Catching Lake of the Ozarks bass in September

[Old plug]

12 hours ago, shrapnel said:

Current?  On LOZ?  What's that...Bagnell Dam only opens more than 1000CFS now in extreme rain situations.

There is current all the time on LOZ. you just do not notice it.  I can stand on my dock in the Gravois and tell when they are drawing water from the late are allowing it in . 

[fishinwrench]

16 hours ago, John Neporadny Jr. said:

By September, the summer heat has generated bath-water temperatures and depleted oxygen levels in the shallows of lakes and ponds throughout the state.

This one smoked a spinnerbait in the bath-water, depleted oxygen shallows today. 

[Greg nicks]

I've gotta be honest. That article was a little off track. The shad are starting to migrate to the creeks. I have a friend that caught a good 18 yesterday on topwater in the midlake area. With lows in the 60s the next few days it will only get better! 

[Greg nicks]

I love the river, but it will burn you more times than not. I've been there in two day tournaments.

[fishinwrench]

38 minutes ago, Greg nicks said:

I love the river, but it will burn you more times than not. I've been there in two day tournaments.

Yessir it will.  

Back in the day, before they started drawing the lake down so soon after Labor day, and not letting it fill up again until right before Memorial day.... It was alot better.    4-6 foot of water makes a big difference up there.  At the current "guide curve" wintering holes are few and far between once you get above the Buffalo's, and most good spawning areas are high and dry when spawning time happens.   The new crew at Ameren has pretty much killed it IMO.

[shrapnel]

On 9/1/2018 at 12:36 AM, Old plug said:

There is current all the time on LOZ. you just do not notice it.  I can stand on my dock in the Gravois and tell when they are drawing water from the late are allowing it in . 

Thanks for your infinite wisdom.  I'm aware there is current, but when they are drawing 900CFM is not what cases the fish to stack up, 8,000+ maybe.

You're also aware that a stiff breeze will negate any current at lower CFM and push more water than a little draw through the dam, even the opposite direction.

I'll play the wind any day over the current when they are not generating, as has been the case 98 of the last 100 days.

As for bath water in Sept, also disagree.  It's usually only the kids willing to jump in after Labor Day on most years.

[fishinwrench]

Why can't they just use CFS instead of CFM?   If you're looking for a flow induced bite at lower generation then the most likely areas for that to happen would be anywhere the main channel necks down.  Just look at your map and head to the skinniest/narrowest (or shallowest) spot, because that's where the most noticable water movement is going to be.

I'm not claiming it works, but if it did then that's where it should work the best.