December 14-15-16 Report

[Bill Babler]

Well, last weekends Arctic Blast and High Winds have subsided, and they for sure dropped the water temps to right at 50 most places. I have fished the Kings, White and Kimberling City to Longcreek the last few days and the temps are pretty much the same on this area. 50 to 52.

Bite is for sure still on, but it is much more scattered. Did hear today of a very good off color water wart bite that I thought may be drying up a mite. Guess Not.

Most warts with a shade of orange are the ticket. Work it pretty slow, and if you can get in very tight on some of the windy rock/gravel mix banks. River and creek arms seems to me much better than the main lake, as they have some color and the main lake is really clearing up.

Day before yesterday fishing out of Shell KNob, I had a couple of very nice 18 inch LM on the wart. Last points in the back of the coves or up the creeks. Those fish had their backs out of the water coming no more than 3ft. to 6 ft. deep.

Two reports I just heard of one of the locals catching 15 plus pounds a day on a wart, prefishing for the derby on Saturday. and I also heard there was a derby with a guy last Sunday weighing in 23 pounds on a wart. Sounds like March dosent it.

At 910 there are lots of trees exposed and the stickbait bite is beginning to start. I am letting mine pause about 10 seconds between triple jerks and then just trying to turn its head. Had a very nice 4 plus pound brown bass out of the Big Indian today. Boat was in 16 ft. and I was throwing a Tim Hughes Norman Flake. Typical sickbait banks, for me mostly just "Milk Running" to points and long runnouts. Prefering some timber, but not necessary. Of course a chop on the points is always the key. With the clarity of the water I'm using mostly "Blue, Shad, Purple, Black Backed stickbaits."

Lots of shad in the river arms, but the deep bite is really hit and miss. Shad off the flats and main lake point and in the creeks, but not all holding fish. IF you can find them, 1/2 oz. white or charturse spoon seems to be the ticket. Pretty tough deal however. Good electronics and lots of looking will catch you some nice fish. If you have limited time and don't want to stare thru the spotting scope for hours, work those shallow fish.

Deep dock bite seems to have remained pretty good, on the spoon, but you might have to look at 30 docks to find the right one. Shallow jig bite on the shallower docks is very sketchy. Seems to be some fish on lots of different docks, but just not the right kind. Lots of Dinks.

Pulled into a dock at the Knob a couple of days ago, and spooned 13 fish with 5 keeps, at 33 ft. off the front of the dock at the cable. Tried every other dock in the location, and not a bite. This dock was not on the point or had anything special about it except it was holding the fish.

I'm very luck I have the time to look everywhere and try all this stuff. It takes hours and hours on each pattern to really make anyone of them work.

I'm at a loss on the blade bite. If those fish are shallow on the wart, you can bet someone will be catching them on a blade. Just have not tried it, don't have enough hands.

CPA Buddy Winter Series this weekend, and it will be a good one. It pays huge and it is very easy to take good care of the fish in this cold water, they are very fisty and easy to catch and release without harm. I fish very few tournaments, but these Winter series are a blast and as I mentioned it is very easy on the fish. The CPA crew, handles these fish with Kid Gloves, and the commorodery is fantastic.

40 boat is 5 grand to the winner and fantastic payouts for the top 5, plus Big Bass pot and a side pot. Saturday at Kimberling Inn at 7 AM. You and your buddy can register the morning of the derby.

Jim Thompson is a great guy and supporting him is pretty easy. This derby is 100% payback. Weather is suspose to be in the low to mid 40's. Come out and meet Jim "Owner of CPA." It will be a great day on the water. Hope to see you there. Beck and I will be in my White Champion, come by and say howdy to us.

[Guest]

All that sounds pretty fun, thanks for sharing...

[Quillback]

Yes, thanks for the info, and good luck in the tourney!