Shell Knob, 5-24-17

[Champ188]

Got my typical late start, launching off the parking lot at 9:30 a.m. Have to say, it wasn't a bit harder than using the ramp under normal conditions and the caretakers of the courtesy dock had it pulled up and usable.

Started out with a blade and square bill on the deck and found the scattered hardwoods and flooded backyard grass I was looking for without much effort. Finding the bass wasn't quite as easy. Ran several good stretches without a sniff. Finally pulled out a finesse jig, started flipping it in some willows and came up with a keeper LM. Probably should have stuck with that approach but frankly, it just didn't appeal to me. Having the boat to myself and the opportunity to position it however I wanted in the flooded timber, I was determined to catch em on the winding baits. 

Could go on ad nauseum but will save you guys the boredom. Story of the day was about one bite every half hour. After that first jig fish, the rest came on a 3/8-ounce War Eagle spinnerbait with double willows and a Strike King replacement skirt in some shade of blue shad. Finished up throwing a sunperch colored War Eagle 3/8 with a single willow and Colorado kicker.

With the cold front blowing thru, it seemed critical to bump the trees with the blades as you came by. No bump, no bite. Fished a lot of very good stuff that on a better day would probably have produced more fish. Did manage five keeps for probably 10 pounds and change. Nothing to write home about. 

Water clarity was very fishable from SK bridge down to Big Creek, with noticeable clearing down around Campbell Point. I'd say visibility ranged from 15 inches to maybe 3 feet. Water temps were 76 to 78. 

Might go back Thursday but not planning to join the Memorial Day fray this weekend. Anyone who does please be careful out there. It's crazy enough in normal conditions, let alone this flooded mess. Launch ramps should be a real hoot. Back in my drinking days, I'd have set up a lawn chair and enjoyed the show. 

[skeeter]

There must be different conditions for mooring it or different caretakers of the Courtesy Dock at Shell Knob than at Baxter. 

Baxter's courtesy dock is still floating about 50' from shore and the way the small dry portion of the lower parking lot is sloped it makes it tough to launch there but some guys are finding a way.  The upper half of the parking lot is dry at least and I think if you stick real close to the tree line separating the two lots you can get parked on that upper lot and carefully, very carefully, back down thru that narrow, boulder-lined "slot" in the trees that is just above the submerged ramp and launch.  

It looks like the Lake has crested, barring any more heavy rain. 

Thanks for the report and you don't need alcohol to enjoy "the hoot" at the Memorial Day launch ramps, just a comfortable lawn chair and the ability to keep from falling out of same. I've helped out a few over the years but hesitate when the language and tempers flare up. 

Kind of unfortunately we have a "crew" of visitors coming down and they will expect to be taken out on the ocean swells the wake boats produce. 

[176champion]

Water must of cleared up then some, when i was out messing around last week you couldnt see your lure in 8 inches of water and it was dirtier over by lost hill area but did get cleaner as you went towards Campbell point. It was sort of a circus last week as i was waiting to take the boat out of water...

Thanks for report!!

[dtrs5kprs]

Big old jug of sun tea and some boiled peanuts.

And have the camera pulled up.

[cheesemaster]

3 hours ago, dtrs5kprs said:

Big old jug of sun tea and some boiled peanuts.

And have the camera pulled up.

Yep. Tons of morons out this time of year. Lol!! Most of them aren't drinking sun tea either.

[Cobra 188D]

 I hit campbell point Tuesday and Sunday after church last week 3 hr trip each time did well for time on the water about what champ said a fish every 15 to 30 minutes and caught on varmint blades and a deep Norman most fish came from flooded timber but a few were on the original bank this weekend will b a funny farm fishing won't b a fun option but watching people jackknife their boat trailers and generally dumb up the ramps/parking lot launch will b comical 

[whatnext]

We'll be down all weekend, will it even be worth have my 17 foot bass tracker out or will the crowds to too much?

[m&m]

Whatnext, go early

Mike

[Cobra 188D]

5 hours ago, whatnext said:

We'll be down all weekend, will it even be worth have my 17 foot bass tracker out or will the crowds to too much?

I'd just make sure if u have kids in the boat to wear your life jackets people and their "water sports" are stupid and have no care for others plus the guys that are out running the party boats are doing just that partying which makes it very unsafe conditions I will skip fishing this weekend and wait till Tuesday or Wednesday next week to get back on the water imo no it's not worth fighting the ski boats for bank space 

[whatnext]

1 hour ago, Cobra 188D said:

I'd just make sure if u have kids in the boat to wear your life jackets people and their "water sports" are stupid and have no care for others plus the guys that are out running the party boats are doing just that partying which makes it very unsafe conditions I will skip fishing this weekend and wait till Tuesday or Wednesday next week to get back on the water imo no it's not worth fighting the ski boats for bank space 

I'm going to be with group of guys that rented a house boat and are bring ski boats. I'm just wanting to get up early and fish Before they all wake up so my little boat will be tied up to the big boat most the Day. And no kids this time