ozark trout fisher

Some swimbaits are good, but in Lake of the Ozarks you'd better throwing something 3 to 5 inches, and in a shad or sunfish pattern. There just aren't very many bass here in Missouri large enough to take a six inch swimbait, although there are a few. Bass run quite a bit smaller here in Missouri that in Southern California, so you'll have to scale down you're baits a little. Mostly, you'll find fish between 12 and 20 inches, although you may well catch a few that are significantly bigger. Good luck fishing I've fished Blue Mesa a few times, when I used to live out in Colorado. Pretty nice lake

Heron hunting? Now that's gross I'll let you try eating them first

Yeah, I heard about that. Honestly, pretty old news.

2 bucks to park, 3 bucks to fish I believe..... Don't take my word on that though.. Rooster tails work very well when the water levels are down, but with the water level like it is now, I think you'll be pretty much limiting to bait fishing, especially considering the rain coming in this evening. But if you get decent water levels, by all means try rooster tails crankbaits, and 1/64 ounce jigs. Also bring nightcrawlers. Not many people think they work that well for freshly stocked trout, but trust me they do. They actually might be my favorite trout park bait for when the water is very high. A size 8 single hook is perfect for trout fishing. Just remember to weight it down to the bottom, don't mess with bobbers when the water is this high, and I would suggest using whole worms to help get the trouts' attention. No matter what bait you're using, target the slackest, slowest moving water, preferably with some cover and depth. That's where the fish will be hiding, and they will be on the bottom. At least that's been my experience. The park is very nice. The spring is usually beautiful, and crystal clear, but I'm afraid based on recent conditions you may not get to see it at its best. There are many rock dams and boulders, and the areas around those will be crowded, but will almost always hold a lot of fish.

Sounds like the park is doing well.

You should be able to fish, provided you don't mind, high very silty water. At the gauge levels its running at now, there are really only three techniques to use. Powerbait, powerbait, and powerbait. Use a size 16 treble, and ball up enough to make the hook float off the bottom. Put as many split shot as you need to get down 15 inches above the bait, and cast out to any area where the current is least, especially in these semi-flooded condition. You should be able to catch a few that way. Use a bright color bait as well, rainbow would be my first choice, but orange or chartreuse would also be fine.

I guess they close when there is no power because there is no way to give out the daily park tags. Thats the only reason I can think of. Its a bummer about the damage.

I think the fact of the matter are that there are some good, and some bad. Like someone else said, they are just people. I don't think the majority of them are jerks, I just think you've had a few bad experiences with agents who happened to be jerks.

I don't know if you've ever been to LOZ before, but I wouldn't expect any kind of solitude. Plenty of pleasure boaters to go around. If you don't won't to be inundated by people, drive right up to Truman, which ends where LOZ begins. You'll find just as many fish, and well less people. With that said, LOZ is a great bass lake, you'll have a lot of fun fishing if you can tune everything out. But there are just too many discourteous boaters for me. If you fish LOZ, focus on the docks, because that's basically all the cover its got. I've had good luck on various spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and plastic worms. But if you have some yellow spinnerbaits, you'll have no trouble catching fish. Week days will be a lot better, I wouldn't even try to go out on Lake of the Ozarks on a weekend, except at night. Its borderline dangerous. By the way, one thing you might try is fishing at night, thats when the big bass come out and play.

For those that live on Sherwood, or plan on fishing a tournament here soon, here goes......... Small lakes are fishing pretty well, yellow spinnerbait, Texas rigged plastic worms, and nightcrawlers have worked best for bass. The big boys have let up a bit, most fish are between 8" and 12". Any shoreline cover, as well as docks, have been good. The main lake is a bit tougher. The creek arms are fair right now, with spinnerbaits, plastic worms, and tubes working for smaller bass. The main channel has been quite slow, with a few bass being caught throwing spinnerbaits off the points. Generally your best to head into the creeks, though. Bluegill have been pretty slow, with some success on garden worms. The catfish bite has been pretty non-existant, as well as the crappie bite, at least for me.

Check your PMs...

Its behind Paint n place on West Fifth Street. Sorta out by the YMCA if you know where that is, but not quite that far out. He's got crawdads, minnows, worms, goldfish, and plenty of bass lures, catfish rigs, and even some trout jigs and spinners. He's got a big sign you can see from fifth street.

By the way, I agree about fishing for bass with 7x tippets. I've actually gotten in to fishing for bass with little tippets and small streamers and even nymphs. It works surprisingly well. But I guess I just hijacked my own thread.

I actually agree with you somewhat. The last time I went down to Montauk, I was surprised there was a tournament when I got there. I still had a good time, but the amount of people was just crazy, and a few were pretty discourteous. But I don't know, I decided that it might be fun to try one. They probably stock more fish, which will be nice. Its only a few weekends a year, I don't really see the problem. If you really don't like them, plan trips on weekends when there isn't a tournament, or if you get there and find out there is a tournament, and can't stand the crowds, you can always fish below the park, or down by Welch Spring.

I'd reccomend #36. Big bass, catfish, and bluegill.

I'm don't know too much about Table Rock, but I do know in general rainy days are my favorite to fish, I've always had my best luck. I also like to keep a topwater (jitterbugs are my favorite, but whatever) tied on all day, but your regular rigs like the grubs, shakey heads and such should still work as well or better than usual. Also, I don't know why, but I have had good luck fishing Zoom centipedes plastic worms on Texas Rig, drop shot rig, or Carolina, whichever you prefer. I had good luck using that in rainy whether on Lower Bull Shoals, which might mean it would work on TR. This is all provided that its not enough rain to color the water, but I doubt that'll be a problem on the lake the size of TR.

Thanks. I know there are some lunkers at Montauk, so there's always the chance I could get lucky and catch one.....................

I was just wondering if any of you all were gonna fish the June 6-7 trout tournament at Montauk. This is my first trout tournament, actually first fishing tournament, so I'm kinda excited. I just have one question. For the tournament, can you weigh in fish that you catch on bait, or is it fly only? By the way, I don't think that any of the other tournament fisherman have anything to fear from me, I'm luck just to catch my limit of four little stockies. Heck, last time I was down at Montauk I only caught two trout each day, and nothing over 15", although that was one of my worst catches ever.

I'm pretty surprised its closed down. 243 CFS isn't that bad. I bet you could still catch fish in that, but I suppose they closed it because of the power outage. I would venture to say if its only running 243, anywhere thats legal to fish should be fishable, although fairly high. It does say Akers is running 1230 CFS, so I would venture to say you'd want to stay above Welch Spring.

Based on looking at the water gauge, you are going to have a tough time. Pinning some powerbait to the bottom should be able to get you a few, if you're adventurous enough to try. Don't try to wade, that would be very dangerous.

That looks like a good time. I went up there last year and found some good smallie and pike fishing, but without a boat, I couldn't find the walleye. Glad you had a good time.

I just thought I'd mention to anyone that lived in the Franklin County Missouri area about a new bait shop in Washington. I'm not sure how new it actually is, but I went there today, and I do know the guy was pretty helpful, and his prices were cheaper than walmart, so I'd thought I'd post. Place is called Frankies bait shop. He's got a pretty good selection of live bait (and lures) for catfish, bass, and trout. Just thought I'd mention it. Its the only bait shop I know of in the area, so I was kinda excited that it went in, and I hope it lasts.

Now I just got to build a pond, and then I'll be in business. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Now that you mention it, I think I have a couple lazy ikes in my tackle box already. Might have to try it. I've caught some largemouth, crappie, rainbow trout, northerns, etc, on a lazy ike, when I used to live in Colorado but I have never tried it for smallies.

Good for him. Very nice fish Just a question. I know the Yellow perch aren't native to Bull Shoals, but are they self sustaining now, or are they just illegally stocked enough to keep the population there?