Fishing Without Electronics

[bigredbirdfan]

OK. I am sure that many will wonder what I am after so I will give a little background. I have been fishing my whole life on rivers and mainly Taneycomo. I bought a 17' aluminum bass boat last year and by goodness my new years resolution is to fish more on lakes this upcoming year. I have two nice fish finders on my tracker boat, and occasionally I turn them on to see the water temperature, depth and sometimes I see stuff that looks like fish. I guess you could say that I am not fish finding inclined. What I am after is certain times of year that I shouldn't miss. White Bass, Crappie, Big Bass Spawns??? I am trying to target times of the year that I need to get out without having to spend my day looking at electronics to catch fish. So any information on which bite is a "no brainer" on lakes is appreciated. Like I said very limited lake fishing knowledge. So which bites on which bodies of water and times of year would be awesome help.

[rps]

After the bass spawn until the third or fourth week in June (sometimes longer) the early morning topwater bite on Tablerock is very good, three days out of four. Early morning means can't see until the sun hits the water. I suggest spook type baits, pop r type baits, and redfin type wake baits. In all honesty, the worm/jig bite might even be better, but I rarely try it since I love top water fishing.

Look for semi submerged bushes on points, places where flats less than twenty feet deep fall into the river channel, bluff ends, and channel swings or changes.

Good luck.

rps

[fishinwrench]

The "suspending Jerkbait" bite along south facing creek channel banks on any lake containing shad,....starting NOW...until late March.

The "back end flats" Rattle Trap/Spinnerbait bite as soon as nightime water temps remain in the upper 40's. (lake Ozark and Truman)

The pre-spawn "floating lizard" (cloudy days) or "Wiggle Wart"(sunny days) bite beginning mid-late April anywhere rocky banks change to gravel. (Lake Ozark)

Late April-early June is Slab Crappie time, off colored water with shallow brush or wood cover. (Lake Ozark, Truman and Pomme)

Once the Crappies are post-spawn get off the lakes and back to the rivers for Smallies, or stay on the lakes for some of the best Topwater "spook" action around secondary points. (Lake Ozark)

[Tom Spence]

Post spawn on Table Rock from around mid May to mid June. Pea gravel points next to spawning coves. I like to drag a split shot rig with a green pumpkin centipede or finesse worm. The depth depends on where I get bit, but I start at around 15' and move out from there. Just drg it behind the boat and use your fishfinder and stay at the depth you want as you make your way around the point. Its also a good time to throw a grub on a 1/4 oz jig head and zara spooks. The split shot is great for numbers of fish. I throw it on 6lb line with the heaviest split shot I can find on a spinning rod. Its a great method for kids to. I bring my son and just sit him on the back deck dragging the split shot rig. He has a blast. If you're into white bass, I've gotten into bunches of them schooling off the main lake points that time of year. If you catch them schooling throw a topwater bait or a grub in among'em.

[Tom Spence]

My bad. I just noticed you said "without elctronics." You can still do anything I mentioned without using them. For the split shot, it helps to know how deep you are just to save time and eliminate water.

[bigredbirdfan]

Thanks all.