Fishing Report 6/9/08

[focused fishing]

Kimberling City Area: Fish have begun their transition from the bank to deeper water, several fish taken over the past week on a combination of Chompers 4” single tail grubs and Chompers drop shot worms. On windy days, and there have been plenty lately, fish are relating to windy flats and flat points from 18’ – 25’ deep and can be caught on salt and pepper or smoke / pepper 4” grubs. On calm days these same fish will be a little deeper, using a drop shot begin your search at 20’ and work your way out until you locate fish. For the most part they have been relating to the bottom but there have been some marauding groups of Kentuckies suspended over 60’ – 80’ of water destroying schools of shad. A few largemouth have begun to show up in the bushes as well, you won’t get rich flippin the bushes but a limit can be caught in an eight hour day.

James River: The drop shot and grub bite has been very good up the James River as well; look for fish to be holding in the same locations as the mid-lake. From Piney up there has been a very good Carolina rig bite on lizards and brush hogs, look for flat points with deep channel bends close by to hold most of the fish. Make fan casts from the side of the point until you locate the depth the fish are holding in and then concentrate at that depth. The upper reaches of the James and Flat creek have been productive with square bill crankbaits in and around flooded bushes, much like the flippin bite in the mid lake you won’t get rich throwing a square bill but a few quality will bite. With all of the wind this past week the topwater bite slowed to a crawl, not sure if it will pick up when the wind dies down but we will see this week.

White River: The White River is producing good numbers and quality right now; grubs, drop shots and split shot rigs have all been producing fish on gravel and mixed gravel points and flats. The best depth range has been 18’-25’ deep but on calm sunny days you will need to move out and fish 20’-35’ to be productive. Jewel Football Jigs in brown / purple flash and PB&J with green pumpkin twin tail trailers have been very productive on mixed rock points with very deep water close by. Work the bait along the bottom slowly from shallow to deep, pay close attention as most of the bites have been very soft with the jig feeling “spongy” or “like it picked up some moss”. A very good flipping bite has started up the Kings River; fish have settled into the new log jams and other debris and can be caught on Eakins Jigs or Eakins Flip’N Finesse jigs with a Paca or other chunk trailer.

Dam / Branson Area: The dam area is producing as well, drop shot rigs, mojo and split shots, grubs and tubes have all been catching fish from 20’-35’ deep. Jewel 5/16 oz spider jigs in green pumpkin candy flash and green pumpkin / green flash with Chompers jig trailers have also started to produce; mixed rock and gravel points close to deep water are the most effective, work the bait slowly along the bottom paying close attention at all times. The top water bite has been slow on the slower end as well, several fish have been slashing at the bait and not getting it. Further up Long Creek the bite has been tougher, the best bite has been pitching an Eakins jig to flooded debris and bushes or working a square bill on flats toward the back of creeks.

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