RK Crawler bite at the dam.

[Bill Babler]

RK Crawler bite at the dam has been good most days. Wind really has not been a factor as much as location for me. 

Don't really care how much wind is on a flat bank, I can't get bit. Points and transitions I get bit wind or no wind. 

Most times boat in 14' to 17' with multiple casts at the sweet spot. I don't have to have it digging to get bit. Almost seems as soon as it starts to lose the bottom that's the location. I'm thinking anywhere from 8' to 12' for me is the depth holding the fish I'm catching. 

Rock structure or bottom composition has not made a difference, either gravel or chunk are producing the same, its just location. 

Bait color has made a difference. Reds and brighter colors from Big Cedar up Long Creek and more natural hues toward the dam and Kimberling. 

Pick your locations and don't waste time, start up and move a lot. 

McClelland and McClelland caught 17.03 in the derby and Mike said they had over 20 keeps on Saturday. 

I'm not catching that many, but can catch 12 to 15 total fish in 3 hours or so. 

The bite is LM and Jaws early. As the water starts to warm the K's start moving up and from 11 am or so that's what you catch. 

As far as the slime. There is slime, but not everywhere. Around the marinas and Big Cedar is the worst. Also around the Branson Belle, and quite a bit in and around Indian Point.  Guess we know who the big polluters are. 

Good Luck

Quick PS. Here is a pic if a young man and just a terrific Small Jaw he caught Saturday. 

 

[Quillback]

Nice fish!

How clear is the water where you are fishing?  I might try and get over to Beaver soon, clarity by the dam is pretty good, you can see bottom in 20 FOW.  Mainly I am wondering if the colors you are fishing with were getting them in clear water.

[Bill Babler]

Jeff, ask and you will receive. 

Clarity from Clevenger to KC is about 10 to 12'. Up stream into Long Creek is about 4 to 6'

I'm using this 3 pack in the dingy water. 

In the clear water these are by far the best, not close

Hope that helps. 

[Quillback]

Thanks Bill, that does help.

[dwiebenga]

Great post Bill.  The boys had a blast with you on Sunday!  Thank you for helping them make a memory.  

 

[abkeenan]

I know that bank/power line!

Rock snot is just the worst. I can only take so much of removing it after each cast before I switch to a jerkbait or something else that isn't catching as good. I did stop slapping rock crawlers and warts on the water surface after Bill had warned against do so in the past. I did break the bill off my favorite wart a couple of years ago doing just that and never again.

Question for the biologist regarding the snot and pollution. I was always under the impression that the more snot, the cleaner the water? Due to light being able to penetrate deeper into the water creating photosynthesis (or whatever mechanism you call it) for the algae to bloom? 

[DADAKOTA]

Is what you refer to as rock snot the same as cold water algae?  Always thought it was related to water temp.

[Bill Babler]

Guys, I'm so far down the totum pole here on crank bait fishing, I hate to even post on it. 

I will convey something Mike McClelland had told me many times and I find it totally true. The further you can throw that bait the better you are, two fold:  gets down quicker and deeper and  stays in the strike zone longer. 

Second part is fishing clear water as we do is staying away from the fish you are trying to catch. 

Fishing it on 10 to 12 pound carbon line. 

Good Luck

[Bill Babler]

When the water warms to about 70 this early Spring slime that's on the ledges and and wood structures breaks free and the wave action breaks it down. 

Seems to be a late Winter and early Spring problem on the Rock.

Went to a lake meeting a few years ago and the biologist contributed about 99% of it to homes around the lake and lawn fertilization. 

They said this country was not ment for grass, and nitrogen and phosphate in fertilizer were the culprit.  There is a clay layer and it just runs off into the lake. Don't try and grow grass around this lake. 

[Dutch]

1 hour ago, Bill Babler said:

When the water warms to about 70 this early Spring slime that's on the ledges and and wood structures breaks free and the wave action breaks it down. 

Seems to be a late Winter and early Spring problem on the Rock.

Went to a lake meeting a few years ago and the biologist contributed about 99% of it to homes around the lake and lawn fertilization. 

They said this country was not ment for grass, and nitrogen and phosphate in fertilizer were the culprit.  There is a clay layer and it just runs off into the lake. Don't try and grow grass around this lake. 

The same thing happens on the lower lake at Stockton.  Farm fertilizer gets the blame for it.