A-Rig On Springfield

[MSUFisherBear]

I noticed a few boats that were chucking the A-rig this past weekend out on the lake. It's the first time that I have been able to get out in a while. At any rate, I am wondering if there has been much success down there with that particular set up. It would make since, but I would think fishing were the shad are congregating would be the most logical place to toss them. Just wondering what the success rate has been and if people are targeting more of the schools of shad, or are fishing the bait more like a giant spinnerbait.

Will say that I had some success on single tail grubs in the river being jigged on a darter head. A few dinks, but it was nice to have the line tugged again after so long!

[jbtiwns30]

I never used them but ive seen guys catch bass on them every now and then. But remember you can only use 3 hooks when fishing with that rig. Ive seen alot of people use the 5 hook rig and they didnt know about the 3 hook regulation there.

[MSUFisherBear]

Certainly. I'm still not sure that I am completely a fan of the A-Rig. Not so sure if that's because I feel that it's not completely legal (even with only three hooks) or just because I am jelous I don't have a set-up to chuck that beast (nor do I want to invest the money). I still feel I do just as well on my mainstays of soft plastics and jigs!

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Dragging worms or jigs works about the best. I always have a square bill tied on as well. This lake is a little shallow on my opinion for the rig. Spring is almost here and top water frogs are by far the best from my experience...when they start bedding up I just troll long and when I are a bed I will throw a plastic lizard at them. They usually can't resist moving it off the bed

[MSUFisherBear]

Dragging worms or jigs works about the best. I always have a square bill tied on as well. This lake is a little shallow on my opinion for the rig. Spring is almost here and top water frogs are by far the best from my experience...when they start bedding up I just troll long and when I are a bed I will throw a plastic lizard at them. They usually can't resist moving it off the bed

I couldn't agree more. I took one of my friends out in the canoe last year with a popper one morning, very early. We drifted down from Southwood and fished in and around the grass on the shallower edges and flats along the channel. Every isolated pocket held a fish, and I watched as my friend recorded back to back personal bests on the day of 4lbs 2 ounces, and 5lbs 6oz. Sadly, I didn't have my phone that morning as it had been raining and I didn't want to ruin the phone. No pics that morning, but it was one of the best fishing memories of recent past.

[luckycraft]

Springfield Lake has to be one of the most unique fisheries of the area with the warm water generation. It patterns different than any other body of water due to the warmer water. I remember catching fish on a crank bait in january. Try that in any other body of water. I am new to the A rig but Might give it a go. I usually pick up most of my fish either on the back near the railroad track or on the chunk rock bank prior to the boat house. Will throw the A rig this spring.

[soxpac]

I've had a ton of luck on lipless cranks there

[MSUFisherBear]

Springfield Lake has to be one of the most unique fisheries of the area with the warm water generation. It patterns different than any other body of water due to the warmer water. I remember catching fish on a crank bait in january. Try that in any other body of water. I am new to the A rig but Might give it a go. I usually pick up most of my fish either on the back near the railroad track or on the chunk rock bank prior to the boat house. Will throw the A rig this spring.

I think this is why I love this little lake so much. It's a great fishery and odd. I have caught fish in places and at times where all practical experiences would have told me "there is no way there is fish there". I loved going out here about 2 years ago in a large snow storm and catching some rather agressive fish on a Shad-Rap, a day I would have thought not likely, but tried it out due to the warm water flow. I think one of my favorite aspects of the lake is the miriad of fishing opportunities that it presents. If you like grass, it's the place to go. Like fishing bluffs? Well, theres always a fish or two there. River type of guy? There's log jam upon log jam in the upper portions in flowing water.

I think one of the other reasons I love the lake so much is because it mimics the lakes in SEMO, where I grew up. If anyone has ever fished Wappapelo, you would know what I am talking about. The massive shad schools just make it that much better. It doesn't hurt that I think some of the most curteous fishermen reside in Springfield, MO, and the lakes in this area are blessed to have them. From experiences on several bodies of water, I can say this place tends to be the exception to the norm, IMHO.