October 10, 2007 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

October 10, 2007 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

One thing I learned a police officer: information is power. Those of you who have been compiling my fishing reports for the last two years possess a far greater knowledge of Stockton Lake than most veteran anglers. I try to give as precise details as I can, so that you as a fisherman will receive the same thrills in fishing that I have all of my life.

Walleye: As I stated in last week’s report, walleye are scattered because the bait is scattered. The reason for this phenomenon is what the walleye sports writers call “The Fall Pattern.” I call it the best time of the year to catch the most numbers of big walleye. These fish are thinking that because winter is near, food supplies will dwindle. Therefore, they need to eat all they can now. The most effective approach now is trolling deep diving crank baits. What kind of deep diving crank baits? Basically you have to experiment. One color could be better than the other, but the bottom line is this: if you find the fish, and you cover enough ground, you are going to get bit. My clients have been catching walleye off of main lake points at about 19 feet. It seems 19 feet has been the magic number, at least for now. Focus your attention on main lake points around State Park, Orleans Trail Cove, or Crabtree Cove. We have caught several keeper fish (legal – 22 inches) in these areas trolling small deep diving crank baits. When you scope fish, you can do the jig and minnow or jig and night crawler thing, but we have been having better luck trolling crank baits. As fall progresses, their pattern will change and you’ll need to do something different. When this occurs, you jig and minnow or jig and night crawler will become more effective. Guide’s note: each lake is different. When you read Walleye Insider magazine (which I think is an excellent publication) remember that walleye do not have a p.o. box. Therefore you need to experiment and be versatile in your techniques to catch walleye. By the way, Stockton Lake is the number one walleye lake in the state of Missouri and in the top 10 in the southern United States.

Largemouth bass: I had a day off and spent it bass fishing. I caught my biggest bass on Stockton Lake, which was 8 pounds 1 oz. My client’s best fish has been 9 ½ pounds, just so you’ll know. Stockton Lake is a number one walleye lake, therefore most fishermen pursue the walleye. But if you want to catch a big bass, Stockton Lake can stand up to any lake in Missouri. Reference my 8#1oz bass: I named her “Howie” after a defensive lineman for the Oakland Raiders. I cannot tell you exactly where I caught the fish, but I can give you some information that will help you anytime on any lake. I caught the fish off an end of a main lake bluff. I caught several keeper fish on previous days in the same location. Guess what I caught the fish on? You have probably guessed it: a 9 inch blue Tom Mann’s jelly worm and the attractant was blueberry. My wife says she would rather I smell like grape or blueberry when I come home from a hard day guiding than garlic rotted shad which lasts for weeks. The best bass fishing for quality fish during the fall pattern for me has been secondary lake points. Crank baits and spinner baits catch a few fish, but worms and jigs are where it’s at. We had a cold front Monday, which caused the fish to slow down somewhat, which obviously means you need to slow down somewhat. Voila! Go to jigs and worms.

Crappie: crappie fishing is fair to good providing you fish in the right place with the right bait. As I stated last week, locate brush off secondary lake points (Cedar Ridge area) and use a minnow or minnow/jig combo. Spend about 20-30 minutes in the area and if you don’t get bit, move on. Good place to start is Price Branch or Birch Branch.

Blue gill: For you blue gill aficionados: drift around the face of the dam with a small jig and piece of night crawler and you should catch saucer sized blue gill in about 12 feet of water.

Marty Thompson

Thompson Fishing Guide Service

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

[jay bird]

I will be going to Stockton for the first time this Friday afternoon. Are main goal is to find some white bass that are schooling. Any suggestions. I think that we will be putting in at twin bridges. Thanks in advance.

[Quillback]

I swa a guide report where they say they are picking up the Whites between Drowning Creek and Goat Island, but that's a long way from twin bridges. Jaybird, I'll be interested to hear how you do up by Twin Bridges.

[wily]

hey quillback...head east. the landmarks you mention are on grand lake in oklahoma

[Quillback]

Wily - You're right, guess I had Grand Lake on my mind..

[Raider3447]

I'm heading to the bona bridge today for some whites. I'll give you an update when I get back.

[Raider3447]

Went to Bona and Highpoint and didn't catch anything other than a diseased white bass and a few smaller ones.

Anyone ever seen a white with a bunch of bulging white spots on it? It looked like white fish eggs stuck to the sides of it.

By the way, anyone know a good spot to catch whites from the shore and what are you using?

I usually use rooster tails, roadrunners, and crappie jigs.

[jay bird]

New to the lake to sorry if I mess up some of the names. Put in on the HWY H brige. Went up to around point 7 and got into some nice white bass action just before dark. We had 15, but if I did it again I am sure we could have had more. For us they where hitting Road Runners and white rooster tails. We threw top water, but only had one. My advice do not waste time with the top water, and watch the gulls they are great at telling you where the action is at.

[Hooked]

Blue gill: For you blue gill aficionados: drift around the face of the dam with a small jig and piece of night crawler and you should catch saucer sized blue gill in about 12 feet of water.

Marty I would like to try my luck on those Blue gill. I have a question though. How deep should I fish,12 feet or fish in water that is 12 feet deep.

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

Look for rocks and brush piles on the dam in 12-15 feet of water. The blue gill will be there. They are not typically suspended at 12 feet in deeper water. So fish in water that is 12-15 deep with rocks and brush.