We had some pretty good storms roll through our area last night. Lots of thunder and lightning and about 2.5" of rain. Not that the rain will hurt anything but sure makes for a wet morning on the lake. The lake is still dropping and is in very good shape. Lots more trees showing making it easier to find the tree rows that have been hidden all summer. With the flood this summer I am seeing more fry than I think I ever have so I'm guessing the spawn was fantastic. With the lack of fishing pressure the lake had this summer it is hard to imagine what it is going to be like next year. Even the fish that are being caught now seem bigger and thicker than in the past. More signs of good things to come.
The holiday is about a week a way and there is going to be lots of fun things going on around Osage Bluff. The water temp is still perfect for fishing and water sports along with what I can see as a cool front in the long range forecast making it a perfect weekend,and to add on just a little bit more a fire works display on Aug 31st at 8 pm that you surely won't want to miss.
LAKE LEVEL: 715.1
WATER CLARITY: Clear to lightly stained.
WATER TEMP: 83 deg.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing on Truman continues to improve every week. The water depth has gotten to their comfort zone making it easier to find the structure they like this time of the year. Tree rows on the edge of the flats are starting to produce some good fish. 20' of water fished with minnows down about 10' has been producing some big fish and nice limits. It depends on the day if they are holding in the cedars or hardwoods. Some of the brush piles are getting to the depth that the crappie are liking also. Piles in 20' off the points are working the best with fish holding right on top the piles.
BASS: The best bite on the bass are still the points. Big worms and creature baits fished on the secondary points in 6' to 10' of water is good. Normally this time of the year I like to go to the backs of the creek channels and fish shallow running crank baits for suspended fish or a jig and frog for fish holding in the root systems but so far they haven't got there but should be close, just saying. Early and late there has been a top water bite on the flat timbered points towards the backs of the creeks. Buzz baits and Pop R's seem to work the best here.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: The white bass fishing is good right now. Most of the normal places that hold these fish are producing big whites. 15' to 20' of water seems the best with fish holding from 8' to the bottom. 1/2 oz. spoons are working along with Rooster Tails for suspended fish. Also a 3" grub on a 1/4 oz. head has been picking up fish. There are some hybrids being caught and the ones that are coming in are good sized but the action is not as fast as the whites. Morning and evening seems the best on the hybrids.
CATFISH: We are seeing lots of good cat fish come in. Jugs seem to be the best when baited with cut bait. It seems if you find a flat with 15' to 20' of water and set baits 5' to 8' you will catch fish. Trot lines are also working on the flats in the creek mouths with baits set about 8'. Look for the flats close to the creek channels.
WALLEYE: We saw a few nice walleye come in last weekend. Crawler rigs on bottom bouncers seemed to work the best in the shallows around KK Island. The Flicker shad was also productive when trolled over the humps. 12' to 15' seemed to be the magic number.
With the holiday coming get your boat stall reservations in at Osage Bluff by calling 660-438-2939 or room reservations at 660-438-2891. We are about out of stalls so if you need one now would be the time.
Till next week
Tommy
