Most avid anglers can recall a moment in their life when the interest in fishing escalated to more than just a way to pass time. This moment usually takes place over a full fishing season and not just a few seconds of time one day on the water. This moment for me happened at the age of six years.
While growing up in Southeast Missouri I was fortunate to have lived within walking distance of a stream that held eager panfish. Also, a resourceful mother who encouraged my love of the outdoors. Digging worms for bait was my favorite fishing technique and our yard was full of back-filled holes to prove it. Many times during the dry summer the ground had the texture of sandstone. This made digging difficult for a skinny kid that didn’t weigh much more than the shovel. When faced with this situation mom would give me a couple slices of bread or bacon to supplement my lack of live bait.
Fishing equipment was simple and designed by my mother who was a great outfitter when resources ran low. I would choose a stick that met my standards for a fishing rod and she somehow always came up with a good length of line and some sort of hook. At times mom would fashion a safety pin as a hook and a small length of stick tied onto the line made a great bobber. She would wish me luck and send me on my way. This was back during a time when parents didn’t have to worry about someone running off with their kids and it was perfectly acceptable for a neighbor lady to discipline a kid that she felt needed it.
During these adventures I would be gone for hours catching fish and playing in the creek. This creek was not anything big or dangerous. There was not to many places that an adult could not step across it with much trouble. However, to a seven year old kid it might as well been one of the Great Lakes. It did have a couple of waterfalls, areas of flat limestone where the water fell almost 18 inches into the next pool. This was a waterfall to a kid and the lower pool was a great place to catch huge four-inch panfish.
Fishing until dark, or until the bait ran out, was a standard practice. Many times as dark approached I would wedge my “fishing rod” in a secure place in hopes of having caught a fish upon my return the next day. Looking back I now realize this is why a store bought fishing rig was out of the question for me. If my fishing rod survived the night without being pulled into the water I often found a fish attached to the end of the line. However, many times it was gone the next morning and I often wondered about the record sized fish that was required to dislodge my gear.
The next year my family moved to an urban area and left the creek behind but my love of fishing just grew more intense. I was blessed with neighborhood ponds for many years after the move and a bicycle to haul all of my gear. Bicycle handlebars make great rod holders but one must be careful when passing nearby trees and mailboxes because the rod was much wider than the bicycle. Equipment damage and bodily harm could always be found just one mailbox away.
My mother always provided the resources for the essentials to chase fish and encouraged me to spend time outdoors. There is not doubt in my mind her intentions were genuine in encouraging outdoor activities but I am sure she enjoyed some peace and quite time at home while I was fishing.
A lot has changed in the almost forty years that have passed since my “defining moment”. My equipment choices have become more high-tech but the basics remain the same. Spending time fishing is more about the experience than anything else. If I had to give up all of the new equipment and use that old stick with a safety pin hook I would still go fishing at every opportunity.
For Fishing Tackle please visit Midwest Fishing Tackle and for more Bass Fishing Information please visit Bass Fishing Midwest
Midwest Fishing Tackle, Exclusive retailer of Midwest Custom Tackle
Friday, December 4, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Gambler KO Hangover Skirt
Gambler Lures has recently introduced a new product called the Gambler KO Hangover Skirt. This new skirt allow anglers to make any soft plastic a weedless jig. The new skirt has a unique ring that allows the skirt layers to be tied to it. This creates a jig skirt that slides on the line above any Texas Rigged soft plastic lure.
Anglers can then "peg" a sinker above the skirt holding the entire rig together. The key is the skirt's ability to be placed above the bait and below the sinker. There are many techniques to peg a sinker including the Gambler Ratt'lin Florida Rig Goop Weight.
For our illustration we used a bullet type slip sinker. The pegging was done with a line threader and living rubber skirt material. However, the Ratt'lin Florida Rig Goop Weight makes the process much easier. This weight has a soft material already made into the center of the weight and the line is threaded through the center with a line threader. Thus eliminating the need for the living rubber skirt material.
This first photo shows the items we used for rigging this new product. They include a Gambler KO Hangover Skirt, Gambler Paddle Tail Worm, worm hook, bullet sinker, line threader and two strands of living rubber skirt material.
This second photo shows the rig almost completed. The steps to get to this point included sliding the bullet sinker onto the line, sliding the Gambler KO Hangover Skirt below the sinker and tying the worm hook onto the line. The Paddle Tail worm was then Texas Rigged onto the hook. Once these steps were complete the line threader was inserted into the sinker opening and used to pull the living rubber skirt material through the center of the sinker. The excess skirt material is shown protruding from the sinker and needs to be trimmed off.
This last photo shows the rig completed. With the sinker pegged on top of the skirt and the skirt resting on top of the worm the rig becomes a truly weedless jig. It is ideal for using in heavy weed and brush cover. These skirts are available at Midwest Fishing Tackle. We will be adding the Gambler Goop Weight soon. For a complete line of Gambler Lure Products visit Gambler-Bang.com
Anglers can then "peg" a sinker above the skirt holding the entire rig together. The key is the skirt's ability to be placed above the bait and below the sinker. There are many techniques to peg a sinker including the Gambler Ratt'lin Florida Rig Goop Weight.
For our illustration we used a bullet type slip sinker. The pegging was done with a line threader and living rubber skirt material. However, the Ratt'lin Florida Rig Goop Weight makes the process much easier. This weight has a soft material already made into the center of the weight and the line is threaded through the center with a line threader. Thus eliminating the need for the living rubber skirt material.
This first photo shows the items we used for rigging this new product. They include a Gambler KO Hangover Skirt, Gambler Paddle Tail Worm, worm hook, bullet sinker, line threader and two strands of living rubber skirt material.
This second photo shows the rig almost completed. The steps to get to this point included sliding the bullet sinker onto the line, sliding the Gambler KO Hangover Skirt below the sinker and tying the worm hook onto the line. The Paddle Tail worm was then Texas Rigged onto the hook. Once these steps were complete the line threader was inserted into the sinker opening and used to pull the living rubber skirt material through the center of the sinker. The excess skirt material is shown protruding from the sinker and needs to be trimmed off.
This last photo shows the rig completed. With the sinker pegged on top of the skirt and the skirt resting on top of the worm the rig becomes a truly weedless jig. It is ideal for using in heavy weed and brush cover. These skirts are available at Midwest Fishing Tackle. We will be adding the Gambler Goop Weight soon. For a complete line of Gambler Lure Products visit Gambler-Bang.com
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Bass Angler Does Some Surf Casting
The low tide made for some very calm surf on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. Surfcasting was quite enjoyable and wading into the water without getting pounded by the waves added to the pleasure. Because I have little knowledge of this type of fishing I chose a simple rig. A silver spoon provided a compact yet heavy lure and made the presentation quite easy.
The fish were plentiful and I was able to catch several each time out. However, identifying the species was difficult for me due to my lack of knowledge. Since all of my catch was released knowing the length limits for the fish was not of any concern. All of my fishing was being done on the beach where there were condominium buildings side by side as far as I could see. Most of the residents were retired people and when not fishing themselves, they enjoyed watching others including me.
One afternoon I was blessed with several fish hooking up with my spoon and my lack of ability to identify them is what caused an issue. Walking down the beach was a lady who happened by about the time I hooked a good fish so she stopped to watch the ensuing battle of angler and fish. Once I subdued the fish and released it within her plain sight she proceeded to give me a lesson on fish identification.
To someone with my lack of knowledge a Carvelle Jack looks identical to a Pompano. The Pompano is regarded as one of the best tasting fish while the Jack is one of the worst. The one sided conversation with the lady on the beach made it perfectly clear to me that she could tell the difference. She wanted the fish for a meal and was forced to watch it swim away after I released it.
She used some words to describe my stupidity that I would never use in the presence of my mother and they are of similar age. In a very detailed manner she informed me how to tell the difference of the two species and where she lived so I could save for her any further Pompano caught. Also, she gave me specific instructions not to attempt to clean the fish as she had her own favorite technique and didn’t want me “messing up the fish”.
What she didn’t realize was there was no way I was going to save any of the Pompano for her because she had scared me with her behavior. I did not dare approach her home as fear of doing something “stupid” may put her over the edge and there would be no witnesses to my death, near or in her home. I did, however, watch closely the people walking on the beach from that time forward trying to identify anyone who looked similar to her. Once I thought I saw her in the distance and I immediately quit fishing until I could confirm the lady walking on the beach was not the lady who I feared.
For More Fishing Articles Visit Bass Fishing Midwest
The fish were plentiful and I was able to catch several each time out. However, identifying the species was difficult for me due to my lack of knowledge. Since all of my catch was released knowing the length limits for the fish was not of any concern. All of my fishing was being done on the beach where there were condominium buildings side by side as far as I could see. Most of the residents were retired people and when not fishing themselves, they enjoyed watching others including me.
One afternoon I was blessed with several fish hooking up with my spoon and my lack of ability to identify them is what caused an issue. Walking down the beach was a lady who happened by about the time I hooked a good fish so she stopped to watch the ensuing battle of angler and fish. Once I subdued the fish and released it within her plain sight she proceeded to give me a lesson on fish identification.
To someone with my lack of knowledge a Carvelle Jack looks identical to a Pompano. The Pompano is regarded as one of the best tasting fish while the Jack is one of the worst. The one sided conversation with the lady on the beach made it perfectly clear to me that she could tell the difference. She wanted the fish for a meal and was forced to watch it swim away after I released it.
She used some words to describe my stupidity that I would never use in the presence of my mother and they are of similar age. In a very detailed manner she informed me how to tell the difference of the two species and where she lived so I could save for her any further Pompano caught. Also, she gave me specific instructions not to attempt to clean the fish as she had her own favorite technique and didn’t want me “messing up the fish”.
What she didn’t realize was there was no way I was going to save any of the Pompano for her because she had scared me with her behavior. I did not dare approach her home as fear of doing something “stupid” may put her over the edge and there would be no witnesses to my death, near or in her home. I did, however, watch closely the people walking on the beach from that time forward trying to identify anyone who looked similar to her. Once I thought I saw her in the distance and I immediately quit fishing until I could confirm the lady walking on the beach was not the lady who I feared.
For More Fishing Articles Visit Bass Fishing Midwest
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Three Anglers on an Adventure
This adventure began on a late summer night in August many years ago. Three young men loaded a pick up truck with camping and fishing gear to try their luck at a newly impounded reservoir. This particular lake didn’t have a lot of traffic on the weekends and even less on the weekdays. Therefore reservations for a rental boat and camping site were not necessary. Their travels began on a Sunday evening. A major consideration when planning an excursion outdoors is weather. None of the three seemed to remember or pay any attention to this detail.
About one hour from home the severe thunderstorms began and didn’t let up the entire trip to the lake. During the drive all of the gear including tent and clothing was soaked. Somewhere during this time they realized they had made no plans for food or drink and stopped at the only store they could find open. Actually, it was closed but the lights hadn’t been turned out yet. When asking the attendant where they could buy food and drink they were given their only option. There was a bar and restaurant about 15 miles out of the way that sold carryout beer on Sundays but food wasn’t available.
The three of them made the decision to settle for beer and followed the directions to the establishment. Upon arriving it was obvious it was the only place open at 9:00 pm on a Sunday night in the whole county. The parking lot was full but they headed inside to place their order anyway. Just inside the door was a rather large man who dressed like Charlie Daniels playing shuffleboard by himself. With a closer look it was clear he was upset about something as he was crying and talking to himself.
At this point they approached the bar and ordered one case of beer to go. It was very expensive but the laws of supply and demand were in full effect. The beer would later become worth every penny they paid. While leaving the three of them did their best to act like they didn’t notice the gentleman at the shuffleboard table. They made out of the bar and back on the road without any bad luck.
On the way to the campground the owner of the truck informed the others he was concerned about their fuel level. He said he had an additional fuel tank that was full but the switch was not working to change them. They finally made it to the campground where there were only two other sites being used. After retrieving the wet gear and setting up the tent they started drinking the beer but were quite hungry. One of the young men took it upon himself to coin the phrase “drink up, there is a pork chop in every can.”
By the time they reached the campground the rain had stopped and the skies began clearing. Camping without a campfire isn’t any fun so they set out to collect wood in the near by forest. Once they got a good supply and positioned it in the fire pit (the wood was soaking wet as well) they realized they had no matches or lighter to start the fire. A camper close by noticed the troubles and gave them a book of matches then wished them luck as he was going to sleep.
After many attempts they had no luck with getting the wet wood to burn. The only thing they had to assist in the starting of the fire was located behind the seat of the pick up truck. It was octane booster for the fuel and very volatile. (Please take my word for this when I say never try to start a fire with this stuff.) With just a light sprinkle on the wood one of them lit the last match and threw it at the wood hoping for a fire. However, what they got was a serious blaze about 15 feet high. It did however dry the wood and get it burning. While tending to the fire they drank all 24 beers and had to sleep in the next day before fishing.
After securing a rental boat with a small outboard they set out to catch some fish. They had little success and one of them continued to get his lures caught in the standing timber. On one particular cast the lure went up further than it went away from the boat and wrapped about four times around a over hanging tree limb some 20 feet above the water. The angler had enough so he decided to climb the tree to retrieve the lure. He was six feet-four inches tall and weighed in about 225 pounds. While the limb that held the lure was about 10 inches in diameter the trees had been dead for about three years.
He made it up the trunk and onto the limb. He had to walk out the limb about 10 feet to reach the lure and didn’t have much experience playing monkey. However, he made it close enough to reach the hanging lure when without warning the limb broke causing him and the limb to come crashing down. When he disappeared into the water his hat was left floating on the surface. A few seconds later he surfaced with only a hurt ego and it was a good thing as the two left in the boat later said they were laughing so hard they could not have saved him had he gotten hurt.
This took place several hours into the day and was a showstopper for the anglers. One was soaking wet and the others were almost sick from laughing so hard. I can still show you the exact tree that stands within sight of the dam on this lake. However, it is missing one rather large branch.
Copyright 2009, Marc Rogers, All Rights Reserved
More Articles available at Bass Fishing Midwest
About one hour from home the severe thunderstorms began and didn’t let up the entire trip to the lake. During the drive all of the gear including tent and clothing was soaked. Somewhere during this time they realized they had made no plans for food or drink and stopped at the only store they could find open. Actually, it was closed but the lights hadn’t been turned out yet. When asking the attendant where they could buy food and drink they were given their only option. There was a bar and restaurant about 15 miles out of the way that sold carryout beer on Sundays but food wasn’t available.
The three of them made the decision to settle for beer and followed the directions to the establishment. Upon arriving it was obvious it was the only place open at 9:00 pm on a Sunday night in the whole county. The parking lot was full but they headed inside to place their order anyway. Just inside the door was a rather large man who dressed like Charlie Daniels playing shuffleboard by himself. With a closer look it was clear he was upset about something as he was crying and talking to himself.
At this point they approached the bar and ordered one case of beer to go. It was very expensive but the laws of supply and demand were in full effect. The beer would later become worth every penny they paid. While leaving the three of them did their best to act like they didn’t notice the gentleman at the shuffleboard table. They made out of the bar and back on the road without any bad luck.
On the way to the campground the owner of the truck informed the others he was concerned about their fuel level. He said he had an additional fuel tank that was full but the switch was not working to change them. They finally made it to the campground where there were only two other sites being used. After retrieving the wet gear and setting up the tent they started drinking the beer but were quite hungry. One of the young men took it upon himself to coin the phrase “drink up, there is a pork chop in every can.”
By the time they reached the campground the rain had stopped and the skies began clearing. Camping without a campfire isn’t any fun so they set out to collect wood in the near by forest. Once they got a good supply and positioned it in the fire pit (the wood was soaking wet as well) they realized they had no matches or lighter to start the fire. A camper close by noticed the troubles and gave them a book of matches then wished them luck as he was going to sleep.
After many attempts they had no luck with getting the wet wood to burn. The only thing they had to assist in the starting of the fire was located behind the seat of the pick up truck. It was octane booster for the fuel and very volatile. (Please take my word for this when I say never try to start a fire with this stuff.) With just a light sprinkle on the wood one of them lit the last match and threw it at the wood hoping for a fire. However, what they got was a serious blaze about 15 feet high. It did however dry the wood and get it burning. While tending to the fire they drank all 24 beers and had to sleep in the next day before fishing.
After securing a rental boat with a small outboard they set out to catch some fish. They had little success and one of them continued to get his lures caught in the standing timber. On one particular cast the lure went up further than it went away from the boat and wrapped about four times around a over hanging tree limb some 20 feet above the water. The angler had enough so he decided to climb the tree to retrieve the lure. He was six feet-four inches tall and weighed in about 225 pounds. While the limb that held the lure was about 10 inches in diameter the trees had been dead for about three years.
He made it up the trunk and onto the limb. He had to walk out the limb about 10 feet to reach the lure and didn’t have much experience playing monkey. However, he made it close enough to reach the hanging lure when without warning the limb broke causing him and the limb to come crashing down. When he disappeared into the water his hat was left floating on the surface. A few seconds later he surfaced with only a hurt ego and it was a good thing as the two left in the boat later said they were laughing so hard they could not have saved him had he gotten hurt.
This took place several hours into the day and was a showstopper for the anglers. One was soaking wet and the others were almost sick from laughing so hard. I can still show you the exact tree that stands within sight of the dam on this lake. However, it is missing one rather large branch.
Copyright 2009, Marc Rogers, All Rights Reserved
More Articles available at Bass Fishing Midwest
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Managing Small Waters for Great Fishing
There are countless opportunities throughout North America for anglers to pursue fish in small ponds. Many of these waters are ponds consisting of one acre or less in size. They are located on farms, golf courses and subdivisions that keep the access private, allowing only select individuals to use them. The ponds may have an abundance of fish lurking beneath the surface because of minimal usage. However, the total population of fish is often not as great as it first appears.
Because the ponds hold such aggressive fish the body of water is sometimes over-harvested. A pond of ½ acre of surface water that contains Large Mouth Bass generally only accommodates a small number of harvest-sized bass. An angler who keeps bass on a regular basis can quickly deplete the population and by doing so will allow species such as bluegill to over populate the pond. Without the bass’ presence to control the population of bluegill the pond becomes home to many small, non-harvest sized bluegill. The small bass left behind have to compete with the bluegill for the limited food supply and a popular food source of bluegill is bass eggs. Once this cycle is put into motion it is hard to reverse.
Another detrimental occurrence in small ponds is for the owner to make them easier to fish by removing weed growth along the shoreline. While doing so makes the access to the water much easier, it also eliminates the major source of cover for the fish. Vegetation along the water’s edge produces oxygen for the fish during sunlight hours and allows cover for small fish to hide until they can reach adult size. If chemicals are used to kill off the vegetation, the dying growth consumes oxygen that the fish population need for survival. Removal of vegetation can be just as harmful as over-harvesting for the fish population.
Pond owner should consider keeping records of catch and harvest data to better understand what is happening below the surface in their ponds. Good record keeping is key to knowing the growth and harvest situation in any given small body of water. Owners should record the specie and length of each catch and note if it was consumed or returned to the water. Because pond owners do not generally have access to electro-shocking equipment like state agencies use, this is the next best way of knowing what is happening in their pond. Good record keeping means the fish must be measured exactly. Guessing at the length is not good enough to be successful in this approach.
Ponds generally cannot be managed to produce great size and numbers of several species of fish. The owners should make a decision about what specie they want to produce. Good bass fishing ponds will not have great numbers of big bluegill available as the bass eat most of them prior to reaching a few inches long. The ones that do survive to grow large can quickly be removed with one outing if an angler keeps them for the table.
On the other hand, if big bluegills are abundant bass generally will not reach large sizes because the bigger bluegill will compete with them for the limited food source. Both of these scenarios become clear with good record keeping of the catch from ponds.
Fish can grow bigger and more abundant if supplemental feeding is done in a pond. The drawback is if and when the feeding is discontinued. The extra feeding will produce more fish than the carrying capacity of the water and when the feeding is stopped all of the fish will suffer from malnourishment. When considering supplemental feeding a pond owner must remember the feeding will have to continue indefinitely for this approach to have a lasting effect.
Harvesting fish is a good way to keep a pond healthy and productive. The Missouri Department of Conservation has a great resource for pond management available on their website called the Missouri Pond Handbook by Ken Perry. This publication covers everything from the design and building of ponds to maintaining them as a fishing resource.
Missouri Pond Handbook
More articles available at Bass Fishing Midwest
Bass Fishing Tackle available at MidwestFishingTackle.net
Copyright 2009, Marc Rogers, All Rights Reserved
Because the ponds hold such aggressive fish the body of water is sometimes over-harvested. A pond of ½ acre of surface water that contains Large Mouth Bass generally only accommodates a small number of harvest-sized bass. An angler who keeps bass on a regular basis can quickly deplete the population and by doing so will allow species such as bluegill to over populate the pond. Without the bass’ presence to control the population of bluegill the pond becomes home to many small, non-harvest sized bluegill. The small bass left behind have to compete with the bluegill for the limited food supply and a popular food source of bluegill is bass eggs. Once this cycle is put into motion it is hard to reverse.
Another detrimental occurrence in small ponds is for the owner to make them easier to fish by removing weed growth along the shoreline. While doing so makes the access to the water much easier, it also eliminates the major source of cover for the fish. Vegetation along the water’s edge produces oxygen for the fish during sunlight hours and allows cover for small fish to hide until they can reach adult size. If chemicals are used to kill off the vegetation, the dying growth consumes oxygen that the fish population need for survival. Removal of vegetation can be just as harmful as over-harvesting for the fish population.
Pond owner should consider keeping records of catch and harvest data to better understand what is happening below the surface in their ponds. Good record keeping is key to knowing the growth and harvest situation in any given small body of water. Owners should record the specie and length of each catch and note if it was consumed or returned to the water. Because pond owners do not generally have access to electro-shocking equipment like state agencies use, this is the next best way of knowing what is happening in their pond. Good record keeping means the fish must be measured exactly. Guessing at the length is not good enough to be successful in this approach.
Ponds generally cannot be managed to produce great size and numbers of several species of fish. The owners should make a decision about what specie they want to produce. Good bass fishing ponds will not have great numbers of big bluegill available as the bass eat most of them prior to reaching a few inches long. The ones that do survive to grow large can quickly be removed with one outing if an angler keeps them for the table.
On the other hand, if big bluegills are abundant bass generally will not reach large sizes because the bigger bluegill will compete with them for the limited food source. Both of these scenarios become clear with good record keeping of the catch from ponds.
Fish can grow bigger and more abundant if supplemental feeding is done in a pond. The drawback is if and when the feeding is discontinued. The extra feeding will produce more fish than the carrying capacity of the water and when the feeding is stopped all of the fish will suffer from malnourishment. When considering supplemental feeding a pond owner must remember the feeding will have to continue indefinitely for this approach to have a lasting effect.
Harvesting fish is a good way to keep a pond healthy and productive. The Missouri Department of Conservation has a great resource for pond management available on their website called the Missouri Pond Handbook by Ken Perry. This publication covers everything from the design and building of ponds to maintaining them as a fishing resource.
Missouri Pond Handbook
More articles available at Bass Fishing Midwest
Bass Fishing Tackle available at MidwestFishingTackle.net
Copyright 2009, Marc Rogers, All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide
Recently I had the pleasure of reading THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide written by John Neporadny. This book is a very informative guide to catching fish on Lake of the Ozarks and covers several species including bass, crappie, catfish, white bass and spoonbill.
In the book John presents tips and techniques for all of the popular species found in Lake of the Ozarks. The information was gathered from local fishing guides, regional tournament anglers and professional tournament anglers. Also, John possesses extensive knowledge of Lake of the Ozarks due to time spent on the water as a guide and angler.
THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide is a well-written, easy to read book. Any angler planning to fish at Lake of the Ozarks should read this book. The information provided is a great learning experience for any angler, regardless of their experience on the lake.
John’s book is available from his website at http://jnoutdoors.com and http://midwestfishingtackle.net.
In the book John presents tips and techniques for all of the popular species found in Lake of the Ozarks. The information was gathered from local fishing guides, regional tournament anglers and professional tournament anglers. Also, John possesses extensive knowledge of Lake of the Ozarks due to time spent on the water as a guide and angler.
THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide is a well-written, easy to read book. Any angler planning to fish at Lake of the Ozarks should read this book. The information provided is a great learning experience for any angler, regardless of their experience on the lake.
John’s book is available from his website at http://jnoutdoors.com and http://midwestfishingtackle.net.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Bass Fishing Indiana's Patoka Lake
Bass Fishing Indiana’s Patoka Lake
By Marc Rogers
The Army Corp of Engineers completed Patoka Lake in 1978. It is the second largest reservoir in Indiana containing 8,880 surface acres of water at normal summer pool. At normal summer pool it has a maximum depth of 52 feet and an average depth of 22 feet. The Army Corp of Engineers controls the lake’s water level with a spillway for flood control purposes. The lake also provides drinking water for the surrounding areas. Patoka Lake is located approximately 10 miles from French Lick, Indiana.
Patoka Lake was formed by the impoundment of the Patoka River and there are 11 named and unnamed tributaries throughout the lake. The dam is located at the west side of the reservoir. The normal summer pool level is 536 feet above mean sea level. This level is normally stable but can fluctuate between 506 and 548 feet above mean level. The Army Corp of Engineers control over 17,000 acres of land surrounding the lake. The land is leased to the State of Indiana and managed for recreational purposes including hiking, hunting, camping and fishing. Most of the shoreline is wooded and there is little development close to the water.
The lake receives heavy fishing and boating pressure. Therefore, some areas are posted with skiing restrictions and speed limits. The areas are clearly marked with buoys. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources close some areas of the lake during waterfowl hunting seasons because they are designated as nesting areas. The areas include portions of the Patoka River arm, Little Patoka River and Lick Creek arms. Bald Eagles have been known to use the area around the lake for nesting and these areas are also posted as restricted areas.
During construction many trees were left uncut around the shoreline in most of the tributaries. This has left many large areas of standing timber in the lake but boat lanes were made for navigation into the main lake area. Patoka Lake is a lowland lake with the bottom consisting of mainly mud and clay. There are areas where the bottom is gravel and rock near some of the channel bends as the wave action has washed away the mud and clay. There are still many areas of deep water where stumps and broken limestone can be found. These are areas where anglers should concentrate when fishing the deeper water of the lake.
The dominant fish specie in Patoka Lake is the Largemouth Bass. The lake also has a good population of Bluegill and Redear sunfish. The sunfish provide good angling opportunities and a good forage base for the Largemouth Bass. Northern Pike and Tiger Muskie were stocked just after the impoundment filled but failed to reproduce.
Bass Fishing in Patoka Lake is popular due to the catch rates and sizes available. There is a 15-inch length limit on Largemouth Bass. This length limit has helped the fishery produce many 3 – 5 pound Largemouth Bass and the catch rates are above the state’s average. I have personally taken many legal size bass from this lake with the largest weighing in at 7.5 pounds.
During the spring (March and April) anglers should concentrate on shallow water first. Many legal size male will be preparing for the spawn during this time and are eager to feed. When the surface water temperatures reach the middle 50-degree range this shallow activity will begin. If shallow water bass are yet active the bigger females can be found preparing for the spawning activity in depths of 8 – 12 feet. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are a good choice for locating these bass. Anglers are advised to use a slow presentation during this season, as the bass will generally not chase a fast moving lure. Once bass are located, a jig is ideal for taking bigger bass. Jigs can be presented in shallow water by flipping and pitching or with a deep slow approach.
As the water temperatures reach the low 60’s anglers should try jerk baits and flukes for shallow water bass. Again, start with a slow presentation and speed up if the bass are active. Site fishing for spawning bass is popular among anglers at Patoka Lake because the water is generally clear in the spring. Anglers should always be looking for nests and bass when fishing in the shallow water along the shoreline. When fishing beds, shaky worms, tubes and lizards are always a good choice. Bass immediately released will generally return to the bed and little harm is done to the fishery.
Bass do not all spawn at the same time. The larger females can still be found in the 8 – 12 feet of water near spawning areas throughout the spawn. With water temperatures in the 60’s slow rolled spinnerbaits and crankbaits are a good lure choice to target these bigger bass.
When the water temperatures reach the middle 70-degree mark, the spawn, for the most part, is over. There may still be some males guarding nests but they will be few and far between. The females have moved off into the deeper water near the spawning areas. Crankbaits running in 10-foot depths are a productive presentation for the post-spawn females. In the clear water of Patoka Lake bluegill pattern crankbaits will be the best producers since the bass rely on the bluegill for a food source. However, if water is heavily stained to muddy fire tiger patters seem to work better. Also, chartreuse spinnerbaits with double gold blade are a great produced in dirty water conditions.
Once the water warms into the 80’s bass will hold in and near deep water. The river and creek channel ledges with deep water in close proximity can hold large schools of bass in tightly concentrated areas under these conditions. The areas most productive are channel swings close to the shoreline. These steep banks allow bass to move up to feed and back down to more comfortable water temperatures and oxygen levels. Anglers should concentrate on the ends of the channel swings where broken rock and timber is often present. The Thermocline in Patoka Lake develops between 20 and 25 feet deep. The area just above this is often the most productive depth for summertime bass fishing. Large plastic worms of 10 – 13 inches will be productive on the larger bass holding near the Thermocline.
Fall fishing on Patoka Lake can be phenomenal. Bass chase the sunfish, shad and golden shiners that are abundant in preparation for the cold winter ahead. The first indication for these circumstances is the large schools of baitfish swimming just below the surface. When the baitfishes start jumping above the surface it is due to predators chasing them. Shallow running crankbaits, flukes and top-water lures are most effective at this time. However, a lipless crankbait left to flutter below the schools of baitfish will produce the bigger bass. The bigger bass will suspend below the baitfish and take the injured baitfish that fall through the water column. Spoons like the Johnson Silver Minnow allowed to slowly descend after the cast is also very effective. The best way to find fall bass is to keep your eyes and ears open for feeding activity while on the water. Also, birds diving at the water will indicate where the baitfish schools are located.
Winter at Patoka Lake is quite slow for bass fishing. There are times when the lake freezes enough to allow ice fishing. When the water falls into the 40-degree range I use a jig and work it slowly along the bottom in and near deep water. My most productive presentation is a slow crawling motion to mimic a crayfish. The water is usually clear during the cold months and crayfish colored jigs are the top producers. The steep shorelines are the most productive during cold conditions.
Anglers that are not familiar with it often overlook Patoka Lake. It is located off the beaten path relative to other popular reservoirs. However, a trip to this lake is well worth the drive for an avid angler.
Copyright 2009, Marc Rogers, all rights reserved
More articles available at Bass Fishing Midwest
By Marc Rogers
The Army Corp of Engineers completed Patoka Lake in 1978. It is the second largest reservoir in Indiana containing 8,880 surface acres of water at normal summer pool. At normal summer pool it has a maximum depth of 52 feet and an average depth of 22 feet. The Army Corp of Engineers controls the lake’s water level with a spillway for flood control purposes. The lake also provides drinking water for the surrounding areas. Patoka Lake is located approximately 10 miles from French Lick, Indiana.
Patoka Lake was formed by the impoundment of the Patoka River and there are 11 named and unnamed tributaries throughout the lake. The dam is located at the west side of the reservoir. The normal summer pool level is 536 feet above mean sea level. This level is normally stable but can fluctuate between 506 and 548 feet above mean level. The Army Corp of Engineers control over 17,000 acres of land surrounding the lake. The land is leased to the State of Indiana and managed for recreational purposes including hiking, hunting, camping and fishing. Most of the shoreline is wooded and there is little development close to the water.
The lake receives heavy fishing and boating pressure. Therefore, some areas are posted with skiing restrictions and speed limits. The areas are clearly marked with buoys. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources close some areas of the lake during waterfowl hunting seasons because they are designated as nesting areas. The areas include portions of the Patoka River arm, Little Patoka River and Lick Creek arms. Bald Eagles have been known to use the area around the lake for nesting and these areas are also posted as restricted areas.
During construction many trees were left uncut around the shoreline in most of the tributaries. This has left many large areas of standing timber in the lake but boat lanes were made for navigation into the main lake area. Patoka Lake is a lowland lake with the bottom consisting of mainly mud and clay. There are areas where the bottom is gravel and rock near some of the channel bends as the wave action has washed away the mud and clay. There are still many areas of deep water where stumps and broken limestone can be found. These are areas where anglers should concentrate when fishing the deeper water of the lake.
The dominant fish specie in Patoka Lake is the Largemouth Bass. The lake also has a good population of Bluegill and Redear sunfish. The sunfish provide good angling opportunities and a good forage base for the Largemouth Bass. Northern Pike and Tiger Muskie were stocked just after the impoundment filled but failed to reproduce.
Bass Fishing in Patoka Lake is popular due to the catch rates and sizes available. There is a 15-inch length limit on Largemouth Bass. This length limit has helped the fishery produce many 3 – 5 pound Largemouth Bass and the catch rates are above the state’s average. I have personally taken many legal size bass from this lake with the largest weighing in at 7.5 pounds.
During the spring (March and April) anglers should concentrate on shallow water first. Many legal size male will be preparing for the spawn during this time and are eager to feed. When the surface water temperatures reach the middle 50-degree range this shallow activity will begin. If shallow water bass are yet active the bigger females can be found preparing for the spawning activity in depths of 8 – 12 feet. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are a good choice for locating these bass. Anglers are advised to use a slow presentation during this season, as the bass will generally not chase a fast moving lure. Once bass are located, a jig is ideal for taking bigger bass. Jigs can be presented in shallow water by flipping and pitching or with a deep slow approach.
As the water temperatures reach the low 60’s anglers should try jerk baits and flukes for shallow water bass. Again, start with a slow presentation and speed up if the bass are active. Site fishing for spawning bass is popular among anglers at Patoka Lake because the water is generally clear in the spring. Anglers should always be looking for nests and bass when fishing in the shallow water along the shoreline. When fishing beds, shaky worms, tubes and lizards are always a good choice. Bass immediately released will generally return to the bed and little harm is done to the fishery.
Bass do not all spawn at the same time. The larger females can still be found in the 8 – 12 feet of water near spawning areas throughout the spawn. With water temperatures in the 60’s slow rolled spinnerbaits and crankbaits are a good lure choice to target these bigger bass.
When the water temperatures reach the middle 70-degree mark, the spawn, for the most part, is over. There may still be some males guarding nests but they will be few and far between. The females have moved off into the deeper water near the spawning areas. Crankbaits running in 10-foot depths are a productive presentation for the post-spawn females. In the clear water of Patoka Lake bluegill pattern crankbaits will be the best producers since the bass rely on the bluegill for a food source. However, if water is heavily stained to muddy fire tiger patters seem to work better. Also, chartreuse spinnerbaits with double gold blade are a great produced in dirty water conditions.
Once the water warms into the 80’s bass will hold in and near deep water. The river and creek channel ledges with deep water in close proximity can hold large schools of bass in tightly concentrated areas under these conditions. The areas most productive are channel swings close to the shoreline. These steep banks allow bass to move up to feed and back down to more comfortable water temperatures and oxygen levels. Anglers should concentrate on the ends of the channel swings where broken rock and timber is often present. The Thermocline in Patoka Lake develops between 20 and 25 feet deep. The area just above this is often the most productive depth for summertime bass fishing. Large plastic worms of 10 – 13 inches will be productive on the larger bass holding near the Thermocline.
Fall fishing on Patoka Lake can be phenomenal. Bass chase the sunfish, shad and golden shiners that are abundant in preparation for the cold winter ahead. The first indication for these circumstances is the large schools of baitfish swimming just below the surface. When the baitfishes start jumping above the surface it is due to predators chasing them. Shallow running crankbaits, flukes and top-water lures are most effective at this time. However, a lipless crankbait left to flutter below the schools of baitfish will produce the bigger bass. The bigger bass will suspend below the baitfish and take the injured baitfish that fall through the water column. Spoons like the Johnson Silver Minnow allowed to slowly descend after the cast is also very effective. The best way to find fall bass is to keep your eyes and ears open for feeding activity while on the water. Also, birds diving at the water will indicate where the baitfish schools are located.
Winter at Patoka Lake is quite slow for bass fishing. There are times when the lake freezes enough to allow ice fishing. When the water falls into the 40-degree range I use a jig and work it slowly along the bottom in and near deep water. My most productive presentation is a slow crawling motion to mimic a crayfish. The water is usually clear during the cold months and crayfish colored jigs are the top producers. The steep shorelines are the most productive during cold conditions.
Anglers that are not familiar with it often overlook Patoka Lake. It is located off the beaten path relative to other popular reservoirs. However, a trip to this lake is well worth the drive for an avid angler.
Copyright 2009, Marc Rogers, all rights reserved
More articles available at Bass Fishing Midwest
Friday, June 5, 2009
Get The Twist out of Spinning Reel Line
When spooling line onto a spinning reel is it difficult to keep the line from twisting. There are two ways to reduce the twisting of line on these reels.
First, when spooling the reel lay the new line spool on it side and rotate it if twisting occurs during the line installation. Once the reel is full find grassy area to completely stretch out the new line. Grassy areas will keep the line from getting nicks in it during this process. This can be done without assistance by placing the rod in a secure spot and walk the line out. Be sure to tie a good know to the spool so it stay attached when it reaches its limit. Next, lay the line on the ground and wind all of it back onto the spool, while allowing it to un-twist upon retrieval.
Second, remove terminal tackle or lures from the line and pull the line behind a boat. Allow all the line to be pulled off the reel spool and continue pulling it behind the boat. This will allow the twist to straighten. After these steps are complete wind the line back onto the reel spool.
This Tip Brought to you by MidwestFishingTackle.net
First, when spooling the reel lay the new line spool on it side and rotate it if twisting occurs during the line installation. Once the reel is full find grassy area to completely stretch out the new line. Grassy areas will keep the line from getting nicks in it during this process. This can be done without assistance by placing the rod in a secure spot and walk the line out. Be sure to tie a good know to the spool so it stay attached when it reaches its limit. Next, lay the line on the ground and wind all of it back onto the spool, while allowing it to un-twist upon retrieval.
Second, remove terminal tackle or lures from the line and pull the line behind a boat. Allow all the line to be pulled off the reel spool and continue pulling it behind the boat. This will allow the twist to straighten. After these steps are complete wind the line back onto the reel spool.
This Tip Brought to you by MidwestFishingTackle.net
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Fishing Pomme De Terre Lake
Fishing Pomme De Terre Lake
By Marc Rogers
Pomme De Terre Lake is located in South Central Missouri approximately 50 miles north of Springfield Missouri. The impoundment is approximately 7,800 acres at normal pool with over 100 miles of shoreline. Pomme De Terre Lake was created in 1961 when the Army Corp of Engineers completed the dam on the Pomme De Terre River. A major tributary of the lake is Lindley Creek. The normal lake lever is 841 feet above mean sea level but water levels change as needed to control water flow below the dam. It is common to see lake levels from 838 to 852 feet with maximum flood levels of 874 feet above mean sea level. At the full flood control level the lakes expands to over 16,000 acres.
There are many homes and cabins built above the elevation of 879 feet because the Army Corp of Engineers owns the land below this level. However, there is little shoreline development due to fluctuating water levels. Several marinas operate on the lake offering fuel, boat rentals and food service. Floating private docks are allowed with permits required from the Army Corp of Engineers.
The shoreline consists of mostly forested land with irregular features. Shoreline is a mixture of gravel and clay with limestone cliffs and outcroppings in numerous areas. Large boulders and rocks are plentiful close to cliffs and sharp shoreline areas. Along the shoreline there is still standing timber present while the main lake was cleared during lake construction. Also, smaller creek arm coves have numerous areas of standing timber still left in the water. Limited areas of vegetation are present in some areas.
The water is generally clear in the main lake with murky conditions occurring in the upper ends of the river and creek arms during times of rainy conditions. It is not uncommon to see visibility in the main lake of 6 – 8 feet.
There are many local businesses providing services for lake visitors including restaurants, camping supplies, marine service and lodging. Clearlight Inn and Lake View Lodge (417-745-6485) provide ample boat parking and electrical hook-ups for visiting anglers. Both are located near Carson’s Corner with a store, fuel and restaurant located close by.
Pomme De Terre is home to numerous species of fish. The most popular game fish are the bass, crappie and muskie. Muskie stocking began in the lake in 1966 and has continued ever since. Many consider the lake the best muskie fishery in the Midwest. There are several muskie tournaments held each year on Pomme De Terre and a local Chapter of Muskies Inc. (Pomme De Terre Chapter) host most of these events. They have a website that is designed and maintained by the Regional Vice-President, Earle Hammond. The site address is http://www.missourimuskies.org. Earle is also a guide on Pomme De Terre specializing in muskie fishing. His muskie fishing guide service web address is http://www.pommemuskieguideservice.com.
Muskies do not reproduce naturally in the lake and require regular stocking for the fishery to produce trophy fish. Most of the muskie stocking in Missouri is done in Pomme De Terre but several other waters do receive limited stocking of muskie. In fact, the state record came from Lake of the Ozarks in 1981. Up until 1981 the records all came from Pomme De Terre. However, in 1967, 225 muskie were stocked in Lake of the Ozarks and few were ever caught. The state record came from this stocking and was 49 ½ inches long. It tipped the scales at 41 pounds 2 ounces.
Walleye have also been stocked in Pomme De Terre and they have developed a loyal following of anglers. Bass anglers catch most of the walleye accidentally. Walleye are the most active during night in the spring but many anglers drift jigs and live bait in an attempt to catching the walleye that lurk in the lake.
Bass fishing at Pomme De Terre is very popular among anglers. The lake is home to an abundant population of Large Mouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Small Mouth Bass. There are many bass tournaments held on the lake each year. From spring through fall an angler can find a tournament to compete in on most weekends. Several tournament circuits have monthly events on Pomme De Terre including Joe Bass Team Trail and Anglers in Action. It is not uncommon for the winning weights of these one-day events to push the scales to 20 pounds or more with a five bass limit.
Bass fishing is good year round for anglers on Pomme De Terre. The largest bass are generally taken in the spring when the females are in the pre-spawn to spawning stage. The largest bass I have taken from Pomme De Terre was just over 6 ½ pounds but there are many bigger ones swimming in the lake. There have been numerous tournaments when the big bass award was won with a fish over eight pounds.
Midwest Fishing Tackle Pro-Staff members Aaron and Alton Hunter are regulars on the lake. They compete in about 20 tournaments each year on Pomme De Terre. They report that spring is the best time to catch a trophy bass but the lake is a productive bass fishery year round. The father/son team has caught numerous trophy bass in Pomme De Terre and report “the best lure for the big bass is the All-Terrain Tackle, Football Jig”. Aaron says, “Jig fishing is a slower presentation but produces the bigger bite.” Alton reports “the textured head design of the All-Terrain Tackle Jigs allow me to feel the bottom better.”
When the bass are aggressive both prefer to fish soft plastic jerk baits like the Zoom Super Fluke. Their color of choice is watermelon and they dye the tail chartreuse. Aaron says, “An off-set worm hook is the best hook for this lure.” “I have tried all the styles of hooks available and this hook gives me better hook-set percentages than any. The most popular hooks are the wide gap style but these cause me to miss more bass because the lure fills the gap of the hook.” This duo once caught over 100 bass per day for two days straight presenting the Zoom Super Fluke in shallow water to aggressive male bass preparing for the spawn.
On an April weekend in 2008 Aaron and Alton won back-to-back tournament on a Saturday and Sunday. During the two days they caught three bass over seven pounds from the same submerged bush. During the two days their combined weights of five bass limits were pushing the 40-pound mark. All of these bass were taken on a football head jig from All-Terrain Tackle. Aaron said “we fish our jigs a little different than most anglers” but he would not elaborate with any further details.
When water temperatures break the 50-degree mark the two best choices for bass are a jig and jerk-bait. Anglers should present the jig slowly to entice bass to bite. As in most bodies of water the jig and trailer will generally produce larger fish. The second choice is a jerk-bait worked slowly beneath the surface. My favorite jerk-baits are the Lucky Craft Staysee 90 in shad colors and the Rapala X-Rap also in shad colors. The Staysee 90 will reach greater depths than the X-Rap and will suspend better in colder water. However, the X-Rap with two Storm Suspend Dots placed just behind the bill makes this lure very comparable to the Lucky Craft lure. Main lake and secondary points are always the first place I look for bass during these conditions.
When the water surface temperatures approach the 60-degree mark the smaller male bass will become very active near the shoreline cover. Again, jerk-baits and jigs will catch these fish. However, the larger females will most likely be found in 6 – 10 feet depths and crankbaits are the most productive. Crawdad colored crankbaits should be the first choice of anglers trying to catch a trophy bass under these conditions.
At approximately 65-degree surface temperatures the bass will start to migrate to the post-spawn areas of the lake. The larger females will be harder to catch during this time while the smaller males may still be abundant in the shallow waters guarding the nests and young fry. Shallow running crankbaits, plastic worms or lizards and top-water lures are productive on the male bass. The larger females can be taken on Carolina rigs and crankbaits running in the 6 – 12 feet deep range.
As summer approaches the bass will move to deeper water near the Thermocline (usually about 20 feet deep) and hold there until the lakes starts its fall turn-over. The larger bass are generally not taken in water less than 10 feet deep during the summer months on Pomme De Terre. There are times when top-water lures will bring them up from the depths during the summer. A slower moving top-water, like the Zara Spook or Pop-R, is my choice for top-water during the summer. The most productive summer time bass lure at Pomme De Terre is a large plastic worm. My choice for big plastic worms is the Gambler 13-inch Ribbon Tail worm.
Once the water temperatures begin to cool in late summer bass can be caught at almost any depth. Anglers are wise to watch for schools of shad on the surface and target the bass following them. Numerous bass can be taken on top-water baits while the bass are feeding on shad but the larger ones are generally located several feet below the shad while feeding. A deep running shad imitator is my lure of choice for the bigger bass during this time. A lipless crankbait is also a good choice for anglers.
As in most lakes in the Midwest the winter season is the least productive for bass fishing. The bass’ metabolism slows with the colder water and they require little food for survival. Winter lure choices should include slow moving baits like the jig and trailer. The presentation should be slow and at depths of 10 feet or greater. Also, a suspending jerk-bait presented very slowly can be productive for Pomme De Terre winter bass.
Pomme De Terre Lake is a great choice for bass anglers because it is located between two very popular lakes that receive most of the tourism and recreational boating traffic. Lake of the Ozarks to the Northeast and Table Rock to the South attract most of the recreational boating traffic. Pomme De Terre Lake is seldom crowded with boat traffic and this makes angling much easier.
Visit Midwest Fishing Tackle for tackle in this article and Bass Fishing Midwest for more news and articles
By Marc Rogers
Pomme De Terre Lake is located in South Central Missouri approximately 50 miles north of Springfield Missouri. The impoundment is approximately 7,800 acres at normal pool with over 100 miles of shoreline. Pomme De Terre Lake was created in 1961 when the Army Corp of Engineers completed the dam on the Pomme De Terre River. A major tributary of the lake is Lindley Creek. The normal lake lever is 841 feet above mean sea level but water levels change as needed to control water flow below the dam. It is common to see lake levels from 838 to 852 feet with maximum flood levels of 874 feet above mean sea level. At the full flood control level the lakes expands to over 16,000 acres.
There are many homes and cabins built above the elevation of 879 feet because the Army Corp of Engineers owns the land below this level. However, there is little shoreline development due to fluctuating water levels. Several marinas operate on the lake offering fuel, boat rentals and food service. Floating private docks are allowed with permits required from the Army Corp of Engineers.
The shoreline consists of mostly forested land with irregular features. Shoreline is a mixture of gravel and clay with limestone cliffs and outcroppings in numerous areas. Large boulders and rocks are plentiful close to cliffs and sharp shoreline areas. Along the shoreline there is still standing timber present while the main lake was cleared during lake construction. Also, smaller creek arm coves have numerous areas of standing timber still left in the water. Limited areas of vegetation are present in some areas.
The water is generally clear in the main lake with murky conditions occurring in the upper ends of the river and creek arms during times of rainy conditions. It is not uncommon to see visibility in the main lake of 6 – 8 feet.
There are many local businesses providing services for lake visitors including restaurants, camping supplies, marine service and lodging. Clearlight Inn and Lake View Lodge (417-745-6485) provide ample boat parking and electrical hook-ups for visiting anglers. Both are located near Carson’s Corner with a store, fuel and restaurant located close by.
Pomme De Terre is home to numerous species of fish. The most popular game fish are the bass, crappie and muskie. Muskie stocking began in the lake in 1966 and has continued ever since. Many consider the lake the best muskie fishery in the Midwest. There are several muskie tournaments held each year on Pomme De Terre and a local Chapter of Muskies Inc. (Pomme De Terre Chapter) host most of these events. They have a website that is designed and maintained by the Regional Vice-President, Earle Hammond. The site address is http://www.missourimuskies.org. Earle is also a guide on Pomme De Terre specializing in muskie fishing. His muskie fishing guide service web address is http://www.pommemuskieguideservice.com.
Muskies do not reproduce naturally in the lake and require regular stocking for the fishery to produce trophy fish. Most of the muskie stocking in Missouri is done in Pomme De Terre but several other waters do receive limited stocking of muskie. In fact, the state record came from Lake of the Ozarks in 1981. Up until 1981 the records all came from Pomme De Terre. However, in 1967, 225 muskie were stocked in Lake of the Ozarks and few were ever caught. The state record came from this stocking and was 49 ½ inches long. It tipped the scales at 41 pounds 2 ounces.
Walleye have also been stocked in Pomme De Terre and they have developed a loyal following of anglers. Bass anglers catch most of the walleye accidentally. Walleye are the most active during night in the spring but many anglers drift jigs and live bait in an attempt to catching the walleye that lurk in the lake.
Bass fishing at Pomme De Terre is very popular among anglers. The lake is home to an abundant population of Large Mouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Small Mouth Bass. There are many bass tournaments held on the lake each year. From spring through fall an angler can find a tournament to compete in on most weekends. Several tournament circuits have monthly events on Pomme De Terre including Joe Bass Team Trail and Anglers in Action. It is not uncommon for the winning weights of these one-day events to push the scales to 20 pounds or more with a five bass limit.
Bass fishing is good year round for anglers on Pomme De Terre. The largest bass are generally taken in the spring when the females are in the pre-spawn to spawning stage. The largest bass I have taken from Pomme De Terre was just over 6 ½ pounds but there are many bigger ones swimming in the lake. There have been numerous tournaments when the big bass award was won with a fish over eight pounds.
Midwest Fishing Tackle Pro-Staff members Aaron and Alton Hunter are regulars on the lake. They compete in about 20 tournaments each year on Pomme De Terre. They report that spring is the best time to catch a trophy bass but the lake is a productive bass fishery year round. The father/son team has caught numerous trophy bass in Pomme De Terre and report “the best lure for the big bass is the All-Terrain Tackle, Football Jig”. Aaron says, “Jig fishing is a slower presentation but produces the bigger bite.” Alton reports “the textured head design of the All-Terrain Tackle Jigs allow me to feel the bottom better.”
When the bass are aggressive both prefer to fish soft plastic jerk baits like the Zoom Super Fluke. Their color of choice is watermelon and they dye the tail chartreuse. Aaron says, “An off-set worm hook is the best hook for this lure.” “I have tried all the styles of hooks available and this hook gives me better hook-set percentages than any. The most popular hooks are the wide gap style but these cause me to miss more bass because the lure fills the gap of the hook.” This duo once caught over 100 bass per day for two days straight presenting the Zoom Super Fluke in shallow water to aggressive male bass preparing for the spawn.
On an April weekend in 2008 Aaron and Alton won back-to-back tournament on a Saturday and Sunday. During the two days they caught three bass over seven pounds from the same submerged bush. During the two days their combined weights of five bass limits were pushing the 40-pound mark. All of these bass were taken on a football head jig from All-Terrain Tackle. Aaron said “we fish our jigs a little different than most anglers” but he would not elaborate with any further details.
When water temperatures break the 50-degree mark the two best choices for bass are a jig and jerk-bait. Anglers should present the jig slowly to entice bass to bite. As in most bodies of water the jig and trailer will generally produce larger fish. The second choice is a jerk-bait worked slowly beneath the surface. My favorite jerk-baits are the Lucky Craft Staysee 90 in shad colors and the Rapala X-Rap also in shad colors. The Staysee 90 will reach greater depths than the X-Rap and will suspend better in colder water. However, the X-Rap with two Storm Suspend Dots placed just behind the bill makes this lure very comparable to the Lucky Craft lure. Main lake and secondary points are always the first place I look for bass during these conditions.
When the water surface temperatures approach the 60-degree mark the smaller male bass will become very active near the shoreline cover. Again, jerk-baits and jigs will catch these fish. However, the larger females will most likely be found in 6 – 10 feet depths and crankbaits are the most productive. Crawdad colored crankbaits should be the first choice of anglers trying to catch a trophy bass under these conditions.
At approximately 65-degree surface temperatures the bass will start to migrate to the post-spawn areas of the lake. The larger females will be harder to catch during this time while the smaller males may still be abundant in the shallow waters guarding the nests and young fry. Shallow running crankbaits, plastic worms or lizards and top-water lures are productive on the male bass. The larger females can be taken on Carolina rigs and crankbaits running in the 6 – 12 feet deep range.
As summer approaches the bass will move to deeper water near the Thermocline (usually about 20 feet deep) and hold there until the lakes starts its fall turn-over. The larger bass are generally not taken in water less than 10 feet deep during the summer months on Pomme De Terre. There are times when top-water lures will bring them up from the depths during the summer. A slower moving top-water, like the Zara Spook or Pop-R, is my choice for top-water during the summer. The most productive summer time bass lure at Pomme De Terre is a large plastic worm. My choice for big plastic worms is the Gambler 13-inch Ribbon Tail worm.
Once the water temperatures begin to cool in late summer bass can be caught at almost any depth. Anglers are wise to watch for schools of shad on the surface and target the bass following them. Numerous bass can be taken on top-water baits while the bass are feeding on shad but the larger ones are generally located several feet below the shad while feeding. A deep running shad imitator is my lure of choice for the bigger bass during this time. A lipless crankbait is also a good choice for anglers.
As in most lakes in the Midwest the winter season is the least productive for bass fishing. The bass’ metabolism slows with the colder water and they require little food for survival. Winter lure choices should include slow moving baits like the jig and trailer. The presentation should be slow and at depths of 10 feet or greater. Also, a suspending jerk-bait presented very slowly can be productive for Pomme De Terre winter bass.
Pomme De Terre Lake is a great choice for bass anglers because it is located between two very popular lakes that receive most of the tourism and recreational boating traffic. Lake of the Ozarks to the Northeast and Table Rock to the South attract most of the recreational boating traffic. Pomme De Terre Lake is seldom crowded with boat traffic and this makes angling much easier.
Visit Midwest Fishing Tackle for tackle in this article and Bass Fishing Midwest for more news and articles
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