Pictured is BMFG guide Robert Kennedy, who caught this nice Striper with Xieng Chanthavong, with Hooked on Fishing LLC
Beaver Tailwaters Fishing Report:
The cold is creeping back into the Ozarks, and it’s starting to feel like fall is giving way to winter. This past week, the fishing has stayed fairly consistent, even with the drop in temperatures. Anglers are still finding good numbers of trout, especially during the warmer parts of the day when the sun has had a chance to hit the water.
Bites have been coming steady on light tackle — Pautzke Fire Bait, PowerBait, and small spoons continue to be top producers. If you’re working artificial lures, try downsizing your presentation. Small jerkbaits and Rooster Tails have also been doing well, especially when fished slowly with a pause in between retrieves. Those subtle pauses are key when the fish are sluggish.
Early mornings have been a bit slow, but once that sun gets up, the bite has been picking up quickly. Mid-day through the afternoon has been the most productive time to be on the water. For fly anglers, egg patterns and midges have been bringing in solid action. As temperatures continue to dip, focus on slower, more deliberate presentations — the fish aren’t chasing hard right now, but they’ll take the easy meal if it drifts right by.
Overall, the trout have been healthy and active enough to keep things interesting, and there’s still plenty of opportunity for good numbers and quality fish.
Start the week slow and deep — then, as the temperatures climb mid- to late week, move shallower and speed up your presentation. Stick with natural colors early, but don’t be afraid to add a bit of flash when the water warms.
Austin Kennedy, Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service
Hooked on Fishing Guide Service, Beaver Lake report:
Beaver Lake is cooling down finally with these cold mornings, water temps sitting at 66° now. Stripers are slowly moving back out of their summer homes, and you can find them on just about any point from the dam to Rocky Branch. For this reason, they are pretty spread out but if you use your graph and find these feeding fish around bait you’ll have some success.
There’s still a thermocline present so make sure you pay attention where the fish are holding and get your bait down there for them to see it. Crappie fishing around brush and docks have been best. Be patient and slow down your presentation and you’ll get bit.
Juan Granados, Hooked on Fishing
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