May 22, 2009
Lake Level: 916.66
Water Temps: 65-72
The spawn is pretty much finished there are still a few late ones. The bite has been tough as the fish are in post spawn but it is starting to pick up as the fish are starting to feed up and move out to structure.
In the Main lake, Dam, Campbell Point, Kimberling City and Aunt's Creek areas there has been a good top water bite when cloudy and overcast. Look for fish on bluff ends with submerged timber and secondary points in 10' - 20' on bottom. Watermelon candy, watermelon red, and green pumpkin colors are working well on French fries and lizards. Having success also on 1/2 oz. football jigs in Peanut butter/jelly & green pumpkin and 4" -5" grubs in smoke or watermelon red on 1/4 oz. jig heads fished slowly on the bottom on the same points. Fish are also starting to get out a little deeper and drop-shots have been starting to work. Fish main lake gravel points, trying to keep bait in 22' - 25', some are on bottom, others are suspending over 30' -50'. Try throwing deep diving crankbaits like DT16, Fat Free Shad or DD22 in the same timbered flats and points where would be working top water baits. This bite should get better as the largemouths will suspend in these areas for the next 4-6 weeks.
In the river arms there are lots of smaller fish being caught just outside of the buck brush and willows. As the water drops out of the cover look for the bite to get real good in 15' - 25' on main river flats close to channel swings. Fish Carolina rigged lizards, brush hogs, 1/2 & 5/8 football jigs and DD crankbaits. Also try a 4"-5" swim baits for a larger fish. There has also been a top water bite early and late on the main lake points in the river arms. In the heat of the day run to the upper ends of the rivers and throw 3/16 oz. shakey head worms or brown 5/16 Eakin's jig on bluff channel swings, 5' - 10' and around any visible cover on the channel swings or on the flats.