Another beautiful week in the Ozarks. No rain in the forecast and the temps are perfect for being outdoors. It's still a little warm for me to be up in a tree stand archery hunting but it's perfect for sitting in a boat catching fish. For all the leaf lookers out there we are not seeing any change here on the lake yet but there again it is only the 3rd week in September.
LAKE LEVEL: 704.67
WATER TEMP: 77 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Lightly stained
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing is still a little slow. There are fish being caught but you just have to work a little harder at it. Drift fishing the creek channels has been about as productive as anything. 15' to 18' of water with minnows down about 12' is working. Also drifting the brush piles on the points in 12' to 15' with minnows will work. When fishing the tree rows on the flats don't be afraid to get up in 6' to 8' of water and fish a minnow right off the bottom. And for sure do not over look any isolated trees on the flats in 15' + of water. The bridge pillars are also well worth checking out. 20' + and start at the bottom and slowly work your way up with a minnow.
BASS: The bass fishing is really pretty good here on Truman. Points on the bluff ends fished with a small creature bait has been working well. 6' to 8' of water is the magic depth. With the cooler mornings the top water bite has been good. Buzz baits on the timbered flat points back in the creeks is a hot spot. Look for shad. The suspended bite along the edge of the creek channels is working in 12' to 15' of water with fish holding about 5'. Sinkos rigged weightless are one of the better baits.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: The white bass fishing is still good in our area. The under water ridges around KK Island have been vary productive. 12' to 15' fished with 1/2 oz spoons has produced lots of limits. These fish seem to be holding tight on the bottom so just hop the spoon about a foot off the bottom. There is still lots of surface activity going on with Rooster Tails working the best on these fish. Sunset seems to be the best time around the Island. There has also been surface activity going on the Pommie flats.
CATFISH: Nothing has changed on the cat fishing here on Truman it remains good. Lots of big blues are coming in now. Jugs seem to be the best in 8' to 12' of water. Cut bait be it shad or perch set about 5' on the flats are working. The closer to the channel swings the better. Rod and reel drift fishing is also working here.
WALLEYE: The walleye slowed down a little this week.. As always trolling the humps with a deep running crank bait was the best. And again crawler rigs on a bottom bouncer in the saddles picked up a few. I did have a report of some fish coming shallow in small main lake flat pockets on Rooster tails. I guess you never know where these guys are going to show up.
That's the report for this week. You can contact us at Osage Bluff Marina 660-438-2939 or Osage Bluff Motel at 660-438-2891. I hope you can make it out and enjoy some of this fantastic fall weather with us.
Till next week
Tommy
