It Isn't Winter Yet

[Dutch]

With water temps in the low to mid 50s the bite is still on. Yesterday 3 boats of us fished for white bass and wound up with just under 200. One boat only caught 2 limits but could only fish for 3 hours.

[Cpt_DJ]

With water temps in the low to mid 50s the bite is still on. Yesterday 3 boats of us fished for white bass and wound up with just under 200. One boat only caught 2 limits but could only fish for 3 hours.

Thanks for that water temp/report Dutch...I was afraid it was under 50 already so I hadnt planned any trips.....this Saturday will be next chance I can go, and it looks like it might be a classic white bass catching day on Stockton if it holds.....are you catching them on the spinnerbait or rooster tails, both? I know the answer to the rest.....folks, I am not at all surprised at the numbers Dutch talks of here, you can see my reports from about a month ago and it was just starting then....it is PRIME right now so get out there and get after it......it wont get any easier.

[Dutch]

Neither of those baits. We were using slab hunters and jigs.

[abs988s]

Can you give a general location or even depths? Are they in the backs of coves, main lake, secondary points, etc? What arm?

I've never been this late in the year so I'm not really sure where to start looking.

Thanks.

[Dutch]

The windiest spots you can find in about 1' of water.

[abs988s]

Thanks Dutch.

Would a guy want to put in at Cedar Ridge or Ruark Bluff. Would they want to head north or south from either of those?

Thanks again, Andrew.

[Cpt_DJ]

Andrew - Here ya go.....put in at Ruark Bluff and go to the North side of the lake from there (cause the wind should be hitting that side of the lake)....all those banks, mostly points, from the bridge towards the power lines (do not go under the bridge) will all work great. Just as Dutch as stated, these fish are really shallow....So trolling will not work, you must cast for them and you must have the patience and trolling power to stay close to the bank....stay 1 cast from the bank.....you cant fish too fast.....flat gravel banks the more wind the better....good luck!

[Dutch]

This time of the year you can find them anywhere from the CC bridge to the dam on the Big Sac arm and the same goes for the Little Sac.

Andrew they aren't tied up and can be anywhere they want. Sometimes they are in coves. Sometimes they are on points. Sometimes they are on straight banks. The last time I fished there they were in the bushes and we had to cast into them and pick the fish out. If you find them that way you had better have a good supply of jigs or what ever bait you are using.

Bait color has made no difference at all.

[abs988s]

Hey guys, I really appreciate the information. That should definitely point me in the right direcction. I was wantingto get an idea on where to start without you having to divulge too many of you secrets.

Like I said, I'm usually not in fishing mode this time of year. I used to duck hunt a lot in SEMO but not so much this year. Most of my fishing on Stockton is focused on crappie in the spring.

I have a white Basscat with silver and black, Merc motor. I you run into me, say hey.

Thanks again, Andrew

[Cpt_DJ]

Started at 8am Sunday morning and fished a long stretch of bank across from the Ruark west camp area, right where i sent Andrew.....fished til the front hit about 9:45 and hat 23 between us.....when the front hit, the bite left.....went to a bank just outside of Mutton creek and seen a white Skeeter with 3 guys in it trolling, not sure if was Andrew or not....tried to get there attention, but everyone was wrapped up pretty good so may not have seen my waving.....was close enough to holler but was really windy....anyhow, just wonder if it was and how ya did.....Jonesy