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Copyright 1999-2004

50 years in Wichita

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May 26, 2004 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek -
The holiday is over and the fishing was good even though the weather wasn't. The NOAA called for storms all weekend but luckily they all went around us. We had just enough rain to keep things interesting. Lots of nice whites and hybrids were brought in. I talked to Marty Zych and he said he had good crappie a couple of days last week. The bass fishing is not to bad and the cat fishing is good.
This week they are calling for great weather and the COE is still running water so it should be a god week of fishing.
 
LAKE LEVEL:         707.14
WATER TEMP:        73 deg.
WATER CLARITY:  Stained to dirty on the Grand. The dam area is very fishable. Big Tebo has a heavy stain to Clear Creek. The Osage is in real good shape along with Pommie.
 
BASS: The bass fishing here on Truman is interesting to say the least. Last night we caught fish on worms, jigs and top water, and missed fish on all the same. The main common denominator is that the fish were all on points. There are lots of short fish being caught right now. Kenny Mason and Randy James won the Hawg Fights last night with 6.78 lbs. They also had big bass weighing 5.00 lbs. 2 nd. was Dave Bradon and John Kruger with 5.49 lbs.
3 rd. went to Mike Friend and Carl Shipman with 2.36 lbs. Most of the other boats had 1 keeper and a bunch of shorts. The best bite right now seems to be main lake points in 4' to 8' of water. Blue or red worms are working along with PB&J jigs or black and blue jigs. Top water is picking up every day. Pop R's and buzz baits are the best bet. The points need to have timber and be fairly close to deep water.
CRAPPIE: The crappie are on a couple of different patterns now. There has been lots of crappie caught in front of the dam using drop shots and minnows. These fish are in about 16' of water. Cedars on the flats are also producing fish in 8' to 12' of water using minnows. Then there is the old stand by of the outside tree rows on the edge of the flats in 20' of water fishing minnows 10' deep.
WHITES: We saw a lot of good hybrids this weekend. Most of the fish came from the dam area. The 4" sassy shad seemed to be the top producer. Spoons were also working in the same area. Fish are still holding on the wier in about 15' of water.  KK island is another spot that is holding fish. Trolling deep diving crank baits took a lot of fish this week.
CATFISH: Jugs on the flats in 15' of water with 10' stages using leeches or hot dogs is working. Also shallow set floating trot lines in 5' to 6' of water using 12" stages baited with leeches or perch are starting to pick up some flats.
 
This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek Marina are:
Whites & Hybrids:          # 1
Bass:                               # 2
Crappie:                          # 3
 
Thats it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
                                                 660-438-2280
                                                critter@dam.net
So till next week we bid you good fishing.
                         Tommy
 
June 1, 2004 - Table Rock Lake - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -   

WATER LEVEL - 915.90  Normal Pool 915'  
JAMES RIVER  Upper 76-81 
 MAIN LAKE  76-79

Most of the deep summer patterns are starting to produce fish on the main lake and mid river areas.  Fish are 28'-40' deep on main lake gravel flats and points, on bottom or just a few feet off bottom.  I'm also catching some fish suspended at 25'-35' over 50'-80' over submerged timber.  Bottom fish can be caught on 3/4 oz. football jigs tipped with twin tailed grubs, on Carolina rigged Chompers, Team Supreme Tournament French fries, Brush hogs, or lizards in green pumpkin, watermelon, or pumpkin colors.  Try 3/4 oz chrome or white jigging spoons.  Drop shot rigged 4" worms in browns or greens, or shad colored have worked best for me, will catch fish on bottom or suspended.  There have been some fish schooling early and late in the day.  Jointed Rapala's, Red Fins, or Spooks-chrome/black, or Smoky Joe colors.

James River

Mid river patterns are the same as above in the Main lake areas, except the further up river you go the fish will be shallower.  Drop shot & football jig fish have been 20'-30'.  Try Carolina rigging and deep crankbaits on main river flats and humps in 12'-20'/  I'm using DT 16's, Fat Free shads & DD-22's.  I'm also catching some fish on Texas rigged worms, tubes & 5/16b jigs fishing channel swings in the upper river and Flat Creek at 3'-10' deep.  Same patterns should also work in the Long Creek Arm and Kings River.

May 26, 2004 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - Wet and wild would be one way to describe Truman this week. Yesterday we had 2.5" of rain and it dampened the spirts of the anglers but the fish did not seem to mind. The lake did dirty up a little but there is still plenty of good water to fish. Grand River is dirty, the Osage is stained but fishable. Big Tebo in the Clear Creek area is very fishable along with all of Little Tebo. The dam area is still very good. The white bass and hybrid fishing is great. Black bass fishing is good and the crappie are a little slow. I don't usually put anything in the report about bluegill but this week I will for a reason, they are on the beds. The bass fishermen will pick up on this real quick.
 
LAKE LEVEL:            708.88
WATER TEMP:          72 deg.
WATER CLARITY:    Stained to dirty
 
BASS: The bass fishing on Truman remains good. Last night in the Hawg fights even though the weather was lousy Chris Fanning and Gary Jones took home the honors with a winning stringer of 10.81 lbs. they also had big bass at 3.75 lbs. Danny Johnson and Skunkie came in second with 9.43 lbs. Jim and I came in third with 4.66 lbs. There was a good top water bite going on. Pop R's fished next to flooded brush on the flats next to deep water worked real well. Also buzz baits fished in the flooded grass was a good bite. Jigs and big worms fished in 12' to 15' of water next to breaks is starting to work. The spawned out females are starting to get active again in this type of area.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing has been a little slow this week. The best way to put it is the fishermen are a little slow. With the way the whites and hybrids are biting most of the people are chasing them instead of crappie. The crappie are on the summer pattern. Fish the outside tree rows in 20' of water about 12' deep with minnows. You can also catch fish on the bluffs out of 30' to 35' of water with minnows fished 20' deep.
WHITES and HYBRIDS: 4" sassy shad is the ticket. This week we have seen a bunch of good hybrids. The dam area seems to be the hottest spot right now. There are also fish coming off the cemetery in Little Tebo. Watch for surfacing fish. I saw whites on top last night in Little Tebo. Jigging spoons are also working on the whites. There are a lot of fish holding in 16' to 20' of water.
CATFISH: Trot lines set shallow in 5' to 6' of water baited with leeches seems to be working the best right now. Set you stages at about 12". Cut shad will also work but the turtles will steal a lot of bait. Jugs are still working on the flats set about 10', heard a rumor hot dogs were working.
 
 Thats it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
                                                  660-438-2280
                                                  critter@dam.net
If you are out and about this weekend please drive carefull on and off the water. We want everyone to enjoy and have a safe holiday.
 
 With that I bid you good fishin.
                Tommy

May 19, 2004 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - It's a good thing the fishing is better than the weather here at the lakes area. Last night we had another inch of rain, about all it did was get everything soaked up again but the lake is still in really good shape. With the extra water maybe the COE will keep running it and the whites and hybrids will keep going. We are starting to see some really nice sized fish come in. Even though they are calling for nice weather the rest of the week you might want to keep a rain coat in the boat.
 
LAKE LEVEL:         708.
WATER TEMP:        68 deg.
WATER CLARITY:  Stained
 
BASS: The bass fishing here at Truman remains good. Team Supreme went out of here Sunday and it took just under 16lbs. to win. Last night in the Hawg Fights Danny Johnson and Paul Scott took the honors with a stringer weighing 9.47lbs. Jim Lehares and I took 2nd place with 8.99 lbs, and big bass weighing 5.70lbs. Third went to Doug and Ozzie Wallace with 7.33lbs. This week there are several patterns going as was last week. Our fish came off main lake points in 6' to 12' of water on P&B jig and frog. For what it is worth we did catch some worm fish shallower. There was a top water bite back in the coves in the shallow water on buzz baits and Pop R's. The brush hog bite is still working in the nitches in 2' to 3' of water. The top colors were P&J and watermelon red.
CRAPPIE: The crappie are well on their way to being on the summer pattern. There are fish coming off the tree rows on the edge of the flats out of 17' to 20' of water. Fish minnows about 7' down. There are also fish being caught off the bluffs in 40' of water fishing minnows 25' down. Also try drop shotting with minnows in front of the dam. Seems most fish are holding in 20' of water.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: The white and hybrid fishing remains good. We have been seeing some big hybrids brought in this week. Most of the big fish have been caught trolling. 4" sassy shad on 3/4oz. to 1oz. heads have been working early and late. Wiggle warts have been the top producer. Spoons are working on the humps. The wier, KK Island and the cemetery are some of the top spots.
I have heard of a few whites surfacing so you might want to have a rooster tail handy.
CATFISH: Jugs are still the top producer. Set stages about 10' and bait with leeches. Fish seem to be holding on the flats in about 20' of water. We will have a catfish report next week.
 
This weeks rankings from Sterett Creek are:
 Whites & hybrids:      # 1
 Bass:                          # 2
 Crappie:                     # 3
 
Thats it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
                                                 660-438-2280
                                                critter@dam.net
With that we bid you good fishin
                Tommy

May 12, 2004 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - Last weekends weather kind of put a damper on the fishing. We saw a lot of whites and some small hybrids come in but the crappie and bass slowed up. The COE pulled water on Sat. which made the white bass fishing really good. Guide Steve Blake came in with limits of crappie both days. Seems the crappie have decided to move to the summer pattern and most folks didn't pick up on it. The bass fishing has picked up drastically. There is a good bite starting now. We even had a few walleye caught last weekend so I was told, they didn't share so I guess we will have to believe them.
 
LAKE LEVEL:          707.
WATER TEMP:         67 deg.
WATER CLARITY:   Stained but very fishable.
 
BASS: The bass fishing here on Truman is really starting to pick up. We have fish in all stages of the spawn. Last night in the hawg fights we weighed lots of fish and heard stories of lots of good fish that got off. 1st place went to Kenny Mason and Randy James with a 6 fish limit weighing 11.94 lbs. 2nd. place went to Clint Rayburn and Jerry Lewis with 9.90 lbs. 3rd. went to Tom Novinska and Jim Lehares with 9.34 lbs. and big bass weighing 4.66. 4th. went to Steve Blake and Randy Blockett with 6.33lbs. Fish were caught off several different patterns. The jig and frog seemed to be the predominant bait. Brush Hogs and lizards also took a number of fish. Jigs in P&J and Black and Blue were the to best colors. Brush hogs in watermelon red and P & J  headed the list. Some fish were taken on the bank out of a foot of water on the points. Main lake points are starting to produce good fish. The jig bit was in 6' of water with a good break close by. Don't be afraid to start fishing road beds and shallow water structure. Buzz baits and Zara Spooks are starting to catch fish on the flats in the creeks. Like I said there are a lot of patterns working now.
CRAPPIE: The fish in our area have finished spawning and are starting to move to the summer pattern. Fish 17' to 20' of water with a minnow about 7' down. Hit a tree and keep moving. The areas you should concentrate on are the out side tree rows on the edge of the flats. Now I'm sure there are still a few fish on the banks but I think you will find that these will be small males.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: When the COE runs water the white bass fishing is really good. Jigging spoons in 16' of water is the best bet. The wier and KK Island are two of the better areas. There has been fish caught off of O 3 also. It wouldn't hurt to have a hog stick tied on for any surfacing hybrids.
CATFISH: Jugs are still working on the flats with stages set about 10'. Shad sides and leeches are the two best baits. Floating trot lines set in 5' of water with 12" stages baited with leeches are also starting.
 
This weeks ratings from Sterett Creek Marina are:
  Whiites:          # 1
  Bass:              # 2
  Crappie:        # 3
 
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
                                               660-438-2280
                                               critter@dam.net
With that we bid you good fishing
                 Tommy

May 5, 2004 - Table Rock Lake - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -
WATER LEVEL - 920.67  Normal Pool 915'  
JAMES RIVER  Upper 59-65
 MAIN LAKE  58-62

Main Lake, Kimberling City, Baxter, & Campbell Point~
Post spawn Kentucky's are moving out on the gravel points-main lake and secondary and pockets from Baxter to Shell Knob.  You can find them anywhere from 5'-20' deep.  I'm catching them on split shot and Carolina rigs with 4" worms, lizards & baby brush hogs.  Also try 1/2 oz. or 3/4 oz. football jigs with twin tailed Chompers.  The best colors have been green pumpkin/watermelon red. I am not catching as many Kentucky's from Baxter to the Dam area, but  more small mouths.  Still catching some quality small mouths on split shot rigs, tubes and grubs fished 10'-20' deep around gravel points and pockets on the main lake.  Try going into the backs of the creek arms, in the steeper pockets and fish the 45 degree banks towards the backs and throw Senco's and split shot rigs out in front of the bushes.

James River

A lot of Kentucky's hare done spawning here also and have moved out onto gravel points-main lake and secondary points.  I am fishing the same depths as the main lake and using the same baits, but in the colored water I am dipping the tails with chartreuse Dip & Dye.  Lots of  buck brush & bushes in the water with the water level slowly dropping.  Look for the flipping bite to get more consistent.  Start keying in on the outside bushes.  Some fish are also being caught on Senco's & flukes fished around shallow cover.

 I haven't found much of a top water bite anywhere on the lake.  Look for this to also get better soon also.  As more fish get done spawning and move out over submerged timber to feed and rest up.  Good Luck!!

May 5, 2004 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - I'm not quite sure but I think the weather is finally going to straighten out here at the lake. It seems it has been either cold or raining. This week has started out real nice and they tell us its going to get even better. The weather man is calling for it to be in the 80's the rest of the week and no rain in sight. The lake is clearing up very nicely and we should have a real good week of fishing. We have been seeing a lot of people at the cleaning table so this could be the start of some really good things.
 
 LAKE LEVEL:           709.25
 WATER TEMP:         64 deg.
 WATER CLARITY:   STAINED to Clear
 
BASS: Well at least this week it wasn't a one fish tourn. Last night in the Hawg Fights it took 9.45 lbs. Terry Close and Chris Fanning taking home the honors. 2nd. place went to Larry (the legend in his own mind) Wright and Ron (super guide) Taddekin with a 7.07 stringer. Third went to Randy James and Kenny Mason with 4.56 lbs. The lizard bite is still good along with the brush hog. These fish are rite up on the bank. Larry said they were in the flooded grass and you should have been able to see their backs out of the water. P & B and watermelon red are two of the top colors. There were some fish caught on buzz baits also. These fish were in the grass also. Best spots to look are in the nitches back in the creeks. It helps to have some deep water close by. With the COE pulling water the way the have been there is also a good bite on the secondary points. Jig and frog in black and blue or a crowded colored crank bait is workihg on these points.
CRAPPIE: We still have some bedding crappie in our area. These fish are hitting road runners and tube jigs with a bobber set about 16" deep. Any color with chartreuse in it has been working on the tubes and the white road runners. The fish seem to be spawning in about 3' of water in the nitches in the coves. Look for pea gravel.
WHITES & HYBRIDS:  The white bass fishing has been really good. We are seeing good sized whites and it doesn't take long to get a limit. 3/4 oz. spoons are working the best. The whites are in all of the regular spots. Here again with the COE running water the wier is one of the hot spots on the lake. The cemetery is also producing lots of fish. 16' on the humps has been the depth to fish.
CATFISH: Catfish are still hitting jugs set about 10' Leeches and cut shad are the two best baits. Remember that if your jugs aren't anchored you have to stay with them.
 
This weeks ratings from Sterett Creek are:
 Whites:        # 1
 Crappie:     # 2
 Bass           # 3
 
 That's going to do it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
                                                                        660-438-2280
                                                                       critter@dam.net
With that we bid you good fishing.
               Tommy

April 28, 2004 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - This weeks fishing report is going to be pretty confusing but if you add in all the factors the fishing here on Truman is good. The fishing is good but the weather is hard to contend with. Today the wind is supposed to blow 30 mph. so you can bet the fishing is going to be tough. But lets go back to the weekend to explain why we are doing what we are doing. We had 2"+ of rain last Sat. with up to 6" to 8" around us so this brought the lake up about 4' in just a few days. The crappie were starting to bed fairly well. I don't think they moved they just ended up with 4 extra feet of water on them. So needless to say that slowed them up a little. Yesterday the COE caught up with the water and  this morning it is starting to drop. We did have lots of people cleaning crappie yesterday. So for the rest of the week I think the fishing will do nothing but get better. I was going to save this for last but its kind of neat so here it is. The whites are in. 
 
LAKE LEVEL:        709.97 
WATER TEMP:       63 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Stained.
 
BASS: What a difference a few hours can make. Sat. we had the Concord Village Lions Fish for Sight Tourn. out. They had 281 boats and it took just over 16lbs. to win. Two fish weighed over 8lbs. One 8.25 and the other 8.19. Sunday Media Bass went out and brought in over 20lbs. Now you have to remember that both these days the lake was on a rise. Last night in the Hawg Fights it took one fish weighing 4.24lbs. to win and also take big bass. Terry Close and Chris Fanning took 1st. Second went to me and Jim Lahares with 3.84. 3rd. went to Eddie Stephens and Nick Fortner with 3.47. The lake started falling about the time we started fishing and it got really tough. Most of the fish are coming on black and blue jigs about 1/2 way back in the coves out of the nitches. 5' of water seems to be the best depth. The lizard and baby brush hog in peanut butter and jelly in the same areas is also working. There is also a buzz bait bite starting on the flats next to deep water. Black is the best color. Allot of the bucks are starting to come up and look for nesting areas. The better females are laying out in a little deeper water. The bass fishing will do nothing but get better the rest of the week.
CRAPPIE: We still have allot of crappie in our area that have not spawned yet. This weekend with the full moon and warm temps. should get these fish really going. Jigs fished with a bobber set about 18" or roadrunners fished in the main lake nitches will produce spawn fish.Most of the fish are coming from about 5' of water. In the upper arms of the lake I have had reports of fish being on the summer pattern already. Fish the outside tree rows on the edge of the flats with minnows about 7' deep.
 WHITES and HYBRIDS: Jigging spoons in 16' of water. Cemetery is hot. Mike Stacy from St. Louis had hybrids blowing up on him Sat night. I'm sure that if the fish are on the cemetery they will be on the weir and KK Island. These have been really good sized whites. This would be a good time to get the kids into some fast action.
CATFISH: Jugs are still working . !0' on the flats. Cut shad and leeches are doing the job. Yes the leeches are in.
 
This weeks ratings from Sterett Creek are:
  Crappie:         # 1
  Whites:           # 2
  Bass:              # 3
 
 That will do it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
                                                            660-438-2280
                                                            critter@dam.net
So until next week we bid you good fishing.
                             Tommy
 
April 26, 2004 - Table Rock Lake - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -
WATER LEVEL - 920.50  Normal Pool 915'  
JAMES RIVER  Upper 58-63
 MAIN LAKE  58-62

Lake has risen 7' over the past three days and still rising.  Fish are trying to spawn all over the lake and with the rising water they will move up to spawn.  Hopefully they will either pull it down fast or maintain a constant level, as it would be best for the to spawn.

Fish should be able to be caught flipping the buck brush, willow trees and submerged bushes.  Try tube baits, Texas rigged brush hogs, or Team Supreme or Eakins jigs, colors will depend on water clarity.  If the area you are fishing is muddy or stained try black or blue colors, for the clearer water try green pumpkin, or watermelon.

This past week has been great for me for Smallmouth fishing from the Hwy 86 bridge, Long Creek, Dam, Kimberling City, Baxter and Campbell Point.  Anywhere where the water is fairly clear.  Fish have been from 5'-15' deep on main lake gravel points.  Even after the lake level rising and all the rain they are still biting good for us.  Sunday we used Carolina rigs, split shot rigs, or Texas rigged tubes, also try 4" finesse worms fished on 1/8 or 1/4 oz sliders heads, browns and greens working best for me.

Fish are biting on such a variety of baits, hard to list all of them.  Try jointed Rapalas, Red-fins, or spooks early, or when cloudy.  Fish over main lake and secondary points over submerged timber.  I have also been catching some topwater fish in spawning coves shallow-3'to 8' deep over the top of bedding fish.  A few fish being caught on buzzbaits early and spinnerbaits on windy, cloudy, & rainy days-which we have had a lot of these past weeks.

The main lake areas in the clearer water have been producing best for me, but watch out for the James, Long Creek, & Kings River are due to turn on anytime, it just depends on how muddy they get from the run off.  These areas will warm up alot more than the rest of the lake.  Also try floating worms, Sencos, & flukes around all the newly submerged bushes.  Good Luck

April 21, 2004 - Table Rock Lake - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -

WATER LEVEL - 920.50 Normal Pool 915'
JAMES RIVER Upper 58-63
MAIN LAKE 58-62

Lake has risen 7' over the past three days and still rising. Fish are trying to spawn all over the lake and with the rising water they will move up to spawn. Hopefully they will either pull it down fast or maintain a constant level, as it would be best for the to spawn.

Fish should be able to be caught flipping the buck brush, willow trees and submerged bushes. Try tube baits, Texas rigged brush hogs, or Team Supreme or Eakins jigs, colors will depend on water clarity. If the area you are fishing is muddy or stained try black or blue colors, for the clearer water try green pumpkin, or watermelon.

This past week has been great for me for Smallmouth fishing from the Hwy 86 bridge, Long Creek, Dam, Kimberling City, Baxter and Campbell Point. Anywhere where the water is fairly clear. Fish have been from 5'-15' deep on main lake gravel points. Even after the lake level rising and all the rain they are still biting good for us. Sunday we used Carolina rigs, split shot rigs, or Texas rigged tubes, also try 4" finesse worms fished on 1/8 or 1/4 oz sliders heads, browns and greens working best for me.

Fish are biting on such a variety of baits, hard to list all of them. Try jointed Rapalas, Red-fins, or spooks early, or when cloudy. Fish over main lake and secondary points over submerged timber. I have also been catching some topwater fish in spawning coves shallow-3'to 8' deep over the top of bedding fish. A few fish being caught on buzzbaits early and spinnerbaits on windy, cloudy, & rainy days-which we have had a lot of these past weeks.

The main lake areas in the clearer water have been producing best for me, but watch out for the James, Long Creek, & Kings River are due to turn on anytime, it just depends on how muddy they get from the run off. These areas will warm up alot more than the rest of the lake. Also try floating worms, Sencos, & flukes around all the newly submerged bushes. Good Luck

April 21, 2004 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - This is where I get to say what a difference a week makes. The fishing is really picking up on Truman. The crappie are getting on the banks and the bass fishing remains good. The weather leaves a little to be desired. Seems we have had rain every night this week, along with wind. The lake is trying to clear up and it would if the wind would quit. I have even heard there have been a few morels found  and the turkeys are really gobbling. Its just a great time to be in the lakes area.
 
WATER LEVEL:         707.5
WATER TEMP:           65deg. 
WATER CLARITY:     Stained
 
BASS: Doug and Ozzie Wallace topped the board in the Tues. Night Hawg Fights with a winning stringer of 9.95lbs. They also had big fish weighing 5.02lbs. These fish were caught in the Osage on jig and frog. Second place went to Mike Simons and Kevin Smith with 8.90lbs. Third went to Chuck Strohman and Mike Green with 8.18lbs. Not bad for 2 1/2 hours of fishing. There are a couple of good bites going on here now. Jig and frog in black and blue fished in the nitches behind secondary point is a good bet. Fish seem to be holding in 3' to 6' of water. Tubes are also working in the back ends of the coves. I've talked to allot of crappie fisherman that are catching bass on roadrunners while fishing for crappie on the banks, food for thought.
Crappie: Well the crappie are finally going to the banks on Truman. Tube jigs fished on a bobber set about a foot and a half deep is working well. Anything with chartreuse in it is working. Roadrunners are also doing a good job. Here again chartreuse is the best color. The crappie are in the nitches in the creeks in 2' to 4' of water. The bite has just started so we should be in for some really good fishing for the next week or so.
WHITE BASS: No report.
CATFISH: Catfish are still doing good on jugs. Best bait is cut shad on stages set at about 10'. Flats next to a creek channel seem to be working the best.
 
This weeks ratings From Sterett Creek are:
Crappie:          # 1
Bass:               # 2
Catfish             # 3
 
This Saturday we have the Concord Village Lions Club Fish for Sight Tourn. out of Sterett Creek. They will have about 250 boats, so if you want to see a really good weigh in stop down about 3pm. on Sat. and check it out. That's going to be it for this week from Stere Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
 So with what we bid you good fishing. Tommy

April 13, 2004 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - Fishing Report from Sterett Creek Marina 4/14/04

It looks like spring has sprung here in the lakes area. The turkeys are gobbling, the shrooms are popping and there are a few fish biting. The weather has been a little chilly the last couple of days but the weather man has given us a reprieve for the rest of the week. If his weather forecast is correct we will be in the 70s the rest of the week and by the weekend we will have fish jumping in the boat. I just hope my boat is one they are jumping in. We are starting to see some crappie being caught and the bass bite is pretty good. The lake is still off colored but it is very fishable.

LAKE LEVEL: 707.73 2' ^
WATER TEMP: 53deg.
WATER CLARITY: Stained to dirty.

BASS: 2hr. 45min. - 10.15lbs tells me the bass fishing is not to bad. That was the result of the Sterett Creek Hawg Fight last night. Marty Watson and Jeff Hook took home 1st place honors. They also had big bass weighing 4.05lbs. 2nd place went to Chuck Strohman and Mike Green with a 8.09lb. stringer. 3rd place went to Mike Simons and Kevin Smith with 5.98lbs. Spinner baits and jig and frog were the best baits going last night. Chartreuse spinner baits with gold blades fished on the points next to deeper water worked pretty good. The fish seem to be holding in 4' to 6' of water and the spinners have to be moved pretty slow. Black and blue jigs fished on the steeper banks in 4' to 8' of water
also worked. Fish seem to be holding about 1/2 way back in the coves. We are now asking for donations to buy Emil Tally a watch so he can get back to weighins on time, either that or to send him to school to learn to tell time.
CRAPPIE: The crappie are still slow but its just a matter of time.
I saw a couple of limits caught off the bank night before last but these fish have gotten pushed back with the two frosts we've had the last couple mornings. The Crossroads tourn. that went out last Sat. took 10 1/2lbs. to win, 10 fish limit. Big fish was 1.91lbs. Winning team was Fernandez and Markey brought in the winning string. With the weather they are calling for for the rest of the week we should have bedding fish all over the lake this weekend.
Fish the pea gravel banks with a jig and bobber set about 2' deep. A roadrunner will also do a good job. The lake is still 2' high so I think the crappie will spawn on the original bank line. I really think the fishing is going to get going this weekend.
WHITES: No reports.
CATFISH: Jug fishing for cats is still good. Set stages 10' deep and bait with cut shad. Most of the fish in our area are coming off the flats.

This weeks ratings from Sterett Creek are:
Bass # 1
Catfish # 2
Crappie # 3
This Sat. we have the Sedalia Lions Club Crappie Tourn. out of Sterett Creek. This is a big tourn. and a very good cause. If interested call us at the marina and we can get you in contact with them for details.
That's going to be it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
So until next week we bid you good fishing. Tommy

April 13, 2004 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -

WATER LEVEL - 914.12 Normal Pool 915'
JAMES RIVER Upper 45-50
MAIN LAKE 55-59

MAIN LAKE - DAM, KIMBERLING CITY, BAXTER & CAMPBELL POINT & SHELL KNOB

Table Rock showed itself this past Saturday at one of the Central Pro-Am Mo-Ark events. Once again it showed why it is called one of the best foul weather lakes in the country. Fish started moving on to the beds last week and Saturday a cold front came thru with much needed rains, steady winds and falling temps, and the big fish hit good. It took over 27 lbs to win in the Mo-Ark tournament on Saturday, while 20lbs didn't get a check. The two big bass were over 8lbs! Over the years I've have learned that the worst the weather gets in the spring, the more the fish turn on, they like it! After the front came through, cold temperatures with bluebird conditions, fishing got tougher on Sunday and then improved on Monday. Many of the fish will pull back off the beds for a few days, but with temperatures expected to be in the high 60's & 70's later on in the week the fish should be spawning all over. Water temps dropped to the low to mid 50's after the front. should be back into the high 50's to 60's by the weekend. Many of the same patterns will work from last weeks report so leaving it up for this week also.

Quality fish can be caught on stick baits and wigglewarts, bites can be few and far between but excellent quality fish when you get bit. Early bite is best or if the winds picks up in the afternoon. Fish secondary points with submerged timber (stickbaits), & channel swing banks in the creeks. Try to key on banks that change from football size rock to pea gravel. We are also catching lots of fish on 4" finesse worms, French fries, & centipedes, in watermelon or green pumpkin fished on 1/8 oz. to 1/4 oz. jig heads. Try also split shot rigged or on a drop shot rig in 10'-15' main lake and secondary gravel points. Many smaller fish being caught on these patterns. Carolina rigs with 4" worms or 4"-5" lizards, along with Twin tailed Chompers or Yamamoto grubs. Single tail grubs will catch fish staging out over 20'-30' on main lake points at 10'-15'. Use shad colors, watermelon, on 1/4 oz. jig heads. Top water baits should start working as the warms continues to warm up.

LONG CREEK & JAMES RIVER

A lot of pockets and the backs of creeks are loaded up with shad. When the shad are up throw a 1/4 oz. Rattle Trap under and around the bait fish, your are apt to catch white bass or blacks this way. The same patterns noted above will work in these areas as well. There is a lot more stained water in the rivers, and the water is warming up good in the afternoons. Try wiggle warts or spinnerbaits on channel swings as well as in the backs of the creeks, also try Senco's or trick worms in the backs of main lake pockets and backs of creeks. The Upper White has been producing many crankbait and jig fish. Rock Creek, Owl Creek, & Roaring River areas. Fish the main river points with Carolina Rigs, and also try 3/4 oz. football jigs fished in 15'-18'. Good Luck!

April 6, 2004 - Truman - Submitted by Sterett Creek - The lake level is dropping nicely but the water temp. is not going up as fast as I would like to see. With another week of warm weather we might even see some fish go to the banks. The lake has been going down about 6" a day. In our area the water color is stained but its very fishable. We did have some really good bass caught over the weekend. Cy Wilson weighed in a 8lb.10oz. largemouth on Sunday. Also on Sunday Jerry Mc Cutchin had a couple over 7lbs. in a tournament out of Bucksaw.
 
WATER LEVEL:            709.5
WATER TEMP:              52deg.
WATER CLARITY:        Stained to muddy.
 
BASS: Spinner baits seem to be working the best in our area. Chartreuse with a big gold blade fished in 1' to 3' of water is the way to go. The secret is fishing the flooded grass close to a drop off. The slower you can move the bait the better it is. Secondary points seem to be holding fish. Jig and frog and tubes are working in the same areas. Black and blue is the best color in the stained water. When fishing back in a creek look for the warmest water. A 2 deg. change can make all the difference in the world.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing is still slow. Jerry Coose has been catching a few limits in the evenings. He said he has been fishing 15' of water about 13' deep. The fish had started moving up a little but with the water falling as fast as it is the fish have backed off a little. Now would be a good time to hit the out side tree rows along the creek chancels. Jigs are still working the best. This weekend on Sat. Crossroads is having a crappie tournament here at Sterett Creek. For info you can contact Ozzie Wallace at 660-438-2868.
WHITES: No report.
CATFISH: Jugs are doing a good job on catfish in our area. Cut shad seems to be the best bait. Stages are being set about 10'.
 
Thats it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
                                                 660-438-2280
                                                 critter@dam.net
Don't forget next Tuesday, April13 the Tuesday night hawg fights start. We will fish from 5:30 to 8:15 pm. Now you have to remember that even if the fish don't bite you can still come and make fun of Emil Tally.
 
So till next week we bid you good fishing. Tommy     

April 6, 2004 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -

WATER LEVEL - 914.51  Normal Pool 915'  
JAMES RIVER  Upper 45-50
 MAIN LAKE  55-59

MAIN LAKE - DAM, KIMBERLING CITY, BAXTER & CAMPBELL POINT & SHELL KNOB

Quality fish can be caught on stick baits and wigglewarts, bites can be few and far between but excellent quality fish when you get bit.  Early bite is best or if the winds picks up in the afternoon. Fish secondary points with submerged timber (stickbaits), & channel swing banks in the creeks.  Try to key on banks that change from football size rock to pea gravel.  We are also catching lots of fish on 4" finesse worms, French fries, & centipedes, in watermelon or green pumpkin fished on 1/8 oz. to 1/4 oz. jig heads.  Try also split shot rigged or on a drop shot rig in 10'-15' main lake and secondary gravel points.  Many smaller fish being caught on these patterns.  Carolina rigs with 4" worms or 4"-5" lizards, along with Twin tailed Chompers or Yamamoto grubs.  Single tail grubs will catch fish staging out over 20'-30' on main lake points at 10'-15'.  Use shad colors, watermelon, on 1/4 oz. jig heads.  Top water baits should start working as the warms continues to warm up.

LONG CREEK & JAMES RIVER

A lot of pockets and the backs of creeks are loaded up with shad.  When the shad are up throw a 1/4 oz. Rattle Trap under and around the bait fish, your are apt to catch white bass or blacks this way.  The same patterns noted above will work in these areas as well.  There is a lot more stained water in the rivers, and the water is warming up good in the afternoons.  Try wiggle warts or spinnerbaits on channel swings as well as in the backs of the creeks, also try Senco's or trick worms in the backs of main lake pockets and backs of creeks.  The Uppper White has been producing many crankbait and jig fish.  Rock Creek, Owl Creek, & Roaring River areas.  Fish the main river points with Carolina Rigs, and also try 3/4 oz. football jigs fished in 15'-18'.  Good Luck!                  

March 23, 2004 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -

WATER LEVEL - 915.12 Normal Pool 915'
JAMES RIVER Upper 45-50
MAIN LAKE 43-47

MAIN LAKE - DAM, KIMBERLING CITY, BAXTER & CAMPBELL POINT & SHELL KNOB

A lot of fish have moved up onto and around gravel flats and points. Try swimming single tail grubs3"-5" in smoke, slat & pepper, or pearl on 1/4 oz. jig heads with no weed guards in 10'-20'. If your not showing any fish suspended try fishing twin tail grubs in green pumpkin, watermelon or crawdad colors on bottom in the same depths. Also try Carolina rigging the same baits, or split shot 4" worms. Suspended jerkbaits will catch fish suspended around cedars and hard woods on main lake points, bluff ends & secondary point with submerged timber. Bites are few and far between on jerkbaits but will produce quality fish. You can try crankbaits-DT10, wigglewarts, 6A-tA Bombers in crawdad patterns in the same areas as the grub fish and further back into the creeks on channel swings. It's the time of the year where a variety of lures will catch fish. If you have more confidence in a certain lure throw it in these areas.

LONG CREEK & JAMES RIVER

Some of the patterns will work in these areas. The water is warmer and has more color in the upper river arms. Try spinnerbaits and crankbaits on the channel swings in the creeks and main rivers. Also try fishing Team Supreme or Eakins- 1/4-5/16 brown jigs. 5'-15' deep in the same areas.

March 10, 2004 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -

WATER LEVEL - 915.12  Normal Pool 915'  
JAMES RIVER  Upper 45-50
 MAIN LAKE  43-47

Lots of things happening on Table Rock since the rains this past week.  Fish are scattered and they are biting from the backs of creeks to main lake points.  The backs of most of the creeks warmed up 5-7 degrees after the warm rains.

MAIN LAKE - DAM, KIMBERLING CITY, BAXTER & CAMPBELL POINT & SHELL KNOB

Try fishing crankbaits or spinnerbaits in the backs of the creeks and pockets in the morning.  Wigglewarts, Bombers,  & Shad Raps, in crawfish patterns or Fire Tiger in the stained areas.  Try slow rolling 3/8-1/2 oz. Colorado willow leaf blades in the same areas.  If there are too many leaves & debris in these areas try pitching Team Supreme or Eakins Jig around the rock transitions.  In these same areas stickbaits will catch fish from main lake points & bluffends to the back of creeks on channel swings over submerged timber.  Bites are few and far between but they are quality fish.  Experiment with different colors depending on the water clarity, shad patterns work best in clear water, with orange belly-darker baits in stained water.  Fish 3"-4" grubs in smoke, or salt & pepper 10'-15' deep on main lake and secondary points.  These fish are suspended over 20'-50'.  Split shot rigged worms or Twin Tailed Chompers - green pumpkin, or watermelon on jig heads in 15'-20'.  The bite is slow but is getting better daily as the water warms up and the fish get ready to move into their spawning areas.

LONG CREEK & JAMES RIVER

The same patterns working with spinnerbaits and crankbaits working better bevcause of the stained water and warm run off that has come in the past few days.  On warm days the same baits are working in the Mid James area, the further up you go the water has more color and jigs and crankbaits working best.  Try slow rolling 1/2 oz. Chartreuse  & White spinnerbaits around visible cover, Colorado-Willow leaf combinations, or Colorado blade-single spin. 

 
March 4, 2004 - www.mwbt.com/ - Lake Level Rise Notification - Mid Missouri and Central Illinois are receiving very significant rains. Pomme, Mark Twain, and Wappapello are already forecast to rise several feet, and most of the other Midwest lakes will also be affected. Most streams and major rivers will either approach or exceed flood stage. More information will be provided when available. Most of the flood waters are coming in at 50-60 degrees and could really wake up some of the lakes for some exceptional fishing!

February 25, 2004 -Table Rock - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service -

WATER LEVEL - 911.85 Normal Pool 915'
JAMES RIVER Upper 43-46
MAIN LAKE 42-45

Weather is starting to warm up and so is the water temperatures. Good quality fish are being caught in many different areas of the lake

MAIN LAKE - DAM, KIMBERLING CITY, BAXTER & CAMPBELL POINT & SHELL KNOB

These clear water areas seem to be producing best, on a variety of baits. Stickbaits around main lake and secondary points over submerged timber, also channel swing banks in the creeks from the mouths to about 2/3rds back in. The best colors have been Purple/Chartreuse, Norman Flake Chrome Blue/Orange belly, Husky Jerks, Lucky Crafts, & Smithwick rogues, fished on 10-12 lb. line. If windy or cloudy try crawdad patterned wiggle warts and Rapala DT-10's. Try to key on chunk rock banks and ledge rock to chunk rock transitions.

Small jigs, tubes and twin tailed grubs working on still sunny days. Green pumpkin, watermelon have been the best colors for me. Team Supreme. Eakins jigs work best, or Chompers & Yamamoto Hula Grubs fished on 1/4 oz. heads. There are still deep fish on the bottom in 35'-45' over deeper water. I think these fish are starting to roam around more and moving into pre spawn areas. I've found a lot of the bait fish halfway back in the major creeks 25'-35' deep. These fish can be caught on 3/4 oz. chrome or white jigging spoons, 1/3 oz. single tail grubs, i & 3" tubes in smoke & salt/pepper colors. If fish are on bottom try 3/4 oz. football jigs tipped with twin tail grubs.

LONG CREEK & JAMES RIVER

Water temperatures are about the same in the morning but will warm up to 47-50 late in the afternoons. On warm days the same baits are working in the Mid James area, the further up you go the water has more color and jigs and crankbaits working best. Try slow rolling 1/2 oz. Chartreuse & White spinnerbaits around visible cover, Colorado-Willow leaf combinations, or Colorado blade-single spin.