New To Boating Taneycomo, Help Please

[catfish307]

Hi all,

I'm new here as far as posting but I've been reading a lot of the older posts for a little while. My names Chris and I live in Lexington, MO.I've been to Taneycomo fishing a few times in my life and have wonderful memories of going there several times with my grandparents when I was a kid (30+ years ago). The last time I was there was in the mid 1990's, which is way too long between trips and I'm going to change that now. Got a brand new motor for my boat and want to bring it down with the family for a lot of fishing the week after next. I just want to keep my boat and motor in one piece so I can continue using it there on Taneycomo.

Where would be the best place to put it in the lake at? Is there an area on the upper lake that I should avoid going past so as to not chance hitting bottom or large rocks. I'll be taking it pretty slow on the whole river just to be on the safe side. If someone has a rundown of where to go and not to go when the water is flowing and off, that would be great. I've been reading older posts and trying to take notes as well. I'm wanting to mostly jig fish for the larger rainbows which is why I'm wanting to go up stream as far as safely possible. Thanks for any and all of your help. Chris

[Thom]

[quote name='catfish307' date='27 July

Where would be the best place to put it in the lake at? Is there an area on the upper lake that I should avoid going past so as to not chance hitting bottom or large rocks. I'll be taking it pretty slow on the whole river just to be on the safe side. If someone has a rundown of where to go and not to go when the water is flowing and off, that would be great. I've been reading older posts and trying to take notes as well. I'm wanting to mostly jig fish for the larger rainbows which is why I'm wanting to go up stream as far as safely possible. Thanks for any and all of your help. Chris

[/Put in at Coopers creek MDC access. It is located just off of Fall creek road. Turn off at the Lilleys landing sign and take the first road to the left.

You can easily boat up to Fall creek (that area below Fall creek is non restricted for rainbows) Below Fall creek you will see a new boat dock (Fall creek boat dock). Float down the center area there and then hang just out from the channel on the bluff side there (opposite side from the homes on the other side).

Then you might want to switch sides at the condos just after you see the gravel boat access (ramp is private) and fish that floating about the middle until you get past short creek. (watch for the shallow shoals where the creek comes in and stay about in the center of the stream there. Then move over and float the side where the docks are until you get back to Coopers creek. float out from the bluff side and throw in toward the bluffs. You can float all the way to Branson and tie up a Bass Pro shop to have lunch in their resturant.

All of that area below Fall creek is non restricted except for Brown trout. Above Fall creek rainbows must be under 12" or over 20" and the water there is a little harder to navigate. There is a limit of 4 trout with only one brown which must be over 20".(total aggregate is still 4 trout.) I would recommend that you release all of the browns however. You should be able to catch you limits with the bows and leave the Browns there to grow larger for another day. Take a picture and let that be your throphy.

Stop in at Lilleys and ask for a map and what is working. You will get good advice there and find very good prices on jigs, bait and lures that they might recommend.quote]

[catfish307]

Thanks Thom, just the kind of info I was looking for. Is it pretty safe then below Fall Creek even when the water is off? Definitely will be going to Lilley's for supplies and tips. I actually was going to stay there but we waited too late to plan this trip and they were all booked up for when we were going to go down there. We'll definitely make plans sooner next time and stay there. Phil has great advice and videos that I've been reading and watching the last several days.

Thanks again. Chris

By the way Thom I've got some relatives there in O'Fallon.

[Thom]

Chris:

I am planning on being at Taney next week from 1st until the 6th. When are you going to be there?

[catfish307]

Hi Thom,

We will be there the 10th thru the 15th.

[Gatorjet]

Thom has given you excellent advice. I can add a little that might be of value. If there is no generation in the morning, as has been the case for a while. You can anchor on the shallow side of just off the channel above Short Creek. Ther is a large log right a the mouth of the creek. Remember to come in from above the creek, and pull out to the channel when you leave, The water gets real shallow below the creek.

You cast out into the channel, and the preferred bait now is an inflated night crawler. Either on a "Taney rig" or just with a split shot for enough weight to cast to the channel.

Power Bait Gulp eggs will work, but not as well. For the past several years it seems that one white egg with one of another color works the best. Pink with the white has been doing well lately.

Other options if you don't want to go to Short Creek would be below Cooper Creek, just above Monkey Island, the bridges at Branson, and even in front of Branson Landing.

Fishing has been tougher in the afternoons if they start generating, but drifting the same baits will get you some fish

Bob

[catfish307]

Thanks Gatorjet, I'll be sure to give that area a try. Can't wait to get down there. It's been a lot of years since I was down there last and I've never been there with my own boat. As long as I can motor up the lake and not hit anything I'll be happy.

[catfish307]

Well, we made it down there and back and I still have all the paint left on the prop and lower unit of my motor. I bet the boat mechanics down there are kept busy all the time. I saw and heard several boats run into the shallows at what I think was called short creek. We mainly stayed in that area between Trout Hollow Lodge and Fall Creek. The current was a lot more swift than I thought it would be but I guess that's what happens when they run all 4 generators. That pretty much left me out of the fishing since I spent all my time tying rigs, baiting, unhooking fish, etc. for the wife and son.

We did manage to catch quite a few rainbows and I caught one Brown that went about 2lbs. Went to Phils and bought some of his jigs and I hooked one after another along the bluff there on the orange head sculpin jig. For about 2 hours every 2nd or 3rd cast would get a hit. My 9 year old son did the best though. I had told him before we took the trip that there were some big fish in the lake and he said he wanted to catch about an 8 pounder. He asked if he could keep a big one and get it mounted if he caught one and I said "sure", because what are the odds of him first hooking a big one on his zebco #11 and 4lb test and then actually getting it into the boat? Well, they were a lot better than I thought.

Sunday afternoon he hooked and landed a 7.5lb 23 inch Rainbow near Short Creek. I was dumbfounded after we got it into the boat. I asked him if he wanted to turn it loose so it could grow bigger and he reminded me that I told him he could keep a big one if he caught it. So unfortunately I had to keep my word. He also reminded me that he had been throwing a lot of smaller trout back so he could keep fishing for a big one. I'd have loved to have seen him let it go but I seen how much it meant to him and was willing to take any criticism handed out for keeping it.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I appreciated the tips everyone gave that helped us have a safe and successful fishing trip. We can't wait to go back next year.

Thanks again, Chris

[Trout Commander]

Glad you all had a good time!

Where are the pics?!

[Gatorjet]

Glad you had a good time. Sounds like a trip of a lifetime for a 9 year old boy! Although some may disagree with me, and I would have liked to see that big fish go back in so that I would have a chance at him in a tournament this weekend (LOL), I think the memories and story that mount will bring for the rest of his life is worth it.

In the future, remember that the Branson chapter of Trout Unlimited give out a pin and nice award certificate for trout over 20" that are released unharmed. I always have my camera with me so I can get a quick pic, release the fish, and tell Phil about it to get the pin and certificate.

Sounds like this trip might just have you and your family coming back more often. Hope so!

Bob