6/21/09 Fishing Report

[focused fishing]

Kimberling City Area: The water has warmed considerably over the last week, low to mid 80’s are common place and with forecasted air temperatures in the 90’s all week the fish will stay locked in a summer pattern for the near future. Early and late in the mid lake area topwater will still produce several fish. Spooks, sammys, pop-r’s and chug bugs have all drawn strikes from black and white bass. Look for fish chasing shad on the surface off points and flats. Once the sun comes up fish will move toward the bottom, Carolina rigged french fires and lizards and Jewel Spider or football jigs fished from 20’ – 30’ deep on pea gravel and mixed gravel points will produce. Drop shot rigged Chompers or Robo Worm baits will work on these same points from 30’ – 40’ deep. Most of the fish will be close to the bottom.

James River: The bite up the James has moved deeper as well, several fish are being caught on Jewel Football jigs in brown / purple flash or orange craw either with a green pumpkin Jewel jig trailer, Carolina rigged brush hogs and lizards are also producing. Look for gravel or mixed gravel points from 20’ - 30’ deep and work either presentation slowly along the bottom to draw strikes. DD-22’s, DT-16’s and Fat Free shad crankbaits are also producing fish, look for isolated cover on points and ledges to be holding fish and make contact with the cover to draw strikes. In the major creek arms the dock bite has also turned on; Eakins’ jigs and Ultra tubes fished in the shade of walkways will produce both quantity and quality.

White River: The bite in the White River has been very good over the past week. Much like the mid lake and James there is a good topwater bite early and late, as the day progresses Carolina rigs, Jewel football jigs and drop shot rigged Chompers worms are all producing. Further up the river and into the Kings there is a good jig bite developing on channel swing banks. Both major creek arms and the main lake will produce fish on the channel banks; Eakins’ jig and craw combos, Chompers ultra tubes and Lake Fork ring worms will all produce on these banks. Look for broken rock, wood cover or ledges to be holding most of the fish, bites come as the bait is falling so pay close attention to your line as the bait falls.

Dam Area: The deep bite is dominating the lower end of the lake; drop shots with Chompers worms in plum or brown / purple, robo worms in MMIII, Aaron’s magic or oxblood and Zoom finesse worms in watermelon/ purple or watermelon / red will all produce fish on main lake and secondary points from 30’ – 40’ deep. Most of the fish will be on or near the bottom through out the day but you can work them up as you catch a few. Up Long Creek the Carolina rig and deep crankbait bites have started to turn on. Look for points and ledges to be holding most of the fish.

Don’t Miss Tournament Fishing Radio on ESPN 1400 AM Springfield

Mondays 5:30pm and Saturdays 5:00 am or on-line at www.espn1400.com

www.focusedfishing.com