Taney 8/12 Report

[MOBass]

I put in at Cooper Creek yesterday morning and it was pea soup from the water line to about 5'. I could have used radar and a fog horn. Idled down towards Branson until the I broke through the soup and ran towards the landing. First area a fished was one of the creeks across from the landing for a couple of small bass on a stick o and a couple of missed fish in the clear water. I was too busy looking at the bass taking the bait to get the slack out before setting up. So two strikes and I was out of there.

Boat docks were interesting. I had a toad brown come out and crush a stick o but couldn't get a hook in him. I cast a wacky rigged stick o in next figuring the exposed hook would stick him. I watched the fish take the bait again and set up with the same result. After that he charged the bait a few more times, but never took it again.

The next stop was my favorite boat dock at the mouth of a creek and it left me high and dry. Interesting aside....There were big schools or monster shad in all of the creeks I fished. This was the first time I have seen anything like that in Taney. Back to fishing. I hit a few main lake docks for nothing and decided it was time to get in some shade.

I went into a creek where I could get some shade and found good numbers on small fish off of boat docks. There were some pigs in there also, but the smaller fish were on the bait too fast for the big fish to have a good look at it. By the time I could get a shot at the bigger fished they were pretty leary. There were also some nice fish in really tough positions. Under the logs of pontoons, between the floatation on docks, and under cables. I managed some good skip cast, but it was very tough to not spook the fish. I did manage a few small grade fish out of the tough spots, but again the big fish were pretty leary.

Trout were thick in the creek mouths and small spoons, spinners, and crappie jigs all worked. Lots of follows and then one would take it. All fish were shook off with in a couple of seconds of getting them boat side. I mash the barbs on the hooks and a little slack line lets the bait fall out.

Did I mention it was hot? I drank a gallon of water and it felt like I sweated out two. No sun burn though and I didn't feel sick I got home. Next time I am taking even more water and electorlyte drinks.

What worked: Docks and creek mouth with stick o's (should have tried a shakey head, note for next time). What didn't work:texas rigged worms, jigs, buzzbait, and jerkbait.

[Phil Lilley]

Sounds like we got a good rain... thanks for the report!!