Many Boats, Few Bites

[MickinMO]

I was able to get on the water Friday late afternoon and all day Saturday. I guess it was wishful thinking believing ahead of time that the lack of recent pressure would produce "easy" fishing. Overall, Saturday was one of the slowest days I can remember going back 25 years. The boat still had 5 fish collectively, which speaks to how consistent and fun Taneycomo is for anglers of all skill levels.  

I had the kids and other family with me so we drifted from Fall Creek to The Landing mainly bait fishing. Drift rigs with nightcrawlers, about every kind of powerbait color in eggs, mice tails, pb worms, you name it. I did get several casts in with jigs between "guiding" duties with the kids. Spots that produced bites were limited. Cooper Creek area to River Drive docks and then Scottys to the Landing. Fish were all hooked in the lip, so they certainly weren't inhaling those drift rigs like they often do. I am sure the kids missed a few, but I would take over for my daughter often and never felt more than the bottom. Hard to say there was a hot color, but nightcrawlers did not produce any fish. Power eggs in pink, white, or fluorescent yellow or some combo of those with two eggs per hook caught fish. Olive/Peach jig did catch one fish, but I couldn't fish much or position the boat well for jig fishing. All of the fish had thicker bellies, so even if they haven't been in the lake long they have been eating.

Lot of boats out Saturday and I didn't see many people catching fish either. So, I don't think we were the only ones having to work for it. 

All in all, was great to be outside and my kids each got their first Taneycomo trout. This is the year they are old enough to be patient enough to actually fish. 

[Phil Lilley]

You’re right... yesterday stunk!  Sorry it had to on a Saturday. 

[Travis Swift]

36 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said:

You’re right... yesterday stunk!  Sorry it had to on a Saturday. 

We caught them good up at the cable for one pass till the sun got up then it got tougher than I've ever seen it in 30+ years. We drifted from the cable all the way thru monkey Island and then even went to the goldmine down lake all for about 6 or 7 trout. It was brutal Saturday! 

[jfrith]

What turns the trout off on these tailwaters? Weather? Generation?

[Ham]

2 hours ago, jfrith said:

What turns the trout off on these tailwaters? Weather? Generation?

I've seen boat traffic shut them down on the White River below Bull Shoals multiple times. Fishing immediately below the dam. Same generation level, same weather. Trout are biting good. The more boats that pile in, the slower the bite becomes.