October 11, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

October 11, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

The fall pattern for walleye has begun and the fish are being caught in shallower water (8-10 feet deep), particularly on cloudy days. Troll or cast Rattletrap or Wiggle warts, and you should catch fish. Experiment with color...it really hasn't mattered. Concentrate your efforts around the flats in the Mutton Creek area or the dam. The fish are still on the shad, so remember to locate the bait, which should not be hard, they're everywhere. As a result of this mega bait phenomenon, locate the bait that is surrounded by arches on your fish finder; this will show you where the walleye are feeding. Try a medium minnow on a bare jig head and stay on top of the schools with your trolling motor. Keep the bait above the depth of the fish. Another secret I have is to vertical spoon these fish with a pepper spoon, which is about 1/2 inch long. You'll need a light rod to yo yo the spoon down through the school of shad. Keep this tactic confidential because I usually charge for it.

Largemouth bass: Crank baits are the number one tool of the trade at this time. Deep divers work best in shallower water (5-12 feet); if you bump, you'll get bit. Crawdad colors are the most consistent colors; secondary points should be your primary targets. Fishing guide tip of the week: throw out that deep diving crank bait, let it rest on the surface for several seconds...it works as a good top water bait as well. I have picked up several 3-5 lb bass with this unpolitically correct technique. A deep diver wiggles on the surface like nothing the fish have ever seen. Now watch some bait company figure this out and make millions! It's kind of like the swimming jig idea....everybody does it, but nobody calls it anything. Spinner baits have been catching fish, as well as the deep diving crank baits, but not as consistently. I try to throw both in each area I fish. I had a client land a 5 lb spinner bait bass and I lost a crank bait bass at the boat that was quite a bit bigger. That is the truth. My friend the plastic worm will never leave my side because it will find big bass on a consistent basis. Try the backs of coves early and late with top water plugs, the top water bite has been fair.

Crappie: as usual, crappie are being caught on the brush piles throughout the lake on crappie minnows and crappie jigs. Try adding crappie niblets to your crappie jigs and see what happens. The bigger fish are still on the deeper crappie beds (around 25 feet deep). They are entering the fall pattern and are worth your effort. I saw an unfortunate incident at Ruark Bluff the other day when I discovered a pile of about 30 large crappie on the shore...half of them had not even been cleaned. Bad deal...need I say more?

Marty Thompson

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS