Written by Scott on January 19th, 2010
The water temp is around 43 - 45 degrees with a current lake level of 655.28 and falling. The Corps has been pulling the lake down at a rate of 22,000 cubic ft. per second, which some say has and adverse effect on the fishing. This should be over soon. The launch ramp is now available for use. October 8th was the last time anyone was able to use the boat launch. It sure is nice to see so many fishermen once again parked over by the ramp!
Walleye have been caught by dropping spoons into deep cuts and trenches on flats (30 - 50 ft.) Most Walleye reports indicate that the best action has been seen just below Powersite Dam and around “Barker’s Hole” just East of the dam.
Black Bass -This time of year, it is almost a given that a suspended Jerk Bait should be your first choice, but not this week. With the extreme cold temps and the rapid release of water, most bass have been caught in deeper water and have not been found off of the rock bluffs and points as usual. Never the less, I would definitely have one tied on this coming weekend. The water drop should be over by Thursday. Most reports indicate that a jig or a silver spoon have been very effective the past week on some BIG Blacks. (18 to 25ft)
Crappie I believe the Crappie bite should be getting much better with the lake stabilizing this week. The majority have been caught on live Minnows. Vertical spooning has produced some good Crappie using a variety of spoons. Try different depths, some have been caught as deep as 25ft. or more.
White Bass - Wow! Huge numbers of Whites have come into the fish cleaning station the past 10 days! Variety of spoons, on flats, in about 20 feet of water. (No I’m not going to tell you exactly where… that’s why its called fishing!)
Written by Scott on November 17th, 2009
Lake Level: 680.00 (and rising!)
Water Temp: 57 degrees
We have experienced a dramatic rise in the lake level since the heavy rains hit the Ozarks in Oct! The lake has risen over 24 feet, with a heavy current of cold water still pouring in from Table Rock. Once again, we are experiencing abnormal conditions due to flooding which has created a Massive lake! Many of the “go to” spots on upper Bull Shoals are almost unrecognizable with the vast expansion of water. However, you can use this to your advantage when looking for feeding fish. The coves have now trippled in size and are holding shad and other bait fish. For now, trim up that main motor and explore the backs of these coves.
Walleye have been caught by dropping spoons, minnows and night crawlers on drop offs and channels. Early morning bite has been the best this week. Also having good results bottom bouncing Night Crawlers. Go heavy with your weights since there is a swift current do to the rising water. No reports of any Walleye being caught while trolling. Debris in the water has limited most of our trolling friends. (Walleye on Bull Shoals must be 18″ in length to legally keep.)
Black Bass(Line Sides and Spotted) have been caught deep in the coves early morning until early afternoon. Look for schools of shad where fresh water is entering the cove. If the water is clear, try a white spinner bait or a chrome rattle trap. If the water is stained to muddy, throw a chartruse spinner with large blades. Watch the graph while trolling down the middle of the coves. Bass have been sitting deep in the centers and have been caught on 5″ grubs and plastic worms vertical jigging. Remember, try to go with a heavy, weedless rig since you will more than likely be in 15 to 25 ft of brush!
Crappie (no reports since last post) Crappie are hugging deep cover in the coves and bluffs with the rapid rise of Bull Shoals Lake. The majority have been caught on live Minnows. Vertical spooning has produced some good Crappie using a variety of spoons. Try different depths, some have been caught as deep as 25ft. or more.
White Bass are following the shad into the coves. Main lake activity has slowed down. Chrome rattle traps and white spinner baits should do the trick when you see them busting the shad. Try a white or pearl Vibric Rooster Tail as well.
Written by Scott on October 19th, 2009
Lake Level: 666.5 (and rising!)
Water Temp: 57 degrees
We have experienced a dramatic rise in the lake level since the heavy rains hit the Ozarks on Oct 8th! The lake has risen over 10 feet, with a heavy current of cold water still pouring in from Table Rock. We are rising an average of about 8 inches per day, which has made fishing a bit challenging. Big bass are still being caught with a slight change of tactics.
Walleye have been caught by dropping spoons, minnows and night crawlers on drop offs and channels. Early morning bite has been the best this week. Also having good results bottom bouncing Night Crawlers. Go heavy with your weights since there is a swift current do to the rising water. (Walleye on Bull Shoals must be 18″ in length to legally keep.)
Black Bass (Line Sides and Spotted) have been caught deep in the coves early morning until early afternoon. Look for schools of shad where fresh water is entering the cove. If the water is clear, try a white spinner bait or a chrome rattle trap. If the water is stained to muddy, throw a chartruse spinner with large blades. Also try a large crank bait off of bluffs and rocky points. Colors to try are “Sexy or Foxy Shad” as well as Citrus. Bass are also beeing cautht with a heavy football jig or plastic worm in 25 to 30 feet on drops. Once again, if you can find the shad, and there are millions right now, you will find the fish!
Crappie are hugging deep cover in the coves and bluffs with the rapid rise of Bull Shoals Lake. The majority have been caught on live Minnows. Vertical spooning has produced some good Crappie using a variety of spoons. Try different depths, some have been caught as deep as 25ft.
White Bass are excellent right now with the amount of shad found in the coves! Huge females up to 16 inches have been caught this week! Chrome rattle traps and white spinner baits should do the trick when you see them busting the shad. Try a white or pearl Vibric Rooster Tail as well.
Written by Scott on September 22nd, 2009
Lake Level: 656.5
Water Temp: 74 degrees
Walleye have still been laying in the deeper sides of drop offs. Many reports of fish being caught at 20 to 30 ft. Troll with crank baits in 20 to 40 ft of water. Look for them suspended off of sandy flats extending from the shallow banks. Colors to try are ”Chrome, bright Purple/Hot Pink”. Afternoon bite has been the best. Also having good results bottom bouncing Night Crawlers. (Walleye on Bull Shoals must be 18″ in length to legally keep.)
Black Bass (Line Sides and Spotted) have been caught both shallow and deep. Bass have been hitting on the 10″ plastic worms when drug slowly off of shallow flats into deeper water. Look for areas that quickly drop from shallow, (around 10 ft) to deep (around 35 ft). Best colors have been Plum and Tequilla Sunrise. Mornings have been very good for throwing white spinner baits and buzz baits in shallow water along the bluff side of the lake. Look for areas that have a good breeze blowing when throwing the spinner bait.
Crappie have not been seen in large numbers, however, the ones coming in have been huge! 14 - 15 inces are common. The majority have been caught on live Minnows. Vertical spooning has produced some good Crappie using a variety of spoons such as a silver Kastmaster. Look for structure in the main lake or coves. Try different depths, some have been caught as deep as 25ft.
White Bass are still beeing seen chasing shad very agressively. Try a white or pearl Vibric Rooster Tail. Also, be ready for the whites with a “Chrome Mini Rattle Trap” when they chase the shad to the surface. When you see a “bait ball” on your fish finder, drop a chrome spoon. Don’t be supprised to catch some large spotted bass when dropping the spoon!
Written by Scott on August 7th, 2009
Lake Level: 656.5
Water Temp: 84 degrees
Walleye have been going deeper over the past few weeks. Many reports of fish being caught at 30 ft. Troll with crank baits in 20 to 40 ft of water. Look for them suspended off of sandy flats extending from the shallow banks. Colors to try are “Fire Tiger” and blue back w/ orange bottom. Early mornings seem be the best. Also having good results bottom bouncing Night Crawlers. (Walleye on Bull Shoals must be 18″ in length to legally keep.)
Black Bass (Line Sides and Spotted) have been caught both shallow and deep. Many fishermen are getting their limits on a variety of different lures. Several reports of bass hitting white spinner baits and buzz baits in shallow water early in the mornings. Also, try a heavy jig, or plastic worm in depths of 18 - 30 feet. Throw all the way to the bank and drag back slow into deeper water off of points.
Crappie have not been seen in large numbers, however, the ones coming in have been huge! 14 - 15 inces are common. The majority have been caught on live Minnows. Look for structure in the main lake or coves. Try different depths, some have been caught as deep as 25ft.
White Bass have been chasing shad very agressively. The water in front of the Marina has been boiling in the evenings with schools of whites. Also, be ready for the whites with a “Chrome Mini Rattle Trap” when they chase the shad to the surface. When you see a “bait ball” on your fish finder, drop a chrome spoon. Don’t be supprised to catch some large spotted bass when dropping the spoon!
Written by Scott on July 9th, 2009
Lake Level: 664.00
Water Temp: 85 degrees
Walleye are still being caught in good numbers. Troll with crank baits in 10 to 15 ft of water. Look for them suspended off of sandy flats extending from points. Colors to try are “Fire Tiger” and blue back w/ orange bottom. Early mornings seem be the best. Also having good results bottom bouncing Night Crawlers. (Walleye on Bull Shoals must be 18″ in length to legally keep.)
Black Bass (Line Sides and Spotted) are really starting to feed. Many fishermen are getting their limits on a variety of different lures. Try a heavy jig, watermellon Grub and Plastic worm. Throw all the way to the bank and drag back slow into deeper water off of points.
Crappie have come off their beds and are scattered into deeper water. I have seen several large Crappie come in this past week that were caught on live Minnows. Look for structure in the main lake or coves. Try different depths, some have been caught as deep as 25ft.
White Bass have been chasing shad very agressively. When you see a “bait ball” on your fish finder, drop a chrome spoon. Also, be ready for the whites with a “Chrome Mini Rattle Trap” when they chase the shad to the surface. Don’t be supprised to catch some large spotted bass when dropping the spoon!
Written by Scott on June 16th, 2009
Lake Level: 670.2
Water Temp: 81 degrees
The lake level has finally started to drop, but the water temperature has really been on the rise! That’s good news for the Walleye fishermen and women. One of our renters caught a 28″ - 6.5 lb Walleye near K Dock this morning!
Walleye have been hitting very well trolling with crank baits in 10 to 15 ft of water. Look for them suspended off of sandy flats extending from points. Colors to try are “Fire Tiger” and blue back w/ orange bottom. Also having good results bottom bouncing Night Crawlers. (Walleye on Bull Shoals must be 18″ in length to legally keep.)
Black Bass (Line Sides and Spotted) have moved to deeper water. Try a heavy jig in about 20 to 30 feet on extended points. Don’t be afraid to throw or drag a plastic worm. Warmer temps will start producing strikes on a 10″ Plum worm.
Crappie have come off their beds and are scattered into deeper water. A lot of crappie have been caught while trolling. Try dropping a live minnow halfway into coves about 10 to 20 feet.
White Bass have been chasing shad very agressively. When you see a “bait ball” on your fish finder, drop a chrome spoon. Also, be ready for the whites with a “Chrome Mini Rattle Trap” when they chase the shad to the surface. Don’t be supprised to catch some large spotted bass when dropping the spoon!
