Checked Out PB1 for the First Time

[MickinMO]

Based on suggestions on here PB1 is my closest/best option for getting on the lake. I have lived in Jeff City for 10 years, but haven't been on the lake in 30 years. Drove down this weekend to scope out the ramp and parking. Well, that isn't much of a ramp and with the water low I am glad to understand about the island just outside the buoys. I suppose this does help keep the big boats out. I need to get a lake map to better understand water depths, but it looked like the channel was on the far side as that is where boats were opened up. I also noticed some buoys further down the channel closer to the far side. I forgot binos, but have to think those mark hazards? Glad I saw it at low water, but leery of going up river any even at normal pool. Looked like boats were taking it easy getting from the ramp over to the channel moving at a long diaganol going downriver as I assume that shallow extends far past the visible island.

[fishinwrench]

Yeah it wasn't always like that.   The new generation of Ameren heads seem to be very worried about the lake ever reaching full pool, so now they draw the lake down earlier in the Fall and CAREFULLY ease it up just before memorial day.   The slightest hint of any substantial precipitation will have them pulling plugs like crazy.    The previous generation was real good at keeping the lake at a much more stable level, closer to 659.  and winter drawdowns weren't so drastic.

[MickinMO]

47 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Yeah it wasn't always like that.   The new generation of Ameren heads seem to be very worried about the lake ever reaching full pool, so now they draw the lake down earlier in the Fall and CAREFULLY ease it up just before memorial day.   

I wonder if the dam is truly compromised and all the work being done right now is to fix a substantial problem? $50 million isn't chump change. I am no physics major, but have to think another 5-10 feet of water adds significant stress. Has this affected the bass fishing? Seems the old line I would hear all the time is that the almost constant water depth was great for the bass spawn and habitat

[fishinwrench]

If that's the case then they aren't alluding to it.  Supposedly they are concerned about high water dock damage and are being proactive to insure that the lake stays below 660.0 no matter what, because it got over that twice in one year and everybody freaked out.  

The low water effects the white bass spawn in a bad way but doesn't seem to bother the LM, Catfish, or the Crappie that much.

[shrapnel]

If your coming from Jeff City PB2 is a good 20 minutes closer.

[MickinMO]

44 minutes ago, shrapnel said:

If your coming from Jeff City PB2 is a good 20 minutes closer.

Is the lake safe to navigate out of PB2 in a 17' deep vee if there is any kind of boat traffic? I will be avoiding weekends during high season no matter what, but would like to be able to get on the water on Sunday evenings for a bit a few times during warm weather if it can be done. I belive from advice on here I would need to go up river from PB2 to avoid the big chop. From a fishing perspective, I have no idea what my plan is for spring and fall. Love to crappie fish, so I guess I will have to get better at throwing jigs non-stop.

[MickinMO]

56 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

If that's the case then they aren't alluding to it.  Supposedly they are concerned about high water dock damage and are being proactive to insure that the lake stays below 660.0 no matter what, because it got over that twice in one year and everybody freaked out.  

The low water effects the white bass spawn in a bad way but doesn't seem to bother the LM, Catfish, or the Crappie that much.

Maybe those dock owners should be better prepared to take care of their property year round? Bulls Shoals would like to have a word about water depth change freak out sessions.