First Timer

[Doop]

Hello guys,

my buddy and I will be coming in from the East here in a couple weeks to fish LOZ. Neither of us have fished the lake before.....we'll be probably chasing whatever is biting...lol. From bass to channels to crappies to whites.....doesn't matter.

It will be AFTER the July 4th weekend.....we would obviously like to stay away from the noise and jet fleas out there.....any areas for us to target....simply to get us pointed in the right direction?

Thanks!

[Doop]

Are the lack of replies due to the few number of people that fish Lake of the Ozarks....or is it just a lack of people that use this site? Or do people not want to help fellow anglers out?

I guess when I signed up for this site...I was excited because LOZ is HUGE and is very initmidating for 1st time fishermen.

I'm looking for some info on where to put the boat in conjunction with some decent fishing. Not looking for anyone's GPS coordinates. Just some help getting started.

[ozarkgunner]

Are the lack of replies due to the few number of people that fish Lake of the Ozarks....or is it just a lack of people that use this site? Or do people not want to help fellow anglers out?

I guess when I signed up for this site...I was excited because LOZ is HUGE and is very initmidating for 1st time fishermen.

I'm looking for some info on where to put the boat in conjunction with some decent fishing. Not looking for anyone's GPS coordinates. Just some help getting started.

Where are you staying.....? What type of boat do you have? The general rule is that you need to be off the water by 10am at LOZ in the summer or you will in the deep brown stuff when the big boats come out to play. If you have the time, I would recommend going to Truman, Pomme de Terre, or even below the dam at Bagnell rather than fishing on LOZ. The big boats have essentially ruined the lake fishing in the summer, but night time can produce some good bites. Try black spinner-baits in the timber or soft plastics (when you are here black and blue crawdad imitations will work well) around the docks with bright lights. Again, I think the lack of response is due to the fact most of us don't dare brave the zoo up at LOZ in the summer. Also if you have never fished at LOZ before, you really need to hire a guide. No Joking, hire a guide the fishing can be very very difficult in the middle of the summer as the fish suspend and most people are not use to fishing our deep lakes.

[TroutRinger]

There's good fishing all over the lake in the summer. Just need to get out early in the morning and late evening/night. I've caught a lot of bass there in the summer right after the sun goes behind the hills. Docks in or very near deep water are always a good place to start as are bluffs. There are also plenty of fish along any shoreline with some decently deep water and structure. Here is a website that has some places you can put in http://www.funlake.com/do_see/outdoors/public_beaches.php. As far as lures, it's hard to beat 10" plastic worms in dark colors at night. In the morning and late evening, spinnerbaits and topwaters are my favorites. Like Ozarkgunner said, get off the water by 10 or you'll regret it.

[rangerman]

Doop,

Ozarkgunner is telling the truth about LOZ, it can be very dangerous when the prime time comes around for the pleasure boats. I generally fish the upper Niangua arm for walleyes, and you would think it would be far enough up to be away from some of the chaos. Its not. The whole lake is dangerous. Take Ozakgunners advise on going below Bagnell. You can catch the spectrum of fish down there. Hybrid stripers up to about 15 lbs, white bass, crappie, smallies, cathfish, you name it.

Truman is a very good lake for bass fishing as generally any area could hold fish. I fished the area near the dam (warsaw) and have done well. By fishing near the dam, you will leave yourself open to catching whites and hybrids that hold just above the wier dam before dumping into the primary dam.

Standard summer bass baits apply---I don't really like giving a whole lot of info on batis because things can change day to day. Start out with the standard summer bass baits and see what you come up with.

Good luck.

[podum]

Hit this website: http://www.futurebass.com/articles/article.htm

and read the articles posted by Neporadny. All deal with LOZ and several are summer patterns.

Good luck. LOZ is loaded with bass and crappie. You'll find em.

[ozarkgunner]

Hit this website: http://www.futurebass.com/articles/article.htm

and read the articles posted by Neporadny. All deal with LOZ and several are summer patterns.

Good luck. LOZ is loaded with bass and crappie. You'll find em.

If you are staying in Lake Ozark. I would give some serious consideration to fishing below Bagnell. If the water is running (which it should be in July when all the A/C's kick on ) you can catch piles of everything down there. Last week I land over 25 black bass in 3 three hours, while I was fishing for whites (which I got a pile of also). It's not a "little river" by any means, any LOZ fishing boat will work on the river. I have landed tons of bass 3lb.+ out of the river. In fact, I think it fishes better the LOZ MOST of the time. Oh....................... I forgot about the crappie.............................. TONS of them in the Osage.

[Doop]

Thanks guys...I really appreciate it.

We'll be driving from St. Louis.

When you talk about fishing below the Bagnell Dam......is that to the West of the Bagnell Dam Road or to the East?

I hear ya about being on the water at the wrong time. I live right next to Lake Lewisville down here in Texas and it's one of the most dangerous lakes in U.S. I have NO desire to get involved in any of that while at LOZ for sure! lol

[ozarkgunner]

Thanks guys...I really appreciate it.

We'll be driving from St. Louis.

When you talk about fishing below the Bagnell Dam......is that to the West of the Bagnell Dam Road or to the East?

I hear ya about being on the water at the wrong time. I live right next to Lake Lewisville down here in Texas and it's one of the most dangerous lakes in U.S. I have NO desire to get involved in any of that while at LOZ for sure! lol

Bagnell is the first turn off to the west as you go over the river on hwy 54. You can't miss it, just follow your eyes towards the dam. There is a big double MDC ramp there.

[Doop]

Thanks guys for all of the help...I really appreciate it.

We are going to stick to Pomme instead and hopefully avoid some of the crazies on the water. I really enjoy chasing muskies...so that was a determining factor too.

I do hope to fish LOZ in the future though....seems like a good lake if you can pick and choose your times to fish.

THANK YOU!