Looking For Crappie Pointers

[DerekB]

While I really enjoy fishing many lakes in the state, Truman sits a mere 74 miles from my house. I've only been there a few times bass fishing, mainly because the standing timber makes me very nervous when running the boat down creeks.

I'd really like to give the crappie fishing a try starting this weekend, but I'm relatively new to that. Can anyone give me some good pointers on where to go, type of cover to fish, and baits to use? I usually put in around the state park, but can put in elsewhere if needed.

Thanks in advance.

[J.M.]

You might try in the slack water below the dam had a friend up there and well Mon.

[shaker]

The slack water or the old channel like J.M. mentioned is probably the best shot right now but it does get crowded especially on the weekends. If you go to the lake I would head for the areas that you are the most familiar with State Park area would be as good as any. The lake has come up very fast to 9 + ft. high and is holding right now the water is still cold. The crappie should be halfway back in the creeks probably close to spawning areas but I would guess out away from the banks and probably holding deep. Slow and close to the bottom would be what I would start with 1/16 and 1/8 oz jigs in black and chartreuse, red and chart. orange and chart, if you hit real muddy water the black and pink work real well. too.

If you hit a day when to weather is nice and stabile and the water warms up I would think that some crappie will head toward the banks but probably smaller ones. But I would sure make a cast toward any bank that has chunk rock and gravel on it just to make sure that some haven't sneaked up there especially if there is some brush or cover in the area. A Road Runner jig would be my choice with any of the colors mentioned for throwing to the banks it would be hard to beat a flame orange head or hot pink.

As for running the creeks just go slow real slow until you learn your way around. Any time I leave the main channel slow down and trim the motor up. If you are really not even sure about that use the trolling motor I have done it many times myself.

Good Luck

RB

[Wahoo61]

I am no expert, but according to the last check with TIghtwad C Store Bait and Tackle, they were still tearing them up in the dead arm just below the dam. There is a boat ramp on the east side of the dam right in the dead arm. I am going there tomorrow. Read the bucksaw marina and Sterret Creek reports and they always talk about crappie.I talked to some guys on sunday that fished the dead arm and they said they were fishing 15 feet down in about 20 feet of water.

Sterret Creek on 4-21 wrote regarding crappie:

"Another big rainfall has the lake stained to muddy in all areas, but the warmer temps have brought up the surface water temps to 54 and 55 degreeson the main lake, and near 60 in the backs of the creeks.

The backs of the major creeks, and way up the rivers are very muddy, but should clear rapidly when the corps turns the dam back on hopefully that will happen this week.

We have one more cold front to deal with on Tuesday of this coming week, and after that it looks as though Spring will finally be here.

Lake is still rising but there is a bite for crappie, bass, and the blue cats are also doing well.

The crappie on the lower lake near the dam are being caught in 14 to 19 feet of water on 1/4 ounce Bob Bates jigs fished slow, slow, slow, just a few inches off the bottom in the deep bare gravel coves.

Fish are scattered so you have to cover alot of water from the mouths of the coves to about 2/3 of the way back in the coves.

Bright colors, such as chartruse, orange, and red are best jig bodies

Bucksaw's report on 4-22 said:

April 22, 2013 Water Temp 54 Lake Level Lake Level 713.81
Discharge 0 Water Clarity Very stained Crappie- With all the lovely rain the lake is coming up quick. Water got a little dirty and has cooled off just a touch. The fishing slowed down early in the week but this weekend did produce some fish. We were still trolling in the creeks in 15 feet of water fishing 10 feet down with minnows. The bite was slow but the fish were BIG! With lots of sunshine it’s going to get good fast.

Tight Lines!

[oneshot]

Something I was seeing on the Main Lake is I know some places are Wall to Wall Timber but water is just over it so take your time if you start seeing timber.

If you find a Tree out by its self try there.Saves trying to fish a Big Play Ground.

oneshot

[DerekB]

I really appreciate all the great tips. When you say "slackwater", are you refering to the Weir? Also, I'll be putting my new Lowrance HDS 7 to work this weekend as well, so hopefully that will help me getting around in the shallow water.

[Wayne SW/MO]

When you say "slackwater", are you refering to the Weir?

No they're talking about Bledsoe Ferry, below the dam. it's the old river channel and opposite of the generation and spillway area. I believe it also has a length limit.

[DerekB]

Thanks for the clarification, Wayne. If I'm not mistaken, that's what I'd call the Osage River and technically not Truman. Probably why there's a length limit. I've heard the fishing is good there this time of year. I may have to try it out. Thanks again, everyone.

[Ranger Dave]

Thanks for the clarification, Wayne. If I'm not mistaken, that's what I'd call the Osage River and technically not Truman. Probably why there's a length limit. I've heard the fishing is good there this time of year. I may have to try it out. Thanks again, everyone.

Technically this is called Lake of the Ozarks or the Truman Tail Waters area.

[DerekB]

Well, it was a rough weekend fishing. I caught 8 nice crappie, all on Sunday. They were all caught in the Hogle's Creek area of Truman on minnows in about 20 feet of water.

I wanted to fish the tailwater area, but you could have literally walked across the river on boats and not got your feet wet. Crazy!!