Well it's the end of July and it looks like the monsoons have left us at least for a week. The weatherman is calling for cooler temps and not much rain for the next week. I'm sure we will have plenty more hot weather this summer but this nice break will be very welcome. We have had lots of rain this week but the lake is still in good condition, I think most of it soaked in. Even with all the rain the lake is still about 6" low. It pays to use extra caution there are lots more trees showing and we are seeing several props come in bent up.
LAKE LEVEL: 705.64
WATER TEMP: 85 deg
WATER CLARITY: Clear to lightly stained.
CRAPPIE: The crappie are well into the summer pattern now. Years ago that would of typically been up on the flats in the fence rows but it seems as though over the years things have changed a little. The tree rows on the flats still produce lots of crappie but I think the new norm for the summer pattern is the brush piles, Both patterns are working now. Best water depth is 9' to 15' with fish holding 7' to 8' down. Either minnows or jigs are working with minnows catching a few more fish. The bluff banks are also holding fish in 25' + of water with fish holding 12' to 15' down minnows are the best here.
BASS: The top water bite is working early and late and with the over cast days we are having will carry over to late in the am. Buzz baits on the timbered flats and the tree rows along the edges of the creek channels are the hot spots. The bass are suspending in the tree tops about 4' down. Look for creek channels where the new hatches are balling up. The points are also producing fish in 6' to 8' of water on creature baits. Either secondary or main lake points will work. You will have to do a lot of moving but it will be worth it. Had a couple of good reports of fish coming off the bluff ends on a jig and frog out of 6' to 8' of water.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: These fish are working better early and late. With the lake being a little low the COE isn't running much water so the whites are following the shad schools around during the day. There has been some surface activity through out the day with 1/4 oz spoons and Rat l traps working on surfacing fish. KK Island is still good for surface activity using spoons and Rooster tails at sunset. Hybrids are the same as last week with live bait working the best off the sides of the humps in deeper water. Best bet is to drift live bait under a bobber.
CATFISH: Jugs and rod and reel fishing are producing some nice cats now. Lots of blues and channels are being caught. Cut bait is working the best in 8' to 12' of water with baits set about 5'. With stationary jugs you have to run them often with the warm water temps. The flats close to deeper water breaks are the most productive areas.
WALLEYE: The walleye fishing is fair right now. Trolling deep running crank baits has been the best pattern with fish holding on the bottom in 10' to 15' of water around the humps. Night crawler rigs on bottom bouncers are also working in the saddles next to the humps during the day.
That's the report for this week. If you are looking for a stall over the labor day weekend we are starting to fill up so you can get one reserved by calling Osage Bluff Marina 660-438-2939. The same goes for rooms at Osage Bluff Motel 660-438-2891. With the great weather we have in store for the area it is a great time to spend some time with mother nature on Truman.
Till next week
Tommy
