peculiarmike

The Rock is gin clear and deep, 200'+ in places. There are no moss beds or vegetation, it is rock bottom to mud, depending where you are. Standing dead trees out from the banks, many under water. Right now there is the green slime on everything about 20-30 feet out from the bank, but not all over the lake. Jigs, etc. on the bottom are not a viable option unless you find an area without the slime. Top water is working. Zara Spook. Stickbaits such as a Redfin are catching some fish. I had success with a large swimbait early Tuesday fishing the MO Water Patrol Cops for Kids Tournament. Get yourself a map of the lake (It's in two sections, two maps) A GPS would be good, first timers can get lost. A bluebird sky and clear water = tough fishing if you are beating the banks. Go deep. Drop shot and electronics. I don't fish The Rock a lot so can't do much more for you. Little Aunts & Big Aunts are good areas. Good luck & good fishing.

Anyone been on Stockton in the past week? Crankbaits doing any good? Anything else doing any good? Shad balled up? I'm going to make time and get down there first part of next week, weather permitting. Need to at least visit the Champion in storage and see how it's doing, better if I can get it out for some exercise. Any info appreciated.

I used to fish the Chisago Chain a lot when I lived up in East Bethel, primarily Chisago and Green. Caught a lot of bass out of those lakes, generally fair quality fish. Being an old Ozarker it doesn't compare, but pretty good fishing all the same. 8lb. line and a 4" Slider worm on a Slider jig, you'll have a sore arm. Coon Lake was good also, and 15 min. from the house. Can't say these are the best lakes, but you WILL catch some nice bass.

I'm just south of Kansas City, but I lived in East Bethel 13 years. If I were there I'd be hitting the Chisago Chain of Lakes, mostly Chisago and Green. And I'd be pounding the bass. 4" Slider worms on Slider jig heads, skipped back under the docks on 8lb. line. Watch for the line to move as the jig drops and SET the hook. And toss the same bait close to any stick up, be ready! I miss that. Hasn't been too bad in Missouri, Table Rock, Stockton, Pomme de Terre, Truman lakes. Bass, crappie, walleye.

My partner and I have been fishing out of the Cape Fair area, working bluffs, fishing in 20 ft. of water with a jigging spoon. Catch a double limit of spots & LM every time we go. Last trip we caught some nice fish, both said we wished we were fishing a tournament, we would have been well up in the money. Figures.

Might think about crankbaits. Tight wobble. Wigglewart for example. Suspending stickbaits also. A round head jig, 1/8 or 3/16 oz or so, with a Shimano Hula Grub could work. Plus what all the others said. Bring your rain gear.

Chris - Might help if you could let us know what days and times during that week you would be available. I don't fish those lakes so I can't tell you anything about them. But someone who does might show up. What is your age? Where from? Fishing experience? Good luck!

Pomme is a good crappie lake. Jigs, minnows. Ask around local bait sellers, they generally know & share info. Muskies are there, you could get a surprise fishing for bass. Or you could throw some huge bucktail spinners or jerk baits and see what happens. Need heavy tackle and line to throw those boys. Good bass fishing. General selection of baits work, spinnerbaits, jig & frog, soft plastics, drop shot rig, carolina rig. Talk to as many locals as you can. ENJOY! And good luck!

April-May is bass spawn time in Ozarks lakes. My fishing partner and I are on Stockton and Table Rock every year during the week before and after the full moon in April. And Bull Shoals at times. Night fishing during the April full moon can be extremely productive. Brown or black jig & frog, singlespin spinnerbait with a pork frog. We've caught some big bass night fishing. Make sure you have new line, 14lb. or better. Retie frequently. And have rain gear handy, you can be surprised.

Which lake? I am very familiar with the Chisago Chain (Green, Chisago, Lindstrom), Coon, some others. Used to live up in East Bethel.

Might try Eric Prey. Pro angler, guide, and marine electronics expert. Here is his website - focused.fishing@yahoo.com If you are on his site click on "Information" on the top tool bar and then go down to "Fishing Report" for about as comprehensive a report as you will get. He also writes for 7/24 Outdoors and does fishing reports on The Rock.

If you are going, go in the spring! Work around large dead cedars in the coves with a spinnerbait & pork frog, something may come up and try to take it away from you! You can try the suspending stickbait, but it is SLOW fishing - works though. I really like The Rock at night in the spring. Watch the weather, bad thunderstorms sometimes sneak in on you. I agree, a guide would be money well spent. Then you will have some ideas you can put to use on your own.