as wiggle warts, 6A Bombers, Norman- little'ns, in crawdad patterns. The deep bite is still the most consistent. Most of the fish are coming on Drop Shot rigs, 3/4 oz. chrome or white jigging spoons, 35-45' deep on bottom, on bluff ends or long sloping main lake points.  I am catching some 30'-40', suspended over submerged timber.    With the lake dropping, fish main lake gravel points and long sloping points, on 3/4 oz. football jigs-brown and purple tipped with twin tailed grubs. I have been using the Team Supreme C-Twins, with much success. Spinnerbaits are working on the cedar tree tops, you just have to throw at about 100 trees to get a bite!  But, the fish are very aggressive, and will bite it if you get it right in front of them.  This bite will get better as the water continues to cool.  Lots of different plastics are working on the drop shot rig, 4" finesse worms, seem to be working best.  I am using cotton candy, watermelon candy, watermelon/purple, smoke, and shad colors. Try drop shotting salt & pepper, or blue gill 3"-4' tubes, or 3"-4"  grubs-same colors.

Sept. 11,  2001 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service
Water Level: 909.5 - Normal Pool: 915 - Water Temp: 81° - 84°

Kimberling City/Dam Area - Bass are changing to their fall patterns fast because the water temperature is dropping quickly with the cool nights. I'm still catching deep fish, but it has slowed down a bit over the past week. Most of the fish are coming from jigging spoons and drop shotting in 35-55 feet of water, off bluff ends and long, sloping points. I also caught a few fish this week on spinner bait and crank bait, on transition chunk rock and pea gravel banks. Try throwing top water spook or red fin in the early morning, which also produced nice fish last week.

James River - The summer pattern that we've been catching fish on all summer long has slowed down considerably. I caught a few fish on top water, spook and red fin and still caught a few deep fish swimming a grub and fishing a spoon. The river will pick back up soon and you should be able to find the bass schooling in the mouths of coves or feeder creeks and it won't be long until they start chasing the shad back up into the creeks. In the mouths of these bigger coves or feeder creeks, try using a spoon near the mouth and watch for the schoolers.

Lake Taneycomo - Above Fall Creek to the Dam - Nothing has changed over the past week. They are still pulling quite a bit of water and it's still hit or miss. If you can catch it when the water is not running, the fishing is great. I've been catching a lot of fish on midges, either a larva, emerger or adult (size is important, the smaller the better). Every day there is a cream, gray or olive midge hatch on the water.

DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following: Shamois leech size 12, olive wooly buggers size 10 or 12, or gray/olive scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either dead drift or under an indicator, just off the bottom.

Below Fall Creek - If they are not generating power, air inject night crawlers or orange and chartreuse power eggs, with chartreuse on the shank and orange on the tip of your hook. Bounce off the bottom using standard Taneycomo drift rig, which is available at most marinas on the lake.

Good luck! - Jeff Martin - White River Basin Guide Service

September 5,  2001 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 919.69  Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP. Main lake 82-84   Rivers  881-85

JAMES RIVER - Water temperatures are cooling, and the fish seem to be moving from the flats, where we have been catching them all summer.  The summer Carolina rig bite and deep crank has slowed way down.  Try  3/8 oz. and 1/2 oz. tandem willow leaf spinnerbaits on rock transitions where the bank goes from chunk rock to pea gravel.  We are also catching some out of cedar tops on main lake and secondary points.  Using spoons near the mouth of larger creeks as shad and fish start moving back into the creeks.  The Upper James and Flat Creek are still producing on small crankbaits, spinnerbaits and tubes.

LONG CREEK - Shad have still been active in Upper Long Creek, & Yocum Creeks, fish the same patterns as noted in the James areas. Also, try a buzzbait early, around isolated cover on the shallow flats.  As the lake level continues to drop, more brush piles and stumps are becoming visible.

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT - This area has not changed up much except try throwing spinnerbaits around the cedars. Deep fishing has really picked up around Kimberling, Baxter & Campbell Point.  Most of the fish are coming on 3/4 oz. chrome or white jigging spoons, 35-45' deep on bottom, on bluff ends or long sloping main lake points.  I am catching some 30'-40', suspended over submerged timber.  Drop shot also working well in the same areas. With the lake dropping, fish main lake gravel points, long sloping points, with Carolina rig, or 3/4 oz. football jigs-brown and purple tipped with twin tailed grubs. I have been using the Team Supreme C-Twins, with much success.  Lots of different plastics are working on the drop shot rig, 4" finesse worms, seem to be working best.  I am using cotton candy, watermelon candy, watermelon/purple, smoke, and shad colors. Try drop shotting salt & pepper, or blue gill 3"-4' tubes, or 3"-4"  grubs-same colors. Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 25'-35' over 30'-80' of water.

Sept. 5, 2001 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina

With the number of boats that were on Truman this weekend it was hard to find a place to fish. Even with that fishing was not to bad. We saw some nice crappie and the white bass fishing really took off. Seems the COE is still running a little water through the dam in the afternoons and this has kept the fishing steady.
LAKE LEVEL: 706.07
WATER TEMP: 84 DEG.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to lightly stained

BASS: The bass fishing on Truman slowed a little this week, or at least the size has went down. There were alot of short fish caught but the keeper count was down. Tube jigs fished in the timber on the break lines in about 8' of water produced some fish. A Texas rigged tube in smoke seemed to do pretty good. A Texas rigged craw in black/blue or camo also is working. There is still a top water bite on the flats in shallow water with buzz baits around the isolated timber. Worms and jigs are still working on the secondary points when fished in 8' to 12' of water. Hopefully the water temp. will get down a little more and start moving some of these fish back in the coves.
CRAPPIE: We had two different patterns going on crappie this weekend. The regular summer pattern of out side tree rows in 12' to 15' of water fished with minnows 6' to 8' deep and a point pattern that has started in 12' to 15' of water both have been working. The point pattern seems to be doing well in the Bucksaw area and the tree rows on the edge of the flats from Hogles Creek to the dam area. Looks like some of the crappie in Truman are starting to set up on the points thinking about moving in after the shad.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: There was alot of whites caught this weekend.These fish have been surfacing from the dam to Little Pommie Flats. Best areas were KK Island and the flats on Little Pommie. 1/4 oz. Rat L Traps, rooster tails and 4" sassy shad all worked on these fish. The KK Island area produced some small hybrids, up to 4 lb. but other than that we didn't see any big hybrids this weekend.
CATFISH: Jugs are still taking most of the catfish in our area. Cut perch and cut shad seem to be the bait of choice. Jugs fished 12' in 15' to 18' of water on the flats are working well. Haven't talked to anybody that was running trot lines this week but if they are working jugs I think lines would work also.

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are:
Whites # 1
Crappie # 2
Bass # 3
Hybrids # 4
So from Sterett Creek Marina we bid you GOOD FISHIN !!! 660-438-2280
critter@dam.net Tommy

August 28, 2001 - Truman - Marc Weber with his 9 1/2 and 10 1/2 pound stripers in a photograph submitted by Sterett Creek Marina

See more photographs of Stripers from Truman by going to our Photo Gallery - Stripers.

August 29, 2001 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina
With August almost over, the kids back in school and pre season football going on its been really hard to concentrate on fishing this week. With the size of some of the hybrids comming in pre season football is going to have to wait.

WATER LEVEL: 706.47
WATER TEMP: 81 deg.
WATER CLARITY: All arms are clear to lightly stained.

Bass: The bass fishing on Truman remains good. There are alot of fish that have pulled up shallow. Look for flats that the wind is blowing into and fish 2' to 3' deep. The isolated timber fished with big worms or a jig and frog has been producing some nice fish.You guessed it red shad, plum and blue fleck on the worms and black and blue on the jig and frog are the top colors. There is also a buzz bait bite early and late in the same type of water. White to white and yellow buzz baits are working right off the bank. The point fishing is still doing ok. We heard of some crankbait fish on the wind blown points. Tenn. shad and firetiger are the best colors fished in 10' to 15' of water.
Crappie: The numbers went down a little this week but the size got better. Marty Zych had a limit of big crappie yesterday off points above Bucksaw. They were 11" to 13" and came out of 15' of water.Minnows are still the best bait when fished 6' to 8'. The Osage is producing some nice fish on the outside tree rows again. 15' of water fished 6' to 8' deep and keep moving will put fish in your live well. Sonny Leaders had a couple of limits in the tree rows right across from the marina. With the water temp. cooling down slowly I would work the points, these fish should start stacking there before the start moving to the backs. It looks like the shad are starting to move allready.
Whites and Hybrids: This has been another week for good sized hybrids. The COE has been running water in the late afternoons and early evenings and this has really got these fish going. KK Island, O 3, and the wier have all produced fish this week. There has been alot of surface activity just before dark. The hawg stick and the pop r are the best baits. When the fish go down the 1/4 oz. jigging spoon has done a good job along with the 4" sassy shad with a 1/2 oz head. Try not to crowd these fish when they are surfacing they are getting a little spooky.
Catfish: Jugs are still working on the flats with cut perch. 12' to15' of water set about 10' deep has been producing some good fish. Haven't heard anything on trot lines this week.
This weeks rankings are:
Hybrids # 1
Bass # 2
Crappie # 3
Catfish # 4

So for this week thats it from Sterett Creek Marina. Have a good holiday and we bid you good fishin. 660-438-2280 critter@dam.net Tommy

Aug 28,  2001 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service

Water Level: 910.1 - Normal Pool: 915 - Water Temp: 84° - 90°

Kimberling City/Dam Area
In the Kimberling City area, the fish are in their summer patterns and are
deep but the fishing is picking up. Most of the fish are coming from jigging
spoons and drop shot in 35-55 feet of water off of bluff ends or long
sloping points. I've been catching some suspended fish over submerged timber
on a drop shot. Try fishing the long sloping gravel points with a Carolina
rig or a football jig as well. A lot of different plastics are working with
the drop shot and Carolina rig. Any type of watermelon colors, smoke or shad
colors are working well. Some fish are also being caught on live night
crawlers, suspended at 25-35 feet in 60-80 feet of water.

James River
The James River continues to produce good quality bass and you can catch
fish in a variety of ways. What have worked the best for me the last couple
of weeks are Carolina rigging, deep crank baits and jigs, near main river
flats. Also, keep an eye out for fish chasing shad and have a top water
plug, such as Zara Spook, Red-Fin, or a grub tied on to throw in the middle
of the school. With the Carolina rig, throw your favorite watermelon colored
lizard or brush hog. Jigging spoons are also working well in the James River
arm, 25-35 feet deep.

Lake Taneycomo

Above Fall Creek to the Dam
Fishing has been hit and miss, depending on how much water is running. If
you can catch it when the water is not running, the fishing is great. I've
been catching a lot of fish on midges, either a larva, emerger or adult
(size is important, the smaller the better). Every day there is a cream,
gray or olive midge hatch on the water.

DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following:
Shamois leech size 12, olive wooly buggers size 10 or 12, or gray/olive
scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either dead drift or under an indicator, just
off the bottom.

Below Fall Creek
If they are not generating power, air inject night crawlers or orange and
chartreuse power eggs, with chartreuse on the shank and orange on the tip of
your hook. Bounce off the bottom using standard Taneycomo drift rig, which
is available at most marinas on the lake.
Good luck!

August 27,  2001 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 910.39  Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP. Main lake 84-90   Rivers  84-88
JAMES RIVER
Not much has changed, I was only on the lake a few days this week.  I fished a tournament at Stockton over the weekend.  The James River is still producing quality Bass and should continue. The spoon bite is getting better.  Jigging spoons in white or chrome working on bluff ends or timbered points 25'-35' deep.  Also, try the spoons on main river flats on the points 20'-35' deep. Everything else is pretty much the same.  There is just such a variety of different ways to catch fish up there right now.  The most consistent way for me, has been Carolina rigging, deep cranking, and jigs on Main river flats.   If shad are present, fish shallow around and under the bait with shallow crankbaits, square-billed, or slow rolling a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait, with tandem willows.  Fish may be from 2'-20'.  Work from the shallows, back out towards the creek channel.   The upper James, Flat Creek and above are producing some shallow crankbait action.  Try flipping some Team Supreme jigs and tubs around the visible cover. Also, try casting  1/2 oz. to 3/4 oz. football jigs, working it along the bottom, in brown and purple tipped with watermelon or green pumpkin Chompers, on 12 lb. line.   Fishing Team Supreme, Carolina rigged  6" lizards in watermelon , green pumpkin, & cotton candy colors are working best, also on 12 lb. line. Dip the tails in Chartreuse dye.  Drop shotting 3" grubs, and 4" finesse worms, working good.  Fish along long sloping points, and humps.  Also, keep a topwater bait handy.  A Storm's Chug-Bug, Zara Spook, or Red-Fin.  Fish have been chasing shad on and off throughout the day. 
LONG CREEK
Shad have also been very active in Upper Long Creek, & Yocum Creeks, fish the same patterns as noted in the James areas. Also, try a buzzbait early, around isolated cover on the shallow flats.  As the lake level continues to drop, more brush piles and stumps are becoming visible.
DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  
Deep fishing has really picked up around Kimberling, Baxter & Campbell Point.  Most of the fish are coming on 3/4 oz. chrome or white jigging spoons, 35-45' deep on bottom, on bluff ends or long sloping main lake points.  I am catching some 30'-40', suspended over submerged timber.  Drop shot also working well in the same areas. With the lake dropping, fish main lake gravel points, long sloping points, with Carolina rig, or 3/4 oz. football jigs-brown and purple tipped with twin tailed grubs. I have been using the Team Supreme C-Twins, with much success.  Lots of different plastics are working on the drop shot rig, 4" finesse worms, seem to be working best.  I am using cotton candy, watermelon candy, watermelon/purple, smoke, and shad colors. Try drop shotting salt & pepper, or blue gill 3"-4' tubes, or 3"-4"  grubs-same colors. Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 25'-35' over 30'-80' of water.

August 22, 2001 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina
The fishing on Truman remains about like it was last week. With the warm weather the COE has been running a little water through the dam in the afternoons making the evening fishing pretty good.The water has cooled a little and this has moved some of the fish to the mouths of the creeks and some of the secondary points so they are getting a little easdier to find.
LAKE LEVEL: 706.88
LAKE TEMP: 84 deg.
WATER CLARITY: All armes of the lake are clear to lightly
stained and very fishable.

BASS: I want to start this report out by congratulating Jerry Mc Cutchen and Jamie Edge on their 17lb. string that won the Super bass tournament out of Bucksaw this weekend. Also to Doug and Ozzie Wallace for aving top points in the Truman Div.
Some of the bass on Truman have started to move shallow.You can find these fish on the flats in about 2' of water. The key here is to find flats with deep water close by. Worms and spinner baits are working well on these fish. White spinner baits with a single willow leaf blade and red shad or blue fleck worms are the best baits. There are also some fish moving up and down on main lake and the first secondary point going back in the creeks. Worms and jig and frogs are working here. Stay with black and blue and plum to red in these areas. I heard of some buzz bait fish on the flats around isolated timber early in the mornings and late evenings.
With the cooler weather starting I think the top water bite should really take off here in the next couple of weeks.
CRAPPIE: We are still seeing alot of little crappie being caught, seems like this time of the year the little guys go on a feeding frenzy and its hard to get a minnow though them to the better fish. We did see some real nice fish come in from the Berry Bend area this weekend.Dave Roop and Ike Dunlap brought in limits this weekend and said they caught the best fish they have had this year Now these to guys are good fishermen and when we're talking good fish we mean 13" to 14" crappie. They said they were fishing the bluffs in the Berry Bend area with minnows. Fish were holding 8' to 10'deep over 15' to 20' or water. There were also some fish taken from the bluffs in the dam area. We heard that the tree rows in the Mc Ginnus Bend area were still producing but you have to hit alot of trees to take a limit.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: With them running a little water through the dam the hybrids are still working. They arn't as good as a couple weeks ago but if you can pick your fishing times when they are ruhhing water you can do pretty good. The 4" sassy shad is still the best bait along with the Hawg Stick or Zarra Spook. O 3 And the edges of the wier are the beat spots to check. If you are looking for whites the G 4 area has had some spoon fish on it. !4' to 16' seems to be the magic depth. This weekend we had whites surfacing in the Little Tebo area around the cemitary. Road runners and rooster tails worked on these fish.
CATFISH: Jug fishing has been fair this week. Talked to Bill Ferguson and he said perch were working on the Osage flats. He said cut perch were working better than live bait. Set stages about 12'. Haven't had any reports on trot lines this week but some of the crappie fisherman said they were picking up small cats on the outside tree rows in 12' to 15' of water on minnows.

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are
Bass # 1
Crappie # 2
Hybrids # 3
Whites # 4
So from Sterett Ckeek Marina we bid you all good fishin and if your in the area stop in for a chat. 660-438-2280 critter@dam.net Till next week. Tommy

August 21,  2001 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 910.83 Normal Pool 917'  
WATER TEMP. Main lake 84-90   Rivers  84-88

JAMES RIVER

The James River is still producing quality Bass and should continue.  There is just such a variety of different ways to catch fish up there right now.  The most consistent way for me, has been Carolina rigging, deep cranking, and jigs on Main river flats.  Such as the flats on both sides of the Hwy. 76 bridge, on the West side of channels.  If shad are present, fish shallow around and under the bait with shallow crankbaits, square-billed, or slow rolling a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait, with tandem willows.  Fish may be from 2'-20'.  Work from the shallows, back out towards the creek channel.  Also, keep a topwater bait handy.  A Storm's Chug-Bug, Zara Spook, or Red-Fin.  Fish have been chasing shad on and off throughout the day.  The upper James, Flat Creek and above are producing some shallow crankbait action.  Try flipping some Team Supreme jigs and tubs around the visible cover. Also, try casting  1/2 oz. to 3/4 oz. football jigs, working it along the bottom, in brown and purple tipped with watermelon or green pumpkin Chompers, on 12 lb. line.   Fishing Team Supreme, Carolina rigged  6" lizards in watermelon , green pumpkin, & cotton candy colors are working best, also on 12 lb. line. Dip the tails in Chartreuse dye.  Drop shotting 3" grubs, and 4" finesse worms, working good.  Fish along long sloping points, and humps. Jigging spoons in white or chrome working on bluff ends or timbered points 25'-35' deep.

 If you are tired of all the big boat traffic and Jet Ski's, go to the Upper James.  I floated last week from just below the McCall bridge to Galena, never saw another boat until we got about 2 miles from Galena.  About a 7 hour float.  Fishing was great!  We caught about 40 smallmouths, and some goggle eye.  Caught most of them on 1/8 oz. & 3/16 oz. spinnerbaits-White & Chartreuse & White.  We had 7 smallmouths over 16" and 3-over 3lbs.

LONG CREEK

Shad have also been very active in Upper Long Creek, & Yocum Creeks, fish the same patterns as noted in the James areas. Also, try a buzzbait early, around isolated cover on the shallow flats.  As the lake level continues to drop, more brush piles and stumps are becoming visible.

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  

Deep fishing has really picked up around Kimberling, Baxter & Campbell Point.  Most of the fish are coming on 3/4 oz. chrome or white jigging spoons, 35-45' deep on bottom, on bluff ends or long sloping main lake points.  I am catching some 30'-40', suspended over submerged timber.  Drop shot also working well in the same areas. With the lake dropping, fish main lake gravel points, long sloping points, with Carolina rig, or 3/4 oz. football jigs-brown and purple tipped with twin tailed grubs. I have been using the Team Supreme C-Twins, with much success.  Lots of different plastics are working on the drop shot rig, 4" finesse worms, seem to be working best.  I am using cotton candy, watermelon candy, watermelon/purple, smoke, and shad colors. Try drop shotting salt & pepper, or blue gill 3"-4' tubes, or 3"-4"  grubs-same colors. Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 25'-35' over 30'-80' of water.

August 15, 2001 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina
The fishing on Truman has slowed a little this week and we haven't really figured out why. The lake is on a real slow rise and the water temperature has dropped a little so there is really no reason why the fish have slowed down. The COE has been running a little water through the dam so hopefully the fish will get going by the weekend.
LAKE LEVEL: 706.80
WATER TEMP: 84 deg.
WATER CLARITY: All arms of the lake are clear to lightly stained.

BASS: The bass fishing on Truman has not changed all that much. We are still seeing alot of suspended fish.It doesn't seem to matter how much water your in as long as your fishing 5' to 10' deep. Main lake tree rows are producing a few good fish on big worms and jig and frogs. Red shad and plum are the going colors on the worms and black and blue on the jig and frogs. Best tree rows are running from 12' to 20' of water. Wind blowen main lake points are producing a few fish on Zara Spooks early and crank baits after the sun get up. There are also a few fish comming off the 7' to 14' breaks on main lake points, worms and tubes are working here. Red shad and plum on the worms and smoke colored tubes. Look for shad to find the most productive points.
CRAPPIE: The best way to put it is lots of little fish. Main lake bluffs are holding alot of crappie but you will catch 10 little fish to each keeper. There has been several limits caught off the bluffs in the dam area.Fish the trees in 25' of water with minnows about 15' deep and take lots of minnows. The main lake outside tree rows in 15' to 20' of water also are working. A good area is the Finney Creek area on the Grand River arm. Minnows fished about 5' to 8' should get results. The Talley Bend area is also producing some fish on the outside tree rows. Eagle Creek to Hogles Creek on the Osage would also be worth checking out.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: With the slow down of water through the dam the hybrid fishing has finnaly tapered off. This week we saw very few hybrids and what we did see were caught while white bass fishing. The whites have been surfacing in the evenings in the G 4 area of the lake. Pop Rs and Rat L Traps have been working on these fish. When they go down shad colored crank baits will pick up a few more fish. There has also been some surface activity in the dam area. Steve Blake had some real nice whites in the Pom. this week. He said they were surfacing in the Little Pommie flats and were staying up a long time. Might be worth checking out if your in the area.
CATFISH: Shallow set trot lines hare been doing fair this week with cut shad. Run lines in about 7' of water cloose to the creek channels. Jug fishing on the flats has also produced a few fish. Here again cut bait is working the best whenin 15' to 20' of water. Haven't seen any real big cats this week.
This weeks rankings are:
BASS #1
CRAPPIE #2
WHITES #3
CATFISH #4
So from here at Sterett Creek Marina we bid you good fishing and if you are in the area stop by and say hello. 660-438-2280 critter@dam.net Till next week Tommy

August 15,  2001 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 911.38  Normal Pool 917'  
Pool last year on this date 
WATER TEMP. Main lake 84-90   Rivers  84-88

JAMES RIVER
Every year about this time, into early September, when the water starts to cool some, we have a few weeks of good spinnerbait action.  Look for it, it starts pretty quick.  My favorite spinnerbait is a 3/8 oz. tandem willow blades with blue shimmer skirt and blue herring. I was using Bass Hound spinnerbaits.  Fish chunk rock, gradually sloping points and main lake points, and pockets.  Watch for bait, when sun pops up, fish the shad on bluffs, rock slides, points on the small cuts.  Fished main lake this week and the James River is consistently producing the better quality fish.   Fish the main river flats where the river channel swings in close to the flat, in about 15'-25' depths. Try 1/2 oz. to 3/4 oz. football jigs, in brown and purple tipped with watermelon or green pumpkin Chompers, on 12 lb. line.   Fishing Team Supreme, Carolina rigged  6" lizards in watermelon , green pumpkin, & cotton candy colors are working best, also on 12 lb. line. Dip the tails in Chartreuse dye.  Dropshotting 3" grubs, and 4" finesse worms, working good.  Fish along long sloping points, and humps.  This past week I am finding these fish about 2' off bottom in about 18'-25'.  Best colors-greens, browns, & shad colors.    The shad are all over the Upper James, though out the day.  Watch for fish working the shad.  Try a Spook, Redfin, or square bill crankbait.  Deep diving crankbaits, DD-22's, Risto-Rap, & Fat Free Shads in shad colors are also working well.  Jigging spoons in white or chrome working on bluff ends or timbered points 25'-35' deep.

 If you are tired of all the big boat traffic and Jet Ski's, go to the Upper James.  I floated last week from just below the McCall bridge to Galena, never saw another boat until we got about 2 miles from Galena.  About a 7 hour float.  Fishing was great!  We caught about 40 smallmouths, and some goggle eye.  Caught most of them on 1/8 oz. & 3/16 oz. spinnerbaits-White & Chartreuse & White.  We had 7 smallmouths over 16" and 3-over 3lbs.

LONG CREEK
Shad have also been very active in Upper Long Creek, & Yocum Creeks, fish the same patterns as noted in the James areas. Also, try a buzzbait early, around isolated cover on the shallow flats.  As the lake level continues to drop, more brush piles and stumps are becoming visible.

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  
These areas have been the toughest fishing, but is starting to pick up.  Some good Kentuckies are being caught suspended over main lake creek points with submerged timbers.  Fish dropshot rigs, chrome spoons, & 3"-5" grubs, 30'-40' deep, over 50'-70'.  With the lake dropping, fish main lake gravel points, long sloping points, with Carolina rig, or 3/4 oz. football jigs-brown and purple tipped with twin tailed grubs. I have been using the Team Supreme C-Twins, with much success.  Fish  35'-45' deep on the Carolina rig, try watermelon red, or cotton candy 4" French fries or centipedes.  Catching fish casting a chrome flutter spoon around the ends of the bigger boat docks that have 25'-40' of water on the deep side and inside the boat stalls. Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 25'-35' over 30'-80' of water.  Watch for schooling fish, throw a Storm's Chug Bug, Zara Spook, or Red Fin.

August 8, 2001 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina
With the lake level at below 706 the COE has backed the flow rate through the dam down but it really hasn't affected the fishing that much. They have been generating in the afternoons and this has kept the hybrids active. Bass fishing has been good this week with winning stringers in the 15 lb. area. We have had some nice crappie brought in this week so all in all fishing is pretty good.

Lake Level: 705.56
Water Clarity: All arms on Truman are clear to lightly
stained.
Water Temp: 92 deg.

BASS: With the slow down of water flow through the dam the suspended bite on Truman has really picked up this week. There are alot of fish being caught on the outside tree rows on the edge of the flats. It doesn't seem to matter how much water is there as long as you are fishing in the 7' range. Big worms in red shad and plum along with black and blue jig and frogs seem to be the top baits. We have been finding some deep fish in 15' to 25' of water off the point breaks that will bite the same baits. Also found some fish starting to stack on the deeper brush piles. I have been using a mo-jo rig with a Zoom Trick Worm to take these fish. It's really slow fishing but its paid off in the last couple of tourns. Have had a couple of reports of Spook fish off main lake points early in the am. They said the key to these fish was there had to be shad.

CRAPPIE: Have seen some nice limits of crappie this week. Fishing minnows on the edge of the flats in 12' to 15' of water about 6' has produced fish this week. The area from Hogles Creek back to the dam has been doing good. There are also fish being caught tite lining the bluff bank under the visitor center.These fish have been running around 20' deep. Marty Zych said that the Tally Bend area was holding some fish on the bluffs on minnows. If I was fishing that area I would sure hit the tree rows out in front of Wrights Creek, I've caught alot of nice crappie out of that area over the years.

HYBRIDS and WHITES: With them still pulling water through the dam in the afternoons the hybrid fishing remains good in the evenings. The 4" sassy in chartreuse with a 1/2 oz head is still the best bait. With the conditions the way they are I would have a hawg stick rigged and ready for some surface action. Point O3 and the weir have been the two hot spots for the good hybrids this week. The cemitary in Little Tebo and the point above the Grand River bridge have had some whites on them. These fish seem to be running in the 14' to 16' of water range and are hitting spoons. Keep a Rat L Trap or Rooster Tail tied on just in case they start surfacing.

CATFISH: There are some rod and reel fish being caught on nite crawlers on the edge of the creek channels. Fish have been running in the 12' to18' range. Floating trot lines have been working on the flats with cut bait in our area. I heard of some jug fish on the flats in the Mc Ginnis bend area up the Grand. Didn't say ehat they were using but I'd bet it was llive perch.

This weeks rankings are as follows:
Bass # 1
Hybrids # 2
Crappie # 3
Catfish # 4

If you are comming to the Truman area this weekend please drive careful. The state fair in Sedalia has started and there is alot of extra traffic. So if you do get to our area stop in and say hello. So from heree at Sterett Creek Marina we bid you good fishing. 660-438-2280 critter@dam.net Tommy

August 7,  2001 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete's Professional Guide

WATER LEVEL - 912.45   Normal Pool 915'  
Pool last year on this date  WATER TEMP. Main lake 87-91   Rivers  87-91

JAMES RIVER

Best areas seem to be from Piney Creek up to Point #15. Fished main lake this week and the James River is consistanly producing the better quality fish.   Fish the main river flats where the river channel swings in close to the flat, in about 15'-25' depths. Try 1/2 oz. to 3/4 oz. football jigs, in brown and purple tipped with watermelon or green pumpkin Chompers, on 12 lb. line.   Fishing Carolina rigged lizards, Brush Hogs, & 7'-9" worms in watermelon red, green pumpkin, pumpkin or pumpkin, colors are working best, also on 12 lb. line.   Dip the tails of your soft plastics in chartreuse dip & dye for an attractant. Drop shotting & split shotting  finesse worms in watermelon red, green pumpkin, & cotton candy.  This bite seems to be over early, around 8:30-9:30.  The shad are all over the Upper James, though out the day.  Watch for fish working the shad.  Try a Spook, Redfin, or square bill crankbait.  Deep diving crankbaits, DD-22's, Risto-Rap, & Fat Free Shads in shad colors are also working well.  Jigging spoons in white or chrome working on bluff ends or timbered points 25'-35' deep.  The shad have  been real active up in the Upper Flat Creek and Upper  James, fish around the shallow flats.  Fish isolated cover, stumps, brush, under and around the shad with shallow cranks, tube baits or jigs. 

LONG CREEK

Shad have also been very active in Upper Long Creek, & Yocum Creeks, fish the same patterns as noted in the James areas. Also, try a buzzbait early, around isolated cover on the shallow flats.  As the lake level continues to drop, more brush piles and stumps will become visible.

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  

 Most of the fish are on deep main lake points. Drop shotting over submerged timber on main lake points and long gradual sloping gravel points, with 4" worms, 3"-5" single tail grubs or finesse worms in shad or watermelon candy colors. also 3/4 oz. football head jigs tipped with twin tailed grubs, fished 25'-40'.  Best colors are brown and purple with brown grub. Catching fish casting a chrome flutter spoon around the ends of the bigger boat docks that have 25'-40' of water on the deep side and inside the boat stalls. Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 25'-35' over 30'-80' of water.  Watch for schooling fish, throw a Storm's Chug Bug, Zara Spook, or Red Fin. Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

August 1,  2001 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete's Professional Guide
WATER LEVEL - 913.65   Normal Pool 915'  
Pool last year on this date 915.4
                                                                                                       
WATER TEMP. Main lake 87-91   Rivers  87-91
JAMES RIVER
James River continues to produce the best quality fish.  Carolina rigged lizards, Brush Hogs, & 7'-9" worms in watermelon red, green pumpkin, pumpkin or pumpkin, colors are working best.  Dip the tails of your soft plastics in chartreuse dip & dye for an attractant. Drop shotting & split shotting  finesse worms in watermelon red, green pumpkin, & cotton candy.  This bite seems to be over early, around 8:30-9:30.  The shad are all over the Upper James, though out the day.  Watch for fish working the shad.  Try a Spook, Redfin, or square bill crankbait.  Deep diving crankbaits, DD-22's, Risto-Rap, & Fat Free Shads in shad colors are also working well.  Fish both patterns on the main river flats in 15'-25' of water, where the river channel swings in close.  Jigging spoons in white or chrome working on bluff ends or timbered points 25'-35' deep.  These patterns are working best from point 12 to point 15. The shad have  been real active up in the Upper Flat Creek and Upper  James, fish around the shallow flats.  Fish isolated cover, stumps, brush, under and around the shad with shallow cranks, tube baits or jigs. 
LONG CREEK
Shad have also been very active in Upper Long Creek, & Yocum Creeks, fish the same patterns as noted in the James areas.
DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  
.  Most of the fish are on deep main lake points. Drop shotting working well, rigged the same as noted above, also 3/4 oz. football head jigs tipped with twin tailed grubs, fished 25'-40'.  Best colors are brown and purple with brown grub. Catching fish casting a chrome flutter spoon around the ends of the bigger boat docks that have 25'-40' of water on the deep side and inside the boat stalls. Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 20'-30' over 30'-60' of water.  Watch for schooling fish, throw a Storm's Chug Bug, Zara Spook, or Red Fin. Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

July 25, 01-Table Rock - Submitted by Pete's Professional Guide
WATER LEVEL - 914.85   Normal Pool 915'  
Pool last year on this date 915.4
WATER TEMP. Main lake 87-91   Rivers  87-91
JAMES RIVER
The report shown is the same as last weeks, as I haven't seen any changes this week...water levels and temp are current.
James River seems to be producing the best quality fish.  Carolina rigged lizards, Brush Hogs, & 7'-9" worms in watermelon red, green pumpkin, pumpkin or pumpkin, colors are working best.  Also try dipping the tails of your soft plastics in chartreuse dip & dye for an attractant.  Deep diving crankbaits, DD-22's, Risto-Rap, & Fat Free Shads in shad colors are also working well.  Fish both patterns on the main river flats in 15'-25' of water, where the river channel swings in close.  Jigging spoons in white or chrome working on bluff ends or timbered points 25'-35' deep.  These patterns are working best from point 12 to point 15.  Try fishing shallow crankbaits in the Upper James and Flat Creek around tree and stump rows.  Also, around laydowns.  This pattern works best when the shad are up.  If not, try flipping 1/4 oz. jigs or Texas rigged worms around the same cover.
     
DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  
This area of the lake remains the same as last week.  Most of the fish are on deep main lake points. Drop shotting working well, rigged the same as noted above, also 3/4 oz. football head jigs tipped with twin tailed grubs, fished 25'-40'.  Best colors are brown and purple with brown grub.  Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 20'-30' over 30'-60' of water.  Watch for schooling fish, throw a Storm's Chug Bug, Zara Spook, or Red Fin. Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

July 17, 01-Table Rock - Submitted by Pete's Professional Guide
WATER LEVEL - 915.09   Normal Pool 915'  
Pool last year on this date 916.80
WATER TEMP. Main lake 85-89    Rivers  85-90

JAMES RIVER
James River seems to be producing the best quality fish.  Carolina rigged lizards, Brush Hogs, & 7'-9" worms in watermelon red, green pumpkin, pumpkin or pumpkin, colors are working best.  Also try dipping the tails of your soft plastics in chartreuse dip & dye for an attractant.  Deep diving crankbaits, DD-22's, Risto-Rap, & Fat Free Shads in shad colors are also working well.  Fish both patterns on the main river flats in 15'-25' of water, where the river channel swings in close.  Jigging spoons in white or chrome working on bluff ends or timbered points 25'-35' deep.  These patterns are working best from point 12 to point 15.  Try fishing shallow crankbaits in the Upper James and Flat Creek around tree and stump rows.  Also, around laydowns.  This pattern works best when the shad are up.  If not, try flipping 1/4 oz. jigs or Texas rigged worms around the same cover.

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  
This area of the lake remains the same as last week.  Most of the fish are on deep main lake points. Drop shotting working well, rigged the same as noted above, also 3/4 oz. football head jigs tipped with twin tailed grubs, fished 25'-40'.  Best colors are brown and purple with brown grub.  Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 20'-30' over 30'-60' of water.  Watch for schooling fish, throw a Storm's Chug Bug, Zara Spook, or Red Fin. Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

July 10, 01-Table Rock - Submitted by Pete's Professional Guide

WATER LEVEL - 915.63 Normal Pool 915'  Pool last year on this date 916.80                                                                                                       
WATER TEMP. Main lake 85-89    Rivers  87-90

JAMES RIVER, KING'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK

 James River seems to be the most productive, which it usually is every year from June-October. I have been doing well  most of my days up there last few weeks.  Fishing has been good, same patterns working as they have for the last few weeks.   Fish can be caught a number of ways...   The best Carolina Rig bite seems to be from mile marker #14 on up, and the best baits are 6" lizards, Brush Hogs & 7"-9" worms-green pumpkin watermelon red, watermelon candy .  Best bite is early.  Fish the flats where the channel swings in close,  fish 10'-25' deep.  Also try shad patterned deep diving crankbaits,  Rapala's Risto-Rap, DD-22's, Fat Free Shad... I'm also catching fish on 3/4 chrome or white jigging spoons off  main river timbered points 20'-35'.  Try vertical fishing with 3"-4" grubs on 1/4 oz. jig heads.  Later in the afternoons, try shallow running crankbaits in the Upper James & Flat Creek. In this area, also try flipping 1/4 oz. Team supreme jigs or 7" worms around stumps and lay downs.  From Point #9- Point #14 , lots of Kentuckies are being caught on main lake river points, 20'-40' deep, on bare gravel points, humps & also timbered points, using a Drop Shot rigged with 8 lb. test and 3/8 oz. weight, with 4" pencil worms-green pumpkin, try anything that has a natural color to it.  Several colors are working-shad colors or browns.  Also watch for bass chasing shad, have a topwater plug ready, like a Storm Chug Bug, Spook, or Red Fin, and watch out!      

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  

Most of the fish are on deep main lake points.  Drop shotting working well, rigged the same as noted above, also 3/4 oz. football head jigs, tipped with twin tail grubs fished 25'-40' best colors are- brown and purple w/brown grub.  Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 25'-30' over 30'-60' of water.  Watch for schooling fish, throw a Storm's Chug Bug, Zara Spook or Red Fins.   Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

June 26, 01-Table Rock - Submitted by Pete's Professional Guide

WATER LEVEL - 915.43 Normal Pool 915' 
Pool last year on this date 914.80
WATER TEMP. Main lake 79-83   Rivers  80-86

JAMES RIVER, KING'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK

 Having more success with catches on the James River than any of the other rivers. Have fished all of them this week with guide trips.  Using a Drop Shot rigged with 8 lb. test and 3/4 oz. weight, on the Mid James and Upper James in 25'-30' over 30'-50' on main lake points. Lots of different baits working on the drop shot rig, Zoom-cotton candy and watermelon candy finesse worms, Team Supreme French fries, 4" pencil worms-green pumpkin, try anything that has a natural color to it.  The Upper James has been producing quality fish on Carolina rig (12 lb. test line) and split shotted, 6"-8" lizards or 7"-9"" worms, and brush hogs,  fishing them on long flat points with roll offs on the side of the points.  I am using green pumpkin w/chartreuse tail, watermelon red, or pumpkin colors, they are  working good on the rigs.  Also throwing, Texas rigged worms, 7", in Plum, Blue fleck, or Camo.  On main river flats and gravel points, where the main channel swings close, I am using some deep diving crankbaits, DD-22's, Risto-Raps, Fat Free Shads, in shad colors.  There has been lots of shad up on the flats, watch for schools of them, and throw a crankbait in and under the schools.  Doing some vertical jigging, 3/4 oz chrome spoons on points around timber, 25'-35'. Try vertical fishing with 3"-4" grubs on 1/4 oz. jig heads.    Long Creek- Try same patterns as Upper James, and also try shallow running crankbaits around laydowns and stumps up in Yocum Creek and Upper Long Creek, also flip 7" worms around some cover.

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  

Most of the fish have moved out deep on the main lake points.  Drop shotting working well, rigged the same as noted above, also 3/4 oz. football head jigs, tipped with twin tail grubs fished 25'-40' best colors are- brown and purple w/brown grub.  Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 25'-30' over 30'-60' of water.  Watch for schooling fish, throw a Storm's Chug Bug, Zara Spook or Red Fins.  Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

June 19, 01-Table Rock - Submitted by Pete's Professional Guide

WATER LEVEL - 915.26 Normal Pool 915' Pool last year on this date 910.80
WATER TEMP. Main lake 79-83 Rivers 80-86

JAMES RIVER, KING'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK

Report has not changed from last week much. The same patterns as last week still working.  James River has been still producing best for me, out of the rivers. I am still having a lot of success with the Drop Shot rig on the Mid James in 25'-30' over 30'-45' on main lake points. Lots of different baits working on the drop shot rig, Zoom-watermelon candy finesse worms, Team Supreme French fries, 4" pencil worms-green pumpkin. The Upper James has been producing quality fish on Carolina rigged and split shotted, 6" lizards or 4" worms, fished 15'-22'. I am using green pumpkin w/chartreuse tail, watermelon red, or pumpkin colors, they are working good on the rigs. Also throwing, Texas rigged worms, 7", in Plum, Blue fleck, or Camo. On main river flats and gravel points, where the main channel swings close, I am using some deep diving crankbaits, DD-22's, Risto-Raps, Fat Free Shads, in shad colors. There has been lots of shad up on the flats, watch for schools of them, and throw a crankbait in and under the schools. Doing some vertical jigging, 3/4 oz chrome spoons on points around timber, 25'-35'. Try vertical fishing with 3"-4" grubs on 1/4 oz. jig heads. Long Creek- Try same patterns as Upper James, and also try shallow running crankbaits around laydowns and stumps up in Yocum Creek and Upper Long Creek, also flip 7" worms around some cover.

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

Most of the fish have moved out deep on the main lake points. Drop shotting working, also 3/4 oz. football head jigs, tipped with twin tail grubs fished 25'-40' best colors are- brown and purple w/brown grub. Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 25'-30' over 30'-60' of water. Watch for schooling fish, throw a Storm's Chug Bug, Zara Spook or Red Fins. Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

June 5, 01-Table Rock - Submitted by Pete's Professional Guide
WATER LEVEL - 915.58  Normal Pool 915'   Pool last year on this date 907.40                                                                                                        

WATER TEMP. 80-87
JAMES RIVER, KING'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK
Water is heating up and so is the fishing! The Upper James has been producing quality fish on Carolina rigged and split shotted, 6" lizards or 4" worms.   I am using green pumpkin w/chartreuse tail, watermelon red, or pumpkin colors, they are working good on the rigs.  Also throwing, Texas rigged worms, 7", in Plum, Blue fleck, or Camo.  On main river flats and gravel points, where the main channel swings close, I am using some deep diving crankbaits, DD-22's, Risto-Raps, Fat Free Shads, in shad colors.  There has been lots of shad up on the flats, watch for schools of them, and throw a crankbait in and under the schools.  Doing some vertical jigging, 3/4 oz chrome spoons on points around timber, 25'-35'.  The Mid James, drop shotting and vertical fishing, 3"-4" grubs on 1/4 oz. jig heads.  Lots of different baits working on the drop shot rig, Zoom-watermelon candy finesse worms, Team Supreme French fries, 4" pencil worms-green pumpkin.  Fish your rig, 25'-40' deep, on main lake points.  Long Creek- Try the same patterns as Upper James, and also try shallow running crankbaits around laydowns and stumps up in Yocum Creek and Upper Long Creek, also flip 7" worms around some cover.
DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.  
Most of the fish have moved out deep on the main lake points.  Drop shotting working, also 3/4 oz. football head jigs, tipped with twin tail grubs fished 25'-40' best colors are- brown and purple w/brown grub.  Some fish being caught on night crawlers fished 25'-30' over 30'-60' of water.  Watch for schooling fish, throw a Storm's Chug Bug, Zara Spook or Red Fins.  
Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service
 
June 5, 01-Table Rock - Submitted by Pete's Professional Guide
WATER LEVEL - 915.52 Normal Pool 915' Pool last year on this date 907.30
WATER TEMP. 72-76

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT

My best bite has been on split shot, drop shot & Carolina rigs, on main lake and secondary points. The best baits have been finesse worms, French fries, 6" lizards in watermelon red, green pumpkin, cotton candy. Remember to fish your rig slow. Also using small Team Supreme or Jewel jigs in brown & purple, with a brown trailer, I am using a little Team Supreme 3" craw. These fish are deep 15'-25' and moving deeper, some being caught as deep as 40'. These fish could also be caught vertical, using grubs, smoke, & salt and pepper, using a Team Supreme single tail and Chompers single tail 3/4 oz. with football jig heads. Try some deep diving crankbaits around the Kimberling area- DD-22 or Fat Free Shad, in chartreuse and blue or shad patterns. Some topwater action early and late on Redfins, Spooks, Storm's Chug Bug, & Thundersicks, fishing them over deep main points and bluff ends.

JAMES RIVER, KING'S RIVER, & LONG CREEK

You can catch fish up in the upper James a number of different ways. Fish spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, or flukes, early around bushes and buck brush on the shallow flats off the main river or back off the same flats. James River has been producing best for me of the rivers, but also have spent more time in the James. I am using the same patterns as noted above. If you enjoy flipping there are lots of bushes in the water and some are holding fish. I have been flipping tubes ( black/ blue, or watermelon/red flake) and Team Supreme Rascal jigs-1/4 oz. in brown/orange. Also try some shallow crankbaits around laydowns and bushes. The water has good color in the James, from Virgin Bluff on up to Flat Creek & the upper James. Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

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