nomolites

I'm sure it will work. I just tend to lean toward the old bass fishing rule "big lure = big fish..." and have not tried it.

Well, it is a simple fact that the walleye move to the upper end this time of year and a stickbait is a good bet to catch them. From what I see this thread just confirms what is already know, no more. (except that a couple more guys have improved stickbait savvy shared with them by ANOTHER fisherman and they will now be eating more fresh fish in February and March...) It's all good, all is right with the world today. I love it. Mike

I would add to what Wrench said that the Niangua has more water coming in and current which makes it fish a bit differently but this is not a bad thing. And yes, there was more traffic than I cared for last time I was up there(mid summer), but that pretty much describes the entire lake anymore. I just trailer if I'm wanting to fish 30 miles up rather than wave hopping because LOZ is an awesome fishery!

For the most part, yes. Banks taking direct sunlight for most of the day and with wind bringing the bait to the fish in a funnel fashion as well are what I look for. To your point, at LOZ one of the best sections early is known simply as the "North Shore", but within that area not all banks are created equal - pea gravel transitioning to mixed rock are best for me. By the same token, there are areas on the south side of the lake that meet those same criteria but they are less numerous. This would just be my starting point; obviously conditions change and there are no absolutes.

Nowadays the A-rig beats all on the channel swings but since I like to enjoy fishing the jerk bait bite or a jig on wind blown south facing secondaries would be my approach this weekend for bass. Later in the day crappie may move in on those banks with brush. Mike

By far my biggest. Cooks Inlet Alaska Mike

I mainly fish the lower end; don't know of any books, but I would look for flats at the mouth of the creeks in the evening for summertime fishing and back on the flat basins in the back of the creeks for spring fish(hybrids)as they do a false spawn run. The area with the threadfin shad will be the right spot. In the fall wind blown rocks on the main lake seem to be best. Good luck! Mike

Gotta love those GPS electrics for this application...and others.

I have a 6'8 Falcon Cara T7 MF with a Revo SX that is perfectly balanced for the job. I agree with Champ that 7" is a bit much unless your boat rides real high in the water. Mike

Point being; color is a secondary consideration. I casted literally thousands of times over the years with very few fish before I developed the right feel for this technique. I now pitch mainly LC Pointers and neutral Shad/X-raps because they cast better in wind(when this works best!). Blueback herring, bone, or Table Rock when stained or fishing after dark. I mainly chase walleye these days so giving up the green fish does not bother me a it...good fishing! Mike

I've had similar great service with my Kahuna's from MJ and have always heard good stuff about Costa; they are both great products. Sunglasses are as important to me as my favorites rod and reel combos. Once again, you get what you pay for...

How the bait rides and the action you impart are the key. I keep a box of trebles of various sizes and wire thicknesses and will adjust so the bait is neutral slightly head down and use only light (max 8#) flouro line. Some guys use lead but I find switching hooks works better for me. With the water in the low 40s I start S L O W and adjust until I get bit. They WILL hit it, just gotta figure out how they want it. Yes, I have my favorite colors, but of course they are TOP SECRET....... Mike

Good advice from wrench, no sense running if you don't have some idea where they're set up. I would add that wind plays a big factor this time of year, wind blown areas that have baitfish coming into them are where the jerk bait is dynamite. There will be fish deeper as well, but the fish will not be as deep as they are at The Rock. They can be fine found on the same channel swings or relating to bait, etc. with jigs and a-rigs. SLOW is the order of the day...

For what it's worth, this is not a description of the Don Andraeson I have fished with multiple times. As stated in above comments I learned a ton from him and now beat up the stripes everywhere I fish them.....

Very nice!

Iguana is where I would start; they are in Lick Branch at the 5 mm.

+1 I run the 998 and have used Navionics to date(with no complaint I would add) but with the new Ulterra in que I will be switching to Lakemaster. I never thought I would go this route but the boat control features make it too attractive for this walleye fisherman to pass up. Your 998 is compatible with all the IPilot link goodies-if that is a future upgrade possibility Lakemaster is the only option.

I have been fishing and hanging at the lake during my free moments for the last 50 years; my parents have always had a place on the lake. My wife and I are currently looking to buy a home to live in permanently in a few years and our search is centered on the Gravois and the Osage 0-6mm. As others have said, at times you need to give the lake to the big dogs but I will take LOZ over any other lake in Missouri with regards to a healthy fishery. The clear water the last few years, IMO, makes it even better. The lower end of the lake can't be beat for fishing in the summertime.

You are a talkative bunch and I expect that draws trolls; I like to see what's "on" at any of our highland reservoirs as what works hither can be applied yon. For example, I fished lower LOZ in the wind last Friday afternoon and whacked the LM and whites with a Pointer 100 in blueback herring. The whites were on the main lake wind blown rocks out to 13 ft and the LM were under the wind blown shad in the backs of the S facing creeks where they flattened to about the same depth. 46 degrees. Same deal was likely happening your way-unfortunately, I haven't been on the Rock since I was a sprout... Mike

I have fished with Don a half dozen times; 3 or 4 guys limited all but one of those outings and we just had a 17 that trip. Had a good time every time. His system is simple and effective; first time out I thought he was crazy. I stand corrected. Mike

I have been having also good success on the whites with the rr heads and slider grubs as well as on suspending jerk baits; same places wrench mentioned with a bit of wind on them. Lots of fun.

Absolutely beautiful fish!! Makes a guy wanna fish the Niangua....

Good luck. I'm guessing at some point you may be up above the bridge again...I would be! I'm out of ground venison and hope to resolve that situation tomorrow and get back on the water.

I have fished the lake for 40 years and only recently targeted walleye; they are elusive but there is a good population of fish. For me they are tough to pattern - most of the time they are deeper or shallower than I think. Slowly I am learning to look in the right places and refining my presentations to catch enough to keep me after them-I do love the challenge, not to mention the filets! Most fish this year have been 20-24 inches and that seems to make sense on the lower end where successful breeding or stocking is nil. What works other places does not translate well to LOZ for me - fishing with bait will fill your live well with catfish and drum and drive you crazy, I have done much better with artificials. If you work at it they are there, or you can just leave them for me..;-p

I'll take a 24" walleye over a limit of crappie any day. Well done!!