Another Bass Report

[Champ188]

Fished noon-7 p.m. one day last week and then about 8 hours Saturday during the fog-delayed Everett derby. Both days were spent in the ultra-clear waters from Little Clifty to the dam.

As others have reported, bass are scattered from 20 feet (or more) literally to the banks. Lots of largemouths bedding in the backs of the pockets. Also some spots on beds in the pockets but haven't seen many smallmouths on beds. Definitely are fish of all three species in all three phases of the spawn. The approaching full moon should see the biggest wave of spawners yet.

Anywhere there's a gravel bottom is probably holding fish. Points are particularly productive, both main-lake and secondary ones. Topwaters are dandy early and late or anytime there's overcast. If the wind blows, pull out the 1/4-ounce War Eagle spinnerbait, get yourself on the windiest gravel points/banks you can find and have fun. Smoke grub, shaky head (any variety of green pumpkin or watermelon finesse worm) and War Eagle 1/2-ounce football jig (PBJ or brown-purple with a Yamamoto double-tail trailer fished 5-25 feet deep will get you bit.

Flukes and jerk baits are also producing some fish.

Have fun and be safe out there.

[Quillback]

Excellent, thanks for the report!

[Luckyj]

Awesome! Thanks for the report.

[J-Doc]

Tha is for the report Champ. Glad to see the fish are finally turning on. I fished Lake of the Ozarks for a brief time Saturday and water temp was 74 there but we are still in the 60's here I believe. Unless it's changed from last weekend.

As for the War Eagle spinnerbait. You're dead on. I swear either War Eagle has a kickback program with the fish or the Beaver Lake fish only want to support local businesses because that's the only soinnerbait I have consistent luck with. :-)

"Mouse" is the color and Kalins smoke hologram is the ticket. Clear or stained. Cole Slaw for muddy water.

[Feathers and Fins]

Thanks James, Did you find fish relating close to the buckbrush on points or more just roaming them looking for a place to make more fish.

[Champ188]

Fins, failed to mention that the fish are pretty much roaming everywhere but one key both on the points and in pockets is to locate boulder rocks. Anywhere there is big rock, there are bass. Those throwing Redfins or spinnerbaits will want to make multiple casts to these boulders, preferably from several angles. Wherever two big rocks are laying near to each other, pay particular attention to the crevice between them. In the clear waters of the lower end of the lake, these big rocks provide lots of shade and cover from which the fish will ambush their prey.

On the contrary, I've hardly had a bite lately on any kind of wood. Gravel and big rocks are the ticket now.

[J-Doc]

It was about this time of year a few years back and I had a toad on a jig fishing giant boulders near the Rocky Branch ramp near the campgrounds (main lake ramp). I felt like there should be fish on those boulders and as stated above, the fish were in between hiding for ambushing prey. Sadly..........I lost that one at the boat. I got so excited I tried to hoist it in thinking it was hooked good but she shook her head and told me "nay nay!!" and she was gone. Mouth was as big as a quart of paint!

So, I could see this pattern working well for a while. Probably a couple of weeks or better.