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Kansas Fishing Records

Copyright 1999-2002

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December 9, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -
WATER LEVEL - 912.13 Normal Pool 915'
WATER TEMP. Main Lake 48-52 Rivers & Upper Creeks 39-44

Lots of spoon, grub, & drop shot fish are being caught deep all over the lake. White or chrome 3/4 oz. spoons, 3"-5" grubs, 3"-5" tubes and 4" finesse worms in salt & pepper, smoke, bluegill, & cotton candy, fished on a 1/4- 3/8 oz. darter heads or drop shot rigged. Some can be caught in the creeks on secondary points or channel swings. 25'-35' on bottom or suspended over timber. Fish out on the main lake are deeper, 35'-45'. Watch for schools of shad, some of the fish have been on bottom, not marking on electronics. If you find this to be true, fish your baits by bouncing them off the bottom while jigging.

The jerkbait bite is starting up in the upper rivers. The water is clear and alot colder that the rest of the lake. Fish channel swing banks with Husky Jerks or Smithwick Rouges, medium and shallow billed. Catching smallmouths on 3/16-7/16 Team Supreme & Eakin's jigs around the deeper boat docks. Fish have been 15'-25'. Baxter, Kimberling City, & Indian Point areas working well. Good Luck!

November 6, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek -
 Suprise, I know I told you last week that the report that I did would be the last for the year but the fishing has been so good that I thought you might like to know. We will make this a short one but hit the  important stuff.
LAKE LEVEL:        705.22
WATER TEMP:       56 deg.
WATER CLARITY: STAINED
 
BASS: The bass fishing is still real good. Spinner baits and buzz baits on the secondary points towards the backends of the coves. White and chartreuse short arm single spins are working the best. There are also some good fish on the main lake points hitting black and blue jig and frogs, these fish are 5' to 12' deep.
CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing is still slow. Most of the fish are coming off the bluffs in 20' to 30' of water about 3 cranks off the bottom. Jigs are working the best. Black and chartreuse seems to be the best color.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: The whites seem to be everywhere. Windy, flat points fished with a rooster tail or a Rat L Trap are catching a bunch of fish. I don't know how long this is going to last but its a lot of fun rite now and if you have the time I wouldn't miss it. There are also fish on the humps and road beds being caught on spoons. These fish seem to be 21' to 23' deep and on the bottom. We have had several people here his week that have limited out in no time at all.
CATFISH: No report.

October 30, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek -
This will be the last fishing report for the year from Sterett Creek, but on the bright side it is a good one. The white bass are everywhere and the black bass are hitting good. The fall colors are in full swing and you don't have to worry about working up a sweat while your loading the boat with fish.
LAKE LEVEL: 705.45
WATER TEMP: 59 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Stained

BASS: The bass fishing on Truman is as good as its been in a while. The spinner bait and buzz bait bite on the flats is real good. One tip for the spinner bait is to gurgle it just under the surface in 1' to 3' of water. Lay downs have been producing allot of fish. There are allot of fish from 3/4 to all the way back in the creeks. There are some good fish hanging off main lake points. These fish have been hitting jigs in 4' to 10' of water. Black and blue is still the top color on jigs and white and chartreuse on the spinner and buzz baits.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing remains slow. The best fish are coming off brush piles in 15' to 20' of water on black and chartreuse jigs. There are still some fish on the bluffs in 25' of water and they are hitting just off the bottom. Here again the jig is the bait of choice.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: Steve Blake told me that the whites are everywhere. They have been hitting off the windy points on Rat L Traps and Rooster Tails. Fish are in 1' to 3' of water. There are also fish on the old roadbeds being caught on spoons. Best depth seems to be 8' to 12' deep. Now I know that if Steve Laraby can go out and catch a limit of fish these fish have to be really biting.
CATFISH: No report.
This weeks ratings from Sterett Creek are:
Whites: # 1
Bass: # 2
Crappie: # 3

Well its been another good year of fishing. I would like to thank all of you who have sent e-mails and comments on our weekly fishing reports. I would also like to thank all our old friends and our new friends for sharing their fishing experiences with us here at Sterett Creek.
I would also like to say a final goodbye to two of our Sterett Creek family, Keith Chapman and Wayne Ruby who have gone on to fish better waters. May they rest in peace!!
That's it for this year from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
With that we bid you good fishing.
Tommy

October 16, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service - 

WATER LEVEL - 915.19  Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  Main Lake 64-67  Rivers & Upper Creeks  59-64

Fishing is still extremely tough, with fish being caught from 2' deep, to as deep as 60'.  With water temps continuing to cool down, the shad have moved into the creeks and upper rivers.  Forecast is for overcast skies and wind this weekend, so the crankbait (shad & crawdad patterns)& spinnerbait bite should work on main lake and secondary points.  I am using Storm 's
wigglewarts, Deep Little'ns, & Fat Free Shad Jrs. 

There are still some fish being caught on 3/8 oz. & 3/4 oz. football jigs, tipped with twin tail grubs.  Drop Shot rigs and spoons working in the main lake & mid river areas-25'-35' deep over anywhere from 25'-100'.  When fishing the creeks look for schools of shad, which are right on surface.  Slow roll 1/2 & 3/4 oz. tandem willow leaf spinnerbaits, under the schools of shad, also have one rod with crankbait and work it here also.  You may have to fish the spinnerbait down about  10'-15' under the shad, in centers of the creek.  It can be slow fishing but... the rewards are quality largemouth.

October 16, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -
WATER LEVEL - 915.27   Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  66-72

Water temperatures starting to cool down.. In the morning 66-68 and 71-72 in the afternoons.  Most of the fish still being caught deep, 25'-30' seems to be the depth.  Most of the suspended fish are in some over submerged timber, others out over main lake and secondary points.  Bottom depth doesn't seem to matter, may be 40' or 120', but fish are hanging around 25'-30'.  We are catching them on drop shot rigs, spoons, 4" worms grubs, Gitzits, in smoke, cotton candy & watermelon candy.  Spoons we are using are 3/4 oz. in chrome or white.  The Dam, Kimberling City, Baxter & Campbell Points areas seem to be the best.  In these same areas are still some quality small mouths, in 10'-20', on points, channel swings, & cuts. We are catching them on brown & blue or brown & purple jigs tipped with twin tail grubs, cinnamon or smoke purple colors.  I've been fishing a 3/8 oz. in the morning when fish are shallower and the switching to a 1/2 or 3/4 oz. football jig later in the day.  I am also Carolina rigging Chompers & Yamamoto grubs, French fires will work also.

The crankbait bite is hit or miss, but should get more consistent as the water cools.  Wiggle warts, and Deep Little n's in crawdad patterns.  I look for the upper James River and upper White River, and Long Creek to start producing better in the next few weeks.  Start looking half way into the backs of major creeks for shad, which are already there.  fish under the shad w/shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits

October 16, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek -
Well there is one thing for sure the weather has changed. The fishing has remained about he same as last week but can change any day now. The leaves are starting to turn and in another week it will be awesome out there. The water temp. is cooling down nicely and the fish are starting to get more aggressive.
LAKE LEVEL: 705.50
WATER TEMP: 68 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Lightly Stained

BASS: Had a good report from Danny Johnson who placed 4th. in the Bass Federation Tourn. out of Bucksaw last weekend. There is a good spinner bait bite going on. The spinner bait fish are on the flats in 3' to 5' of water. Might want to switch to Colorado blades instead of willow leafs rite now. The buzz bait bite is also picking up on the flats. Char. is the best color. There are also some good buzz bait fish on the bluff points. The back ends of the creeks are also holding some spinner bait fish. Just had a good report on some bluff bank fish in Little Tebo on a worm. Fish were rite on the bank. Blue fleck worm is the best color .
CRAPPIE: Brush piles seem to be the way to go this week. Minnows are still the best bait. 16' is about the best depth. There are still some deep fish on the bluffs. Fish seem to be holding in about 20' of water. Haven't had any reports on fishing in the back end of the creeks. They should start moving any time but haven't heard of any yet.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: They are still catching some good hybrids in the G 4 area. The mag. wiggle wart and the DB 22 seem to be the baits of choice. The whites are just about everywhere now. There are some in the backends of the creeks which are being caught on rooster tails. They are also on the road beds and the humps as shallow as 8'. There is also some fish starting to move up on the windy points. Rooster tails, road runners and Rat L traps are catching these fish. And the best is yet to come
CATFISH: No reports.

Its getting cool enough that I'm going to have to put the fishing pole down for a little bit and hit the treestand. To all you people traveling in the lakes area please drive careful, the deer are really starting to move.So with that we bid you good fishing from
Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy


October 15, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Fred Baraks Guide Service
Water Temp: Upper 60's and going down
Water Color: Good all arms,upper ends have more color
Lake Ele.: 705.4
Bass: Good
We're fnally starting to get some cooler water and fish are starting to
react to it. Biggest key at this time are the shad, if you've got shad
you'll have some bass close by. Lot of patterns are working, but the
moving baits are the things to use at this time,once you locate
some fish then you can try some of the slower baits. Places to look,try
the backs of the coves and creeks and fish out. Remember the shad.
milder conditions look for them on the flats ,but generally close to
some deeper water , such as the channels and ditches going onto the
flat. Cold fronts key on the channels. Spinnerbaits are 1st choice
followed by Shallow crankbaits, such as the Rad Shad and Shallow Seeker
by Matuzo, colors, been doing well with bluegill colors and fire tiger.
In the spinnerbaits Chartruse and white with gold willow blades or
nickel and gold combo, some days white blades work well. A good one for
bigger fish are Tandem colorado chartruse blades,a # 6 and # 4 sounds
big but it will get you some quality fish. Topwaters are also working ,
but hinges on the conditions. I like the buzzbait this time of year, I
like Chartruse/White my buddy likes Black, I think they both work if you
throw it by an eater. There are still some fish on the humps and ledges,
little slow in moving off this kind of structure this fall. We had a
good day Saturday with a Gene Larew Lizard watermelon and dipping the
tail in Chartruse dye. Most of the bites were coming about 12 to 15 foot
even though it was cloudy and rainy. I say this bite will start slowing
down, but it's a place to try if they're not eating the moving baits.
Doing this you had to have shad on your locator,you could look at a lot
of this kind of structure, but if it had shad there was fish down there
with them. One thing this tme of year as the water gets cooler your
afternoon bite will generally be better as the shad come up better.The
upper arms of the lake are a little farther along than the lower end of
the lake, as the fish seem to have moved back better, but the lower lake
will keep getting better. Remember shad are your main key this time of
year. Another pattern that is starting to work is flat main lake points
with some wind on them usually the windier the better, if you find some
you'll probrably find some whites and maybe even a hybrid. Did a lot of
writing, but maybe it will get you into some good fishing and jog some
wheels where you've caught them in the past.
Crappie: ?????
Haven't heard much, most I've talked to are struggling. I'd start by
working the mouths of the coves and cedar trees about half way back in
the coves. It's that time of year when they are grouping up and you
could catch a limit out of one tree, so move a lot until you catch one,
depth somewhere between 5 and 15 feet. Minnows probrably the best bet,
but when you find the right tree a jig should catch them.
Walleye: Seeing a few mixed in with the whites. Been a lot of 12-15
inchers this year,which is from the leftovers they gave us last year.
Yes leftovers. We've got a new hatchery a mile from the lake and we got
left overs. Truman has the potential to be an excellent walleye fishery.
If you talk to a conservation person or visit the hatchery ask them why
we can't get more thrown our way or even drop them a letter, those who
make the most noise sometimes works. Don't think anyone will argue how
they eat.
Whites and Hybrids: Very Good
Two Places ,maybe three If it's windy try the main lake points Rad Shad,
Rooster tails, twisters,sassy shad, and etc. if they are there about
anything looking like a shad will catch them.
2nd place are the humps O3,G4,G10,KK island humps [between Osage Bluff
and KK],at the horseshoe above 83 bridge. Jigging spoons or trolling
shad colored crankbaits, I like looking with my electronics and then
spooning them, it's hard to beat the 1/2 oz. Hawg jaw, which you can
find at the marinas, I'd get a good supply as several of the marinas
will be cutting hours before long. Depth, somewhere between 12 and 18
foot, Have a Hi Roller topwater on and handy for when they come up
schooling for the hybrids and a pop roller for the whites.
3rd place would be the backs of some of the bigger coves and backs of
the creeks. There are also some biting way up the Pomme arm above Mill
Creek.
Catfish: Haven't heard much about them the past few weeks , guess I'd
try the mouths of the coves at this time about 10-15 foot with jug or
trotline and shad for bait.
This is probrably my last report for this year, have a good winter and
I'll try to pass on some wisdom next spring.
When it gets colder just reverse your search and head out of the coves
and creeks, also the bluffs are good places to look during the cold
water period. See you next year.
Please Pick up litter and leave the lake ltter free
"The Old Man on Truman Lake"
Stil Fishin Fred
Fred Baraks Guide Service
Ph: 660-438-2011
e-mail: fredbaraks@webtv.net

http://www.bassnedge.com/baraks
E-Mail: fbaraks@bassnedge.com

October 9, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - With the onset of the cooler weather and th3e lake doing a very gradual rise the fishing should start to improve this week. Even if it doesn't the leaves are starting to turn and it sure is pretty out there.
LAKE LEVEL:           705.45
WATER TEMP:          71 deg.
WATER CLARITY:    Clear to lightly stained.
 
BASS: The bass fishing remains the same as last week. There is a good top water bite early and late. Buzz baits seem to be the best choice now. White, chartreuse and black seem to be the top colors. Top water is also working on overcast days. Fish are hitting half way back in the creeks on the flats in 1' to 3' of water. Secondary points are also a good choice with worms and jigs in 3' to 8' of water. Pumpkin pepper and black and blue are good rite now. There are still a few fish in the deeper brush piles if you know where any of them are.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing this week has been tough. Most of the fish we have seen this week have come off the bluffs. 25' of water fished with minnows down about 15' seems to be working the best. There has been a few fish caught off brush piles on road runners and twister tail jigs. Best choice is a bluff point going back in a creek. The crappie are starting to get the notion to move but just haven't got started yet.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: We have seen several limits of whites this week.Also in talking to one of the conservation agents he said he say some good hybrids caught in the G 4 area while trolling. Mag. Wiggle Warts and DB 22 in fire tiger are the best. The whites are stacked on the humps and on the road beds. Medium sized jigging spoons are the best choice rite now. If you hit a windy day fish the flat points with Rat L Traps and road runners.
CATFISH: No reports.
 
This weeks ratings from Sterett Creek are:
   Bass:            # 1
   WHITES:      # 2
   CRAPPIE:    # 3
   HYBRIDS:    # 4
 
Thats it from Sterett Creek Marina for this week. If we can help you out you can contact us at  660-438-2280
                                                           critter@dam.net.
Till next week we bid you good fishin.
                        Tommy

October 2, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek -
Its been a sad week here at Sterett Creek this week with the passing of Wayne Ruby early Monday morning. Wayne worked for us here at Sterett and was a well known fisherman on the lake. Wayne was an avid hybrid fisherman and this year got into the bass fishing big time. Along with being a good fisherman Wayne was a good friend. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

LAKE LEVEL: 705.20
WATER TEMP: 75 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to lightly stained.

BASS: The bass fishing here on Truman is starting to turn on a little. There are allot of smaller fish moving to the back ends of the coves. These can be caught on about anything you want to throw. Best baits are spinner baits and buzz baits. Color doesn't really seem to matter. They seem to be holding in 1' to 3' of water. The secondary points are also holding some fish. 9" worms in red ore a black and blue jig and frog are working in these areas. Best depths are 2' to 8'. The results of the Sterett Creek Buddy Bass Tourn. last Sat. are as follows:
1 st. Tom Novinska - Jim Lehares 12.26 lbs.
2 nd. Doug Wallace - Ozzie Wallace 12.23 lbs.
3 rd. Joe Maher- Larry Egidy 10.06 lbs.
4 th.Wallace Jenkins-Adam Prichard 8.74 lbs.
Big Bass 4.97 lbs. Tom Novinska - Jim Lehares
We caught our fish out of main lake brush piles in 12' to 20' of water on 10" red with gold fleck worms.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing on Truman has slowed a little this week. There are allot of sub legal fish being caught but the bigger fish have started to move. Main lake points seem to be working the best in 20' to 25' of water. Minnows are the best bait. There are also fish starting to move on the deeper brush piles in 20' + water. Here again minnows are the bait of choice.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: Steve Blake told me he was catching good whites way up Pommie. Rat L Traps and sassy shad seem to be working the best. These fish are up in the river. There were a few fish caught off windy points this weekend on Rooster Tails. Also the road bed humps are starting to hold some fish.
CATFISH: Jugs worked well again on the flats in 8' of water. Best baits were cut shad and chicken liver. Anchored jugs seem to do better than the floaters. Haven't heard anything on trot lines.

This weeks ratings from Sterett Creek are :
BASS: # 1
CRAPPIE: # 2
WHITES: # 3
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week we bid you good fishin
Tommy
   

September 28, 2002 - Stockton - Seven year old Joe Balazs caught this nice one on Stockton Lake Mo, on 09/22/02, great day!!! Click on photo for larger view.

September 25, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Fred Baraks Guide Service
Water Temp: 70-74 little cooler upper arms
Water Color: Good all arms Clear lower end to stained and a little murky
upper arms
Lake Ele.: 705.2

Bass: Fair to Good
Flats and upper parts of the lake. Lower lake fish still on the points
,but seems hard to find the keepers. Seem to have to have some shad in
the areas where the fish are.
Flats lower lake Larew's Mega Ring Tube or HooDaddy in pumpkin or
watermelon, upper lake Spinnerbait, shallow crankbait[ Matuzo Shallow
Seeker in Shad or Firetiger] morning and evening try Original Hi-Roller
or Rip Roller or Buzzbait. Points worms seem to be best, Smaller worms
working a little better, darker color a little better. Some of these
point fish should be getting on a Crankbait as the water cools. Crappie:
Main Lake- Points and trees in the front centers of the coves 10-20 foot
minnows still best. Upper lake ditchs and tree rows on the flats 6-12
foot deep, minnows or jig tipped with minnow or some crappie niblets,
color, your favorite.
Whites and Hybrids: Evenings best bet. Surfacing fish, small topwaters
for the whites, original HiRoller for the hybrids, Been catching some on
Matuzo RadShad in bluegill pattern don't know why but they seem to like
it over the chrome or shad colors a lot of the time, thru the day the
spoon is best bet in 12-20 foot of water on the humps around KK island
O-3, G4, and etc. as the water cools they will keep getting better. Also
if it's windy try some of the main lake flat points that the wind is
blowing on, they will get up as shallow as 6 in to a foot at times.
Floating rattle traps work well for this.
Walleye:??????????
Please pick up litter and leave the lake litter free
"The Old man on Truman Lake"
Still Fishin Fred
Fred Baraks Guide Service
fredbaraks@webtv.net
Ph: 660-438-2011

http://www.bassnedge.com/baraks
E-Mail: fbaraks@bassnedge.com

September 25, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek -

The water temp. is starting to come down and with the fog we are having in the mornings it is starting to feel like fall. I haven't seen any of the leaves turning yet but I don't think it is to far away. The lake is still about 8" low but the water clarity is great.
LAKE LEVEL: 705.21
WATER TEMP: 73 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Lightly stained to clear in the back of the creeks.

BASS: The bass fishing remains the same as last week. Lots of point fish on worms. Main lake and the secondary points are producing. 9" worms in blue fleck and pumpkin pepper are to of the best colors. Black and blue jigs are also working in the same areas. There is a top water bite early and late. Zara puppies and Pop R's are the best choice. Buzz baits are also working but you have to work them slow. White seems to be the best. I have fished a couple of mornings this week and did well on the secondary points. Did find that when I got over 1/2 way back in the creeks I lost the bite.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing has slowed a little this week. I think these fish are starting to move a little. Work the points going into the creeks with minnows about 10' down. If you are fishing the bluffs you will have to go down to 15". There are sill some fish on the outside tree rows but they have gotten smaller this week. Brush piles are the best if you know where any are. Guide Steve Blake has done real good on them this week. He is still using minnows.
HYBRIDS and WHITES: Haven't seen allot of hybrids this week but did see some real nice whites. Seems these fish are starting to stack up on the humps and road beds. 15' to 20' seems to be the magic depth. 1/2 oz. spoons are working on these fish. Last weekend Mike Stacy had a few hybrids trolling a DB 22. He didn't say where but I would look in the KK Island area.
CATFISH: Jugs are still working on the flats in about 8' of water. Chicken liver is the best bait. Most of the fish came on anchored jugs. Haven't heard anything on trot lines.

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek Marina are:
BASS: # 1
CRAPPIE: # 2
WHITES: # 3
CATFISH: # 4

Don't forget this Sat. is the Sterett Cteek Buddy Bass Tourn. It's open to everyone. Looks like the weather is going to be great. For info you can call the marina or send us an e-mail. That's it for this week from:
Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net

So till next week we bid you good fishin
Tommy

September 17, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek -

With the recent rains we have a little more color in the lake and also a little cooler water temp. The fishing here on Truman remains good with nice crappie, hybrids and a few good stringers of bass.

WATER LEVEL: 705.6
WATER TEMP: 74 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Light stain. The Osage still has a
big alga bloom.

BASS: This weekend we saw several good stringers of bass caught in the tourn. on the lake. The top water bite is still good on Pop R's and Zara puppys early and late. Fish the timbered flats in 2' to 6' of water. There are still fish holding on the points that can be caught on blue fleck worms and black and blue jigs. Tree rows in 6' to 12' of water are also producing fish. Here again worms are the best choice.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing remains real good with good stringers coming off tree rows in 8' to 20' of water. Minnows are the best bait. Start with your minnow on the bottom and start bringing it up to find depth of fish. 8' tree rows the fish seem to be holding rite off the bottom and in deeper water they have been 12' to 14' down. Steve Blake said he has been catching some good fish off the brush piles so this might be another area to look at.
HYBRIDS and WHITES: We have seen a few nice hybrids come in this week. Most of these fish are coming off the 4 1/2" chartreuse sassy shad. There has also been a few caught trolling magnum wiggle warts. Best areas are the dam, O 3, the airport and KK Island. Have heard of some whites coming off G 4 on spoons.
CATFISH: Jugs set at 8' and baited with livers and night crawlers on the flats have produced some nice cats this week. The Little Tebo flats seem to have some nice blues on them.
This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are:
Crappie: # 1
Bass: # 2
Hybrids: # 3
Catfish: # 4

Don't forget the Sterett Creek Buddy Bass Tourn on the 28th. of Sept. Entries are $50. plus $10. for big bass. You can call the marina for more info at 660-438-2280 or e-mail
at critter@dam.net .

Thats it for this week so from Sterett Creek Marina we bid you good fishing.
Tommy

September 17, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -
WATER LEVEL - 914.08   Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  81-84

Fishing has been tough, but it's picking up quite a bit this past week.  The smallmouths have started to move up from Hwy 86 bridge in Long Creek up to Campbell Point, to the mouth of the James River.  Smallmouths are being caught mainly on the bottom at 12'-18' on main lake gravel & rocky points, also on flats.  Almost anywhere you have caught the smallmouths in the Spring, you can find them there now.  They don't seem to be stacked up any certain place, you have to move around a lot.  Team Supreme jigs, in brown and purple working best for me.  Try 1/2 oz.- 3/4 oz. football jigs, same color, or put Chompers, Yamamoto or Team Supreme Venom, 4"-5" twin tailed grubs (greens, browns, watermelon colors) on the jig using a hopping action or dragging the jig works best.  Carolina rig will also work using the grubs mentioned above or French fry. 
I am also catching some Kentucky's on the same points, but a little deeper, around 20'-25', using the same baits.  The Kentucky's should start to move in, in better numbers shortly.  They are starting to bite some in the James River from Point #9- to Point #12, on the long flat points.
There have been some drop shot fish and spoon fish being caught in 18'-25', over deeper water-30'-80' in timber.  The best bite has been early, up until 10:00 am, then slows down.  The upper rivers have been off, but should pick up this week as the water cools down.

 PS... THE BOSTON CENTER BENEFIT  TOURNAMENT REGULARLY SCHEDULED FOR  SEPT. 15th, 2002 HAS BEEN MOVED TO OCTOBER 13th,  DUE TO CONFLICT WITH ANOTHER LARGE TOURNAMENT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL ME 417-538-2159

September 11, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek -
Everything is about the same as it was last week with the exception that the weather is a little cooler and the lake is a little lower. All and all the fishing is pretty good. We are starting to see more hybrids come in every evening. This would be a good time to take a youngster out to chase black bass because the little guys are really biting. Yesterday our fish cleaning station was busy all day with people cleaning crappie. So it looks like it would be a good time to hit the lake.

WATER LEVEL: 705.0
WATER TEMP: 85 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to lightly stained. Super for fishing.

BASS: Last night we had our final hog fight for the year and it was a good night. Doug and Ozzie Wallace won it with over 10 lbs. Not to bad for 2 1/2 hours of fishing. 2nd. went to Rick Wade and Emil Tally and 3rd.went to Tommy and Jim. I talked to all the guys when it was over and they all said they caught bunches of shorts.You can hit about any timbered point close to deep water with a worm and catch fish. Blue fleck seems to be working the best along with a black and blue jig. The best depth for us was about 9' it seems if we got any shallower than that we caught short fish. There is still a Pop R bite going on early and late on the wind blown flats in 1' to 3' of water. The way the fish are starting to act they are bunching up as they do in the fall but they have not pulled back in the creeks yet.
CRAPPIE: I just talked to Mary Zych and he said he had fish in Clear Creek yesterday. He is fishing the tree rows in 8' to 12' of water about 8' down with minnows. The Weises finished 2nd in the Yellow Freight tourn. yesterday and said they were fishing the lower end of Tebo with minnows. There are some algae blooms on the Osage in the power line area. If you stay on the outside tree rows you should do good on the crappie. Steve Blake said he had crappie off some brush piles in 12' of water so if you know where any of these are you might want to check them out.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: Like I said earlier we are starting to see more good hybrids come in every night. The 4 1/2" sassy shad in chartreuse seems to be the hot bait again. Fish have been coming from in front of the dam, Point O3, the airport and KK Island. Some of these fish are over deep water and you have to do about a 12 count down with the sassy shad to get them to hit. They are also up on some of the shallow humps in about 8' of water. Watch for the gulls.
CATFISH: Jugs on the flats set about 8' seems to be working the best for cats. Liver has been the hot bait this week. Haven't talked to anyone running lines this week.

This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek Marina are:
Crappie # 1
Hybrids # 2
Bass # 3

We will be holding our annual Sterett Creek Buddy Bass Tournament on Sept. 28. Anyone interested can either call the marina at 660-438-2280 or e-mail me at critter@dam.net. Everyone is welcome.

So until next week we bid you good fishing from Sterett Creek Marina.
Tommy

September 11, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -WATER LEVEL - 914.87   Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  85-88

Deep fish seem to be biting early. Fishing has been tougher this past week or so, water needs to cool more.  This is typical for Table Rock in the fall.   Most of the fish are coming from 25'-30', suspended over tree tops in 50'-60'.  I have been drop shotting finesse worms or jigging chrome or white spoons.  I haven't found one area to be any better on the deep bite.  The water color is about the same all over the lake.  I've had more reports from the Dam and Indian Point area that they are catching mostly smallmouths and Kentucky's on 3/4 oz football jigs tipped with twin tailed grubs in 25'-35' on the bottom, on main lake gravel points.  You can catch a few fish on spinnerbaits early on chunk rock banks in the creeks, bite seems to end when the sun gets ups.  If it ever cools down, like the weather men are saying it will....this should help the spinnerbait bite in cedars work better throughout the lake.
The James River, Flat Creek, & Long Creek have been the most consistent, fishing 1/4 oz. Team Supreme jigs in Brown & Black, also tubes, or Texas rigged worms.  Fish the channel swings & bluffs in the upper ends of the rivers, also try spinnerbaits and small crankbaits in the same areas.

 PS... THE BOSTON CENTER BENEFIT  TOURNAMENT REGULARLY SCHEDULED FOR  SEPT. 15th, 2002 HAS BEEN MOVED TO OCTOBER 13th,  DUE TO CONFLICT WITH ANOTHER LARGE TOURNAMENT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL ME 417-538-2159

August 28, 2002 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -

WATER LEVEL - 915.62   Normal Pool 915'  
WATER TEMP.  84-90

The past few nights have been cooling down, dropping the water temperature.  It's time to start throwing a spinnerbait.  Fish chunk rock points on the main lake w/tandem willow leaf blades in 3/8 or 1/2 oz. Fish the bluff ends, cuts, and rockslide area in the bluffs with spinnerbaits. Also try some crankbaits  that run 5'-12' deep. like Deep Little'ns, magnum wigglewarts, in crawdad colors or shad patterns.  Some fish are being caught on spinnerbaits out of cedar tops, 1'-3' deep over 15'-20', on main lake points and points in the major creeks.  If the nights stay cool these patterns should only get better.

Deep fish are being caught though out the lake at 35'-45' on the bottom off main lake points and flats.  Fish 3/4 oz football jigs, brown or brown & purple, tipped with Team Supreme Venom 4" twin tailed grubs.  Also, Carolina rig with Team Supreme tournament fries, lizards, & the twin tailed grubs.

For some shallow water action, go up one of the rivers about as far as you can go.. The Upper James, Flat Creek, Long Creek, Big & Little Indian, w/ the James producing the best.  Fish deep Little'ns or Bombers 7A on channel swings, until water gets over 15' deep, then switch to a Fat free Shad, also try spinnerbaits early, fish any visible laydowns on channel side with  tubes, & jigs.  I use the Team Supreme Tournament tubes, and for the jigs I use the tournament series 1/4 oz. rage jig, tipped with critter craws.

PS... THE BOSTON CENTER BENEFIT  TOURNAMENT REGULARLY SCHEDULED FOR
 SEPT. 15th, 2002 HAS BEEN MOVED TO OCTOBER 13th,
DUE TO CONFLICT WITH ANOTHER LARGE TOURNAMENT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL ME 417-538-2159

August 28, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - If you coming to the lake this weekend or for that matter going anywhere please drive careful. There is always a big onset of traffic on holiday weekends plus the deer are starting to move in the evenings. Keep an eye out and if you see a big one let me know, bow season is only a month away.

WATER LEVEL: 705.80
WATER TEMP: 82deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to a light stained. All arms are very fishable.

BASS: The bass fishing remains the same as last week. There is a top water bite early and late on the flats. Pop R's seem to be the best top water rite now. 3' to 5' of water on the back sides of points has been producing some fish. The suspended bite is still working with blue worms and black and blue jigs in 8' to 20' of water on the isolated tree rows. There are also some fish being caught on main lake points with worms and jig and frog. Deep water close by is a big plus on the point fishing. We did hear of a few fish being caught in the waybacks of the creeks on Rat L Traps but there was a lot of small fish.
CRAPPIE: Its the hottest bite going on Truman rite now. We have seen lots of limits and lots of good sized fish this week. The outside tree rows on the edge of the flats in 12' to 20' of water seems to be doing the best. Minnows by far is the best bait. People are starting to catch 4 or 5 good fish off of one tree. Seems a little early but maybe the crappie are starting to bunch up on a fall pattern. Heard of good fish from Finny Creek to the Long Shoal bridge, In Clear Creek and in the Ed's Camp area on the Osage. Don't be afraid to fish tree rows in 6' to 12' of water sometimes these will hold good fish.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: We are starting to see more and more better hybrids again. They have been surfacing during the day from the KK Island area to the Shawnee Bend boat ramp. Hawg Sticks and Pop R's are the best bait for surfacing fish. There has also been some nice fish caught in around KK on spoons. Steve Blake and Larry Wright did a video this week and caught some real nice fish in this area.
CATFISH: Jug lines have been doing real good in the KK area. Steve said to set stages at about 8' and drift them on the Osage Bluff side of the island. Cut shad is the best bait.

This weeks ratings from Sterett Creek are:
Crappie: # 1
Whites and Hybrids: # 2
BASS: # 3
Catfish: # 4
That's about it from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Have a nice Holiday and we bid you good fishing.
Tommy

August 25, 2002 - Truman - Spent a great day with Steve Blake -Guide out of Sterett Creek Marina Sat. We Boated over 100 fish. Only kept a limit of Crappie and about 40 Whites. Boated 1 Striper 8.6 lb. Steve hooked it but gave the rod to my daughter to land the fish. It was a very nice thing to do and made her day real special. Fish we boated were on the flats and humps out in the open water never fished the banks. Steve knows his business and kept us on fish all day. Crappie hit minnows right on the bottom or right above brush on humps or drop offs Whits were on sidesof drop offs or channels right on the bottom. If you want to have a great day on the lake and catch some fish call Steve Blake at Sterett Creek and go have a great day like we did.Looking for you on the water best of luck. Skeeter Driver

August 23, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Fred Baraks Guide Service
Water Temp: low to mid 80's
Water Color: Good all over lower end clear upper arms stained to murky
Lake ele: 706 Generating some in the afternoons and evenings
Bass: Fair to Good
Still lot of different patterns working, but getting them to work two
days in a row isthe problem. Still top water bite early and late on the
flat banks with cover,Chug Rollers,Orig. Hi- Roller seem to be better
than buzzbaits except in the stained to murky water. Still a suspended
bite ,but catch them one day and not the next,calm days or protected
areas from the wind, best time and places, I still favor the camoflage
Larew 11 inch worm. Flats in the stained to murky water above Bucksaw,
Talley Bend, above Windsor crossing and etc. seem to be producing the
most consistant, variety o baits have been working depends on who you
talk to, minus one's, Bagley B,s,spinnerbaits,tubes Jigs, put the
trolling motor down and start fishing 2-6 foot. Had some really good
fish on deep crankbaits in the lower lake last Saturday on humps and
ledges, but they weren't there Sunday,haven't tried them since,but it's
something to look at cause when they are biting, the are generally good
fish.Had fish on big Tandem spinnerbait up one of the major arms
Wednesday, went back and tried them yesterday and nothing conditions
appeared the same, probrably bit deep cranking yesterday, Ha Ha. Long
reportfishing very unpredictable,I'd say best thing is stay on the flats
and cover a lot of water,will usually put some keepers in the boat.
Crappie: Still about the same, flats in the stained water, bluffs still
on the lower lake,still pretty much on their summer patterns. There are
some starting to move back in the creeks, good rule of thumb watch for
some shad activity.
Whites and hybrids: We're on a full moon , so it's a good time for the
big hybrids, evening are best time, as they are generating and helps
bunch them on there usual haunts. Humps and ridge's from in front of
Osage Bluff to KK Island would be my first choice,and probrably second
would be G 10 in the Grand, spoons and trolling and have your Hi-Roller
ready if they come to the surface. Depth for the spoons are 14-20 foot.
Catfish: Jug gers are still catching in the KK Island area,about 10-15
foot down, shad still seems to be bait of choice. Trotliners should be
setting up in the mouths of the creeks and the coves. With the recent
rains, they.ve been spotty, but if anarea gets enough to make the creeks
run some water, get your rod and reels and a can of worms and get in the
back and fish right in the channels,keep moving until you find them, if
there's much runoff they'll be in there.
Walleye: I think we need some from our new hatchery ,heard several
lake's that were getting them, but didn't hereTRUMAN mentioned,wonder
why?
Please Pick up the 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

http://www.bassnedge.com/baraks
E-Mail: fbaraks@bassnedge.com

August 21, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - Everything here on Truman is about the same as it was last week with the exception that the water has cooled off a little.
We have seen a few nice crappie and some nice bass his week. The early morning and late evening bite seems to be the time to be on the water so come and enjoy.

LAKE LEVEL: 706.02
WATER TEMP: 81 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to a light stain. All arms are
very fishable.

BASS: There are three patterns of interest this week. Top water early and late on the flats. Fish are in 3' to 6' of water.Having deep water is the key. Pop R and Zara Spook are the two best baits. There is still a good suspended bite going on the outside tree rows at the end of the flats. Fish seem to be holding about 6' down. Blue 9" worms worked good last nite along with a black and blue jig. There are also some fish holding on points. Here again the jig and worm seem to be the best baits. Points with a channel butting up on one side are best. These fish are holding in 6' to 12' of water.
CRAPPIE: Here again the crappie fishing is the same as last week. There are still suspended fish on the outside tree rows in 15' to 20' of water. Fish a minnow down about 7'. If you see a good looking tree row in 8' to 10' stop and try it. Marty Zych said he had some real good fish up shallower. He also said he was catching some drum in these areas. Haven't heard much on the bluff fish this week but I'm sure they are still there.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: Jerry Coose has been catching one nice hybrid about every nite. Most are coming on a 4 1/2" chartreuse sassy shad with a 1/2 oz. head. Little Pommie flats seem to be the best place to look. There were some whites caught in the KK island area this week. It was a combination of spoons and sassy shad. Most of the activity was on the south side of the island..
CATFISH: Trot lines are doing good on 2lb. to 3lb. cats. Cut shad seems to be the best bait. Lines set in about 8' of water are producing the best in this area. Haven't heard anything on jugs this week.

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

Thetas it from Sterett Creek Marina for this week. Please remember that our schools have started and to watch out for the bus traffic.during the week.
So from Srerett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
We bid you good fishing.
Tommy


August 14, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - The fishing here on Truman remains the same as last week with the exception of catfish, trotlines have really started picking up. Have seen several nice bunches of cats this week. The rain did not affect the lake that much and the cooler weather makes it very enjoyable to spend a day on the water.

LAKE LEVEL: 706.02
WATER TEMP: 86 deg.
WATER CLARITY: All arms clear to lightly stained. Very fishable.

BASS: Last Sunday in the Team Supreme tourn. it took over 20 lbs.to win so I would say that the bass fishing is not to bad. There were several limits of fish weighed in. Buzz baits and Zara Spooks are working early and late. Black seems to be the best color. Fish are coming shallow on the flats, 1' to 5' of water. The suspended bite is also still working. 12' to 20' of water with the fish hanging in 4' to 8'.10" worms seem to be the best but a black and blue jig will also work. Best color on worms are plum and watermelon. There is also a point bite starting on the Pommi arm. Points with deep water close by are working the best. Here again worms and jigs are the top producers.
CRAPPIE: Same as last week. Outside tree rows in 17' to 20' of water with the fish hanging in 8' to 12'. Minnows are the best bait. The Grand arm is producing some nice stringers from the eagles nest to the power line above Bucksaw. The Berry Bend area is also producing some nice fish.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: Have seen a few nice hybrids this week. Most of these were taken on 4 1/2" chartreuse sassy shad. The KK Island area is the best area rite now. There are also whites working the same area on spoons. There is still surface activity but the fish aren't staying up long. The guys are hitting the area with sassy shad and spoons after the fish go down.
CATFISH: Trot lines are starting to go good this week. Sets are in 6' to 10' of water on the edge of the flats. Chicken liver and hearts along with cut shad are working the best. Little Tebo in the bridge area has been producing some nice fish.

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

August 9, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Fred Baraks Guide Service
Water Temp. Low to mid 80's
Water Color: Clear to colored upper arms, lot of algae in the water,
wind will put some color in areas that may be clear
Lake ele.: 705.8
Bass: fair to good
Catch them on one pattern one day and probrably different the next.
Still fish on some points on Carolina rig or worms 5-12 foot deep, fish
using points seem to want some deeper water close by or a defined break.
New tube worm by Gene Larew in 6 in size watermelon red, junebug color
been catching some fish on a rig , this worm will float most 2/0 hooks
which makes great on a rig keeps it up off the bottom. Worm color has
been red shad or something with some blue or purple, been catching
better fish on new 8 inch Gene Larew, more bites on the smaller worms
but quality is better with the bigger worm. Also try main lake flats
with lot of cover and start flipping or pitching a jig and chunk or 11
inch worm 4-8 foot deep or shallower early or when your in the dirtier
water, mid Grand mid Osage have probrably been most productive. There is
also a suspended bite in the lower lake, 11 in worm most productive, not
a lot of bites but will usually be a good fish, camoflage has been my
favorite color for the suspended bite. Some days good bite others very
slow. Cedars, locust, thicker trees seem to be best. Most bites will be
10 foot or less in15 or more foot of water. Flats or trees along the
channels in the bigger creeks. Topwater bite is like the rest one day
good next day bad. Look for flats with stumps or lot of cover. Long
report means you got to be doing the right thing at the right place at
the right time with the right bait. One thing that seems to be a key is
having shad in the area you are fishing. Fishing shallow look for bait
on the top, fishing points, watch your electronics.
Crappie: Haven't been, but have been hearing some good reports. Mid to
upper Grand and Osage on the flats fishing tree rows. Try 6-10 foot deep
in 10-25 foot of water, keep moving, long rods workng best, minnows
still best bet. Lower lake, bluffs have been producing well about 15
foot deep, cedars are doing the best.
Whites and Hybrids: Evenings and from about 8 till 11 in the morning
seem to be best times. Keep a Hi-roller, something in shad color, tied
on for the hybrids as they can come up any time. Spoons are working
better as more fish are starting to use the humps,14 -18 foot is where
I've been catching most of them. If the hybrids come up and go down have
a sassy shad ready on a 1/2 or 3/4 oz head,cast it out and count it down
about 10-15 and start an erractic retrieve, they will usually stay in
the area where they came up for a while , if they come up in 18 foot of
water or less the spoon will also catch them, the 1/2 oz hawg jaw is
still the best all around size, Saturday and Sunday also caught a lot of
catfish on the spoons mixed in with the whites up to 15 #. Front of
Osage Bluff cove to KK Island is the hot spot the past wek or two, also
in front of the swimming beach towards the lake at Shawnee bend
especially in the evenings, lot of the other hotspots should be starting
to work also.
Walleye: Haven't heard much about them I haven't seen any.
Catfish: Same areas as the whites, jugs or drifting with fresh shad,
about 15 foot deep. Trotlines same areas and run you lines about 10 foot
down. Look for the shad on your electronics.
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

http://www.bassnedge.com/baraks
E-Mail: fbaraks@bassnedge.com

August 7, 2002 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek -
With this little break in the weather and the start of State Fair it's time to beat the crowd and come to Truman for some fine summer fishing. We have seen some real nice crappie this week and the whites are starting to get going in the evenings.

LAKE LEVEL: 705.90
WATER TEMP: 88 deg.
WATER CLARITY: All arms clear to lightly stained.

BASS: The bass fishing here on Truman is like the weather, hot and cool. The susspended bite is still working. Fish 8' to 20' of water on the outside tree rows or isolated patches of timber on the edge of the flats. 10" worms or 3/8 oz. jigs are the best choice. In 8' to 12' fish the root wads at the bottom of the trees deeper than that swim the bait through the tree tops at about 4'. There is also a top water bite in the evenings. Buzz baits have started to produce fish in the 2' to 5' range. The steeper banks seem to work good for the buzzers.
CRAPPIE: The crappie are on the summer pattern big time. We have seen several good fish brought in this week. Minnows fished in the tree rows on the edge of the flats in 15' to 20' of water is you best bet. If you see a good looking tree row comming out off the bank in shallower water don't be afraid to fish it. Also there has been some good fish taken off the bluff banks. The big thing to remember when fishing the summer pattern is to keep moving.
WHITES: Sounds like the best place to fish whites is around the KK Island area. Good sized whites and a couple of real nice hybrids were brought in by Jerry Coose and Wade Orick this week. The hybrid weighed 10 1/2 lbs. Most of these fish were caught on chartruse shassy shad with 1/2 oz. heads. There are also some jigging spoon wish in that area ans also out in front of the Shannee Bend boat ramp. The small spoons seem to be working the best. The hybrids are still surfacing but they are here ,there and yonder. You might want to pay attention to the Point 0 3 area, there has been some big fish blowing up on the west side of the lake in the afternoon.
CATFISH: Trot lines are still producing some fish. The upper end of Little Tebo seems to be the hot spot rite now. These are shallow set lines and chicken liver seems to be the best bait. Fish the flats in about 6' of water with floating sets. Stages set 16" seem to be working the best. Seems like the plate size fish are feeding pretty good in this area.

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

That about wraps it up for this week. Remember when traveling this week that State Fair is starting and there is going to be allot of extra trallic in the Sedalia area, so please drive carefully. So untill next week we bid you good fishing from, Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net

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