Mike Worley Posted July 13, 2010 Posted July 13, 2010 We have had 3-5 inches of rain in the past few days which caused some changes in the water level(up 2'), water temp(down 4-5 degrees) and clarity(reduced). This seems to have moved the walleye shallower and narrowed the productive zone. For the past few weeks with the water level dropping and the weather being hot & drier the zone was about 25-35 foot. We fished in the Peel to Diamond city area and found it hard to get a bite deeper than 28' with the best zone being 24'-26'. The best areas to fish were smaller coves that contained brush piles and main lake flats with ditch's or drop offs. The best bait for us was still bottom bouncers & slow death rigs with 1/2 crawler and wally pop type lures with a whole crawler fished over the tops of the brush piles. We also caught some walleyes on jigging spoons on the brush piles. We tried the deep water trolling bite that has been producing some 21"-27" walleyes nearly every time out and caught a 4LB+ LM bass on a white 800 Reef Runner but no walleyes. We also caught a few spotted bass on the brush piles. I would still rate the fishing as very good........................Mike Worley (www.bullshoalsfishing.com)
Mike Worley Posted July 16, 2010 Author Posted July 16, 2010 Things are getting back to normal as far as the Walleye bite on Bull Shoals Lake. Yesterday we found the Walleyes to be in the 25'-40' range with the larger fish being suspended near the outside of the brush piles about 25' deep. The best bait for those fish seemed to be jigging spoons fished vertically and Wally pop type lures with a whole night crawler dead sticked on bottom bouncers. The slow death rig was also working but the larger Walleyes came on the Walleye pop for us. The better fish seemed to prefer the brush piles located near the points and mouths of the coves. One thing I would like to mention is that many of these brush piles seem to be loaded with this years bass fingerling's and the most effective spoons were the ones that looked like them (snagged up several of these baby bass while spooning) The bite seemed to be on pretty much all day with the largest Walleye being a 25"er caught at noon on a half day trip. We caught lots of 17 1/2" Walleyes on the sides of main lake flats on the drop offs and not much for us out on the flats. But we spent most of our time on the brush piles. We did not get to try trolling any crank baits but I'm pretty sure that a Shad Rap type lure fished in the 25'-30' zone outside the brush piles would also be productive. We also caught lots of big bream (sunfish) and some keeper sized bass on the brush piles and I think crawfish split shotted there would be a great way to load up on the Spotted Bass.......Mike Worley (www.bullshoalsfishing.com)
Forsythian Posted July 17, 2010 Posted July 17, 2010 Great reports Mr. Worley... sure is great to have a regular contributor in your neck of the woods. Just wanted to say it is appreciated- Ken Cenosillicaphobiac
lonkm Posted July 17, 2010 Posted July 17, 2010 Things are getting back to normal as far as the Walleye bite on Bull Shoals Lake. Yesterday we found the Walleyes to be in the 25'-40' range with the larger fish being suspended near the outside of the brush piles about 25' deep. The best bait for those fish seemed to be jigging spoons fished vertically and Wally pop type lures with a whole night crawler dead sticked on bottom bouncers. The slow death rig was also working but the larger Walleyes came on the Walleye pop for us. The better fish seemed to prefer the brush piles located near the points and mouths of the coves. One thing I would like to mention is that many of these brush piles seem to be loaded with this years bass fingerling's and the most effective spoons were the ones that looked like them (snagged up several of these baby bass while spooning) The bite seemed to be on pretty much all day with the largest Walleye being a 25"er caught at noon on a half day trip. We caught lots of 17 1/2" Walleyes on the sides of main lake flats on the drop offs and not much for us out on the flats. But we spent most of our time on the brush piles. We did not get to try trolling any crank baits but I'm pretty sure that a Shad Rap type lure fished in the 25'-30' zone outside the brush piles would also be productive. We also caught lots of big bream (sunfish) and some keeper sized bass on the brush piles and I think crawfish split shotted there would be a great way to load up on the Spotted Bass.......Mike Worley (www.bullshoalsfishing.com) Thanks for your reports. Sure picks up a fellers spirits to know that the fish are still biting and the where and how. I guess I will have to get some Wally Pops and learn how to fish them. Again Thanks!!
Mike Worley Posted July 21, 2010 Author Posted July 21, 2010 Walleyes, Spotted Bass & Crappies are in the 25'-40' range with the larger fish being suspended near the outside of the brush piles about 25'-27' deep. The best bait for those fish seemed to be jigging spoons fished vertically and nightcrawler rigs. The deep water trolling bite is still going pretty good in the 30'-40' range over the submerged forrest with Reef Runners catching Walleyes & Spotted Bass during the middle of the day. Schools of White Bass are in the back of some creeks and also bitting spoons. Bass are also being caught on bluff ends & drop offs with split shoted nightcrawlers 30'-50' deep...................Mike Worley (www.bullshoalsfishing.com)
kwall Posted July 21, 2010 Posted July 21, 2010 Walleyes, Spotted Bass & Crappies are in the 25'-40' range with the larger fish being suspended near the outside of the brush piles about 25'-27' deep. The best bait for those fish seemed to be jigging spoons fished vertically and nightcrawler rigs. The deep water trolling bite is still going pretty good in the 30'-40' range over the submerged forrest with Reef Runners catching Walleyes & Spotted Bass during the middle of the day. Schools of White Bass are in the back of some creeks and also bitting spoons. Bass are also being caught on bluff ends & drop offs with split shoted nightcrawlers 30'-50' deep...................Mike Worley (www.bullshoalsfishing.com) Mike,the Eyeman and I really enjoyed our trip with you last weekend.Thanks for showing us more tactics on putting more fish in the boat.
Mike Worley Posted July 21, 2010 Author Posted July 21, 2010 kwall I just got some of your pictures up today on my website. I really enjoyed fishing with you and eyeman.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now