5/24/09 Report

[focused fishing]

Kimberling City: While there are a few stragglers on the beds, the spawn is complete on the entire lake. The post spawn bite has dominated the mid lake area for over a week as fish settle into a stable pattern. Split shot rigged fish doctors, lizards and salt sinkers, Jewel 3/8 oz. football and 5/16 oz spider jigs have been very effective on secondary points through out the mid lake. Look for fish to be relatively shallow; 8’ – 12’ deep, early and late or under cloudy skies and a little deeper; 12’ – 20’ deep under bright sunshine. Spooks, sammys and red fins are still catching fish early and late around standing timber on steeper banks.

James River: The recent rains and the amount of water being pulled through the lake has moved some really good color into the lower James area, this in turn has moved fish into shallow water from Buttermilk to Aunt’s Creek. Look for fish to be holding near shallow cover; buck brush, laydowns and rocks, these fish have been chasing shad close to the bank and have been caught on Chompers or War Eagle spinnerbaits. On bright days some of the fish will stay shallow but the majority will pull out on secondary points and hold between 8’ – 15’ deep. These fish can be caught on Jewel Football jig and shaky head worms in green pumpkin.

White River: With the spawn being complete in the White River the majority of fish have moved off of the bank and begun the transition from a post spawn pattern to more of a traditional summer pattern. Sammys, Spooks and Red Fins have been effective during low light conditions; watch for surfacing fish and shad to key you into locations. Jewel football and spider jigs, Carolina rigged lizards, salty sinkers and brush hogs have been effective on main lake and secondary points through out the mid White River. Up the Kings dirty water and shallow cover adds up to some really good power fishing. Chompers and War Eagle Spinnerbaits fished around flooded brush on windy banks will produce. On calm days this same cover will produce with Jewel J-Lock jigs and Chompers Ultra Tubes.

Dam Area: The dam area has the largest number of stragglers still on beds, they are few and far between and do not amount to a good pattern. The top water bite is very strong early and late or on cloudy days. Spooks, Sammys and Red Fins will produce good quality fish suspended in trees near spawning areas. Once the sun comes out the fish will move to main lake and secondary points and can be caught on Jewel Spider Jigs, Gitzits and single tailed grubs. Look for fish to be 8’ – 15’ deep early and late and 12’ – 20’ deep once the sun comes out.

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Nice fish suspended in the timber

Split Shot smallie