New To Ozark Area

[Atta]

Been living in springfield for a year now. Bass fishing is number 1 to me now but I came from Texas where whites and hybrids are fun to catch anytime. Don't know much about these lakes here. Haven't been on beaver or shoals. Mostly on table rock and stockton for bass.

Wanted to take my wife on a striper trip but am very lost. I read some reports that a guide post on his website with some "hot spots".

I don't mind going out and searching for fish and don't mind zeroing if it happens. But I do want to be prepared if I happen to find fish.

Back home I use top waters, small swim baits, and slabs for "sandies" (whites) and hybrids. Never been big on live bait. I'm sure they are real deep up here in the summertime anyways.

Any thoughts on what I should try if I head to beaver lake this weekend?

Tight lines!

[mic]

I don't, I'm up in St. Louis. Welcome aboard though.

[J-Doc]

Welcome to the forum!

A) Never trust the guides fishing reports. Some of them purposely deter people from an area because they do not want people within visual distance of them. Some think it messes up their ability to put clients on fish (you know who you are lurker)

Live bait is best this time of year simply because it’s easier to fool the fish into a bite and it’s in the strike zone longer

C) Artificials like bucktail jigs with swimbait trailers, bucketail spinners (basically a spin head but with a bucktail jig) large jigging spoons around 4-5”, big Kastmaster spoons (for whites/hybrids) work well.

Come to think of it, a variation of the “float & fly” would be a good alternative as well if they are biting near the surface. Tie on a bucktail jig (or live bait if possible) with a 4-5ft leader and as small of a bobber as you can get away with (white cork, red top) and cast out into the area you want and then drift away slowly feeding line so your boat is further away not to spook the fish.

As for areas, anywhere between the Rocky Branch Marina and the lake dam is a good general area. I heard point 5 had been “hot” but I don’t know about that anymore because of the amount of guide pressure that has been put on them lately. Be sure and try Moulder Hollow (if you don’t have a lake map, get one at Walmart or a convienent store). If you see a white guideboat there……..be sure and wave really big. He loves people fishing in the same cove as him. As a general rule, if you’re within 200yds of a guide boat, you’re getting too close. Well……unless you’re the guide and it’s “if I see you, you’re too close”.

Sorry……sore subject with me currently.

Good luck and post some reports/photos if you get any! I hope to post report myself Sat.

[J-Doc]

Be sure and check the stick at the top of this forum page and scroll down to the striper section. A wealth of information and local knowledge there.

[Feathers and Fins]

Fords creek is showing life top water and drop shot. Also some action in the White River arm both of these are Bass Zones... Smallmouth are doing good from Rocky Branch to Starky but beware this is also the zone for BIG stripers and hybrids... White bass just go to 12 bridge they have been there all year for some reason. Also got some reports of crappie around Monte Ne.

This is a tough time of year typically if you look back through the old post. By the end of September things should be much better. These fish are not Texas bass and will give you fits average being 2 to 4lbs and a real big one is 6lbs. I hate to say it but NED RIG would be my bait of choice for bass until you learn the lake.

[Atta]

Thanks for the info guys. if i go it will be for stirper/whites/hybrids. bass fishing is tough everywhere right now! i will report if i get out there!!

[Guest]

I hate to say it but NED RIG would be my bait of choice for bass until you learn the lake.

Don't let Old Plug hear you say that. He might start talking bad about you. Lol

[Feathers and Fins]

Don't let Old Plug hear you say that. He might start talking bad about you. Lol

Well don't tell him them you know that old coot cant find this forum lol.

Thanks for the info guys. if i go it will be for stirper/whites/hybrids. bass fishing is tough everywhere right now! i will report if i get out there!!

In that case Whites are at 12 bridge, try spoons and crappie jigs

Stripers are point 4 to point 6 and very easy to find just look for them busting the surface 20lb stripers can be seen a long way off. Brooder minnows are the easiest bait right now but I would have something for top water tied on. Or at very least a big bucktail for distance casting.

[Atta]

The lake is about 2 hours from where I love so I would be getting there early morning. Would use artificial baits to make it easier (tougher) on myself for the first trip.

Would be fun to catch a 20 pounder on my bass setups lol. May just give it a try for fun!

[J-Doc]

Definitely get you a lake map and learn names of coves, look over potential spots, etc.
if you have a detailed Lowrance map card in your graph, that helps even further with 1ft contour lines.

Try for stripers early, then go for bass later if that's what you're used too. Just get out there and have fun.

For bass, dropshot on mainlake humps/points and bluffwalls with submerged trees is a good technique. Small finesse worms in green pumpkin.