196champ

I was down for a good stretch 6/29 - 7/7 and fishing mainly in the mornings until 10 or so. Most of my fish came on a 3" swimmer 1/4 oz head, red fin/berkley surge shad and a spoon. I stayed between Big Creek and just past the Shell Knob Bridge 95% of the time. I fished main lake points and bluff ends with some pretty predictable fishing most every morning running 10-12 of these bluff end points and long gravel run outs, i took me a few days to figure out the schooling fish and their locations, but was able to pin them down. As well as some nice LM's schooling each morning in 2 of these locations. The bluff fish were anywhere from 15-30ft down over 40-100ft of water and the gravel fish seemed to be best in the 20-25ft range I know it was a Holiday week, so i was almost expecting it, but boy was the fishing etiquette poor. I greeted most with a good morning and happy fishing, with the exception of one angler, but if i can cast and hit your boat with a red fin, well your just too close. I had a nice discussion with a gentleman who promptly trolled a crank bait within spitting distance of me 3 times in one morning on 3 different spots...i generally avoid this type of confrontation but i had a hard time keeping my mouth shut. It is easy to see the type that just don't fish much and probably don't know any better, which is no big deal, but this individual was well aware of what he was doing. Enough of that.... Fishing was great and the catching was even better... I mean what do you think, a little close?

What a few days on the water, many ways to catch them so if you get bored doing one thing go onto the next. Saturday I threw the mag draft shallow and followed it up with a wacky rigged senko for most of the morning. Time is getting limited to catch them shallow so i figured id take advantage, had a dandy 5lb 10oz fish and another 4lb with endless amounts of short and keeper sized fish. if they wouldn't commit to the big swimmer they would show themselves with a follow. Made a mental note and could pick them off with the senko. Storms came rolling in and did some damage to our trees but were able to get it all cleaned up by dark. Ran into Bill at the Shell Knob ramp this morning and was happy to read his post as today was just a banger. Started with the Mag Draft after there was a boat on the point i wanted to start on. Caught a few and promptly went to the point I was after when the boat vacated after a few casts. Ended up sitting there for 2.5 hours and loaded the boat similar to Bills findings. 90% of these fish came on a 1/4oz head 3" swim bait. the remaining on a wake bait when they would surface. Didn't keep track of numbers but when i didn't get bit on a cast i was wondering what i did wrong, just one after another. Most of these being solid keep spots with a few LM mixed in, even 1 crappie mixed. Ran back up to the mouth of the kings and found 2 more locations with similar results. All in all a great 2 days of catching, most of these fish with my boat in 50-80ft, fish down 20-30ft I will have to say those MLF boys sure were blazing around, it amazed me how fast they could run up on a spot, turn the key off and have a cast in before coming off plane haha! from what i could see the majority of them were fishing shallow. They sure do run around alot

I keep an eye on the video reports, as do most, and have fished the area from Big Creek to just passed Shell Knob the majority of my life. Granted there were a lot of boats on the lake, i found it intriguing that the report posted by Mr. Prey showed the bank line with definitive docks and landmarks in the background, anyone with some history in the area could pinpoint them. He also described exactly how a was catching them, similar to the pattern i found to work. It was an absolute circus and merry go round on these 2 spots. Comical at times with 5+ boats on a single stretch of bank. These guys are generous enough to tell us how to catch fish without paying a dime, Bill, and many people on this forum are a wealth of knowledge. Give them some respect and make their report your own instead of hammering these few spots you can make out from pictures. I'm sure this doesn't apply to many here but just an observation.

I was there this weekend, ramp is visible and water temp was low to mid 60's

Fished Shell Knob to Big Creek last weekend, lake was in much better shape than anticipated. Had a lot of work to do around the house so was only able to get out a few hours each day and made the most of it. Seems to be many ways to catch them but the swim bait on gravel was the most consistent. Saturday - poked around with a wacky rigged senko and a spook, caught a few early but wasn't what i had expected. with the clear water i went and idled a few gravel banks/flats outside of spawning pockets and there they were. Caught them on a 1/4 oz head and 2.8 speed shad, color didnt seem to matter. boat in 30-40 casting toward the bank, a few locations were just flat on! Headed back out in the afternoon for a few hours and hit some more gravel with the same results. Lots of big fat smallies and keeper sized spots. Sunday - was stuck fishing the Campbell point area due to the fog and had some great blow ups on a spook in the flooded bushes early, only connected with a handful. Also picked up a few largemouth in the 17" range on a large swimbait shallow, saw several fresh beds and fish cruising shallow, eager to eat. Loaded up and went to do chores, came back and fished from 11-1 on the gravel with the small swimmer, a little slower but they were still there and left them biting as it was time to head back home. Hope this helps! This post has been promoted to an article

Agreed Bill, great information there! The first time i threw this bait last spring, on about my 3rd cast, i was reeling it down a log and watched a football spot come out from under it and absolutely slam the thing. I couldn't put it down for 2 weeks straight after that. Grated the window for this bite wasn't extremely long as the mag draft seems to plane out at about 3 or 4 feet. The fry guarders don't like this thing either.

Bill, Do you think the hook up percentage has something to do with the treble vs single hook? I threw that mag draft last spring a ton and lost very few fish, it seem when they hit it the rod just loaded up and they were on. I will admit those small K's will bump it quite a bit and not try to "eat" it. This bait will draw fish from a good distance in my opinion, reel it next to a deeper dock outside of a spawning pocket and watch how many K's will come out and give it a look, crazy how many fish it will show you too.

The Mag Draft doesn't work on Table Rock...lots of experience with that one... These are easy baits to throw and i have lost very few fish on them, hook up ratio is great as they will knock the rod right out of your hand. Very specific speed you have to retrieve to get it just right, take a few casts next to the boat and you can figure that out pretty quickly. I throw it on a Med Heavy, fast with a 6:1, 15lb floro seems to do the trick.

Call Campbell Point Marina, Nick has retrieved many items in the past!

We will be much more proactive next year in getting the word out, looking forward to a great event and we will get next years date out as soon as it is booked!

It looks like we are going to have great weather and some amazing donations and cash for the top finishers and raffle items. Shoot me a message if you would like to fish this year!

The wing ding has a bobber stop and slides up the line when the fish jump, just leaving the hook in their mouth. Dont loose as many fish and your right, i think that thing can be thrown to schoolers from the dam to shell knob bridge if you had enough line!

https://www.barlowstackle.com/Wahoo-Lures-Wing-Ding-Tail-Spinner-P1718.aspx

I had it pretty slow this past weekend as well, compared to the catching that had been taking place. I noticed the bait to be extremely small as well. Took off on my milk run between Campbell Point and Shell Knob, manged 15-20 each morning, mainly on the small 1/4oz swimmer. I did start to throw that wing ding, little george deal and caught some nice, suspended LM's they were down 30, over 80 just inside the Kings. Boy they were really slamming that thing.

Good Afternoon, I know this is a Table Rock Forum, where i frequent most, but we are hosting a Benefit Bass Tournament on Lake of the Ozarks. Please read below and see the attached documents, we hope some of you would be willing to fish! We are hosting the 1st annual Warrior William Project Benefit Bass Tournament at Red Oak Resort on September 29th, for the Aubuchon Family and their son William! I have attached the Tournament Flyer and some background documentation on the beneficiaries of the money we will raise. All proceeds will be donated to research for Rett Syndrome, MECP2 related disorders and 3D molds for terminally ill children receiving care at Children's Hospital in St. Louis. We have some great prizes to give away from some very generous companies and sponsors, not to mention cash + prize payouts for the top finishers and Big Bass awards. If anyone has any questions about participating in the event or would like more details please don't hesitate to shoot me a message. Thanks! Warrior William Background.pdf Tournament Flyer.pdf

Good Morning, We are hosting the 1st annual Warrior William Project Benefit Bass Tournament at Red Oak Resort on September 29th, for the Aubuchon Family and their son William! I have attached the Tournament Flyer and some background documentation on the beneficiaries of the money we will raise. All proceeds will be donated to research for Rett Syndrome, MECP2 related disorders and 3D molds for terminally ill children receiving care at Children's Hospital in St. Louis. We have some great prizes to give away from some very generous companies and sponsors, not to mention cash + prize payouts for the top finishers and Big Bass awards. If anyone has any questions about participating in the event or would like more details please don't hesitate to shoot me a message. Thanks! Warrior William Background.pdf Tournament Flyer.pdf

i had a tough morning Saturday, we boated 15-20 fish but it was slow going. Sunday it was back to normal, all of my fish came off of deep docks or suspended off the bluff ends down 25-30 over 60+. All fish came on a 3" swimbait or dixie jet. Fishing and catching both have been great this year

Ill be down this weekend, hopefully putting the pressure on them!

Great Report! Looking forward to coming down this weekend!

Great Report! I fished the Campbell Point to Shell Knob bridge area 6/29 to 7/8. Fishing was great and catching was even better. Most fish came on bluff ends suspended 20 to 30 feet over an infinite depth. gravel roll off fish were right on the break for me, best depth was 25-35. Most everything came on a small swimmer 1/4 oz head and a dixie jet. Had some better fish on a 4" swimmer and a 1/2oz head on the gravel.

I use a 3/4oz Dixie Jet Flutter spoon most of the time, add a owner hyper wire split ring and a quality crane swivel (i use Spro). Sometimes i will add a stinger hook but haven't been as of late, its a fun way to have the opportunity to catch 2 at a time. I was throwing it on a MH x fast and losing a lot of fish, Mr. Babler hooked me up with a Falcon cranking rod and it has done the trick quite well. Can get them 2x on just the treble as well

I have not, was looking to throw something at these schooling fish when they come up from the depths. They will eat a top water but have much more luck with the Fin. Anyone throw a Jackall Mickey or a Duel Hardcore Noi-Z jr? Looking to try something different more than anything

Ive been looking for a good wake bait, Red Fin has been working but looking for something that can be worked quickly. Any suggestions SplitG2? Strike King wake shad looked good but seems to be discontinued...

Nice report! I will let you all know how i do this week around Shell Knob