|
Missouri Fishing Report
Submitted by Anglers Like You
Help The Angler keep others informed by emailing
fishing reports to us. Include your name in the message part
of your report if you'd like to receive credit for the report.
Video and instructions
to help prevent the spread of Zebra Mussels
December 28, 2008 - Table
Rock Lake - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service
-
Lake level: 914.49
Water Temps: 35-50
My New Years resolution is too keep bi-weekly fishing reports
current so that anglers will be able to access information for
fishing Table Rock on a regular basis.
If you're not fishing Table Rock in the winter you are missing
out of some the best fishing of the year.
Water temps are 35-50 degree range, the further up any of the
river arms you go it gets colder and you will most likely run
into ice. Mid rivers and main lake temperatures are around
44-50 with many shallow patterns working well throughout the
lake. Crankbaits still work well and Wiggle warts in crawdad
patterns. Fish the major creek channel swings with mixed
chunk rock and gravel. When the crankbait bite is slow
fish some jigs, 5/16 oz. & 7/16 oz. In Brown/Black &
Green Pumpkin, with Zoom Speed Craw, Critter Craw trailers, or
small pork rinds in a range from 5' - 20'.
Shakey head worms in 1/8 oz. & 1/4 oz. In Watermelon or Green
Pumpkin will also work in the same areas, try fishing them in
main lake pockets and cuts also.
Stickbaits are working all over the lake from some of the coldest
water to the
Warmest areas. I've been catching them from the last channel
swings in the creeks to the mouths of the creeks and also on
main lake channel swings and bluff ends. Stickbaits will
also work in the areas noted above where I've been fishing jigs
and crankbaits. Just back the boat off the bank and fish
over 10'-20' of water. It doesn't seem to matter if you
have submerged timber for the jerkbait, as they seem to be relating
to the rock changes as well as the timber. I've been using
Lucky Craft 100's, 4 1/2" rogues & Megabass in various
shad colors. If the water is stained try baits with orange
belly and the darker sides.
DEEP BITES
There have been many large schools of shad in the centers of
the major creeks with the depth varying day to day. Fish
have been suspended from 25'-50' deep over 50'-100'. They
can be caught on 1/2 oz. & 3/4 oz. Chrome or white jigging
spoons. Or on 4"-5" single tailed grubs or Gitzits
in smoke or salt and pepper shades using a 1/4 oz. - 3/8 oz.
Jighead. There have also been some fish out on main lake
flat points in 30'-50' and on bluff ends with submerged
timber.
As you can see, there are many variables, all which will catch
fish. The fishing has been great, so if you get a chance
get on down here and wet a line!
October 29, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina -
Well it's that time of the year again where I tell
you this will be the final fishing report of the season. I want
to thank all the people that sent e-mails with the attaboys in
them. As I look back over this last season the fishing has been
really good. We saw more fish this season than in the past even
though we were flooded out half the season. I have watched the
tournament weights this year and have noticed that the weights
are getting heavier and the big fish are much better than a year
ago. With the number of shad we are still seeing this fall next
year should be fantastic.
LAKE LEVEL: 708.3
WATER TEMP: 61 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Stained.
BASS: The bass are still holding on the main lake points. 6'
to 8' of water seems to be the magic number. Big brush hogs and
jig and frog are the top baits right now. You want to look at
the points with deep water next to them. There are some fish
holding on the secondary points in the coves and here again you
need deeper water close by. There are tons of shad bunched up
in the way backs but it seems the fish are holding farther out.
On overcast days buzz baits are picking up some fish along with
a short arm single spin gurgled right under the surface.
CRAPPIE: The brush piles are the best of the best now. Piled
in 15' to 20' of water seem to be working the best. Jigs tipped
with a crappie nibble are working. There has been some good fish
caught way up the rivers. These fish are in 5' to 8' of water
next to the channels. Jigs are the best bait in these areas.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: We are seeing good numbers of whites come
in along with a few big hybrids. These fish are up on the windy
flat points. Rooster tails and 1/4 oz. Rat L Traps are doing
a good job. The whites seem to be holding in the 3' depth range.
Don't be afraid to go back in the coves and fish the flats, these
fish will be chasseing the shad all over.
CATFISH: With the wind we have been having the cat fishing has
been a little slow around here. I'm sure the fish are still here
it's just hard to chase jugs or set a trot line. Cut shad on
jugs set about 6' should work on the flats next to the channels.
Well that's it for this week and this season. I hope you all
have a good winter and a Happy Holiday season and we will see
you next season.
Tommy
October 22, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - Fall is here there is no doubt
about it. The trees are about as pretty as they they can be.
The water temp is getting down to where the fish are starting
their fall feed mode. The white and black bass fishing is really
picking up. Our fall winds are starting to pick up pushing the
fish up shallow so if you are looking for some good fishing now
is the time to be on Truman.
LAKE LEVEL: 707.3
WATER TEMP: 66 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Light stain.
BASS: The bass fishing is starting to pick up nicely. There are
fish on the main lake points hitting jig and frog and there are
fish 1/2 way back in the coves hitting spinner baits abd big
brush hogs. In both cases there has to be deep water close by
and they are not to far from points. The fish seem to be holding
in 4' to 8' of water. If you go all the way in the back ends
of the creeks you will find tons of shad but the bass are staying
a little farther out towards the mouth of the creek, must be
to crowded back there. There has been a few fish caught on Rat
L Traps on the flat points while fishing for whites but these
seem to be smaller fish.
CRAPPIE: The crappie are starting to work the brush piles on
jigs. 15' to 20' seems to be the best depth. The fish are holding
on top of the piles. There has also been fish caught off the
flats in 10' to 15' of water on the tree row. These fish are
down 6' to 10' and are hitting minnows. I haven't heard of any
pulling back in the creeks in shallow water yet.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: Last weekend we saw lots of whites come
in. They are up on the windy flats hitting Rooster Tails, road
runners and small Rat L Traps. Fish as shallow as you can. The
fish are laying in about a foot of water. We haven't seen many
hybrids come in yet but I think they will get going pretty quick.
CATFISH: The cat fishing has slowed down this week. With the
way the wind has been blowing it's kind of hard to chase jugs.
With a calm day I think a trot line baited with cut shad would
work on the flats in 10' to 12'' of water next to a creek channel.
Tommy
October 15, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - It looks and feels like we are
going to have fall weather this week. We didn't get much rain
at all but the temps are going to drop into the 40's for the
lows so that should cool the water down a little. We have had
some good winds to get the whites going on the flats and it looks
like they are going to stay with us for a while. The leaves are
starting to turn and it looks like we should have awesome colors.
LAKE LEVEL:
WATER TEMP:
WATER CLARITY: Light stain in our area. Heavy
stain in the upper arms.
BASS: The bass fishing here on Truman is about as good as it
gets. Last Saturday we had the Sterett Creek Buddy Tourn. and
it took over 18 lbs. to win. Brush hogs, spinner baits and square
bills were the hot baits. Kevin Duer and Keith Nicholes were
the winners with 18.13 lbs. They also had big bass with a 6.26
lb. fish. Larry Wright and Hap Hartman had 2nd big bass at 6.07
lbs. Second place went to Jim Mc Cutchen and Jamie Edge with
16.42. Third was Lowell Washer and Dennis Krier with 15.59. Fourth
was Steve Prince and Chris Borids with 14.99. In the number 5
spot was Bill Dennis and Todd Pyle with
14.80 lbs. Most of the fish came from the backs of the creeks
in 2' to 5' of water next to a creek channel or ditch. With the
weather we are having they should stay there at least another
week or two.
CRAPPIE: The crappie are starting to hang on the brush piles.
17' to 20' of water seems to be the best depth. Minnows are the
best bait right now. Steve Blake said he has been catching good
fish off the flats in the tree rows. What ever the depth is the
fish seem to be holding close to the bottom. With the cooler
weather I would think that the jig bite would start.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: The whites are starting to bunch up on
the shallow wind blown points. These fish seem to be in and out
so if you catch some on a point and they quit come back to it
later and they will probably be on it again. The Rooster tail
seems to be the hot bait on the points right now. The fish are
holding in 2' of water or less. There are also a few smaller
hybrids hanging with them.
CATFISH: Catfish are still working jugs on the flats in 5' of
water next to deeper water. Perch and little smokies are still
the best baits. With the water temp where it's at I would look
for them to stay where they are for a while.
This weekend is Heritage Days in Warsaw so come and enjoy the
festivities in the area. There will be lots of people so drive
with caution.
Lots of good food and crafts.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
October 8, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - Another great week weather wise
here in the lakes area. We had just a little rain which didn't
hurt a thing. I wish we had just a little more wind to get the
whites pushed up on the points but I'm sure that will come with
time. We did see a good number of whites come in last weekend.
The leaves are starting to turn more and more everyday. This
year we should have the best color we have had in years, lets
hope the fall fishing does the same.
LAKE LEVEL: 707.68
WATER TEMP: 70 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to light stain.
BASS: Fall of the year think shallow. The back end of the creeks
are still the best bite going. The COE is still running water
but I am afraid that they are going to shut it off and that will
move the fish. The secondary points in the way backs are doing
real good. The points where a creek or ditch brush against them
are the best. Brush hogs and Beavers are working on the drops.
I even heard a sinko will catch fish on them. There is still
a good buzz bait bite going on cloudy days. The better fish are
coming out of 4' to 8' of water. There is a main lake point bite
starting using beavers and super hogs. Fish are holding in 6'
to 8' of water.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing is still a little slow on our end
of the lake. We are seeing some fish come off the bluffs out
of 25' of water down about 15'. There are also fish coming off
the brush piles in 20' of water. Minnows are still the best bait.
I would like to think that the crappie would start moving back
to the main lake points with the water level getting back to
normal.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: Last weekend we saw lots of nice whites
come in along with a few good hybrids. Most of these fish were
caught on Rooster Tails. The weir and Little Tebo cut seemed
to be the hot spots. This week we are starting to see some fish
come in on the windy points. As the water continues to cool there
should be lots more fish hitting the points, the problem is the
wind has died off to much.
CATFISH: The jug fishing is good in our area. Last weekend we
saw fish in the 20 lb. to 30 lb. range. Cut shad and perch were
the top baits. The fish seemed to be holding in the 20' range
down about 10' and close to deep water.
Don't forget this Saturday is the Sterett Creek Buddy Bass Tournament.
Anyone can fish. Sign up is from 6 to 6:45 am Sat. morning at
the marina store with take off at 7 am. Weigh in is at 3 pm.
For info call 660-438-2280.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marima
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
October 6, 2008 - Lake
of the Ozarks - Submitted by Old Oar House Inn Mile Marker 81 -
Lake of the Ozark water elevation is 659.62'. Truman lake
water elevation is 7039.47'. Turbine discharge is 38,700 CFS.
Water temperature is 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Crappie: Good
Margaret & David Jones were by the house Sunday
afternoon and reported they were beginning to catch good numbers
of crappies off our docks. Margaret said she'd cast to the cliffs
and slowly retrieve her pink jig back to the docks. She said
in 12 hours time she had landed a half dozen nice fish. As temperatures
continue to cool expect the fishing on all fronts to continue
to improve as the fish prepare themselves for the winter ahead.
Catfish: Good
Locals Jim Hieronymous and Bob Fuller stopped by
to report they had done real well on their trot line this morning.
The duo had 3 Blue cats well over 8# each this morning on one
trot line. Jim said they were using hot dog chunks. He said he
was fishing his trot line a foot or so off the bottom of the
main channel. He uses 14 hooks spaced about 2' apart on his trot
lines. They have been running a lot of water which I am certain
has a positive impact on all the fishing.
Largemouth Bass: Good
Larry Kelton was in for a cold beer and said he'd
done real well fishing for largemouth bass Saturday. He was using
a shiny silver rappala minnow about 4" long. He caught and
released 6 nice fish. He said his biggest fish was just an ounce
under 7#. For best results he said fish the shallows around docks
or any kind of structure you can find.
Walleye: Good
Rusty was back in and said he's still catching
some nice fish. He said the fish are still running deep on the
flats just off the main channel. He said rattle traps also worked
for him
White Bass: Slow
White bass are still being caught below Truman
Dam in the rapids. Top water silver Rappala hinged minnows fished
at dusk continue to produce great results. If you can get close
enough to the rapids below the spillway you should have good
luck from the shore as well.
We endorse trophy fish catch and release!
Remember; A bad day fishing is better than a great
day at work!
October 1, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - It looks like we have a tint of
fall in the air. Highs in the 60's and lows in the 40's with
no rain. There are some leaves out on the lake that are starting
to turn. The COE is still running water and the lake is falling
about 8" a day. The water clarity is just about perfect.
We are just about 6' high which is a good level for fishing.
LAKE LEVEL: 711.97
WATER TEMP: 72 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to lightly stained.
BASS: With the cooler temps it looks like the bass have decided
to start there fall feeding early. Look for fish 1/2 to 3/4 of
the way back in the creeks. Secondary points with a creek channel
or ditch running next to them have been producing numbers of
fish. Spinner baits and shaky head worms have been working well.
If there are cedars in the area it is a real plus. Best water
depth seems to be about 4' to 6'. Fish the drops for the better
fish. A super brush hog or a beaver will also work in these areas.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing is starting to improve on this end
of the lake. There have been fish taken off the bluff banks in
20' of water down 15' to 17'. There has also been fish caught
off the brush piles in 20' of water. Minnows are still the best
bait.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: We are starting to see a few whites come
off the wind blown points (when the wind blows). These fish are
just starting to pull up on the points and I look for this fishing
to improve by the day. Small Rat L Traps and Rooster Tails are
the best baits when fishing the points.
CATFISH: Jug lines are still producing catfish on the flats.
Perch seem to be the best bait. 8' of water with bait set about
5' next to deeper water is a good bet right now.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
September 28, 2008 - Lake
of the Ozarks - Submitted by Old Oar House Inn Mile Marker 81 -
Lake of the Ozark water elevation is 657.58'. Truman lake
water elevation is 707.47'. Spillway water temperature is 79
degrees Fahrenheit. Water discharge from Truman Dam is 500 CFS
through the turbines.
Crappie:
Slow
Crappie fishing has slowed this past week. The reports I've received
have been mixed with most fish found in the deeper water along
the bluffs. This is the first week I've noticed the water temperature
has begun to cool. Although by only 2 degrees, I'm sure it's
a harbinger of what we can expect over the next few weeks as
summer comes to a close.
Catfish:
Slow
I fished hard with my visiting family this weekend for channel
cats using jug and dock lines and light tackle and we caught
zip, nil, nada, nothing with whiskers all weekend! This was the
first time I've ever been skunked fishing for cats off our docks.
Tommy Dees stated he'd been skunked as well. We need a good solid
front to blow down from the north and things should pick up nicely.
Largemouth Bass:
Good.
Son Bruce of Leavenworth, KA brought his family and father-in-law,
Mike Payne of Weston, MO out for a visit this weekend and they
did very well fishing for largemouth bass from our dock as is
evidenced by this nice picture of Grandpa Payne and Bruce IV.
Bruce III caught the 5# fish on a broken back silver rappala
minnow he worked by casting towards the base of the bluffs from
the dock. He caught a second smaller fish a short time later
after landing this fish. Both fish were released unharmed. Well
done gang!
Walleye:
Slow:
Rusty Weir was in again Saturday morning and reported the walleye
fishing had slowed as well. He stands by his earlier claim of
trolling bright colored crank baits over the flats and along
the main channel drop off edge. He said once the water temp begins
to approach the low 70s high 60 degree range we can expect the
fall feeding frenzy to begin in earnest.
Bruce
September 24, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - Another beautiful week in the lakes
area. The weather has been cool and no rain. The COE has started
pulling water pretty hard and the lake is starting to fall. The
water clarity is perfect. I would look for the fishing so start
picking up as they should start feeding up for the winter months.
Have noticed just a few of the trees starting to turn, with all
the moisture we have had this year we should have some of the
best fall colors we've had in years.
LAKE LEVEL: 716.8
WATER TEMP: 73 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to stained.
BASS: The bass are still doing what they are supposed to with
the running water. Look 1/2 to 3/4 of the way back in the creeks
on the secondary points. Spinner baits have been the best of
the best along with small shallow running crank baits. The cedars
have been holding the better fish. 2' to 6' of water has been
the best depth. There is also a top water bite starting in the
same areas early and late or on cloudy days. During the high
sky mid day a super brush hog worked Texas rigged in the same
areas is catching fish.
CRAPPIE: With the high water the crappie have slowed up a little.
The best bite right now is off the brush piles in 20' of water
fished with minnows. The bluff fish are still in 25' to 30' of
water and holding at about 20'. You might want to check out the
bridge pillars also. I haven't heard of to many jig fish yet
but with the water temp cooling they should start pretty quick.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: We are starting to see some whites come
in off the weir. They seem to be suspended in about 16' of water
over 25'. Steve Blake said you can catch these fish by dropping
a spoon down in the schools of suspended fish. There was a few
hybrids caught off the weir last weekend doing the same thing.
Might also try running a sassy shad on a 3/4 oz. head on these
fish.
CATFISH: The catfish are still on the flats in 8' to 15' of water.
The jug fishing baited with perch or little smokies has been
the best way to go this week. The fish seem to be holding close
to the creek channels and feeding on the flats in the evenings.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
September 17, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - This fall is setting up to be one
of the better fishing falls we have seen in a lot of years. We
had a bunch of rain come through last weekend and has the lake
on a real good rise. We are up about 6' from where we were last
week. The grass along the banks is starting to get covered now
and the water clarity is perfect. We had a bass tournament out
Sunday and it took over 20 lbs. to win and over 15 lbs.
to get a check, now that's some good fishing. Today the COE is
supposed to start running water so that should really turn things
on.
LAKE LEVEL: 715.3
WATER TEMP: 73 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Light stain to dirty way up the rivers.
BASS: Last weekend most of the fish came on spinner baits and
square billed crank baits out of shallow water in the creeks.
With the changes in water conditions and the number of phone
calls I have had this week I am going to do something that I
don't usually do. I'm going to give you what I would do with
these conditions after fishing this lake for 25 years. There
are three important things that will affect the fishing this
weekend, water temp ( lower 70's) water in the grass, and the
COE pulling water. That means 1/2 to 3/4 of the way back in the
creeks using a small spinner bait or a buzz bait on the secondary
points. One of my first picks on the spinner bait would be a
short arm single spin with a # 4 blade, and gurgle it on top.
Any color is ok as long as it's black. If you don't see any shad
working go to another creek. Work the buzz baits in the same
areas. This pattern has worked for years on Truman.
CRAPPIE: The crappie have been a little slow this week. The fish
that we are seeing come in are coming off the bluffs out of 20'
of water about 12' down. You might also want to check out the
bridge piers. Minnows are still the best bait.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: Last weekend guide Steve Blake did real
good on whites on the windy points up shallow. This week the
wind has died and the fish have moved. If we can get some wind
I think they will be right back up on the points.
CATFISH: We have seen a few fish come in on jugs this week. Perch
are still the best bait. 8' seems to be the best depth on the
flats. With this rise I look for the cats to go a little shallower.
There has also been some fish taken on rod and reel in the creeks
on night crawlers. Look for the deeper holes in the creeks.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
 September
16, 2008 - Lake of the Ozarks -
Submitted by Old
Oar House Inn Mile Marker 81 - Lake of the Ozark
water elevation is 657.09'. Truman lake water elevation is 707.77'.
Spillway water temperature is 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Water
discharge from Truman Dam is 250 CFS over the spillway.
Crappie:
Slow
Bob and Chris Tally put the smack down on a few crappies this
past weekend off their docks just upstream from us. Bob and Chris
have done a tremendous job building structure under their docks
and it has paid off for them throughout the entire year. Bob
likes to start his crappie beds by sinking several large weighted
cedars under his docks and he builds from there. The few fish
he caught this weekend were on jigs. Bob said until this Indian
summer moved out the fishing would remain slow. He said wait
for the first real cold snap for better crappie fishing. The
lake temperature has dropped almost 10 degrees since my last
report so expect fishing to improve before too much longer.
Catfish:
Slow
Bob Yancey from K.C. Mo stopped in for a bite top eat and reported
catching a few cat fish off his docks this weekend. Bob said
he caught his fish on worms and shad after dark. He stated he
caught nothing too big and expects the fishing to improve considerably
once the water temp drops.
Largemouth Bass:
Good
Mike Yeaton from Cole Camp reported that he was catching decent
largemouth along the rocky shoreline areas and that bright colored
crank baits did the trick for him. He had mixed results with
rubber worms early in the day and the crank baits became very
productive later in the day when the sun poked through the clouds.
I'd had an earlier report pea gravel beds were also producing
some nice bass as well.
White Bass:
Don Keedwell stopped in for fuel and a Bloody Mary breakfast
Saturday morning and reported he did quite well catching white
bass this past week. He said to fish just off the main channel
over rocky banks where ever you have two points fairly close
together. For some reason the fish were schooling there. He said
he caught 7 keepers over 18". He said fish shallow and use
shad colored crank baits for best results.
Walleye:
No Report
Bruce
September 10, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - Last week I made the comment that
I thought the fish were confused and thought it was fall already,
well this week I think I am confused and think it is fall. With
the lows in the 50's and highs in the 70's it sure doesn't feel
like Sept. The weather has been fantastic. It looks like allot
of fish here on Truman are starting to move to the backs of the
creeks which is a fall pattern.
LAKE LEVEL: 707.9
WATER TEMP: 75 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to Stained in the way backs.
BASS: The bass fishing remains good here on Truman. There are
fish in the creeks and there are fish on the main lake points.
It seems the bigger fish are holding on the points where big
worms are still working along with super hogs. The fish seem
to be laying on the back sides of the points in 8' to 14' of
water. Going back in the creeks you will find fish on he edge
of the flats next to the creek channels in 2' to 4' of water.
Small crank baits in a shad color are working the best. Top water
is also working on these shallow fish. A Pop R has been the most
productive. Look for shad.
CRAPPIE: The crappie like the bass are all over right now. There
are fish on the main lake points and then there are crappie back
in the creeks in 5' of water. The fish on the main lake points
are holding at about 11' and hitting minnows when fished 5' down.
Cedars seem to be working the best. Back in the creeks the fish
are in 5' to 10' of water along the edge of the creek channels.
Minnows and jigs tipped with crappie nibbles are working. Here
again look for shad. If you know where any brush piles are in
about 12' of water don't be afraid to fish them I have seen some
limits come off them this week.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: We are starting to see the white bass pull
up on the wind blown flat points. Rooster tails and small grubs
are working on these fish. The fish are holding in the 4' range.
Wind and shad are needed to get these fish pushed up on the points.
CATFISH: Jug fishing is still the best on catfish right now.
Black perch and little smokies are the best baits in our area.
Fish the flats in 8' to 10' of water close to deep water.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
  September
3, 2008 - Central Missouri Farm Pond
- Your article in regards to Pond fishing inspired us to
go out and ddo the same. We were allowed to fish a private pond
stocked with Hybrid Sunfish in west central Missouri. We produced
two Missouri Master Anglers. Loren Colby (left photo) caught
a 10", 1 pound sunfish on a yellow #2 Mepps Aguila and Jeffrey
Preuss (right photo) caught a 10.5", 1 pound 2oz. Hybrid
on a 1/8oz green jig. Overall we caught about 30 fish in just
over 2 hours.
Thanks for a great website,
Jeffrey Preuss
September 3, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - With the holiday over and the rains
and cool weather coming in the fishing here on Truman ought to
really kick in. We saw lots of fish come in over the weekend.
The crappie and white bass helped to make it an enjoyable weekend
for the anglers.The water temp is starting to fall slowly so
this should help the fall feeding activity of all the fish.
WATER LEVEL: 706.71
WATER TEMP: 80 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to lightly stained.
BASS: Right now the bass are all over the place. There are fish
on main lake points and there are fish on the secondary points
back in the creeks. It seens that the best depth in all the areas
is 4' to 10' of water. Big worms have been producing the best
at this time. There is a good top water bite early and late on
Pop R's. The key is to look for areas with shad, no shad no fish.
Last night we had the last Hawg Fight of the season and Kevin
Carl and Paul Kerry brought in the winning stringer at 12.27
lbs. Second went to Marty Watson and Doug Long with 8.83 lbs.
Big bass was 3.62 lbs. caught by Karl and Kerry. It was a good
season with the Hawg Fights even though we fought two floods.
There were lots of fish caught and allot of big fish weighed
in. Looking forward to next year already.
CRAPPIE: The crappie like the bass are all over also. We had
fish caught out of 5' of water in the back ends of the creeks
to 17' to 20' off main lake points. Minnows seems to still be
the top producing bait. I have head of some fish coming off the
main lake brush piles in the 12' area. If you are fishing the
back ends go to the back and fish the trees that border the creek
channel from 5' out to about 10'. There has to be shad if not
look for a different area. Looks like fish are starting to feed
up for the fall already with the cooling temps.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: There has been some whites up on the shallow
points being caught on Rooster tails. The KK Island area has
been the best. Little Tebo cut has also been producing. We did
see whites surfacing last night in the O 1 to the G 4 area.
CATFISH: Jugs are still the top producing method for cats. Fishing
the flats in 8' of water with little smokies or perch showed
to be productive this weekend. Make sure there is deeper water
near by.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
September
3, 2008 - Central Missouri Farm Pond
- Your article in regards to Pond fishing inspired us to
go out and ddo the same. We were allowed to fish a private pond
stocked with Hybrid Sunfish in west central Missouri. We produced
two Missouri Master Anglers. Loren Colby (left photo) caught
a 10", 1 pound sunfish on a yellow #2 Mepps Aguila and Jeffrey
Preuss (right photo) caught a 10.5", 1 pound 2oz. Hybrid
on a 1/8oz green jig. Overall we caught about 30 fish in just
over 2 hours.
Thanks for a great website,
Jeffrey Preuss
August 27, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - Like I said last week I think our
seasons are a little confused right now. This weather feels more
like the end of Sept than the first part. Our water temp is about
10 deg below what it was a year ago this time, so I know the
fish have to be confused. The lake is in fantastic shape and
is only about 1 1/2' high. The COE is still generating a little
power every day so we have a little current flow in the afternoon
and early evenings. With the holiday coming in this weekend we
are hoping that the fishing will really get going.
LAKE LEVEL: 707.39
WATER TEMP: 79 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to light stain.
BASS: The bass fishing here on Truman remains good. There were
some 18 lb stringers weighed in this weekend and last night in
3 hours it took 12.72 lbs with Marty Watson and Doug Long taking
the honors. They also had big bass weighing 4.18 lbs. Second
went to Clint Rayburn and Jack Hockett with 11.79 lbs. Third
was Steve Blake and Jim Lehares with 7.67 lbs. It seems that
the bass have started to move out on the humps. Look for humps
with 8' to 16' of water on them. Big worms still seem to be the
best producing baits.
CRAPPIE: The crappie bite is still on again off again. Last weekend
we saw several limits of good fish come in. Then for some reason
they slowed down on Monday. I did hear there is a pretty good
bite on the Grand River arm. Look for fish from 4' to 17' that
isn't a misprint 4'.
For some reason these fish have gone shallow. Fish the tree rows
on the flats with minnows. There is also fish holding on the
brush piles in 12' to 15'. Minnows are working here also.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: Had a few reports of surfacing fish in
the KK Island area. Whites and big hybrids. Sassy shad and Pop
R's were working the best. The shad are finally in the right
sized pods to get these fish going.
CATFISH: Jugs are the best of the best. Perch and little smokies
are working. Best bite has been in 17' to 25' of water. The edge
of the flats close to a channel has been the most productive.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
August 26, 2008 - Lake
of the Ozarks - Submitted by Old Oar House Inn Mile Marker 81 -
Lake of the Ozark water elevation is 657.58'. Truman lake
water elevation is 707.47'. Spillway water temperature is 79
degrees Fahrenheit. Water discharge from Truman Dam is 500 CFS
through the turbines.
Crappie:
Slow
Crappie fishing has slowed this past week. The reports I've received
have been mixed with most fish found in the deeper water along
the bluffs. This is the first week I've noticed the water temperature
has begun to cool. Although by only 2 degrees, I'm sure it's
a harbinger of what we can expect over the next few weeks as
summer comes to a close.
Catfish:
Slow
I fished hard with my visiting family this weekend for channel
cats using jug and dock lines and light tackle and we caught
zip, nil, nada, nothing with whiskers all weekend! This was the
first time I've ever been skunked fishing for cats off our docks.
Tommy Dees stated he'd been skunked as well. We need a good solid
front to blow down from the north and things should pick up nicely.
 Largemouth
Bass:
Good.
Son Bruce of Leavenworth, KA brought his family and father-in-law,
Mike Payne of Weston, MO out for a visit this weekend and they
did very well fishing for largemouth bass from our dock as is
evidenced by this nice picture of Grandpa Payne and Bruce IV.
Bruce III caught the 5# fish on a broken back silver rappala
minnow he worked by casting towards the base of the bluffs from
the dock. He caught a second smaller fish a short time later
after landing this fish. Both fish were released unharmed. Well
done gang!
Walleye:
Slow:
Rusty Weir was in again Saturday morning and reported the walleye
fishing had slowed as well. He stands by his earlier claim of
trolling bright colored crank baits over the flats and along
the main channel drop off edge. He said once the water temp begins
to approach the low 70s high 60 degree range we can expect the
fall feeding frenzy to begin in earnest.
We endorse trophy fish catch and release!
Remember a bad day fishing is better than a great day at work.
Bruce
August 20, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - I think that we missed a season
this year. The weather is almost like fall right now. With the
highs in the low 80's and the lows in the low 60's it's just
about perfect. The lake remains in fantastic shape. The COE has
been generating a little power every afternoon so we have a little
current flow in the evenings to keep the fish biting. We are
starting to see allot of deer moving down to the lake front in
the evenings, they must be feeding on the new growth where the
high water was. So all in all it's just a great time to be on
the water enjoying mother nature.
LAKE LEVEL: 707.02
WATER TEMP: 80 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to a light stain.
BASS: The bass fishing remains good here on Truman. The fish
are still holding on points in 5' to 15' of water. Big worms,
brush hogs and Pop R's are still the best baits. This is the
time of the year that you can go point hopping and catch a nice
limit of fish. Last weekend I heard of fish as shallow as 2',
caught on shallow running crank baits. Last
nights Hawg Fights were won by point hopping by Clint Rayburn
and Jack Hockett with 13.60 lbs. Second was Chuck Gibson and
Paul Tatroe with 12.10 lbs. Third was Ernie Cox and Russell Beck
with
9.30 lbs. and they also had big bass weighing 5.15 lbs.
CRAPPIE: The crappie are still scattered all over. The best bite
is still on the edge of the flats. Fish the tree rows with minnows.
The depth can vary from 8' to 17'. There is also a bite on the
bluffs in 30' fished about 20' down. The quality of fish still
remains good.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: We are starting to see some whites stack
up on the points in the evenings. A top water or shallow running
crank bait will work on these fish. Did have some reports of
surfacing fish in the KK Island area. There were some whites
caught trolling at O 3 last weekend along with some walleye.
Might be food for thought.
CATFISH: Jugs are still the best bet right now baited with perch.
20' of water fished about 10' down seems to be working the best.
Set jugs close to a creek or river channel.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
August 20, 2008 - Lake
of the Ozarks - Submitted by Old Oar House Inn Mile Marker 81 -
Lake of the Ozark water elevation is 656.95'. Truman lake
water elevation is 707.95'. Spillway water temperature is 81
degrees Fahrenheit. Water discharge from Truman Dam is 500 CFS
through the turbines.
Crappie:
Slow
Ron Toddiken stopped in this morning for breakfast for some of
our world famous "Hog Biscuits and Gravy" and reported
he'd been Crappie fishing this morning and had caught a couple
10" keepers. He released several that were too small. Ron
was using a Tube Jig in about 12-13' of water and he was fishing
the brush piles just downstream from our place that had been
placed along the bluffs. Nephew Jon Archambault our summer cook
also reported he caught and released several small crappies down
near our cleaning station. Jon was using worms and jigs and was
also fishing the side of the bluffs.
 Catfish:
Good
Jon continues to do real well fishing for Blue Cats as evidenced
by this photo. He caught these two nice fish using live perch
on dock lines fished overnight. Jon said to check the lines often
during the evening hours and reported landing several nice fish
in the 8-13# range this past week. He said to fish the perch
about one foot off the bottom for best results. I had a report
that shad bellies on trot lines were producing some nice fish
as well.
Largemouth Bass:
Good.
Friend Pete Robinson from KC was in again Saturday night. Pete's
specialty is largemouth bass. He reported he'd done fairly well
Saturday and had netted two nice keepers using spinner baits
both going 3#. He also reported several 'shorts' he'd caught
on a split shot rig with a fish doctor (zoom) and one short on
a senko. Pete said to fish the flats right now in about 2-3'
of water for best results. Pete is known for his catch and release
tactics and released both of his keepers. Well done my friend!
Dan Keedwell from Odessa and buddy John Mulich from Harrisonville
stopped in for breakfast Sunday and reported decent results using
crank bait. The guys said to fish pea gravel beds and reported
catching and releasing three nice fish. John also caught a nice
3# blue cat on the same crank bait which was also released.
Walleye:
Good.
Local Walleye fishing phenomenon Rusty Weir was also in early
Saturday morning for our world famous "Hog Biscuits and
Gravy" and reported the Walleye continue to bite real well.
He said for starters begin by trolling crank baits over the flats
and along the drop off edge. He said use fire tiger color crank
baits. Fire tiger is a yellow, green and red color w/ tiger stripes.
We endorse trophy fish catch and release!
Remember a bad day fishing is better than a great day at work.
Bruce
August 13, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - This is one of those up and down
weeks in fishing. One day it's slow and the next everyone is
catching fish. Last weekend we saw all kinds of fish come in.
The bass and catfish were real good and the crappie and whites
were fair. One thing about it for the middle of August the weather
is fantastic. The lake is about 2' high but the color is as good
as it gets.
LAKE LEVEL: 707.98
WATER TEMP: 84 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to light stain.
BASS: For this time of the year the bass fishing is as good as
it gets. There are fish in 8' or less of water and there are
fish in 12' or more of water. The one thing for sure is that
they are on the points and main lake points are by far the best.
Fish the outside tree rows running off the points. Big worms
are working better in the shallow water and brush hogs and craws
Texas rigged are better in the deeper water. Last night in the
Hawg fights it seemed that the better fish were in 12' to 16'
of water and the numbers were in 8' or less. If you know where
any brush piles are it would be a good time to hit them. Color
didn't seem to matter. The winners last night were Ernie Cox
and Russell Beck with 13.53 lbs. Second was Doug and Ozzie Wallace
with 11.44 lbs. Third was Chuck Strohman and Tom Novinska with
9.73 lbs. along with a big bass of 5.82 lbs.
CRAPPIE: The crappie like the bass seem to be strung out all
over right now with fish up in 6' and as deep as 25'. This week
the best bite seems to be in 12' of water 12' down in the cedars.
Why these fish are right on the bottom right now I sure don't
know but with the number of limits coming in with that pattern
I'd start there. Minnows are still the best bait. I did hear
of a few jig fish last weekend. If you see a good tree row in
6' to 8' of water I would sure hit it. The fish are still on
the flats in the tree rows.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: Last week guide Larry Wright brought in
a good stringer of hybrids they caught off the south end of KK
Island. The fish ranged from 6 lb. to 10 lbs. He said they were
surfacing. The best bait was a 5" sassy shad with a 1/2
oz. head. There has been whites surfacing but they aren't staying
up for any time as of yet. You can catch them by running a small
crankbait in the area they are surfacing in. KK, G-4 and G-10
have had some fish on them.
CATFISH: The cat fishing has been good this week. There has been
rod and reel fish caught on night crawlers on the flats in 4'
to 6' of water. Jug lines baited with perch in 30' baited at
10' is also working. Trot lines are producing some fish on the
flats in 12' to 15' of water.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
August 12, 2008 - Table
Rock Lake - Submitted by Pete Wenner's Professional Guide Service
-
Lake level: 918.75
Water Temps: 84-88
Fishing on Table Rock has been good for the middle of August.
The fish never really moved out deep this summer due to the water
clarity and flow.
We are catching smallmouths in 12' 18' range on flat gravel
points from the dam to Campbell Point areas on 3/8 & 12 oz.
football jigs with peanut-butter jelly or watermelon purple skirts
with twin-tailed Chompers trailers, or Zoom Speed Craws, also
on 4" 5" skirted Chompers in watermelon and green
pumpkin colors. This has been working good early and then shuts
off. When the sun gets up try backing out to 20'- 25' on the
same points. Drop shot fish are also being caught off the ends
of the deep docks suspending at 20' 25'.
The river arms get better as the temperatures heat up, with water
3 12 feet above pool the fish that have been scattered in the
shallows are pulling out to the submerged buck brush. Fish flats
and channel swings in the creeks early in the morning . Try buzzbaits,
spinnerbiats and topwater baits around the shallow bushes and
when the sun pops up try flipping Texas rigged worms and tubes
around the buck brush or try 14 & 3/8 oz. jigs tipped with
Paca Chunks or twin tailed Chompers in brown & black or peanut
butter jelly colors are working good.
If the flatter banks don't produce try fishing the channel swings
in
the creeks with the Texas rig or Shakey head worms at 6'
10' deep. There are still many fish being caught on main river
flats in 15' 20' on 12 & 34 oz. football jigs and brush
hogs fished on Carolina rigs and shad colored deep diving crankbaits.
Best flats have roll-offs or drops in the river channels.
Good Luck
Pete Wenners
Pete's Professional Guide Service
888-214-1767
www.hookedonbass.com
August 6, 2008 - Truman
- Submitted by Sterett
Creek Marina - It looks like we finally have a
break in the weather. We had a nice shower come through last
night and they are calling for temps in the 80's which will seem
like winter compared to what we've had the last week or so. The
weather didn't seem to effect the fish as much as it effected
the fishermen. The bass fishing is great and we are seeing more
whites come in everyday. The crappie are starting to pick up
again but the cats have slowed down with the heat.The COE is
still running water everyday so I look for the good fishing to
continue.
LAKE
LEVEL:
708.8
WATER
TEMP: 87 deg.
WATER
CLARITY: Clear to light stain.
BASS: With 20.35 lbs. in 3 1/2 hours and a 5.03 lb big
bass Desmon and Kevin Carl won the Hawg fights last night. Their
5 fish were one of the prettiest stringers of fish we have seen
this year. They caught their fish on big worms and brush
hogs in 6' to 12' of water. Second went to Ernie Cox and Russell
Beck with 13.34 lbs. Third went to Doug and Ozzie Wallace with
8.59 lbs. The best patterns are main lake points and main lake
tree rows in 6' to 15' of water. The fish did not seem to be
suspended last night. There is a top water bite on the points
early and late. Spooks and Pop R's are the two best baits. We
are starting to see more fish in the 3 lb to 4 lb class come
in. That's the good thing about Truman the hotter it gets the
better the fishing.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing is starting to pick up a
little. Seems like the crappie have decided to go shallower this
summer. There is still a deep bite on the bluffs in 30'+ but
the shallow tree rows ( 10' to 15' ) are producing better right
now. Minnows are still the top bait. Fish seen to be holding
about 6' down.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: The whites are starting to show
up in all their normal haunts. There has been surface
activity in the evenings in the G 4 area. Watch for the gulls
to help you find feeding fish. Running a crankbait down under
feeding whites has produced a few small hybrids.
CATFISH: We just had some fellas come in from running
lines and said they had a good morning. They moved their lines
up in 6' to 8' of water and baited with black perch and cut shad.
Seems like everything is going shallow.
That's it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina
660-438-2280
critter@dam.net
Till next week
Tommy
August 5, 2008 - Lake
of the Ozarks - Submitted by Old Oar House Inn Mile Marker 81 -Bruce's
Fishing Report from "The House"
Lake of the Ozark water elevation is 657.59'. Truman lake
water elevation is 709.67'. Spillway Discharge is 500 CFS and
Turbine discharge is 7,800 CFS. Water temperature is 87.5 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Crappie: Good:
Adam & Janet Kiburz stopped in Saturday night for a few cold
ones in a feeble attempt to beat the incredible heat. They reported
they are both continuing to very well catching Crappie off their
docks. Janet said she's been using minnows and jigs with jigs
catching most of her fish. She said to use a chartreuse colored
jig with a crappie nibble on it. They reported catching 25 crappie
last weekend.
Catfish: Excellent!
 Now
that the dog days of summer are here trot lines are catching
some really nice blue cats. Tommy Dees nailed a 60# behemoth
off a live perch and a dock line a couple weeks ago. Will Hughes
from Jeff City and Jose Morales from Columbia spent a few days
with us this past week running a productive trot line. Their
two biggest fish were a pair of 28# blue cats. The duo used a
variety of bait to include cut shad, whole shad, crawdads and
perch. They reported limiting out each day on blues. This was
Jose's first trip to the "House" and he said he'd definitely
be back!
Largemouth Bass: Excellent!
Traci Stillwell and Guy Frohm from Branson stopped in for some
ice water Saturday and reported the largemouth fishing was excellent.
Traci said use a sinking spinner bait and to focus on the docks
and the brush and rock piles for best results. Between her and
Guy the two of them caught 5 nice largemouth and one Kentucky.
Walleye: Good
Kim and Joe Gregory from Oak Grove stopped in Saturday to enjoy
some of our excellent culinary cuisine and reported they are
continuing to catch nice walleye in spite of the warm temperatures.
Kim said the fish are running in about 18' of water on the flats
just off the main channel. The trick is finding such spots. She
stated a rattle trap worked well for her and Joe. Walleye are
a hard fish to catch in LOA and it takes practice and patience.
Except for an incidental fish most people never catch a walleye
in the lake. Ask around what works in addition to trying your
own techniques and then keep refining your methods. Kim and Joe
have cracked the Walleye code for sure. .
White Bass: Good
White bass are still being caught below Truman Dam in the rapids.
Top water silver Rapallo hinged minnows fished at dusk are producing
great results. I heard two reports of numerous 2# 4# fish
being caught from the shore and one big %3 fish was landed last
weekend.
We endorse trophy fish catch and release!
Remember a bad day fishing is better than a great day at work.
Did you know 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish?!
Bruce
Return to Current Reports
from Missouri Anglers
Reports from Missouri Anglers for Jan
- May 2008 | June - July
2008 | Aug. - Dec. 2008
Reports from Missouri Anglers for Jan
- May 2007 | June - July
2007 | Aug. - Dec. 2007
Reports from Missouri Anglers for Jan
- May 2006 | June - July
2006 | Aug. - Dec. 2006
Reports from Missouri Anglers for Jan
- May 2005 | June - July
2005 | Aug. - Dec. 2005
Reports from Missouri Anglers for Jan
- May 2004 | June - July
2004 | Aug. - Dec. 2004
Reports from Missouri Anglers for Jan
- May 2003 | June - July
2003 | Aug. - Dec. 2003
Reports from Missouri Anglers for Jan
- May 2002 | June - July
2002 | Aug. - Dec. 2002
Reports from Missouri Anglers for Jan
- May 2001 | June -
Sept. 2001 | Oct. -
Dec. 2001
Reports
from Missouri Anglers for 2000 | Kansas Angler Home Page
Reports for
Kansas | Arkansas
| Colorado | Missouri
| Nebraska | Oklahoma
| Texas
|