Bass - They are biting

[MOBass]

I finally got to fish Taney over the holiday and found good numbers on the bass and some decent fish also. I started off below Rock Away on some boat docks, but the floating wood ships made it a real pain and I didn't feel like fighting it. I made a quick stop up by the resort just below Rock Away and found the carp churning up the water. Not a good way to start the day.

I decided on a move up towards Branson and hit pay dirt. The next spot brought a solid 3# fish on a stick o at a creek mouth and that was followed by a missed bite on a boat dock and then another fish pushing 3# for my daughter off of another stall on the same boat dock. After missing a fish between docks I made a cast for my daughter and she caught a dink on a small stick o. I picked up a buzzbait and had some fish swirl on it but couldn't get them to commit. Next time I'll remember my trailer hooks. I even tried a follow up with the sticko in the swirl for no love. Turned around and went back to the first dock we fished and hung up. Went to the bank to get unsnagged and ended up tight to the back side of the dock. Decided to make a cast towards the walk way and get thumped on the stick o. Set the hook and the rod doubled up and the fish headed under the dock. I got the rod down and swung the boat out to get the fish in open water. After a short dance around the trolling motor my daughter put the net on a decent fish of 4#.

We made another move to another creek for some short bites and finally a fish on the buzzbait. One more stop for some more small fish at the first creek and we were done. Total for the day was 3 solid fish, numerous dinks, and plenty of wildlife. The water was stained in all the areas we caught fish. Creeks produced all of our bites with nothing on the main lake.

Can't wait to go again.

[Phil Lilley]

Did we see you out yesterday? We made it down as far as the gold mine.

[MOBass]

You probably did. White Nitro 882 DC with my six year old daughter and myself in it. The glare off my legs would probably give us away. Were you bass fishing or chasing slick fish?

We tried the Gold Mine area for nothing. That wood chip stuff in the water is the pits for me. I am sure there are fish there, but just didn't feel like fighting the junk in the water.

I talked to a guy that said he was able to catch some eyeball fish. Not sure if they were on the bed or crusing and I didn't press for more info. My best bite was in the stained water, hands down. That was a big switch for me. Also catching all the fish in the creek was a change up. Now I'll be really confused on my next trip down.

I am 0 for 4 on Bull creek. Any insight on what holds fish there? I have only fished the mouth and some docks and haven't gone back in it too far. Open for suggestions.

[Phil Lilley]

We were in one of our pontoons. When you said docks above RB I thought you may have been up where we were. Did you get a water temp?

[MOBass]

Below RB I found as warm as 71. Branson was mid 60s in the creeks with some of the shallow areas warmer than that. I didn't look at the gauge on the main lake, but my hands said it was cold when I wet them to cool the steering wheel.

[BrianK]

you guys catching LM, smallies or spots on Taney? or mixed bag.

just curious.

b

[Phil Lilley]

mainly largemouth.

[MOBass]

All largemouth for me. They were all healthy and had shoulders and round bellies. I caught one with some tails sticking out his throat so they were feeding pretty good.