Lake - Table Rock 12/19/10: Kimberling City Area: Despite the colder temperatures water temps remain in the upper forties to low fifties throughout the mid lake. Early and late fish can be caught shallow on a variety of baits; Storm wiggle warts remain a top choice during low light and on windy banks, steeper banks with a mix of chunk and bigger rock have been best. Jewel Squirrel Heads with finesse worms or small creature baits are working in these same locals on calm days or once the sun comes up. The deep bite has really turned on this past week as well, look for schools of shad in and around tree tops in forty to sixty feet of water and drop War Eagle spoons to fish waiting to ambush dieing shad. James River: The coldest water on the lake has been in the James River; water temps in the low to mid forties are common especially where water has a little more color. Storm wiggle warts continue to be a good option on steep rocky banks with SPRO McStick and other jerkbaits beginning to produce as well. Look for forty five degree banks and bluff ends on the main lake or in the major creek arms to be the most productive areas, any wind or cloud cover helps. The deep bite has been very good in the mid James; look for schools of shad on roll offs and in creek channels from forty to sixty feet deep and use War Eagle spoons to draw strikes from fish holding tight to the bottom. White River: Much like the rest of the lake fish can be caught both shallow and deep right now in the White River. Wiggle warts, McSticks and Squirrel heads have all been effective on shallow ledge rock banks throughout the White River. Jewel Eakins Jigs and Chompers Ultra Tubes have been very effective around larger community boat docks in the bigger creek arms. Look for big docks on or close to points to be the most productive. The deep bite has been strong in the White River as well; schools of shad are grouped in the larger creek arms and spotted bass are holding in tree tops and channel bends ambushing shad. War Eagle spoons have been the top bait for these areas. Dam Area: Despite the cold temperatures smallmouth have remained fairly shallow throughout the last week; flat gravel points and mixed gravel and rock points are producing smallmouth early and late with Chompers Ultra Tubes and Jewel Squirrel heads. As the sun comes up move to the closest deep water and work these same baits from shallow to deep. The deep bite has taken off on the lower end as well; most of the major creek arms have schools of shad holding the "gut" of the creek with spotted bass close by in tree tops or other cover. War Eagle spoons have been the best offering; work the spoon in and around trees when shad are present. Don't Miss Tournament Fishing Radio on ESPN 1400 AM Springfield Mondays 5:30pm and Saturdays 5:00 am or on-line at www.espn1400.com http://www.guidefishingbranson.com http://www.focusedfishing.com
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