Central MO Report, 4/19

[D.W. Verts]

The boss asked me to do this, and I do what I'm told.

I've fished five different ponds and lakes in Morgan and Pettis County this past week. The water is still cold for this late in the year, but it is warming. Temps are from the low to mid 50's, with the low 60's in very shallow water on secluded north banks on those warm and sunny afternoons.

Most of the waters are failry clear- we're running pretty dry, and the water levels are slowly falling also.

Look for the first spawning activity to begin by mid-week next week, barring another major arctic front or heavy rains.

In the ponds, spinnerbaits have been my most productive lure, with a swim jig coming in a distant second and the soft jerkbaits (Flukes, etc.) have been catchin' their share. On the larger bodies of water I also caught them good with crankbaits and jerkbaits on steeper banks.

Things are changing fast- stay with it and good luck. Hope this helps someone.

If I can be of assistance to anyone in the area, my email is ozarktrapper@yahoo.com.

[Capt. BassinLou]

Thank you for the report DW.

[Lipripper]

Thanks for the report Dale and can't wait til them BIG ones start getting real active for you. 

[Wizard]

Thanks, Dale. I'll be there about 3 May. There were Walleye biting off the reef by the Lodge of Four Season. A 4.35, 4.40, 4.45 and a 7.20. I heard all were released into the skillet.

Spinnerbaits off Wilmore Lodge point.  Jerkbaits along the bluffs and jigs in the pockets. All from the .25-2.0 mm from the dam.

Wizard

[Lipripper]

Thanks, Dale. I'll be there about 3 May. There were Walleye biting off the reef by the Lodge of Four Season. A 4.35, 4.40, 4.45 and a 7.20. I heard all were released into the skillet.

Spinnerbaits off Wilmore Lodge point.  Jerkbaits along the bluffs and jigs in the pockets. All from the .25-2.0 mm from the dam.

Wizard

Wizard thanks for the update on them Walleyes I woulds love to catch some of them. I'm going to try on my Crappie fishing trip to lake Shelbyville here in about two weeks. There are plenty of Walleye and sauger in there and we catch them on our Crappie jigs and 1/8 oz Roadrunners but we have never caught any real big ones like that yet even though we know there are in there.