Lake of the Ozarks - Early Spring

[grayAG]

Any tips out there for fishing LOZ in mid-March? I know a lot will probably depend on the water temps, but I was thinking of rigging up a football and finesse jig, a Wart, jerkbait, Shad-Rap type crank, and a finesse worm. Maybe a deeper crank or spinnerbait too. I figure that will cover the bases pretty well, but just wanted to ask around.

[gardnerjigman]

Would defenitly throw an Arig. Lots of guys catching them on the rig. Muddy water is a factor right now, but is clearing up the lower you go. 

 

My line up would be:

Jerkbait

Arig

Finesse jig

Wart

Shaky head

And wait for it... a buzzbait. Black on black crock-o-gator head knocker to be specific. 

[grayAG]

Thanks. I guess I should have thrown the A rig in there haha. I could see a buzzbait working too.

This will be my first time out there, so I'm just trying to look around a bit for some info beforehand.

I've seen the Ozark/Missouri craw pattern in jigs before. Is that what most people have luck on out there?

[conorsixtakc]

All depends on the weather. There's a lot of things that can work for you depending on weather and water clarity, it's just being prepared for it all in the spring and knowing how to adapt to changing conditions. I caught my avatar 3.25# spot after 8 inches of cold, windy rain in march. The next day it was bluebird glass and they wanted something completely different.

Jerkbait and alabama rig will be the deal until the water starts warming. Once they start moving up your options start to open up. Ball and chain was responsible for a $60k fish last Spring. Spinnerbait with a chunk may be good this year considering 7mm is still cold chocolate milk as of last weekend, but it may clear up by then. In spring you never know until the day before, this aint California! 

[AndyNegus94]

i know a lot of guys are puttin a hurting on them slow rolling spinnerbaits.

 

[Brian6428]

On 2/12/2016 at 10:21 PM, grayAG said:

I've seen the Ozark/Missouri craw pattern in jigs before. Is that what most people have luck on out there?

Missouri craw skirt would not be bad, but I have had the most luck fishing green skirted jigs with a bit of orange and also davenport special jigs. Black/blue is never a bad idea either. 

[Skunked again]

What is "the ball and chain"? In fishing terms....Carolina rig? As I wrote that I realized what some of the answers could be.

[Bluebasser86]

1 minute ago, Skunked again said:

What is "the ball and chain"? In fishing terms....Carolina rig? As I wrote that I realized what some of the answers could be.

Yes, it's referring to a C rig. 

[Bassboy98]

White Spinnerbait has been the key the past two weekends for me. Any piece of cover you can find throw the blade around it.