Baxter Area Sat

[SKMO]

Hit the water at 0500 with a fellow who has a ton of experience on this lake, since the 60's. He predicted it would be tough with near full moon conditions and high skies and he was right.

Actually had a pretty good bite early on, on jigs. Ended up with 18 fish or so, probably 5 keepers but you would have had to measure every one. After 0800 it got tough. No topwater. Caught 6 decent dropshot fish late.

Noteworthy -

I was amazed at the lack of boat traffic in the Baxter area. Plenty for sure and it's not like I want more but noticably and significantly less than I would have expected. Economy... gas $, whatever. Just an observation.

We caught all our fish 18-22' deep. There were huge numbers of "fish" at this depth, obviously not all bass and obviously not biting if they were bass. I also found nice consistant balls of shad at this depth and deeper, out to 40', not like it did us any good.

A couple of the points we fished were absolutely loaded with bluegill. Clouded the screen and everyone was plagued by short peckers, so to speak.

I really have no clue how to catch fish right now. In a normal year I would disregard the shallows after 0600 and start at 28-32' but there does not seem to be biters there for me now.

ALSO - I had a battery problem on the water and to make a long story short we trailered down to Battery Warehouse (Shuemakers at Golden MO) at 0800 and they did me right. Back on the water by 0845. I always buy batteries from them and they went above and beyond the call. Fantastic people and great service, they have given me more breaks than I deserve. "We'll just give you a new one" seems to be their motto.

All in all an OK morning. Would have liked to have put more fish in the boat but that is just how I think.

My "primary fisherman" expected it to be tough. My "secondary fisherman" who was a great guy lives near and fishes on Lake Ozark. He made a comment that I think we all need to appreciate, that is.. "after 8AM you CAN'T STAND UP AND FISH" on LOZ. He was amazed at the solitude... so to speak. He was referring to the big boat traffic. We still have it pretty good.

He was also amazed that we had the bank at our back and were casting to deeper water much of the time. Also new to him was casting a jig in open water. Fun stuff for both of us.

SK

[skeeter]

Have to agree about the lowered volume of boat traffic around Baxter but their launch ramps are still well under water. Danged jet skis are still out there though and there is something about a fisherman in a bass boat that draws them like flies to a fresh kill. Was on the flats Friday across the White from Baxter with fish blowing up all around me ( wouldn't touch my spook ) and no one else on the lake at 0600. All of a sudden from nowhere two jet ski's appear and guess where they headed ? Yep, right through the area the nice Kentuck's and Brownies ( I think ) were running shad. Never have seen it fail and beginning to believe it's on purpose. Couldn't get anything but a couple of bluegill bumps on the fall from a trial of the "Flick and Shake" worm rig in about 22-28 feet so headed in and removed their source of amusement. Will try again today and keep looking for that jig bite others are having success with. Must be using wrong color or fishing wrong water.