Requesting Information/updates From The Long Creek/dam Area

[BassMan62]

Hello, new member here. Taking some vacation time and will be fishing the Branson area 7/24 - 7/30. Was wondering if anyone had any reports specifically around the Long Creek or Dam area. I fish Eagle Rock area just do not have a chance to get up to this end a lot. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank You..

[Ozark Ranger]

check the Missouri Dept of Conversation, they post reports every Thursday. But I know the good bite has been in the Cape Fair Marina end.

[Champ188]

BassMan, this is more general than specific, but you have a few different options.

Out on the main lake, you can dropshot the big commercial docks with the finesse worm of your choosing. This time of year, and anytime the surface temp is above 85, I lean toward plum or even straight strawberry red. Of course, live crawlers will work well, too. Keep an eye on the forum here for fresh news on the thermocline and keep your bait in it or close to it. Generally, it's gonna be around 30 feet.

If that doesn't trip your trigger, you can tie on a football jig or hula grub and drag them off long runout points or bluff ends. In my experience, bluff ends with timber tend to outshine those without it this time of year. You might also try dragging a tube for smallmouth in those same areas. Seems like a fellow told me he caught some that way recently, although I can't recall who or when that might have been. LOL — You can also downsize to a shaky head (plum finesse worm) and get plenty of bites in the right areas.

Finally, you can go on up Long Creek/Cricket Creek and find some classic river fishing territory. Plenty of places to pull deep crank baits off channel ledges or drag a jig around. There can be a good flippin' bite up there, too, but with the low lake level, there may not be a lot of cover in the water. Speaking of which, be very careful running up above Cricket Creek Marina. You can do some damage in a hurry.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

[rps]

Bassman:

Champ knows. Listen well.

[BassMan62]

Thank You to Ozark Ranger, Champ188 and rps. I am looking forward to a little time off. Champ I also live in B.V. I really enjoy chasing the smallmouth & spots when I get up that way. As you mention the drop shot has served me well over the years, should be able to pick up a few. Have not fished this year as I have in pervious years. I moved up to NW AR in 95. Since then I have fished in a couple of local clubs, both of which have dried up. The second just last year so have not had the energy to search out a new club yet. Last Year we also caught so nice LMB up Long Creek. Again Thanks for the info. Always helps to get some local intel. BM

[Bill Babler]

Pretty good sized guide trip out of chateau on the lake yesterday morning. I believe 8 guides fishing 2 or 3 clients each. They were having a little fun 3 fish per boat derby and I believe only 2 guide boats weighed in any fish at all. Deep fish caught with a crawler rig.

Denny went yesterday with the grand kids and had a very good day dropshotting the night crawler for the kids and I believe he fish a cuttal and a craw. I believe they caught them pretty good yesterday. Suspended over deep water points. He may chime in. Dock bite has been about the only life down there once the sun comes up and most of them are just getting hammered by repeat customers.

Have heard of a few fish being caught suspended at the Aux. Spillway. No White's, but K's. Most are being caught at 35' orver what ever. You just have to move slowly aroiund till you see one on the graph and drop to it.

Good Luck

[denjac]

Picked up My Son and 7 year old Grandson just before daylight at Moonshine. Saw 3 of the guide boats Bill had mentioned bobbing around in front of the spillway and point. Didnt see any action so we bugged out of there. WE fished gravel runouts and points in 45 ft. to 60 ft deep. The fish were 24 to 26 ft so set my Grandsons crawler at 20 and they came up to eat it. I started out with a kut tail worm but they were"nt having it. Switched to a small crawdad and they jumped on it. Picked up 2 to 4 fish per spot with one area giving us most our fish. Ended up with 15 to 18 with 3 0r 4 keepers. Heard my Grandson yell from the back of the boat several times, This fish is strong, Grandpa help ! Dad was there in back to render aid so I just sat back and chuckled. Caught several tube fish when I swung in shallow enough to fling it. Our bite ended around 9 :30, off the water at 11. It was getting hot and young uns get impatient if you dont keep em on the bite. Glad I was able to find some for the lttle guy.

[rps]

Good on you. You are making memories and a man.

[Jerry Rapp]

good for you denjak! Thumbs up!

[Champ188]

Great job, Denny. You're grooming yourself a tournament buddy there.