Crappie Help

[vacation]

I have never crappie fished Truman before. If I were to launch a boat up there this weekend...coming from Branson, where would be a good spot to launch, search for crappie, etc. Is one part of the lake better than the other, are the crappie on shore, etc. Any and all opinions are welcomed.

thanks

[Evolution]

I've seen plenty of crappie come out of the spillway below the dam all along the shoreline but many are undersized, but I'd rather take the action over the fishes anyday. As for using a boat, I have no idea but they are in there, you just have to find them since many will not give up their holes.

[shaker]

I would recomend to get a good lake map and look at the Bucksaw area, fish are somewhat scattered in the hardwoods, hedge and cedars, down 8 to 12 ft. in 15 to 25 fow, any jig with chartuese will work or maybe minnows. There is a good marina there that will help put you on fish and you won't have to run very far to find fish. Good luck!

[vacation]

I put in saturday at long shoal st park. fished coves right across from ramp...nothing, did see to other boats catch 1 crappie each.

moved past the grand bridge to a cove, started catchingt crappie trolling slow with electric motor on edge of timber in 20 fow about 10 ft down with any color marabu jig and minnow. only 6 keepers, and several shorts. pretty slow really, but just enough action to keep us interested.

but, it was my 1st time there

[vacation]

One more thing...did see a black snake in the water about 6-7 feet long with a white belly...anyone know what that is?

[shaker]

Be my guess it was a black snake! If you go back head farther up the lake and look for main lake flats with trees, most of the crappie are headed for the summer time pattern and probably have moved out of the coves. There will always be some in the larger creeks with deep water and lots of cover, but they are scattered right now and slow trolling with jigs or minnows is probably your best bet. 1/16 abd 1/8 oz jig heads in hot pink with a black and chartuese tail and a blue with chartuese have been working well for me. They well probably be 6 to 12 ft. down in 15 to 25 feet of water, sometimes on hardwoods, sometimes hedge sometimes cedar every day is different thats what makes it fun! If you head back feel free to contact me and I'll try to help as much as possible.

[KCRIVERRAT]

I agree with the Bucksaw report. Fertile water up that way and I've always caught bigger fish compared to the clearer water down Osage Bluff way. I would guess they're starting to scatter along the cove mouths along the outside trees. Truman is an excellent summer lake for crappie. Just remember that once you catch a couple on one tree, move to another one and don't camp out in one spot.

[vacation]

Good advice, thanks. I read the crappie slayers tournament report and from the sounds of that, I did okay Saturday.

Truman appears to be a fine fishery. Dont know when I'll make it back for the simple reason that I live on table rock w/a dock, have a brother on taneycomo w/a dock and I am having a hard time justifying driving to LOTO, truman, bull shoals, beaver, norfork when there is fish out my back door.

I guess I just like a change of scenery

Anybody else in this boat too?