Shore Fishing Lake Springfield

[smallmouthjoe]

There are some really good fish below the dam. The biggest fish I've ever caught out of The James, smallmouth, largemouth or spot, have all come from below the dam. I think that the lake above enriches the nutrient level of the river causing a larger than average base in the food chain. This results in an abundance of food for bass. Or at least that's my theory on why I usually catch above average fish there.

[emjay]

Where are you guys fishing below the dam? Its always packed I noticed. Are you wading? I've caught nice fish above the dam but if there are monsters down below, I would like to catch them.

[smallmouthjoe]

I usually wade well below the actual dam. I leave that water alone during the weekends and in the evenings. Early morning during the middle of the week is the best time to avoid competition from other anglers.

[Daveinozark]

sorry, I'm totally new to the area. Can you give me directions to where you mean? Are you going down Crenshaw road or puttin in right at the dam? I only ask because I haven't had much success yet. What bait set-up are you using?

[smallmouthjoe]

If I'm coming from Ozark, I would take 65 north get off on Evans road and take it west. Stay on Evans Road until you see the power plant, it's the first left after the entrance to the power plant. There's a sign there, honestly it's hard to miss. My usual bait selection for wade fishing is some sort of bait that allows me to fish the limited amount of spots I come across thoroughly. If not jigs, then tubes, if I don't get any response from those then I might try a senko or a shakey head. If the water is stained I'll use a spinnerbait or a crankbait. If the water is stained and the fish won't take an active bait I would use a darker colored jig and trailer with a hint of a bright color in the skirt. I don't think what you use is as important as where you use it. Find eddies and first try the seam where the fast water meets the slower water, that's usually where the active fish will be. Any mid stream current break, any wood in current, etc. Gook luck, go down river pass the low water bridge.

[emjay]

SMJ - are you talking about that bridge where the James begins to turn? are you wading all the way down from the dam or is there some kind of closer parking to it?

[smallmouthjoe]

Yes, I'm talking about where it turns back into The James, or goes back to its altered natural state. The only parking is at the dam. There's a little low water bridge down about a mile down but I think it might be the power plants. It's not that hard to get to just keep following the paths down river, once you have hit the low water bridge you know your starting to get away from everyone.

[Daveinozark]

thank-you for directions and advice!

[et84]

that is the james btw.. be respectful at river cut , I wouldnt want them to have any reason to throw up a no fishing sign.

they never give me any trouble but I make sure to leave no trash , if im standing next to some on the ground even though its not mine I pick it up. I also stay far from view , down on the bank off the greens or fairways. just the river.

Agreed. Last time I was down there I left with an empty handle of Jack Daniels (thankfully it hadn't broken yet) and a grocery bag half full of bobbers, line, cans, etc. No one has ever said anything to me about fishing down there, and I too want to keep it that way.

[hendernt]

a couple of good bait rigs for rght up below the dam. A weighted bobber w/ a small split shot and cricket about 3-4 feet below the bobber. Throe it up by the dam and let it float back. I have caught everything from gar to catfish to crappe on this rig. If you just want to fish for whatever try wheatie balls and catch some of the crap (oops i mean carp) that hang out don there. Also anything ressembling a shad when thrown right up against the dam can get strikes from bass.