MSUFisherBear

Nice fish! I thought this warmer weather and sunshine may make them a little more active. I haven't been down now since the 21st but this sure makes me want to get back out!

Took the trip to Springfield today. All the recent rain has really muddied up the lake. Didn't catch a thing, but only stayed out for about 2 hours. The water was so murky that even with chartruse baits, the ability to see the lure was limited to just a foot or so. I sure wish the lake wouldn't have been quite so high, but we sure do need the rain, especially for McDaniels and Fellows. I hope all is well and everyone is enjoying the first day of winter!

Hey all, Good afternoon and an early merry Christmas to everyone! I am somewhat new to the area. This will be the fourth year in school, but the last year and a half I've really got in to fishing some of the smaller bodies of water in and around Springfield with my canoe. I'd like to plan a float down the James. I know the fishing on the lower end is excellent as my Dad and I have fished it several times from his boat when he has came down. I've caught some nice Spots anywhere between Cape Fair on up to Galena along with some pretty nice Largemouths and Smallmouths (thanks to the great bass management in the area). However, I am looking to take a float on the upper end of the river. My only float trip that I have been able to take so far is from Crighton down to Southwood access on Lake Springfield, but I really like the looks of the area from the tailwater access from Lake Springfield on down. I'd love to float this area, but are there really any good take out points after Tailwater that isn't going to result in a two day float, or am I sort of out of luck on that float? Also, I've done really well on the river for bass fishing grubs and shad-raps, but I would really love to catch a few goggle-eye too. I'm originally from SE Missouri and have fished the Black and St. Francios a bunch. I tended to do well on grubs and live worms for goggle-eye there, but I can't seem to get them to take the bait here. Also, I tended to fish rootwads and rock outcroppings back home. Am I missing anything? Thanks for any advice, and as always tight lines!

Hey all, Thanks for the tips. I've looked at the information on Fellows. There are some great spots out there when it comes to the brush piles, especially for some decent bass. I took a trip up to look at it here a few days ago and the water seemed pretty down still. Not sure if the recent rains may have jumped it any, as I haven't been there recently, but I know that some of the brush on the north side of the lake didn't have much water on it, and the water that it did have was so clear that you could see a WAYS down . I'm looking at another trip up here in a few days, but I'd like to see what the weather is going to do so I can plan my attack accordingly :-P. I do appreciate the color tips. I have tried some colors that I have found successful on Table Rock, but they just really weren't panning out except for a small one here or there. I have had a bit of success when it comes to largemouths on the Lake Fork Baby Shad in the pearl color and have some in the Chartruse and White. I may try throwing one of those along with a chartruse and white tube grub to see if there are any takers. I'm also planning a trip out on Springfield Wednesday. Might be a little chilly, but I have had some good luck this time of year before, and that hot water output sure has me chomping at the bit. I'll try to take a few pictures and share the news at that point. Till then, tight lines and God bless!

Hey all, New to the board here and look forward to getting some opinions and hopefully sharing what has been working for me (when it does work, LOL!). So to start off I thought I might share. Me and one of my friends have been to Lake Springfield a couple of times this fall. I don't know what you guys may have been catching them on, but I have been in luck finding shad schools above Southwood access in the river arm. Granted, the water on that end of the lake is REALLY clearing out right now, but we've had a lot of luck in throwing 4" single tail grubs and jerk baits into these schools and working them in the typical jerk bait action (a jerk or two, allow to set for several seconds, and repeat) and have been catching nice fish (somewhere in the 15" range mostly). Haven't tried any of the other lakes lately, but this seems to be working fairly well for us on most days. However, I have been really interested in crappie in our area lakes, specifically in Springfield and McDaniels. I have caught a few nice ones when the water was up at Fellows, but it seems like most of the time there it is really hit or miss. I'd like to see if there are any productive patterns for these lakes (I don't want to steal the secret spots, but I'd like to know if I am missing out on something). Also, the crappie that I have caught have came on either Crappie Thunder road runners or on the BPS Squirmin Squirt tubes (1.5"), either tipped with a crappie nibble or two. I'm not really interested in keeping them (more of the catch and release type), but I'd love to be able to catch a few and hopefully put the lady friend on a few. Thank you for any advice. I look forward to sharing some tips and trips. Have a great day and God Bless!