LAKE OF THE OZARK, Mo. – Did bass fishing slow down for you over the last week? It’s time to go deeper, according to local pro and fishing guide Jim Dill.

The water has warmed beyond to 74F-78F and the Dam is running at minimum generation. As a result, bass are spreading out and going to brush near deep water in close proximity to points. Key on the old Osage River channel where it swings into these areas.

Two weeks ago fish were hitting at eight feet on the first shelf along cliff lines near points. Now, they are sticking closer to brush on the second shelf at 15-20 feet. Keep working near points, where shad are still active.

Large plastics are working, but it is advantageous to throw bigger jigs with large trailers, like the Crock-O-Gator ¾ Ounce Reaction Jig rigged with a Ring Craw or Tube. Switch it up between big worms, like the Gene Larew Salt Flicker, and jigs to find the right mix.

Crankbaits will still illicit some exciting strikes off of points early in the morning and near sunset, when bass are feeding heavily on shad.

Lake water is slightly stained from the 1-50MM (visibility maybe two feet) and it is stained beyond the 50MM. So, keep your jigs and trailers dark in color.

(Jim Dill is professional bass fisherman, firefighter, and fishing guide at Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. Dill has fished the Lake for 20 years and is sponsored by Sportworld Boat Center, Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Falcon Rods and Crock-O-Gator Bait Company)

CRAPPIE REPORT

Ed Bryant at Bryant’s Osage Outdoors says nobody is bragging right now. The dam is not pulling water, the water temperature is rising, and crappie are hanging deep, close to brush, hiding from the sun.

The fishing is spotty jigging vertical 15 feet deep over dock brush. Minnows are doing OK and nibbles are a must on jigs.

Bryant says customers are buying, “Chartreuse, chartreuse and chartreuse.” Slab Buster jigs have been flying out the door.

ELKS KIDS FISHING DERBY

Don’t miss the fun on Saturday, June 9, at the Gravois Mills Access. The Elks’ Kids Fishing Derby registration begins at 8 a.m. Registration and entry will be accepted 8 a.m.-9 a.m. the day of the tournament. Fishing begins at 9 a.m. and the tourney will run through 1 p.m. All boys and girls ages 6 to 16 may enter (must be accompanied by an adult). Fish presented at the weigh-in station must be caught by a registered boy or girl, at or adjacent to the Gravois Mills Public Access or from a boat provided by the Elks. Fishing from other boats is not allowed. Trophies and prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the derby. The Kids Fishing Derby is made possible by Elks Lodge #2705 in Laurie and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

TOURNEY RESULTS

Plumbers Pipefitters Local 562

32 Annual Fish ‘N’ Fitters Bass Tournament (May 19, 2012)

1st Place: Pat Sturma and Greg Risinger – 29.05 lbs.

2nd Place: Joe and Dan Tucker 23.92 lbs.

3rd Place: Kevin and Greg Berhorst 23.02 lbs.

Big Bass: Dan Tucker – 6.50 lbs.

ON THE WEB

Crock-O-Gator Bait Company

http://www.crockogatorbaitcompany.com

James Dill Guide Service

http://www.jamesdillguideservice.com/

Bryant’s Osage Outdoors

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bryants-Osage-Outdoors/146508558715003

Slab Buster Crappie Jigs

http://slabbuster.com/

LAKE OF THE OZARK, Mo. – Bass are chomping plastic worms along cliff shelves and points close to deep water, according to local pro bass fisherman Jim Dill.

“Throw a Crock-O-Gator Shaker Head rigged with a Gene Larew Salt Flicker. Throw it against the cliff; the fish are hitting it at about eight feet. When it settles on the shelf give it a jerk and let it drop down to 20 feet, then reel it back up,” Dill said.

Bagnell Dam operators are pulling water at medium to heavy generation this weekend keeping the shad moving in the current and bass bunched up, easily found on fish finders. When the dam stops pulling water and the water temperature warms, the bass will spread out and head for brush.

The surface temperature is currently between 71-76F and the water is stained. Typically, darker-colored baits are the most effective in stained water and lighter colors in clear conditions.

The Lake Level measured at the dam is 659.5, only six inches away from full pool.

(Jim Dill is professional bass fisherman, firefighter, and fishing guide at Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. Dill has fished Lake of the Ozarks for 20 years. He is sponsored by Sportworld Boat Center, Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Falcon Rods and Crock-O-Gator Bait Company)

CRAPPIE

James Bryant at Bryant’s Osage Outdoors recommends vertical jigging minnows 15-18 feet straight down over brush. “We’ve also been selling a lot of blue and chartreuse and purple and chartreuse,” he said. The rough water from boat traffic this weekend will likely make crappie stick closer to cover under docks.

The early morning hours are always peak feeding times.

“Normally, when the dam pulls water like it is now and water is not too rough, crappie will move out to banks and secondary points, so you’ll have some luck trolling bluff ends transitioning to shallow points,” Bryant said.  He recommends the Bandit 1100 or Bass Pro XPS Nitro crankbaits in natural shad color.

ON THE WEB

Crock-O-Gator Bait Company

http://www.crockogatorbaitcompany.com

James Dill Guide Service

http://www.jamesdillguideservice.com/

Bryant’s Osage Outdoors

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bryants-Osage-Outdoors/146508558715003

LAKE OF THE OZARK, Mo. – There’s $10,000 on the line and the bass are in deep water. The spawn has ended. As Jim Dill prepared for this weekend’s Anglers In Action Shootout, he said, “The Lake current is making a big difference right now. When the dam pulls water the fish are positioning for the current to bring them food.”

Dill is keying on bass feeding on shad on main-lake and secondary points. He suggests throwing a 5/16 ounce Crock-O-Gator Reaction Jig or Football Jig with big power baits, like a Zoom Finesse Worm, Gene Larew Salt Flicker, Netbait Paca Craw, Berkley Chigger Craw, or Strike King Rage Tail.

Bagnell Dam operators are currently pulling water at heavy generation.

“The key is knowing where they are headed and getting there first,” Dill said. In his experience, the dominant fish tend to lead all trends, so predicting the pattern and being the first lure there pays off.

When the current slows to still water bass will spread out, still hunting shad.

In a couple weeks, Dill says the big fish will move to deep brush.

The water temperature is between 70-75F and the water is stained, especially past the 38MM, where algae appear prolific.

CRAPPIE

The crappie fishermen are grumpy and complaining. Hit docks with blue and silver jigs 6-8 feet deep in clear water, 1/16-ounce jig head (1/8 if it’s windy). Jig off of docks and into spawning banks. Key on dock braces, cables and around beds.

(Jim Dill is professional bass fisherman, firefighter, and fishing guide at Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. Dill has fished Lake of the Ozarks for 20 years. He is sponsored by Sportworld Boat Center, Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Falcon Rods and Crock-O-Gator Bait Company)

ON THE WEB

Crock-O-Gator Bait Company

http://www.crockogatorbaitcompany.com

Anglers in Action

http://anglersinaction.com/

Slab Buster Crappie Jigs

http://www.slabbuster.com