Advice For Black Bass Trip

[CadeWompus]

Hi guys and gals! I am new to Ozark Anglers and I am very impressed with what I have seen so far! I am looking for some help planning an upcoming bass trip next weekend(5/4-5/6). My buddy and I usually go to Stockton once a year and we really enjoy it. Seems like we usually figure 'em out by the end, but it would be great if we could get a "head start" this year. Any info on areas of the lake that are good, techniques, water conditions, etc would be very appreciated. In the past we have fished mid and lower lake, but we will go where we need to catch the bigger bass. Do you think they will be post spawn at that time? Thanks again for your help!

[sixstring531]

I posted my trip from last week where we caught 70+ largemouth. Nothing was huge (most were 14-17", one three pounder), but it was all day fun. In the past we've really enjoyed putting in at the lauch near H (after crossing the second bridge, there's a beach on the left and launch on the right) and gone down the Sons Creek arm. There's a large rock point - goes real deep to pretty shallow rather quickly) at the power lines (on your right after heading down the arm from that launch) and it always produces something nice down that bank. We've also done well putting in at Crabtree Cove (near dam) and fishing directly across the lake as well as down toward the rock wall. Bottom line is, there are fish everywhere in Stockton. Where the big ones are at, I really don't know - we've caught big before, but never just been in a mess of large bass (4+ lb)

Here is a list of baits I know work wonders at stockton:

Topwater:

Popper of somekind (I like the larger ones with rattles)

Buzzbait (I like Black)

Zarra Spook (the yellow and green frog looking one seems to be the best for us)

Softplastics:

Chompers stick bait (senko) - watermelon red

Zoom Trick work fished shakey head - watermelon red

Chompers Skirted Grub on jig head - watermelon red (fish LOVE Chompers!)

Jig and Pig - last time we used black and blue with a Net Bait paca craw trailer

Crankbaits:

Wiggle Warts

Bandit brands

Sexy Shad colored cranks (forget maker - they are KVD's colors)

Shad colored lipless

I know we've used stick baits, but I rarely do and can't remember any details of the brand, size and or color.

So, I've basically listed the majority of the standard bass baits -- go figure, bass love bass baits!

Hope this helps some!

[9LB]

Great tips, I agree with all. For some reason Plum and anything Purple seems to do well.

[CadeWompus]

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the detailed advice SixString. I can't wait until next weekend! I heard someone else talking about moss. What is up with that? Is it all over the lake?

[9LB]

Moss is abunant. Has not seemed to hurt the bite. Down in the rivers the moss is not as bad.

[shockley32]

Went bass fishing yesterday afternoon for a few hours - did pretty good considereding it was the middle of the afternoon with a bright sun. Fished secondary points halfway back the creeks - caught fish on cranks (200 series bandit), spinnerbait and a senko style bait (Shimmer Stix - homemade). If this weather coming through tonight doesn't mess things up you should do very well.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Brad

[CadeWompus]

Thanks for the info, Brad. My trip isn't until next weekend, but I will be sure to post how it goes. I am fully expecting the fish to be mostly post spawn. My buddy and I love to fish C-rigs, so we will probably start out rigging points and see if we can find some post spawners. With the expected rain, if lake levels go on the rise again we may have to spend some time pitching the bushes. Based on your info, sounds like I shouldn't rule out the spinnerbaits and cranks. Anyone heard of anyone using that new Alabama Rig at Stockton? I know some guys that supposedly hammered the bass at Lake Ozark with it.

[9LB]

I sure do see a lot of boats throwing it out. The topwater bite is on as well. I highly reccomend thtowing a spook in the morning and evening. We caught bass all day long on everything but I caught nearly all the good one's on the zara spook. I was having a lot of luck fishing the points and the

bushes with plastics and crankbaits and then I would throw the spook once I got into the back of the coves. I have had no fish dropping eggs or the other. Looks like some fat bellies though. I had some pretty beat up males like they have been fighting but no fish with beat up tails, like they have been tending to beds ? I did have several times last weekend where bass were moving my bait not striking it. I think they were just moving it off their bed but I am no biologist. It was weird how many times this happened ? I have not seen a lot of beds but the wind has been up and the water a little dingy.

[CadeWompus]

Good info 9LB! Thanks for sharing! Looks like water is on the rise again...guess we will see how that changes things. Can anyone comment on water color? I am mainly curious about water color around the dam area and maybe around State Park Ramp.