Missouri | Dig IN Shallow Water Anchors

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MISSOURI: Success with Umbrella Rigs Continues

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Kimberling City Area: Success with umbrella rigs continues throughout the lake. Hard to believe the number of fish and the quality that is being caught right now, several five pound plus fish are being caught on a daily basis and 20 – 30 fish in a six hour day has become common. Most anglers are throwing the rigs with either swimbaits or single tailed grubs, white or milky salt and pepper has been the best color on cloudy days while smoke or watermelon have been better when the sun shines. Steep 45 degree chunk rock points close to deep water have been the best locations.

James River: The James River has been the epicenter for big fish on an umbrella rig, from point 12 to Cape Fair it seems every point has a boat on it casting a rig. Look for shad close by to increase your success rate. Windy days have been much better than calm ones as the fish will move shallower and feed more aggressively din the wind. On calm days a Jewel ½ oz. football jig has been very effective, match the jig with a J-Tail trailer and work rocky points from 15′ – 25′ deep paying close attention to any ledges or drops the bait comes across.

White River: The White River has been almost as good as the James for big fish, the same chunk rock point pattern has been producing from Baxter to Big M. There has been a resurgence of jerkbait fishing in the upper White and Kings Rivers; SPRO McSticks and Mega Bass 110′s have been the best producers around standing timber on bluff ends and the mouths of bluff pockets. Allow the bait to pause for around five seconds to draw strikes and pay close attention to your line as allot of the bites have been the fish moving sideways with the bait even knocking slack in the line.

Dam Area: The lower end is still dominated by the deep bite; Chompers’ Webb Tail Spoons and Drop shot worms have been the best baits worked around deep tree tops from 35′ – 55′ deep. Most of the fish are suspended in and around the trees over as much as 100′ of water. An Umbrella rig will catch fish on the lower end but is not nearly as effective as in the rivers. Look to the Long Creek area to find success and duplicate the pattern in the White and James Rivers. Still several quality fish coming on a Jewel Eakins’ Jig and Craw combo around large community docks, make pitches to the center walkway from 10 – 40′ deep. Most of the bites will come on the fall so pay close attention to your line as it falls.

Capt. Eric Prey
Focused fishing Guide Service
p: 417-860-4743

...: MISSOURI, Success with Umbrella Rigs :...

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MISSOURI: Catching on Wiggle Warts and Bandit 300 Crankbaits

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Kimberling City Area:
Water temperatures remain in the lower 50′s through out the mid-lake keeping largemouth and smallmouth fairly shallow. Both can be caught on wiggle warts and bandit 300 crankbaits or Jewel spider and Eakins jigs. Look for rocky and mixed rock and gravel banks to be the best areas, wind is a plus for throwing a crankbait, key in on 5′ – 10′ depths. The deep bite is still there, windy days has made it tougher to stay on the fish and constant generation has stretched schools of shad making it harder to find concentrations of bait and fish.

James River:
The warmer weather last week helped the James River. Water temperatures actually rose a little and sunny afternoons saw temps in the low to mid 50′s on wind blown sunny banks. Wiggle warts and Bandit 300′s continue to produce on rocky banks, Jewel Eakins and Finesse Flippin’ jigs with craw or Paca Chunk trailers have been top choices. The mid to lower James has seen some winter white bass activity deep on ½ oz. Chompers Webb Tail spoons. Most of the whites have been 30′ – 45′ deep on main lake gravel points and island points holding tight to the bottom until shad come through.

White River:
Deep and shallow bites are both working in the White River. The deep bite has been in the Baxter to Shell Knob area in the larger creek arms. Look for shad holding 35′ – 45′ deep over deeper water and the fish will not be far away. Webb Tail spoons, ice jigs and drop shot worms have all been solid patterns once fish are located. The shallow bite has primarily been on a wiggle wart or bandit 300 but a few larger fish have been caught on McSticks or other crankbaits on secondary points.

Dam Area:
The lower end has the most consistent deep bite. Shad are suspended in the creek arms 35′ – 55′ deep in the center of most of the larger creeks. Look for areas with trees that top out around 35′ deep to be the most productive and fish the tree tops with Webb Tail spoons, Chompers drop shot worms and ice jigs on top or in the upper third of the tree. There is a shallow smallmouth bite on the lower end as well, wind blown rocky points will produce on a wiggle wart or bandit 300.

Capt. Eric Prey
Focused fishing Guide Service
p: 417-860-4743

...: Bandit 300 Crankbaits, Catching Fish, MISSOURI, Wiggle Warts :...

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MISSOURI: Chompers Webb Tail Spoons & Drop Shot Rigs have been Catching Fish

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Kimberling City Area:
Colder air temperatures are finally dropping the surface temperature, mid lake morning temps are in the lower 50′s reaching mid 50′s in the late afternoon. The deep bite has really started to shine; Chompers Webb Tail spoons and Drop Shot rigs have been catching fish in the bigger creek arms around 50′ deep over as much as 100′. Look for schools of bait to help locate the fish. Still a good wiggle wart bite on secondary points through out the mid lake.

James River:
The James continues to have the coldest water on the lake; temps in the upper 40′s are common and mid 40′s can be found toward the back of creeks and in shady pockets. The strongest bite in the James remains on a crankbait; wiggle warts and bandit 300 series baits are taking fish on ledge rock secondary points. Jewel Eakins jig and craw combos have been working around larger boat docks especially on sunny days, key on shady areas close to the center walk way of the dock 8′ – 15′ deep.

White River:
Between a good crankbait bite, a strong deep bite and an emerging jig bite there are a lot of ways to catch fish in the White River. Much like the Kimberling City area look for shad in the larger creek arms and work Webb Tail spoons and drop shot rigs to catch the fish holding close by. Secondary ledge rock points will produce with a wiggle wart or bandit 300. Pitch Jewel Eakins jig and craw combos to bigger docks throughout the mid White River for a mixed bag of smallmouth and largemouth.

Dam Area:
The lower end as the strongest deep bite on the lake. Look for shad suspended in and around tree tops in the middle of larger creeks and you will find fish. Webb tail spoons, Chompers drop shot worms and single tail grubs will all produce fish in these spots. Rotate the three presentations as fish turn on and off of them and you will increase the number of fish caught.

Capt. Eric Prey
Focused fishing Guide Service
p: 417-860-4743

...: Chompers Webb Tail Spoons, Drop Shot Rigs, MISSOURI :...

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MISSOURI: Largemouth Holding on Points Near Wood Cover in Larger Creeks

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Kimberling City Area:
Another week another cold front. Seems like a front passes through about every five days right now and while it has lowered the water temperatures the lake is still hovering in the upper 50′s. Shad are still moving into the creek arms with schools of fish following, look for largemouth to be holding on secondary points near wood cover in the larger creeks. Jewel football jigs and Squirrel heads have been the most effective presentations on calm days and Wiggle Warts on windy ones.

James River:
The water temperatures in the James are the lowest on the lake right now, early in the day you will find lower to mid 50′s that will warm to the upper 50′s as the sun warms the lake. Larger creek arms are holding shad and in turn fish that can be caught on Wiggle Warts and McCutchen spinnerbaits when the wind is blowing. Key on wood cover on or close to secondary points to be successful. ON calm days a Texas rigged Chompers Ultra tube pitched to the wood cover is one of the best options.

White River:
A variety of presentations continue to work in the White River. Schools of spots can be found holding in the deeper trees in the “guts” of larger creeks waiting for schools of shad to come through. Chompers Webb Tail spoons or Drop Shot worms have been very effective at pulling these fish out of tree tops 30′ – 40′ deep. Smallmouth have begun to show up on gravel points on both the main lake and in the creek arms, Chompers tubes and Jewel Spider jigs have been putting these fish in the boat. Wood cover on secondary points in the larger creek arms is producing largemouth on Wiggle Warts and McCutchen spinnerbaits.

Dam Area:
The Lower end improves every week; cooler water temps and the shad migration have moved fish out of deeper water and into the shallows. Smallmouth are moving up on gravel points and flats and can be caught on Jewel Spider jigs and Chompers Tubes, look for fish to be fairly shallow early and moving out deeper as the sun rises. The deep bite for spots has improved with increased shad activity in the creeks, 30′ ‘- 40′ deep tree tops in the middle of large creeks are holding schools of spotted bass. On windy days a few fish have been caught on wiggle warts and Bandits but it has been inconsistent on the lower end.

Capt. Eric Prey
Focused fishing Guide Service
p: 417-860-4743

...: Largemouth, Larger Creeks, MISSOURI, Wood Cover :...

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MISSOURI: Table Rock Lake – Wiggle Wart Bite Strong on Rocky Points

Monday, November 14th, 2011

Kimberling City Area:
Shad continue a slow migration to the back of larger creeks in the mid lake area, target secondary points with a wiggle wart or McCutchen spinner bait on windy days and a Jewel football jig or squirrel head jig on calm days. Smallmouth have moved up on gravel points on the main lake early and late, Chompers tubes and Jewel squirrel heads have been producing from 10′ – 15′ deep.

James River:
The shad migration is much further along in the James with large schools of shad in the back of most major creeks. RC and other shallow crankbaits worked around wood cover in the schools of shad will produce number and quality on windy days. Jewel jigs have been very effective on the shallow end of docks in the James as well, make multiple pitches to shady areas around walkways.

White River:
The past week has seen the White River really turn on; the wiggle wart bite has gotten very strong on rocky secondary points in the larger creek arms, Chompers spinnerbaits have been working around isolated cedar trees and Jewel football jigs are catching smallmouth on main lake gravel points. On calm days Jewel Eakins jig and craw combos have been very good in and around the shady areas of docks as well.

Dam Area:
Still the toughest area of the lake, the dam area has gotten better with the cooler water temperature. Smallmouth have begun to move shallow on gravel points early and late and can be caught on Chompers tubes and Jewel spider jigs. Wiggle warts are staring to produce on windy rocky points in the larger creek arms and Jewel Eakins jig and craw combos have been effective in the shady areas around docks.

Capt. Eric Prey
Focused fishing Guide Service
p: 417-860-4743

...: MISSOURI, Rocky Points, Table Rock Lake, Wiggle Wart :...

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MISSOURI: Jewel Spider, Football Jigs & Squirrel Heads Have Been Most Effective

Monday, November 7th, 2011

Kimberling City Area:
Shad are slowly migrating into the backs of the larger creeks in the mid lake area. Rocky secondary points have been the most productive areas; Jewel spider, football jigs and squirrel heads have been the most effective on calm day while a wiggle wart or Chompers McCutchen spinner bait are top producers when the wind is blowing. The long awaited dock bite has started to produce, Jewel Eakins jig and craw combos around walkways has been effective but still a bit spotty.

James River:
The upper James has been very good with large schools of shad moving into the creek arms and pockets with fish following to feed. Square bill crankbaits and lip less crankbaits have been producing around wood cover when shad are present. The mid James continues to produce as well; Jewel football jigs and Chompers tubes are working well on rocky points near deep water.

White River:
The mid White has been very good over the past week. Jewel football jigs on rocky points and ledges will produce a mixed bag of smallmouth and spots, a wiggle wart or bandit 300 will work very well in these same locals when the wind is blowing. Further up above Campbell Point the bite has been a little tougher; wiggle warts and bandits are producing on bluff ends and ledges when the wind blows but on calm days it can be tough. The Kings is producing with shallow crankbaits and lip less crankbaits where shad are present.

Dam Area:
The dam area remains tough, thee is still a drop shot and spoon bite in the deeper trees but as the water cools and shad move the bite is becoming less consistent. Early and late smallmouth can be caught on Chompers tubes and Jewel squirrel heads on main lake mixed rock and gravel points but as the sun rises the bite tapers off in a hurry.

Capt. Eric Prey
Focused fishing Guide Srv
p: 417-860-4743

...: Football Jigs, Jewel Spider, MISSOURI, Most Effective, Squirrel Heads :...

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MISSOURI: Jewel Squirrel Heads, Chompers Tubes & Grubs Producing Early

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Kimberling City Area:
Cooler weather and consistent current has made the bite better throughout the lake. While a full on feeding binge has not started fish are holding shallower and are more active throughout the day than in weeks past. Jewel Squirrel heads with finesse worms, Chompers tubes and grubs have all been producing early in the day on steeper chunk rock banks. Look for areas with a drop to 20 or 25 feet within a cast from shore to be the most productive.

James River:
The mid to lower James River has improved over the past week as well. Wiggle Warts and Bandit Crankbaits fished on steeper rocky banks will produce early and late, on windy days they will produce all day long. Crawdad colors have been the most effective, brown and green craw seem to be the best. Jewel football and Spider jigs fished on drop off points have been producing as well, look for rocky points that drop into deep water to be the most productive areas.

White River:
The White River improved with the increased current as well; Jewel football jigs, Chompers tubes and Wiggle Warts have all been producing on steeper rocky banks and points. On windy days stick with the crankbait making 45 degree casts to the bank paying close attention as the bait comes off of ledges and short drops. On calm days work the same areas over with the Jewel jig or Chompers tube.

Dam Area:
Even with the cooler weather and current the dam area remains tough. Chomper Drop Shot or ROBO worms have been effective on deeper schools of Kentuckies holding 30′ – 40′ deep over tree tops. Chompers tubes have been working on rocky points early and late on both the main lake and in the bigger creek arms. A few better smallmouth have been showing up on these points as well, target them with a Jewel football jig to be effective.

Capt. Eric Prey
Focused fishing Guide Service
p: 417-860-4743

...: Chompers Tubes & Grubs, Jewel Squirrel Heads, MISSOURI :...

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MISSOURI: Kimberling City – Decent Crankbait and Spinnerbait Bite on Rocky Points

Monday, October 24th, 2011

Kimberling City Area:
The bite is still very tough throughout the lake and the mid lake is no exception. Early and late there is a decent crankbait and spinnerbait bite on rocky points adjacent to deep water, once the sun comes up the bite is gone. Drop shot rigged Chompers and ROBO worms in deep trees will produce in the mid day but it is a hunt and peck pattern, fish need to be worked and coaxed into biting.

James River:
The upper end of the James has been the most productive portion of the river. From Flt creek on up there is a decent shallow crankbait bit early and late around laydowns and stump rows. Once the sun rises switch to the steeper side of the creek or river and pitch Jewel Eakins jig and craw combos to laydowns and wood cover. The dock bite in the mid James has been coming on some, Jewel jigs and Chompers tubes are producing on shady docks ten to fifteen feet deep.

White River:
The White River has been as tough as the rest of the lake, early and late Chompers McCutchen spinnerbaits have been producing on rocky banks and points. Once the sun rises a drop shot in deep trees has been working as well as anything else; Chompers and ROBO drop shot worms have been the best option in brown purple or plum.

Dam Area:
The lower end remains tough but there have been some smallmouth moving shallow early in the day. Jewel spider jigs with J tail trailers and Chompers tubes have been the best option on rocky points near deep water. Most of the fish will be in ten foot or less initially but as the sun rises move out to fifteen or twenty. Still fish being caught drop shotting Chompers and ROBO worms in the deep trees; but just like the mid lake you will need to work the fish to get a bite.

Capt. Eric Prey
Focused fishing Guide Service
p: 417-860-4743

...: Crankbait, Kimberling City, MISSOURI, Rocky Points, Spinnerbait :...

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MISSOURI: Table Rock – Produce Fish on Jewel Football & Spider Jigs

Monday, October 10th, 2011

Kimberling City Area:
Shorter days and lower temps have triggered the fall shad migration into the back of major creeks through out the mid lake. Early and late there is a good topwater bite starting to take shape with fish suspending under the schools of shad. Spooks, sammys and a variety of wake baits have all been very effective, target main lake and secondary gravel points. As the day wear on these same points will produce fish on Jewel football and spider jigs, work both lures from ten to twenty feet deep slowly along the bottom to draw strikes.

James River:
The shallow crankbait bite in the upper reaches of the James continues to improve, stump rows, lay downs and other shallow wood cover will produce with RC style crankbaits through out the day. Make multiple casts from different angles to draw strikes. Flat banks have been the most productive but a few better fish have been coming off of channel swings as well. Further down stream Jewel football jigs and Carolina rigged brush hogs have been the best choice, gravel banks with deep water close by are the best locations.

White River:
The topwater bite has been very strong early and late in the White River as well. Early and late fish can be found on gravel points chasing shad from two feet deep to over 100. Sammys, spooks and wake baits are all performing well, look for surfacing fish to locate shad. Jewel football jigs, squirrel heads and Chompers tubes will work in these same areas when the topwater bite subsides, work the lure of your choice from ten to twenty – five feet deep along the bottom to draw strikes. The fall spinnerbait bite has seemed to stall with a few fish being caught on it early but most flashing at the bait and not taking it.

Dam Area:
The lower end continues to be tough on calm sunny days, a few fish can be taken early on topwaters over gravel points before the sun get high and the Chomper Tube or Jewel football jig bite is strong once the sun rises. Spotted bas are being taken out of deep brush piles, Chompers or ROBO drop shot worms fished in brush twenty – five to thirty – five feet deep will produce numbers and quality. Up long Creek the shallow crankbait bite has developed nicely over the past week with most of the fish coming from stumps and lay downs on flats above Cricket Creek.

Capt. Eric Prey
Focused fishing Guide Service
p: 417-860-4743

...: Jewel Football, MISSOURI, Spider Jigs, Table Rock :...

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