5/7 Kimberling City And Dam Area

[motoman]

Sorry this is late too......I repeatedly tried posting it while I was down there; but also could not.:-(

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5/7 Kimberling City and The Dam area

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Got a late start tuesday morning and hit the water about 7:30. Fog was just burning off, no wind......so there was a glassy surface. Tried and tried the Redfin.......no love.:-(.......same report as prior day. Ned rig with PB&J Zman soft stick baits. Accept no substitutes! :-)........caught one about every 10-15 minutes or so. About half of our fish were keepers this morning.

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Same report as yesterday; until things slowed down around noon. We decided to head to Danna's for some BBQ for lunch. MMmmmm.......good stuff. Similar to 'Bandanas' back home........but I digress.:-)

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Back on the water about 2:00, and headed for some of the coves by the dam. Thought we would see what was doing up there, since johndarin posted such a great report. (Thanks buddy!:-)

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I have NEVER been up by the dam, but figured it was worth a shot. Ive had an older, slower boat with a smaller fuel tank, until this year. and thats a bit of haul from KC........So i had NO clue where to go, except follow what johdarin suggested.

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Different water, different technique than kimberling City.......So, We picked a cove across from the Branson Belle, slightly to the south, but we could see the Belle the whole time we were fishing. Went about halfway back into the cove, grabbed a south shoreline with some timber, in betwixt other boats. Which there was a surprising amount of boats up there compared to around Kimberling City?!?!?!

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Held the boat in 35'ish feet of water, throwing a smoke/red and smoke/purple flake grub, on jigheads under 1/4 ounce. Smoke/purple flake XPS was

Most productive. We kept the boat parallel to the shoreline and for whatever reason, diagonal casts towards shore, thru submerged, standing timber was most productive. We would count down, or let it hit bottom, then ssssssllllllowwwlllyyy reel it in. Painfully slowly reel it in. Just enough to get the tail moving. Good mix of kantucks and smallies. About half were keepers. Averaging a fish every 10-15 minutes again; until about 5:30'ish.......Had to get back and leave them. Water is CRAZY clear up there. Could make out silhouettes of bottom structure in 30 feet of water! (Vs. 10+ feet in KC area)

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I couldn't believe all the boats working the shoreline by the dam......guys were fishing between us and the shore.......and grumbling about there results. Again, I tried offering suggestions......few were interested.:-(

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We had MUCH better luck getting the grub down deep, where you couldn't see it. If we could see it, we would occasionally have fish fire up out of the murky deep and chase it down. So I would recommend ssssllllowwww rolling it in the depths........where you can't see it.:-)

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Good luck!:-)

[Quillback]

Thanks for the report, I need to start doing the deep grub thing myself.

[Jason Essary]

motoman, cops for kids out of state park was yesterday. So that explains the traffic, and some of the anglers that didnt know what to expect or do. Was suppose to fish it but had to find a sub because my mother passed.

[motoman]

I can't explain why; but for us:

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Kimberling City = minimal Grub action, Maximum Ned Rig

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Dam Area = Maximum Grub action, minimum Ned Rig

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Water temps near the dam were around 65, Kimberling City 58 (but Ive been told my fish finder temp readings have been wrong before:-(

[motoman]

motoman, cops for kids out of state park was yesterday. So that explains the traffic, and some of the anglers that didnt know what to expect or do. Was suppose to fish it but had to find a sub because my mother passed.

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Ahhh, that explains it Jason. Stinks those guys were struggling. I was more than eager to offer suggestions to those interested.:-(.......but I surei understand how frustrating it can be tourney day, late in the afternoon.:-(

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I'm TERRIBLY sorry to hear about you loss Jason. That's difficult stuff indeed.:-(........I lost my father almost a year to the day last week; we were

Very close, so I do feel for yah.:-(.......I'll be thinking about yah!;-).......I shot you a PM too.

[dtrs5kprs]

motoman, cops for kids out of state park was yesterday. So that explains the traffic, and some of the anglers that didnt know what to expect or do. Was suppose to fish it but had to find a sub because my mother passed.

Jason...please know you and yours are in our prayers.

Doug...seems like a lot of those cops for kids guys (not including the local sticks who fish) are folks who come down geared up for power stuff. At least from the guys who have stayed by me when I was there during it in years past. That was back when it was going out around 13.

[motoman]

Jason...please know you and yours are in our prayers.

Doug...seems like a lot of those cops for kids guys (not including the local sticks who fish) are folks who come down geared up for power stuff. At least from the guys who have stayed by me when I was there during it in years past. That was back when it was going out around 13.

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I agree with yah there Dave; that seemed to be the case. I guess I shouldn't be so hard on them; as we've chatted about......The Rock can be a harsh mistress!(haha)......but I sure feel bad for the guys i see struggling......and when I try and reach out and offer a little friendly advice, only to be snubbed!?!??........it leaves me scratching my head.:-(

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I just saw the top ten results of that tourney; and I recognize/kinda-sorta know a few of those guys in the top ten. Some good sticks in the likes of Eustlers, Maloney, Satterfield.

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That looks like a well organized tourney. The buddy of mine that was down with me; who just started fishing a few years ago; is a darn good stick for a rookie. A fast learner who will grind out a long day of fishing and never skip a beat........no matter how tough it gets!:-)(very upbeat too:-)

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He's been dying to fish a big tourney with me. Looks like a good cause and a good number of boats. May have to look into that for next year.:-)

[Pepe]

Was suppose to fish it but had to find a sub because my mother passed.

Jason,

I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers tonight.

[Champ188]

Jason,

I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers tonight.

Same here Jason from me and Donna. We are very sorry. Hang in there and let God comfort you.