July 15, 2009 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

July 15, 2009 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

Lake level: 868.66

Normal pool: 867

Sorry for the absence of my weekly fishing report, but the bottom line is I have been in the office late every night and I don’t get home until about 9:30 pm. After I get home it takes about an hour to get my boat and bait put to bed for the next day’s trip. And by then, I don’t feel like doing a report. I hope you understand, a man has to work to pay his bills.

Please realize that the information I give you on each and every fishing report is related to my personal experience and information I gather from speaking to other anglers on a day to day basis. I try to be as accurate as humanly possible. By the way, I always take into account fishermen’s reputation for exaggerating the truth….

Walleye fishing is fair to good, depending on the day. Walleye are being caught off the flats north of Googer near mile marker B7. That covers a great deal of water, so you are on your own unless you want to hire a good guide. For the most part, active fish are taking advantage of the thermocline, which is located about 20 feet deep. For those of you that have not graduated fishing guide school, let me explain, because this is very critical this time of year. The thermocline is where hot water on the top presses against cold water underneath and on Stockton lake this year, it is about 20 feet. You will notice on your depth finder a dark band or fish readings at approximately this depth. The thermocline is where the hot and cold water come together. The different densities in water trap microorganisms in which the main bait fish (the gizzard shad) feed. We call those little buggers filter feeders. The walleye, along with all other fish eating predators that swim, take advantage of the thermocline for this reason.

You will notice from time to time a number of arches on your sonar at depths 15 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, etc. It has been my experience that these fish in these various depths are less active feeders than those that are in the thermocline. This is the walleye summer pattern, and it will continue until the lake turns over and the thermocline diminishes. Not only are walleye being caught on the various mud flats on the lake, but they are also being caught off main lake points where the thermocline meets cover or structure. That means the walleye can ambush the shad from cover as the shad swim along the thermocline at about 20 feet deep. Slow drift crawler harnesses, jig and minnows, or troll deep diving crank baits at that depth and over time you will catch fish. You may not catch huge numbers of fish per day, but this has been most consistent for me and all of the other fishermen I talk to on the lake.

Crappie: Remember thermocline. Crappie take advantage of the thermocline for the same reason the walleye do. However, crappie do not follow the shad throughout out the lake like walleye do. Depth is a key factor here once again, ladies and gentlemen. Brush piles, rock piles, humps, or bumps need to be at the 20 foot depth level to be productive. Crappie may be caught deeper in the middle of the day, but if you pay attention, you notice that your consistent bites are around 20 foot brush piles. The water may be 40 feet deep off of a main lake point, but the brush pile needs to be in 20 feet. Throw out a marker, get ready to hit anybody with a boat paddle that wants to fish your marker. Back off, and use a slip bobber. Make sure the bobber is positioned so that your minnow or crappie jig hangs about 2 feet above the brush or structure. You’ll have to find your own spots, but they are not hard to find. P.S. If you tell your minnow you love him, you’ll catch crappie over 9 and a half inches long.

Largemouth bass: I will appear in an article in the September issue of Missouri Game and Fish on bass fishing. As you know, I bass fish on my days off. In my own mind, and in the minds of my dad, my wife, and my daughters, I am really quite accomplished at catching good bass (5-8 pounds) on a consistent basis. In any publication you find about fishing on Stockton Lake, you read about walleye and crappie. Stockton Lake is yes indeed the premiere walleye lake in the state of Missouri, and according to recent publications, in the top ten lakes for walleye fishing in the southern US. Stockton Lake is an excellent crappie lake; I have seen crappie come out of this lake that are bigger than the skillet you cook them in. But what people don’t know is that Stockton Lake is a premiere black bass (black bass meaning largemouth, smallmouth, and Kentucky spotted bass) lake. The state record for smallmouth (7 pounds 2 oz) was set and broken on Stockton. There is no private property on the 300 miles of shoreline, which increases habitat and spawning areas. In my own opinion, Stockton is a real hot bass lake. I have caught bass over 8 pounds, and I have had clients catch them over 9 pounds. Would you like to learn Stockton Lake as a bass lake? I can teach you. One other thing…I don’t eat bass. Little ones or big ones. Walleye, catfish, blue gill, are fair game, unless they are the really big ones that create 90% of the little ones.

Channel cat fishing has been excellent all over Stockton Lake. Very few trips go by that we don’t catch 3-5 pound channel cats by accident. Secondary coves with access to deep water are a good place to go; anchor your boat, apply night crawler, chicken liver, or those cheap chicken/turkey/pork weenies. If you want to bank fish, anywhere you can get to the water you should catch fish.

Marty Thompson

Thompson Fishing Guide Service

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

Often imitated, never duplicated. Fish the Finest!

[showmebassin]

Hey Marty, great report. Thanks for the trip last week it was a blast. If you guys want a fun day on the water catching fish this is the guy you need to book. I've been fishing Stockton for a couple of years now but had never been walleye fishing. So I booked a trip last Thursday and Friday with Marty and brought my dad. It was a great trip. He showed us some new spots that we hadnt fish and I learned alot in those two days. It was definitely worth it. Thanks again Marty see you on the lake

JD

[shockley32]

I've been reading your reports for a number of months. I don't understand something, how come you don't tournament fish? If you have the ability to CONSISTENTLY catch 5-8 pound bass why don't I see you at bass tournaments?? I've fished several bass tournaments and occasionally see some great fish brought to the scales but nothing like I read in your reports. I'm not trying to stir up any trouble but would you please put your money where your report is???

Brad

[showmebassin]

I've been reading your reports for a number of months. I don't understand something, how come you don't tournament fish? If you have the ability to CONSISTENTLY catch 5-8 pound bass why don't I see you at bass tournaments?? I've fished several bass tournaments and occasionally see some great fish brought to the scales but nothing like I read in your reports. I'm not trying to stir up any trouble but would you please put your money where your report is???

Brad

Hey Marty, maybe you should fish a couple of tourney's and take this punks money. Maybe that'll make him happy. Oh wait your usually working on the water while they are out playing, that's right!

[shockley32]

Interesting the response. I'm not a punk, I'm willing to help anybody out in anyway. I don't make my living by being on the water nor do I desire that. I enjoy fishing and enjoy taking people with me who don't fish much. I'd just as soon take a kid or an elderly person and watch them catch fish. Don't know of many punks who do that.

All I'm saying is if you have the ability to catch that kind of quality consistently then why not tournament fish. There is far more money in tournament fishing than guiding, that I guarantee. How many guide trips generate $1000 plus? I love to tournament fish and gladly will give my money to the winner. Sometimes I win money sometimes I don't, but one thing I guarantee is I'll be there to shake the winners hand and say congratulations regardless if I lose by 1 ounce or 10 lbs.

It's just that I read the bass report and there is info about catching big fish but nothing about helping the average angler catch a few. Perhaps the report could have been a little more detailed?? I'm not asking for the gps coordinates but something better than what is reported. For example: Stockton Lake Bass fishing has been excellent. You can catch several bass by fishing main lake points, the points that are long and tapering tend to produce more bites. You can start by throwing crankbaits to catch the active fish, then follow by throwing jigs, plastic worms and creature baits. Start fishing the point shallow and then work your way out deeper. Some points are better than others and with a little time on the water you'll soon pick it up. Good luck and great fishing!

I don't personally need a fishing report, I'll go find the pattern myself whether good or bad. There is nothing in the above that is so specific it would keep people from hiring a guide. Even with the above report you still need to figure out what kind of crankbait, color, brand etc... that works the best. What kind, size and color of jig plus the trailer. Or what size worm, creature bait and the color. However there is enough info to get somebody started. Fishing is different everyday.

All I'm asking is to see these quality fish. Perhaps I'm a skeptic. I fish about 100 days per year, not near as much as a guide but far more than the average person. I've caught a lot of quality fish out of several lakes. I'm just wanting to see the proof. Perhaps there is a good explanation of why he doesn't show up to tournaments? Something like I just don't enjoy them or I'm taking out clients and teaching them to catch fish who are wanting to tournament fish and I don't think it is professional to fish against them. Or maybe a few pictures posted with the report.

I'm not trying to cause any problems and I'm happy to give my entry fee money to the angler that deserves it. I guess I'm just not a very good angler and skeptical. Sorry to offend anybody but I dont' understand.

Brad

[193Champ]

I have to roll with Brad on this one, I think everyone appreciates reports, but I could live without the self promoting. A fishing report is supposed to give advice on how to help people catch fish, not a Hire Me report.

In my own mind, and in the minds of my dad, my wife, and my daughters, I am really quite accomplished at catching good bass (5-8 pounds) on a consistent basis. I have caught bass over 8 pounds, and I have had clients catch them over 9 pounds. Would you like to learn Stockton Lake as a bass lake? I can teach you. One other thing…I don’t eat bass. Little ones or big ones. Walleye, catfish, blue gill, are fair game, unless they are the really big ones that create 90% of the little ones.

I believe there is a Thursday night tournament every week out of Ruark Bluff Maybe we could have someone show us how to catch a limit of 5-6 pounders!!

[trambia]

ah come on guys, you got to know marty hes was trying to be funny, he wasnt trying to brag, i for one have hired marty twice and my dad and i both caught fish and had a great time both times. he was very nice and knew what he was talking about, oh and by the way he caught about a 6lb bass the second trip. if i had the money i would hire him again.

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

ah come on guys, you got to know marty hes was trying to be funny, he wasnt trying to brag, i for one have hired marty twice and my dad and i both caught fish and had a great time both times. he was very nice and knew what he was talking about, oh and by the way he caught about a 6lb bass the second trip. if i had the money i would hire him again.

Dear Brad,

Here are the reasons I don't tournament fish:

1) Most quality tournaments do not allow a fishing guide to fish on their home lake in a tournament.

2) Like you expect to make the most money you can to provide for your family, so do I. Some tournament organizations require that you cannot fish a week prior to the tournament pre fish date. That's $225 per day that I lose, plus the entry fees. Unless you are a Kevin Van Dam, you are not going to make more money tournament fishing than guiding, at least in my experience.

3) Most quality tournaments are held on Sunday, and I choose to go to church rather than fish a tournament on The Lord's Day.

4) Reference your above challenges, please read my clients' responses. That is putting my money where my mouth is.

5) Yes I am trying to promote my business. Don't you? In return, I make the effort as the forum moderator, to teach people what I know.

6) There is a conflict of interest between many tournament fishermen sidelining as guides...not all, but it does exist. When you hire me, I am very forthcoming with my information; I encourage my clients to bring their Stockton Lake maps, and I show them by fishing spots. Besides this, I get a bigger thrill out of taking a father and son or grandfather and son, fishing than I receive from bass tournaments.

7) On the Thursday night local tournaments on Stockton, I usually have a client. Clients are guaranteed money, tournaments are not.

And a final note to you, Brad. You said you don't need a fishing report. If you don't need a fishing report, don't read it. No need to get so upset. Go do the things your wife has been wanting you to do all summer.

Marty Thompson

Thompson Fishing Guide Service

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

Often imitated, never duplicated. Fish The Finest!

[shockley32]

Dear Marty,

I greatly appreciate your reply. I completely understand why you don't tournament fish. All I was doing was proposing a few simple questions. If the manner I proposed them offened you or any one I apologize. I would hope you didn't read into my post something I did not intend.

I respect your desire to do what you think is best for your family. I also greatly respect your desire to be at church on the Lord's day instead of on the lake. Putting the Lord and your family before other things is respectable and commendable.

I would just appreciate a little more useful information in the reports. I don't need the reports I'm going to go to the lake to try my own patterns and find something that works for me. We can all fish the same lake on the same day and do something completely different and both be successful. The reason I read reports is simple: I love to fish and am very interested in what is going on. When I can't be on the water I can quickly check the computer in a few minutes and keep up with what's going on. This forum, as well as several others, provide a lot of good info for people. For the info you provide I thank you and applaud your efforts. There are several who will use this forum for the info and never provide anything to it. It's take and never give approach.

Again if I offended anybody I apologize.

Brad

[Allen R.]

Schockly32 (and anyone else requesting more information), I think you should try looking at reports from the past, you'll see exactly what you're requesting.

http://www.google.com/#q=site%3Aozarkangle...;fp=Xmf0jJ9P_V0

Marty usually gives pretty solid information that is detailed just right. I've spent most of my life bass fishing (only 28 now), and for my birthday, my wife and I went bass fishing with Marty last fall. Both he and I caught some quality fish. My bass club just had a night tournament this past weekend, and well, here are the results (I'm Allen Riddle by the way):

http://raytownbassclub.net/

I fished a lot of the spots that Marty showed me, on top of that, he showed me some places on my map. I understand your question, and you've made it very clear you were not trying to be a jerk or anything. I just wanted to post something about this to anyone still reading because Marty has put in a lot of time over the years on this forum and I would recommend any bass fisherman that would like to learn about Stockton to book a trip with him. I'll probably go out with him again sometime, it's fun to fish with fellow wormers, especially when they bring fried chicken on the boat.