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Copyright 1999-2002

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Shamrock Bassmasters (Owensville, Missouri)


July 31, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek -
The fishing this week on Truman is just like it was last week. We have seen several nice stringers of crappie along with a few more white bass being brought in. There were three nice stringers of bass brought in last nite in the Tues. nite Hawg Fights. 11 1/2 lbs. in 3 hours is not to shabby. But it is the time of the year that you want to fish early and late and sit by the air in the middle of the day.

LAKE LEVEL: 705.91
WATER TEMP: 88 deg.
WATER CLARITY: All arms are clear to a light stain.

BASS: There is still a pretty good suspended bite going. 12' to 20' of water with the fish holding 4' to 6' down. Worms seem to be the best bait. 9" to 10 1/2" in plum, blue fleck and watermelon seed seem to be working. Outside tree rows on the edge of the flats and road beds are good places to look. There are also some fish being caught off main lake points in 10' to 15' of water. The same worms are working here. Also a few fish coming on top water early and late, spooks and pop r's worked slow will do the job.
CRAPPIE: Same as last week. Outside tree rows on the edge of the flats, minnows by far the best bait. 15' to 20' of water, fished at 10' to 12' has produced some real nice stringers of fish this week. If this pattern isn't working for you don't be afraid to hit the bluffs. Work the same depth there. One thing to remember when fishing the summer pattern is to keep moving. Fish a stretch of trees and if you catch some fish go back to it in a half hour and fish it again. There is a reason those fish were there and after a short period they will return.
WHITES: We have heard of a lot of small fish being caught this week. Seems that the little guys are surfacing all over the lake. Little Pommie flats and Point G 4 did produce some nicer fish this week. Also I heard of a few small hybrids coming off of KK Island. Best baits are Rooster Tails,small Rat L Traps and small spoons. The COE is not releasing much water so its hunt and peck. The best fishing has been early and late, haven't heard of much going on during the day.
CATFISH: Trot line fishing started to pick up in the Little Tebo area. Leeches and chicken liver seemed to be the best baits. The lines were set shallow, 5' of water and had 16" stages. Most of the fish caught were 2 to 3 lb. with a 39lb. fish for big fish. Remember to check lines often with the hot weather.

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are:
Crappie # 1
Bass # 2
Whites # 3
Catfish # 4

Thats it from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
So until next week we bid you good fishing.
Tommy

July 24, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -

WATER LEVEL - 916.85   Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  85-90

JAMES RIVER, LONG CREEK, & KINGS RIVER

Fish buzzbaits or top water plugs early on flat shallow banks w/shoreline grass, laydowns, or isolated cover.  Black buzzbaits have been working best for me.  Try flipping Team Supreme tube's ( green pumpkin) or Texas rigged worm (plum) round dead wood on the same banks.  There has been a good deep crankbait and Carolina rig bite up until about 10:00 on some days.  They bite in an area and then the next day can't get a bite in the same area, move around  trying to cover more water until you get bit.  Fish main lake flats and humps 12'-20', best areas seem to have a main channel or deep water close by.  Also watch for white bass busting shad and fish under them with crankbaits.  For Largemouth's mix cranking and rigging on the same flats, shad colored Rapala Fat Raps, Fat Free Shads & DD-22's.  Carolina rig 6" lizards, Big and baby brush hogs, Lake Fork baby French fries (green pumpkin & watermelon).  Later in the morning run further up these rivers and watch for active schools of shad.  Fish snags, stumps, & and any cover on river flats close to the channel.  Also having success with Texas rigged worms, tubes, & brush hogs, shallow crankbaits-Bandit 100 or 200, BB-2's.

Sorry I don't have any first hand information about the main lake.  I have been doing all my fishing the past few weeks up in the rivers.

July 24, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - The fishing here on Truman is still holding its own. With the rain we had this week and the last couple of cooler days the water temp. has fallen a little and got the fish hitting a little better. Last night we had the Hawg Fights and Ozzie and Doug Wallace came in with over 16 lbs. of fish in 3 hours, pretty good for a couple of hours. Also Marty Zych has been hitting some nice crappie in the Osage arm. Andy Anderson had some real nice fish in Little Tebo the other morning,said it took him about 3 hrs. to limit out. The best way to put it is that the fish are biting good enough to keep me interested.

LAKE LEVEL: 706.26
WATER TEMP: 86 deg.
WATER CLARITY: All arms of the lake are clear to
lightly stained and very fishable.

BASS: As you can see from Doug and Ozzies weight the suspended bite is really starting to pick up. Jim and I also has some suspended fish yesterday. A Texas rigged worm rigged with a 3/16 oz. worm weight worked for us in 10' to 15 ' of water. Fish seemed to be suspended in 3' to 5' down. We were using a plum 9" worm. Isolated clumps of timber seemed to work the best on the edge of the flats next to deep water. Little Tebo is a good area to look along with the hog pen area of Big Tebo. There is also a buzz bait bite going on early and late. Flats with 1' to 4' of water seem to be holding some feeding fish especially with the full moon.
CRAPPIE: These fish are on the same pattern as last week. The outside tree rows on the edge of the flats seem to be working the best. Fish 15' to 20' of water with minnows about 8' deep. You have to keep moving tree to tree, there is usually one good fish to a tree. The bluffs are also producing some good fish when fished the same way. Berry Bend to Hogles Creek is a good area to check. The bridge area in Little Tebo is another good area rite now.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: Haven't seen many good hybrids this week but there are some better whites coming in. The COE has been running a little water in the evenings and has got these fish biting a little better. Rooster Tails, small Rat L Traps and Roadrunners all seem to be working. You can also skip a small spoon through these surfacing fish. KK Island, the airport and Point O 3 are some of the better areas to look. Early and late seem to be the best times.
CATFISH: No report an catfish this week but if you are running lines or anchored jugs you will need to check them often so you fish don't die in the warm water.

Remember if you are fishing with youngsters and older folks make sure you have plenty of water with you, it doesn't take to long to dehydrate.

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are:
Crappie # 1
Bass: # 2
Whites: # 3
So from here at Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
until next week we bid you good fishing.
Tommy

July 17, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -

WATER LEVEL - 918.15   Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  86-92

Most of the patterns up the river are the same as the past few  weeks. The patterns and fishing are stabilizing with the water warming up.  Fish seem to be locking on the deeper structure better, which is normal for the summer patterns on Table Rock.  We are catching several fish from one spot on Crankbaits, Texas rigged worms, & tubes.  Fish deep diving crankbaits, Rapala Fat Raps, Fat Free Shads, DD-22's on drops, ledges, or points, where the channel swings up close.  Shad patterns are still working best.  Drop shotting is also more consistent, from Aunt's Creek area up the James River.  Fish seem to be around 22'-28' deep over points and humps.  Still catching a few fish flipping the brush & willows, in the upper rivers.  The better fish seem to be out deeper on the points & ledges.  If you find a point or flat where you can catch fish one day & not the next, you may have to this area several times in a day to be there at the right time.   Some fish will be suspended, also, so try Carolina rigged lizards, and brush hogs, in the same areas.  Go to the upper ends of the creeks and rivers, fish the channel swings with Texas rigged worms or tubes.  Fish 2'-10', also throw small shallow crankbaits around laydowns and brush.  This seems to work better later in the day when the shad are up. The Deeper clear water still hasn't been producing very well for me, hasn't been very consistent. I can catch them some days suspended 25'-35' over 50'-80 on spoons, drop shot rig, or live bait.  Also, catching some on bottom 25'-32', early in the morning.

If you want a quiet fishing trip, take a canoe and float the Upper James, from Hooten town to Galena.  You can rent your canoes at the James River rentals in Galena.  417-357-6957.

I floated it on Monday, and the water was moving excellent, we did very little paddling. We had 2 canoes, with 4 people and caught 60-70 smallmouths, with several over 15".  The fish bit from the time we put in, until we loaded out.  Best baits were 1/8 or 3/16 oz. buzzbaits and spinnerbaits, in white or chatruese & white.  We caught several on Zoom critter craws, Texas rigged with 1/8 oz. weight.  We floated 11 miles and seen 4 people all day.  Nice and peaceful, with excellent fishing.

July 17, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek
The heat has finally let up a little and its really a pleasure to be on the lake. The water temp. has dropped a little and the fish are getting a little more aggressive.The bass fishing is still a little on the slow side but the crappie fishing is making up for that.

LAKE LEVEL: 707.15
WATER TEMP: 84 deg.
WATER CLARITY: All arms of the lake are clear to a light stain.

BASS: Keeper catchin is a little slow but I went thru a bag of worms last nite. Those little guys 10" to 14" will keep your interest up. Most of the fish we caught came out of 7' of water on the bottom. Texas rigged 9" plum worms on the flats seemed to work good. Early and late there is a fair top water bite. Spooks seem to be the best bait to throw. Points with deep water close are producing some good fish. And as was last week there is still a fair suspended bite on worms and jigs.The magic depth seems to be around 7'. Red shad and plum on the worms and black and blue on the jigs. Seems the fish want the baits moved slow.
CRAPPIE: We have seen several good stringers of crappie this week. The summer pattern is the way to go. Fish the outside tree rows in 15' to 20' of water about 7" deep with minnows. The edge of the flats next to deep water is best. I heard of some bluff fish in the Eds Camp area. They were using minnows and fishing about 12'.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: KK Island seems to be the hot place on the lake rite now. There has been allot of surface activity in that area. Rooster tails, Rat L Traps and road runners are producing the most fish. Point O 3 is another area to check. Point G 4 is another area to check for surfacing white bass. The hybrids have slowed up on artificial baits but the live bait fisherman have been catching some good sized fish around O 3.
CATFISH: We say a 40 lb. flathead last Sunday off a trot line. They didn't say what they caught it on but I would bet live perch. Jugs are still catching a few fish on the flats set about 10' deep. Cut bait seems to be working the best.

That's about it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
We bid you good fishing.
Tommy

July 11, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 919.85   Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  86-92

The most consistent bite for me is still up the river arms-Upper James River, Flat Creek, & Little & Big Indian.  I haven't been up Long Creek or the Kings for about two weeks, but I have been talking with a few guys who are catching them up there the same way I am catching them on the other arms.  Crankbaits and Texas rigged worms & tubes working best for me.  Fish deep diving crankbaits, Rapala Fat Rap, Fat Free Shads, DD-22's on drops, ledges, & flats, where channel swings up close.  Shad patterns are working best.  Most of the bites come when baits are hitting brush or rock ledges.  Some fish will be suspended, also, so try Carolina rigged lizards, and brush hogs, in the same areas.  Go to the upper ends of the creeks and rivers, fish the channel swings with Texas rigged worms or tubes.  Fish 2'-10', also throw small shallow crankbaits around laydowns and brush.  This seems to work better later in the day when the shad are up. The Deeper clear water hasn't been producing very well for me, hasn't been very consistent. I can catch a few one day suspended 25'-35' over 50'-80 on spoons, drop shot rig, or live bait.  Also, catching some on bottom 25'-32', early in the morning.  I've been spending most of my time up the river arms, most of the other guides I have been talking with are struggling catching deep fish consistently.  Good Luck! 

July 10, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek
Even with the heat the fishing here on Truman is still good. Crappie fishing has been real good this week. The big hybrids have slowed down a little but the white bass fishing has picked up.
The big thing to remember is that the heat can sneak up on you very quickly so make sure you take plenty of fluids. Now I know this sounds stupid but this is what can and did happen. In fishing a 3 hr. tourn. in the evening you would think that people would know when to take fluids. In the heat of battle, trying to catch fish, run from here to there I didn't even think about drinking water. If it were not for my partner I would have probably experienced some form of heat illness, this was from being in a hurry and not thinking and I've done this for over 25 years. Now think about someone who does this once or twice a year. Work together and help your buddy.
LAKE LEVEL: 707.67
WATER TEMP. 88 deg.
WATER CLARITY: From the areas I've fished this week the lake is clear to lightly
stained. There are a few algae blooms but other than that the lake
is in really great shape.

BASS: The bass fishing has slowed a little this week. Maybe its just that there aren't that many fisherman out there. The pattern that has worked the best for us this week is points. Thy need to have deep water close, 25' +. Fish seem to be holding in 12' to 16' on the bottom. 9" worms fished Texas style was the best bait. Plum to red shad were the top colors. Main lake points seemed to produce better. We missed a few suspended fish in 16' to 20' of water so I know they are there, just didn't get them stuck. Depth was 6' to 10', and worms seemed to work better than jigs.
CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing is still real good. The outside tree rows on the edge of the flats are the best areas. Minnows by far are out producing jigs. Best water depth is 17' to 25' deep and fish seem to be holding 6' to 8'. The Osage is producing some really big fish but the bite is slower. Grand River is going good in the Finny Creek to mouth of Tebo area. I heard there were some good fish caught in the Deepwater and Sparrowfoot area of the lake.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: The COE. has pretty well shut the water off on Truman so with this we are seeing allot of surface activity. The fish are still in the same areas you just have to wait them out. Small Rat L Traps and rooster tails are working good on these surfacing fish. The 4 1/2" shad body on a 1/2 oz. head will also work. For the big hybrids I would have a hawg stick rigged and ready just in case. Good areas are Point O 3, In front of the dam' and KK Island.
CATFISH: Jugs are the same as last week. On the edge of the flats, 10' stages, and cut bait seems to be doing the best.

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are:
Crappie: # 1
Whites and Hybrids # 2
Bass: # 3
Catfish: # 4
That's it from Sterett Creek Marina for this week so with that we bid you good fishing.
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Tommy

July 3, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek
HAPPY 4th. of JULY !! If you are coming to the lake this week we want you all to enjoy it to the utmost but also lets remember what this holiday is all about. GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!!!!!!!

LAKE LEVEL: 707.84
WATER TEMP: 86 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Big and Little Tebo clear to light
stain. Osage and Grand light
stain. Big and Little Pommie
clear to light stain.

BASS: The bass fishing here on Truman is starting to heat up. The COE. has slowed the water flow down to about 500cfs. This is really starting to put these fish on a summer pattern. We have seen some real nice topwater fish early and late. Spooks, jitterbugs and pop r's are catching fish off the secondary points. My favorite pattern of suspended fish has also started. Worms and brushhogs are the two top choices for catching these fish. Plum, blue fleck and watermelon pepper are the best colors. Out side tree rows on the edge of a flat in 10' to 20' of water fished down 7' to 10' is working. Worms on the secondary points in 6' to 10' of water is another way to catch fish. If Emil Tally and the plumber can catch a limit in 3 hrs. anybody can.
CRAPPIE: Minnows are the only way to go. Outside tree rows on the flats in 17' to 20' of water fished 8' to 10' down has produced some really nice limits of fish this week. Even though its hot the best fishing is during the heat of the day. Steve Blake has brought in some nice fish off the Grand arm and Marty Zych said from Berry Bend to Hogles Creek was holding some really good fish.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: With the COE. slowing the water flow down these fish have started their summer pattern of surfacing. Hog sticks zarra spooks and 4 1/2" sassy shad are the top baits. They have been surfacing in all the old areas. The wier, Point O3, Little Pommie flats and the cemetery are all areas to check. Steve Blake had some real nice fish out of the old Avery Bottoms.
CATFISH: Same as last week. Jugs on the flats are still the best. Cut shad and crawdads are the two best baits. Fish the flats in 15' to 20' of water with a 8' drop. If you are running trot lines run them early, the water temp is warm and that way you won't loose any fish.

Remember take plenty of fluids with you when going out on the lake. With the temps. in the low 90's it doesn't take long to dehydrate. Also its a good idea to throw a block of ice in the livewell to keep you catch fresh before you clean them.
If out and about this week please drive careful on and off the water. So from here at Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
We bid you good fishing.
Tommy

June 26, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Fred Baraks Guide Service
Water Temp: 80 and up
Water Color: Pomme, Little Pomme, Tebo, Little Tebo Clear---- Osage and
Grand stained to dirty [fishable]
Lake Ele: 711
Bass: Confused
About same as last week There were more suspended fish caught over the
week-end. There is a topwater bite early and late, Orig Hi-Roller , Rip
Roller, [Shad patterns or Fire Tiger], some on buzzbait, seems to be a
little better bite on slower baits. Points or flats close to deeper
water with some bushes or grass, which are disappearing as the lake
drops. Suspended fish are coming around 8-10 foot deep on worm or Hoo
Daddy in 15 plus feet of water. One day hardwoods seem to do better,
next day cedar and locust seem to shine, this is a bite that occurs
better in the clearer water. Red Shad, Camo, Green Pumpkin for colors,
the J&J Jobee head works good for this in the 1/4 or 3/8 oz. size
available now with the stronger flipping hook. Also some fish on the
points with some current and a good defined break. New 8 inch Gene Larew
worm with 5/16 or 3/8 oz weight [red Shad or June Bug] or try new Larew
FLOATING [yes floating] 11 inch worm on a rig, Green Pumpkin and dip
about an inch of the tail in some chartruse dye. about 6-12 foot deep.
Fish have slowed down with the water warming up and They seem to be
going onto their summer hangouts.
Crappie: Fair to good
The current points preferably with some cedars seem to be producing best
for me. 10 -20 foot down with minnows or Jig and minnow. Also try the
hedge and locust on the flats thicker the better,10-15 depending on the
water you're in.
Whites and hybrids: During the day fair, evening best
Still same places same baits,G3,Cemetery,weir ,saddles at KK ,
Fairfield, Flat above 83 Bridge, and some showing up on the Humps
between KK Island and Osage Bluff,these should continue to get better as
the lake keeps going down. 1/2 oz. Hawg Jaw spoons, Original Hi-Roller
and Sassy shad or 1 oz. rattle Traps Clearer water about 20-25 foot
deep, stained water a little shallower.
Walleye: Caught about a dozen last week , but they were all 12 -14 in
long, some on a spoon and some on minnow while crappie fishing, there
are some biting maybe the bigger ones will start showing up
Catfish: Jugs have been doing well in the right areas, saw a couple
getting a workout above the 83 bridge on the hump Saturday,they were
catching some nice ones, perch still working well and crawfish have also
started to work [seeJason at Osage Bluff if you need some]. Shad also a
good choice and they are getting a little easier to find.
The lake's coming down and more of the tree tops are seeable,BUT there
are still a lot just under the surface and probrably more that can hit
your lower unit or your boat bottom as the lake gets nearer to normal,BE
CAREFUL.
Please pick up your litter and leave the lake litter free
"The Old Man on Truman Lake"
Still Fishin Fred
Fred Baraks Guide Service
Ph: 660-438-2011

June 26, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek
Here on Truman we are starting to see the effects of summer start. The water is getting back to normal and the water temps. are also heating up to where the fish are really getting on the summer patterns. We have seen allot of nice stringers of hybrids and crappie come in this week. Steve Blake our head guide has been tarring the hybrids up. With the 4 th of July coming next week it should make for some good fishing vacations.

LAKE LEVEL: 712.80
WATER TEMP: 85 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Big and Little Tebo stained to
clear. The Osage is stained. Grand is stained but
very fishable. Big and Little Pommie ate stained
to clear.

BASS: Along with everything else the bass are starting to get on their summer pattern. The best bite in our area rite now is fishing suspended fish. A 9" to a 10 1/2" worm is working well in 8' to 12' of water. Allot of the fish are suspended at about 4' of water. Plum and blue fleck are the two best colors. A black and blue jig and frog will also work on these fish. Outside tree rows are a good starting point with deep water close by. There has also been a Carolina rig bite on the windy points. Baby brush hogs seem to be working the best. Watermelon in the clear water and black sapphire in the stained water.
CRAPPIE: With the water level getting closer to normal the crappie are starting to work the summer pattern also. Minnows by far are the best bait. Fish the outside tree rows in 20' of water about 8' to 10' deep. I have heard of good fish coming out of the Osage from Berry Bend to Hogles Creek. The Finney Creek area on the Grand is also producing nice fish. The Clear Creek area on Big Tebo is another area that is producing.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: Everything is the same as last week. Most of the old spots are still producing. If you have access to live bait this is working the best. Next would be the 4 1/2" sassy shad. The fish are starting to surface early and late. O 3, the wier and KK Island are some good spots to work rite now. NOTE if someone is sitting on fish please don't crowd rite in on them there will be other fish in the area. Also if you see someone fishing don't run rite next to them with your outboard it spooks the fish. If we are all courteous to each other we will all catch more fish.
CATFISH: Jugs are the name of the game and crawdads are the bait. Have seen some nice fish this week. Set stages about 8' on the flats. Drifting jugs seem to be working better than anchored. Haven"t heard anything on trot lines.

With the holiday coming if you are out and about please drive careful both in the car and on the water.So from here at Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
we bid you good fishing !!!
Tommy

June 19, 2002 - Big Piney - Watet Temp: 75 deg / Water Clarity: Clear / My best luck today was with finess worms. The Car/pumpkin and the Mossy Green produced well today. I had 10 to 12 keepers. Fishing just before the rapids
and in the pockets of brush build up. I was using a texas style rig with the slider jig heads 1/16 oz.

June 19, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Fred Baraks Guide Service

Water Temp: 75 and up
Water Color: Pomme, Tebo, Little Tebo clear to stained Grand and Osage stained to dirty
Lake Ele: 714.75
Bass: Good Not changed much since last week, Corp is still doing there
best to mess them up, Pretty much run water pretty consistent all week
and seem to shut it back on week-ends, guess they're making to much
money generating, don't know why else it's running backwards up the
Grand and Tebo.
There are some pretty good fish on the points 4-12 foot on worms and
rigs,[Gene Larew Lizard or 12" Red Shad or Camo Larew worm] still
working good, but try to watch the water flow, if it quits moving or
going backwards, probrably better move on. There are more fish starting
to use the willows as the lake goes down, the ones out front are doing
best,Larew's Mega ring Tube ,Green Pumpkin or Watermelon, in the cleaner
water and the good ole Hoo Daddy in the stained to dirty water in Green
Pumpkin or Black/Blue for colors,may have to fish a lot of them to find
the right ones, but they're usually pretty good fish. Topwaters are
still working early and late and when it's rainy. Main lake flats and
flatter points doing better than in the coves, still some in the coves,
but believe they're moving out,except for some of the bigger coves.

Whites and Hybrids: Good to Excellent
Seems to be a better early or late bite right now although Monday 11 til
3 was hot, so guess whenever you can go is best,never seen a bad time to
go fishing, just catching is better some times.
Keep an Original Hi-Roller in Shad color or Chartruse 4 5/8",[ These are
a very durable topwater, excellent hooks, wood bodies ,not plastic]
size on a rod for surfacing Hybrids ,they will come up when you're not
expecting them. Sassy shad in Shad or Chartruse colors on 1/2 to 3/4 0z.
head [ been trying some of J&J Jobee heads , new style , with heavier
flipping hooks, they seem to work really well] for suspended or even for
the surfacing fish or the 1 oz. rattle trap in chrome colors. The rest
of the time stay with the Hawg Jaw spoon 1/2 oz size is more versatile,
I believe all the Marina's handle them, I don't think WalMart handles
them, but I believe they oufish all the others. Don't Know WHY. Seeing a
lotta lotta hybrids right now, so if you're wanting your line stretched,
now's a good time and they also work well in the skillet.

Walleye: Few showing up in the same areas as the whites and also some
being caught off the points by the bass fishermen,not bunches , but some
are showing up. The weir at the dam has probrably been the best area.
Don't know if anyone has tried night fishing the dam or weir, I don't
night fish anymore , but if I had to catch one, I'd sure have to try
this area with a Jig and twister, Long rapalas in Chartruse or orange,
or Model A in Fire Tiger.

Catfish: Fair to Good Shad or Perch and I've heard of some reports of
leeches, think flats close to the deeper water are best areas such as
around KK Island in the Osage, G4 in the Grand, set
at about 8-10 foot. Rod and reel try saddle at KK Island ,O3, places
where some current is is moving up over a point or a saddle. Try some
cut bait or Smashed minnows, put 2 or 3 on your hook

Crappie: Just about forgot these guys. About same as last week . Trees
you can find on the flats and there are more becoming visible each day,
and the points or saddles with some current. Minnows are still your best
bet and the depth, you'll sort of half to experiment the area you're
fishing. They seem to be doing better than last week.

The lake is still very hazardous, lot of treetops just under the
surface, so be careful. If I'm not sure where my favorite cut thru is
thru a tree row, I've been idling.
Please Pick-up Litter and Leave the Lake Litter Free
"The Old Man on Truman Lake"
Still Fishin Fred | Fred Baraks Guide Service - Ph: 660-438-2011

e-mail: fredbaraks@webtv.net

June 19, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek

The water is still dropping and the hybrids are really going strong. We are seeing the crappie go to the summer pattern so all in all fishing on Truman is doing good. I have been on the water a couple days this week and the water clarity is looking good for the most part.
LAKE LEVEL: 714.20
WATER TEMP: 79 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Big and Little Tebo are lightly stained. The Osage is stained but very fishable. Grand is really but fishable. Pommie has color to it but it is fishable also.

BASS: Most of the bass that are being caught in our area are coming on 7 1/2" worms or jigs. The best worm color is blue fleck and the black and blue jig with a blue pork chunk is the top producing jig. Most of the better fish are coming out of 8' to 10' of water. Main lake and secondary points are the best areas to work. There are some smaller fish in the 3' to 5' of water area, but with the water dropping like it is the better fish are going to be a little deeper.
CRAPPIE: There has been allot of crappie caught in front of the dam this week. The wind has the shad pushed in there big time and the crappie followed them in. Small minnows are working the best in this area. Dan Dunek caught his limit in the Finny Creek area of the Grand in the dirty water. Said most of the fish came out of cedar trees 20' of water down about 10' on minnows. The Clear Creek area is still producing crappie on the same pattern. Berry Bend is also producing fish on the summer pattern. Outside tree rows in 25' fished with minnows about 8' to 10' deep.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: We have seen allot of good stringers of hybrids this week. A 4 1/2' sassy shad in chartreuse is the top bait. All of the old spots are starting to produce. Good stringers came in last nite off O 3. The islands in front of Sterett Creek along with Tebo cut are two real good areas. We are starting to see a little top water action. The hog stick is the best bait in this situation.
CATFISH: Same as last week jugs are doing the best baited with either leeches or cut shad. The flats next to deep water is you best bet. Fish a 10' drop line and you do ok. Haven't heard much on trot lines.

That raps it up for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
If you are coming to Truman to watch the fireworks this year take note that they are going to shoot them on June 29. So from here at Sterett Creek we bid you good fishing.
Tommy


June 19, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 923.66   Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  80-84

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

Most of the fish being caught are deep, with the exception of the upper rivers, James-Long Creek- & Kings.  Kimberling City up to Baxter fish the main lake and secondary points.  Most of the fish I have been catching in this area have been from 25'-35', just 1'-3' off bottom.  They seem to bite pretty good until about 10:30 - 11:00, then it gets real slow.  Best baits for me have been 3"-4" finesse worms on drop shot rigs and 3"-4" grubs in smoke, pearl, or white.  Some of the guides are also catching them on white or chrome jigging spoons suspended 35'-45' over deep trees.  Top water bite has been slow over most of the lake, but have a Spook, Storm's Chug Bug, or Pop-R handy.  There have been a few fish chasing shad early.  Also, try live bait in the same areas. Baxter to Shell Knob, the fish seem to be deeper, 30'-35' on bottoms and about the same depth on suspended fish.  Try some deep diving crankbaits in shad patterns on main lake and secondary points.  Set the boat in 20'-25', then you can cast into 8'-10'.  I have be throwing Fat Fee Shads, Rapala Deep Fat Rap & DD-22's

JAMES RIVER, LONG CREEK, KING'S RIVER
The fish are not biting the same everyday.  One day they are bite real good, lots of fish with some 4-5 lb. largemouths.  The next day you can fish the same patterns and struggle.  Fish with Carolina rigged French fries, lizards, 7" or 9" worms in 6'-20'.  Mainly on main river flats.  Try crankbaits in the same area.  Some fish being caught on bluff ends and channel swings, up in the river on white or chrome 3/4 jigging spoons, fished just off the bottom-25'-35' deep.  Watch for schools of shad on your locators and fish under the bait.  Also, try 1/2 or  3/4 football jigs in brown & purple, tipped with twin tail Chompers or Yamamoto grubs.
Fish in the same spots as the Carolina rig.  Drop shot and live bait working well from point #9 to #12, in 25'-30' deep main lake points.  Try fishing some buzzbaits & Spooks around shallow flat banks (grass) early.  Good Luck!

June 12, 2002 -Table Rock - By White River Basin Guide Service
Water Level: 922.17
Normal Pool: 915
Water Temp: 80° - 85°
Baxter/Kimberling City/Dam Area
The fish are quickly moving deep but still biting well. The best bite seems
to be early, until about Noon and then the afternoon really slows down. Try
drop-shot, spoons or grubs, slightly off the bottom of the main lake points,
in 35 ft. 50 ft. of water. The dam area over the last couple of weeks has
been slow, but it,s starting to pick up and there are a lot of small mouth
coming from that area. Use the same technique as above.

James River
There are a lot of Kentuckies coming off the main lake points using the same
technique as above, in 30 ft. 40 ft. of water. Just use your favorite
colors. There are good, quality fish coming off of Carolina rig, lizards,
brush hogs and French fries. There is also a lot of good fish coming off of
deep-diving crank baits. There are still some good, quality fish in and
around flooded bushes. On cloudy and rainy days, throw a spinner bait,
crank bait, or jig, in and around those bushes.

Lake Taneycomo
Above Fall Creek to the Dam
Still running two generators every day over the last couple of weeks. Try
16 ounce B.H. red midge or a size 12 yellow crackle back. Also gray and
olive scuds are working well.
DEFAULT PATTERNS/Consider the following:
Shamois leech size 12, or gray/olive scuds, size 14-16. Fish them either
dead drift or under an indicator, just off the bottom.
Below Fall Creek
Try a 32 oz. white or olive jig in slack water, close to lay-downs. I,m
also catching fish on a Taneycomo drift rig. Use white, orange, red or
yellow Power Bait. Also inflated night crawlers are working very well.
Good luck!

June 12, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek
Looks like summer has finally arrived in the lakes area. The hybrids and whites have started surfacing and the crappie are getting on their summer pattern and the weather is warming up so summer has to be here.

LAKE LEVEL: 715.20
WATER TEMP: 80 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Big and Little Tebo clear to lightly stained. Grand above Long Shoal bridge stained to dirty.
Both Pommies clear to lightly stained. The Osage is stained up to the Ed's Camp area above
that its dirty. Click photo to see enlarged view

BASS: With the COE still pulling water the bass have finally pulled back to the original bank line. There has been allot of fish caught out of 10' to 12' of water.The black and blue jig seem to be the top producer in this area. Main lake to the first secondary points seem to be the best area. The steeper banks, 45 deg. seem to be holding the better fish. Seems like it takes allot of casts to put together a good string. Heard of some top water action on good schooling fish around the islands out in front of Sterett Creek. The guys were throwing hog sticks for hybrids and ended up catching good blacks, go figure.
CRAPPIE: Like I said earlier the crappie have gotten on the summer pattern. The trick is fish the outside tree rows on the edge of the flats. The lake is still up about 9' but the fish are at 7' to 10' down. Minnows is by far the best bait. There has been fish caught in the Berry Bend area all the way back to the dam. The Clear Creek area is also producing some fish yet. If you know where the Avery Bottoms are this is another good area. Steve Blake had really nice crappie along with Marty Zych out of this area.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: We are starting to get into the swing of things with some top water action starting. The hog stick has been he best top water bait on the hybrids. The 4 1/2' chartreuse sassy shad on a 3/4 oz. head is working on the suspended fish.
Jigging spoons in the 1/2 oz. size are doing a good job on white bass. It seems that these fish are getting in all of the old favorite areas. The wier along with the islands in front of Sterett Creek are producing good fish. Point O 3 along with the KK Island cut through are also on. G 4 has slowed down a little but the cemetery is still doing good in the AM.
CATFISH: With the hard drop in the water trot lines have been slow this week. We did here of a few fish on jugs on the flats. Same pattern as last week. 12' leaders baited with leeches are catching a few fish.

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are:
Hybrids and whites: # 1
Crappie: # 2
Bass: # 3
Catfish: # 4

With the weather heating up remember to take plenty of water and sun block in the boat. Also a little ice in the live wells to keep the fish fresh will make a big difference at the cleaning table. While fishing please respect other anglers and I'm sure they will show you the same courtesy. So from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net.
We bid you good fishing - Until next week - Tommy

June 12, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 922.54   Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  78-85

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

Not a whole lot has changed since last weeks report.  Kentucky's seem to be schooling up more, best depth seems to be 25'-35' deep over most of the lake, with the bite still best early in the day, until about 10:00 am.  As I had talked last week-the structure fish bite should be coming on and it looks as if it did.  At least for Eric Holt, it did.  He won the Central Pro Am tournament here last weekend.  he had 10 fish-38 lbs. caought mainly on deep crank baits, from Kimberling City to Hwy. 76 bridge at Cape Fair.  Try fishing around the bridge piers on all the bridges, in 25'-35' with 4" grubs, spoons,  a drop shot rig, or live bait.  Most of the fish we are catching off long sloping main lake points and submerged humps, in 30'-50'.  Some are right on the bottom, some slightly off bottom.  Spend a lot of time on the points that have lots of shad present.  Keep some topwater baits on your deck, handy.  I have found the best and shallowest bite in the Upper James.  So, have been concentrating more on fish up there.

JAMES RIVER, LONG CREEK, KING'S RIVER
Catching lots of keep Kentucky's on drop shot worms in 25'-35' on main lake flats, best colors, cotton candy, watermelon candy- also hand pours working well. Best bite I am having is from Point 12 to Cape Fair.  Cape Fair, up river, we are catching a lot of fish in 6'-15' on Carolina rigged lizards,  brush hogs, & French fries.  Lot's of short fish, with a few keepers.  We are fishing the river flats where the river channel is close by.  The better Largemouths should start to show up soon in some of these areas. I am fishing 15'-20' on Carolina rig, and also some deep diving crankbaits.  The fish are starting to chase shad throughout the day on surface.  Have a top water bait rigged and ready to throw for some action.  A Zara Spook, Storm's Chug Bug, a Pop R, and even a chrome jigging spoon, will invite some fun.  Some keep Largemouth's and Kentucky's are being caught flipping jigs, tubes, lizards & brush hogs in and around willow trees and bushes.  Key on the bushes around points, look for willows that have some dead branches, or dead trees around them.  In the Mid James & Aunt's Creek are, the drop shot is also working.  may have to fish a little deeper.  Say..30'-45'.  If you want to try some live bait fishing they are killing them on nightcrawlers and live crawdads.

June 4, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek Marina
Again this week the lake is still going down and the fishing is still good. We have seen allot of big hybrids this week and some nice crappie. The water temp. is getting to the point of where these fish should get on the summer pattern and really get going. We are dropping about 4" a day so some of the old land marks will be popping out before long.

LAKE LEVEL: 719.90
WATER TEMP: 79 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Big and Little Tebo are clear. Grand is lightly stained. Big and Little Pomme are clear.
The lower Osage is still muddy but the upper Osage is starting to clear.

BASS: To this fisherman's notion the bass here on Truman are not doing what normal bass should be doing with falling water. The COE is running about 40.000 cfs which should put them on the points or down on the original bank line making Carolina rigs and big worms work great, but these fish refuse to leave the shallows. The best pattern going is in 1' to 3' of water, 3/4 of the way back in the coves. The best baits are brush hogs and lizards fished rite on the edge of the grass with a 3/16 weight. Best color is watermelon red or black blue. Flukes have also been taking fish, same place and any shad pattern is working. Early and late there is a fair buzz bait bite on the edge of the willows. With the lake coming down I think these fish will move to the points in deeper water but as of last nite they were still shallow.
CRAPPIE: The crappie are trying to move to the summer pattern. Fish the outside tree rows in 20' to 30' of water with minnows about 10' down. Marty Zych caught real nice fish out of the cedars doing the same thing in Little Pommie. The Clear Creek area is still producing good fish in the cedars also.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: The big guys are really starting to get it on now. 4 1/2" sassy shad rigged on a 3/4 oz. head are taking allot of big fish. The cemetery is starting to produce along with G 4. Charlie Mittlestat said that he has caught some nice whites on spoons at KK Island. I would think that by the weekend point O 3 should start producing some good fish. Most of the hybrids are being caught using a 10 count down with the sassy shad. If you see a shad skipping or see a fish jump throw at it, even the Happy Face Lure guy is catching fish that way.
CATFISH: We had a few fish brought in on jugs this week. The guys say that cut shad or leeches are working the best. 10' stages on the flats next to the channels are working best.

This weeks ratings fron Sterett Creek are:
Hybrids and whites # 1
Bass # 2
Crappie # 3
Catfish # 4

Everything here on Truman is open and going strong. The water is rite and the fishing in getting good so if you are looking for some fun fishing it might be time to go out and hook into one of those big hybrid and get you line stretched . If we can be of any help you can contact us at Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
SO until next week we bid you good fishing !!! As I am finishing this report they just brought in a 10 1/2, 7 1/2 and a 6 1/2 lb hybrid so I have to quit and go fishing.
Tommy

June 5, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 922.27   Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  78-85

DAM AREA, KIMBERLING, BAXTER, CAMPBELL POINT.

Water temperature has really shot up the past week.  With this warm weather many of the fish around these areas have gone deep. I think the Dam area has been tough, the rest of the areas fish seem to bite good until around noon, then it get real slow.  Try fishing around the bridge piers on all the bridges, in 25'-35' with 4" grubs, spoons,  a drop shot rig, or live bait.  Most of the fish we are catching off long sloping main lake points and submerged humps, in 30'-50'.  Some are right on the bottom, some slightly off bottom.  Spend a lot of time on the points that have lots of shad present.  Keep some topwater baits on your deck, handy.  I have found the best and shallowest bite in the Upper James.  So, have been concentrating more on fish up there.

JAMES RIVER, LONG CREEK, KING'S RIVER
Catching lots of keep Kentucky's on drop shot worms in 25'-35' on main lake flats, best colors, cotton candy, watermelon candy- also hand pours working well. Best bite I am having is from Point 12 to Cape Fair.  Cape Fair, up river, we are catching a lot of fish in 6'-15' on Carolina rigged lizards,  brush hogs, & French fries.  Lot's of short fish, with a few keepers.  We are fishing the river flats where the river channel is close by.  The better Largemouths should start to show up soon in some of these areas. I am fishing 15'-20' on Carolina rig, and also some deep diving crankbaits.  The fish are starting to chase shad throughout the day on surface.  Have a top water bait rigged and ready to throw for some action.  A Zara Spook, Storm's Chug Bug, a Pop R, and even a chrome jigging spoon, will invite some fun.  Some keep Largemouth's and Kentucky's are being caught flipping jigs, tubes, lizards & brush hogs in and around willow trees and bushes.  Key on the bushes around points, look for willows that have some dead branches, or dead trees around them.  In the Mid James & Aunt's Creek are, the drop shot is also working.  may have to fish a little deeper.  Say..30'-45'.  If you want to try some live bait fishing they are killing them on nightcrawlers and live crawdads.

    1st ANNUAL  JACK FARIS 
    BUDDY BASS TOURNAMENT
RESULTS

1st Place  John Rakestraw of Hollister, MO  13.73

2nd Place  Jerry Weisinger of Wyandotte ,OK   13.08
Randy Stewart of Blue Springs, MO

3rd Place  Scott Boaz of Harrison, AR   23.01
Tim Sherrill-Harrison, AR

Big Bass was caught by Jim Van Hook of Reeds Spring, MO.
It weighed 5.17

Source: Missouri Anglers like you. Send us a report.