July 16, 2008 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

July 16, 2008 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

Lake level: 878.84

Normal pool: 867

Water temperature: mid-low 80s

Walleye: main lake points are the place to be; walleye have been hitting trolled crank baits, color doesn’t seem to matter. Deep divers are the ticket. I have scoped fish consistently at around 23 feet, which is a little bit above the thermocline, which is about 28 feet. If you catch a walleye off of a main lake point trolling a crank bait, be sure you mark the depth, go back over the same area and drift with the wind with a jig and night crawler. Bobby Garland black and chartreuse plastic bodies with a night crawler seem to work well. Later in the day, as the sun begins to drop, the fish will move up to the submerged brush line, which is about 13-15 feet. Slow troll crank baits or drift night crawlers and jigs in these areas. You need to put out about 100 feet of line to get your bait at the approximate depth. Masters boat ramp area, Orleans Trail, Cedar Ridge are a few places to look.

Largemouth bass: bass fishing has been good along main lake points. Slow roll spinner baits, jigs or plastic worms through the brush. Plastic worms work best for me, and one reason is a Texas rigged worm comes through the brush with a minimal amount of hang ups. You’ll have to be able to differentiate the difference between the brush and the bass… sometimes the bass win, sometimes you win. Every trip that we have taken this month has produced fish from 2 ½ pounds – 5 pounds. The backs of coves in the brush are also good places to do the flipping technique. Watch for snakes. Interesting note reference snakes: if you remember my report where the snake tried to invite himself into my boat, think about this: I was coming home from KC airport on Tuesday and was stopped in traffic due to construction. I looked out my driver’s side window and there on the pavement was a water moccasin smiling up at me. Maybe it’s my deodorant. I don’t know, but snakes seem to love me.

Crappie fishing has slowed a little bit, as well as white bass, but if you are in the right place, at the right time, you can catch fish. White bass are being caught on crank baits slow trolled just like you do for the walleye, as well as crappie. Troll crank baits just outside of the brush line from main lake points to the backs of the coves and if you cover enough water, you should catch fish. A few crappie are also being caught on main lake brush piles around 25-30 feet deep on minnows.

Marty Thompson

Thompson Fishing Guide Service

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

[Gary Lange]

Make note to self! Don't like Snakes stay away from Marty Thompson cause he attracts them. Nice report thank you for posting. I appreciate your giving this information to us.