Shell Knob 5/28 and 5/29

[vpk2488]

Fished yesterday from 9-4. Thought fish would be in the bushes but didn't find much there. Had couple on baby brush hog but that's it. Then started throwing the Ned and did alright. Caught bout 20 or so and 5-6 keepers. Lost a couple decent keepers otherwise not much size wise. No real pattern. Caught fish in 2-15 fow. Some off bushes, docks, gravel, points. Fish seemed to be scattered. Did also catch a 3lb flathead. Water temp 75-76 and some trash floating but not enough to cause problems.

Today fished from 6-10. Thought would be a good topwater bite but there wasn't and overall was slow. Caught 10 but did have 5 keepers that would go bout 11lbs. One spook, two Redfin, and two baby brush hog. Had a few Ned fish too. Water temp 74-75.

[Quillback]

Thanks for the report, that's pretty decent fishing.

Curious as to what the water color is like up around Shell Knob?

[fisherofmen11]

May I ask about the Redfin? I do not own one but would like to. What color and how do you fish them? Seems like that is one of the lures someone should have in his tackle box.

[Bassmod]

Just got back from shell knob, and it's pretty clear to be honest. I was surprised, see bottom in 10 fow. Fished from 6-3 boated 14 with 2 keeps, they were scattered. Bites on Ned, spinnerbait, crank, shaky, and wacky! Tried it all, its really hard out there right now.

[vpk2488]

I didn't find water that clear, but some areas probably have 5-6 ft of clarity from what I saw. Some little more stain.

As for the red fin, I use what Cordell calls smokey joe color. I was using the jointed version and just throw it out and feel it in. They don't dive reel deep and have a pretty wide side to side action. There's info on here I believe about modifying them to wake more, but I've never done that. They probably work little better in clearer water as they can draw fish up from deeper and work well around standing timber. Lot of fun to fish as they can get some pretty viscious and visible strikes.

[fisherofmen11]

Thanks VP I appreciate the info.

[GREENTRITON]

Thanks. good report

[Bassmod]

Rock creek is where I found the cleaner water, but success was limited to one short there. ?

[Bill Babler]

Been so busy, I have not had time to post or comment. Just a deal or two that is going on with the fin right now. We pretty much have an off color water situation and have had lake wide for the past couple of weeks. In these situations the fin just will not preform as well as the chugger, popper or splasher type baits.

Fin water with under 10' of visibility is really pushing the limit here for a wake bait. If you run it subsurface even an inch you might get a bite, but it is best waked. That is why the fin has never taken off on Lake of the Ozarks. Even on the Dam and Gravois end 10' is pushing the visibility. Yes, they have caught a few on a fin up there, but it is not the bait of choice.

Currently the Zara Spook, and any of the Chugger type baits, mostly including the big chug bug are kicking the fins tail. You also can throw a yellow magic with stunning results, if you have the nerve to throw this expensive of a top water bait. It is best thrown on either braid or mono to keep this very lite bait on the surface.

Of course all of mine have replacement hooks and split rings.

Phil Stone and I were fishing a long run-out with clients last Thursday. Out clients were getting hammered by big Jaw's. I heard a boulder hit the water near the back of the boat and saw my client standing there with a slack line rod. A big Jaw had taken his junk. Well, it was my junk, a modified Yellow magic. This story has a happy ending, as about 5 minutes later my other client said, "look at that dead shad on the water right there." It was my Yellow Magic that the bass had so politely given back.

Good Luck and keep your powder dry.

[dtrs5kprs]

Been so busy, I have not had time to post or comment. Just a deal or two that is going on with the fin right now. We pretty much have an off color water situation and have had lake wide for the past couple of weeks. In these situations the fin just will not preform as well as the chugger, popper or splasher type baits.

Fin water with under 10' of visibility is really pushing the limit here for a wake bait. If you run it subsurface even an inch you might get a bite, but it is best waked. That is why the fin has never taken off on Lake of the Ozarks. Even on the Dam and Gravois end 10' is pushing the visibility. Yes, they have caught a few on a fin up there, but it is not the bait of choice.

Currently the Zara Spook, and any of the Chugger type baits, mostly including the big chug bug are kicking the fins tail. You also can throw a yellow magic with stunning results, if you have the nerve to throw this expensive of a top water bait. It is best thrown on either braid or mono to keep this very lite bait on the surface.

Of course all of mine have replacement hooks and split rings.

Phil Stone and I were fishing a long run-out with clients last Thursday. Out clients were getting hammered by big Jaw's. I heard a boulder hit the water near the back of the boat and saw my client standing there with a slack line rod. A big Jaw had taken his junk. Well, it was my junk, a modified Yellow magic. This story has a happy ending, as about 5 minutes later my other client said, "look at that dead shad on the water right there." It was my Yellow Magic that the bass had so politely given back.

Good Luck and keep your powder dry.

Definitely beats watching a gar eat the shad one of my brownies hacked up today.

That little yellow magic can be a challenge to throw, but it is a sweet animal for sure.