Well, the forecast for the snowstorm last week kept most in, including myself. So instead of fishing last Saturday I built a snowman. Just when it looked like most have given up on fishing the rest of this year and I started focusing on booking trips for next year, the phone rings and I booked a Striped Bass trip on Beaver Lake today and another going out here at the Island Saturday to see what will bite a hook.
We did not do so well here close to the Island the last outing, so we’re going up river looking for warmer water between Houseman Access and Beaver town.
This time of year the water coming into Table Rock is coming from Beaver Lake about 200 feet below the surface, so when the lake cools it can be a bit warmer, which can move some bait and warm water fish that way as other schools go north into Missouri for deeper water.
One good thing about going up river is you know there will be trout mixed in this time of year, and the walleye are also going that way. Live minnows flicker shad and rapalas will all be our bait of choice.
Crappie are being caught as deep as 20 feet and as shallow as four feet. Best if you fish over the deep treetops and also shallow off the shoreline brush till you find where they’re holding. When you find them, they’re hitting good and limits are being caught.
Bass are holding tight also, with most being caught on spoons now. Stripers on Beaver Lake are holding between 18 – 30 feet deep but you never know when they will chase bait to the surface, so keep a top water bait tied on for casting along with a jig or spoon to go deeper. Add about 5 or 6 bait rods with shad, black salties or brood shiners down 18 – 30 feet and you should hook up. Good luck, stay warm and don’t forget to add fish to your Christmas Dinner.