How Far?

[fireman]

This question is for those that boat the lake and know it well. I have a nitro fish and ski (fiberglass) w/125hp outboard. I have never been on taneycomo in a boat, but now that I have one I would like to boat and see the lake. So, that being said can someone tell me how safe would it be with a fiberglass boat and how far can i expect to go up and down the lake from lilleys landing? Are there boulders or any other obstructions I should watch for in the main channel. How deep is it running up to the dam? I watched a recent video of Phil running to the dam bu i believe that was when the lake was up. so any advise would be greatly appreciated by me and my insurance company. lol

Brian

[Phil Lilley]

Brian,

We just covered this in a topic -

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19784

[fireman]

Brian,

We just covered this in a topic -

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19784

Phil, Thanks I was just reading it. I would have to just bring the boat and try talking to your staff or yourself. when others talk about fall creek or other landmarks i have no clue thats what im concerned about... how far and where exactly are these place located? so anyways thanks love you articles.

Brian

[Thom]

Brian:

As Phil mentioned this topic was discussed thourghly in another thread but for some general info:

Put in at Coopers creek access and head upstream hanging out from the bluff side (left 20 feet or so) at a safe distance you will be ok until you get to the end of the bluffs on the left side. You will come to a series of docks on the left for a short distance and where they end you will see a small creek (short creek on the left) at this point go directly (the water is very shallow there with a hidden stump at the entrance of short creek) to the the other side of the lake and follow the bluff on the right side of the lake until you see construction (rip rap on the right side). This is the old fall creek boat dock being rebuilt. Fall creek is just at the end of the construction but the water get very shallow there on the right side. The channel shifts to the left side again and remains about 4 to 6 feet until you get close to fall creek entering on the right where the island appears at the end of the homes on the left end. I would seek more detailed info or obtain a good map (Phil has them at his Tackle store) before I would attempt to go farther. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GO ALL THE WAY TO FALL CREEK ON THE RIGHT SIDE. LOTS OF PROPS DAMAGED THERE. THE CHANNEL SHIFTS ABRUPTLY WITH THE WASH OF SILT AND DEBREE FROM FALL CREEK DURING HARD RAINS.

BTW down stream from Coopers creek is also a very interesting area and has few if any shallow hazards and can be lesurely traveled all the way to Branson Landing which is a nice scenic float and has a resturant to dock at and eat.

Hope this helps. Be sure to keep your depth finder on and also watch for floating debree which can be present somes during rainy seasons and heavy flow.

Courtesy observing no wake area is also appreciated by the dock owners.

Have fun and be safe.

Thom

[ribtips]

Buster (or was it Phil?) gave me the basic rule of thumb - the channel is on the bluff side (where the bank is the steepest) and stay away from the docks when you're above Lilley's. Getting from one side to the other when the bluff switches sides is the tricky part. Oh, and watch out for Buster's Log. I knew it was there and still almost bounced my prop off of it. It's at a pretty good place to fish, but it's off of the channel, so it shouldn't be a problem. If you find a good spot to drop an anchor off of the channel, head to the shallow side nice and slow, watch your depth finder, and look out for logs. If you can pat your head and rub your belly at the same time, you should be in good shape...

[Gatorjet]

Buster (or was it Phil?) gave me the basic rule of thumb - the channel is on the bluff side (where the bank is the steepest) and stay away from the docks when you're above Lilley's. Getting from one side to the other when the bluff switches sides is the tricky part. Oh, and watch out for Buster's Log. I knew it was there and still almost bounced my prop off of it. It's at a pretty good place to fish, but it's off of the channel, so it shouldn't be a problem. If you find a good spot to drop an anchor off of the channel, head to the shallow side nice and slow, watch your depth finder, and look out for logs. If you can pat your head and rub your belly at the same time, you should be in good shape...

Bounced the Gater off of or rather over Buster's log last year. Didn't hurt a thing, it's a Gator! But the 2 guys with me had to change their shorts!

[Bman]

Bounced the Gater off of or rather over Buster's log last year. Didn't hurt a thing, it's a Gator! But the 2 guys with me had to change their shorts!

Where's Buster's log? The River Pro skid plate's been looking for some logs to play with. The right ones. Jets are cool at Taney.

fireman,

Be careful if you decide to follow someone up past Fall Creek, if they're running a jet, you will get in trouble. Although there aren't many that could keep Gatorjets Gator in sight.

[troutgnat]

Here's a little help. AFTER you get to know roughly where to go it helps to keep your boat up on plane and engine trimmed well up. If your up on plane and trimmed out you have very little boat in water. My two cents worth here but when I approach Fall Creek I shut her down and hit the trolling motor if there is little generation. There is a huge shallow shoal just up from Fall Creek and can be a @#$%&* to get around if you don't know exactly where it is. Anyway there is usually good fishing right close by and plenty of boats fishing there most days so ease on by on the trolling motor aways and then you can get back on plane for a bit.

[Forsythian]

I've never taken my fiberglass boat above Fall Creek... just not worth the risk IMO.

[Gatorjet]

Where's Buster's log? The River Pro skid plate's been looking for some logs to play with. The right ones. Jets are cool at Taney.

fireman,

Be careful if you decide to follow someone up past Fall Creek, if they're running a jet, you will get in trouble. Although there aren't many that could keep Gatorjets Gator in sight.

I think it's the one in front of Short Creek. That's the one I hit. Water was only an inch or two over it, and a little wind rippled the surface so you couldn't see the tell tail wake from it. I knew it was there somewhere, just thought it was a little farther up.