Now is the time for LOZ

[Wizard]

Now is the time for winter fishing for large bass at LOZ. The incredibly large shad schools have formed in the normal spots on the lake and the big girls are there to eat. Schools have formed about 50-150 yrds. off some of the major points. Some places to try: point off of Wilmore Lodge at the .25 mm; the mouth of the Gravois Creek; Buck's Creek point, Chimney Cove point. All of these are from the dam to the 13 mm of the Osage. Few, if any, large shad schools form from the Grand Glaize at the 17 mm  to Truman dam. These schools are deep and you need to vertical jig to the sides and beneath the schools. They feed sporadically through the day. If you don't catch bass in 15 minutes, move on elsewhere or try the school again later in the day.

[cubsfan02449]

Thanks for the report! I have been down to LOZ the last 2 years in late March both times. 7 hour trip makes it tough. This lake is awesome. I have learned a lot on these 2 trips about fishing highland lakes. I fish the Mississippi river and rarely see depths deeper than 6 ft so I am a little out of my comfort zone here. Hopefully the lake doesn't freeze this winter like last year.

[steve76]

 Good stuff Wizard, I wonder if the lake will be froze over after tonight.

[Wizard]

It usually takes a couple of days around 0 degrees to freeze the Glaize and Niangua arms. An extended period to freeze the Gravois and Osage. I had just put my boat on the hoist in 2007 when the ice formed. It went from water to ice in minutes. I couldn't believe how fast it happened.

[cubsfan02449]

How long do the fish usually stay on this winter pattern? Meaning when do they start moving away from the main lake points and into coves and secondary points? It probably is real dependent on water temp and the harshness/length of the winter but is it usually closer to the end of February or closer to march?

Also will the fish you talked about in the original post bite a deeper diving jerkbait. Or is it not even possible to get a jerkbait down to the shad schools and the bass

Thanks

[Wizard]

On LOZ, the winter schools stay formed until the water starts to warm. About late Feb-early Mar, the shad schools break into smaller groupings and start to move towards the points. I've seen a good angler fish the winter schools with a jerkbait. On sunny days, the shad are closer to the surface and he fishes the jerkbait above the schools. Bass will rise to get the lure. On most days he ties the jerkbait onto a carolina rig with about a 4 ft. leader. He casts the rig and counts it down to the desired depth. From there, he makes a steady retrieve. The man does catch a lot of bass with that presentation.