For Us KC Area Guys - Fishing Reports

[tyson2925]

On ‎8‎/‎4‎/‎2017 at 11:32 AM, KCFinesse said:

 

I think the lake has fished a little better to how I like to fish this year with one of the two units being off essentially all summer.

 

The fish I've found have been relating to transition areas around loose groups of larger baitfish. The bite has been super slow and catching them has taken concentrating on small areas found with electronics and fishing them meticulously. I'm sure someone has figured them out a bit better, but if I'm headed to LaCygne I'm resigned to the fact that I am not targeting numbers as much as one or two bigger fish. I might get bites, I might not.

 

I'm not fishing for active fish chasing shad so much as the bottom oriented negative fish around the right stuff. I have confidence in knocking something on the head with a shakeyhead eventually, but I'm not convinced that it's a matter of the right bait so much as a slow, natural, presentation right in their face.

 

Good luck, let us know how you do.

-Jared

Thanks.  I went out last Saturday first thing fishing the reeds right in front of the plant with a frog, had a few strikes but the fish never got it.  Caught one good one before the storm rolled in.  I really think I would have done well but it was looking too sketchy to stay out.  We waited a bit at the bait shop and finally decided to leave...  So only fished for an hour.

[SuperVehicle001]

Are the MDC fishing reports hot garbage? They have not changed the forecast for several lakes in a month. Feels like they slap a new date on it and call it good.

[Bluebasser86]

1 hour ago, SuperVehicle001 said:

Are the MDC fishing reports hot garbage? They have not changed the forecast for several lakes in a month. Feels like they slap a new date on it and call it good.

Probably, that's what KDWPT does too.

[Russ E]

3 hours ago, SuperVehicle001 said:

Are the MDC fishing reports hot garbage? They have not changed the forecast for several lakes in a month. Feels like they slap a new date on it and call it good.

i think it is updated more frequently in the spring. after that, like you said, the date just changes.

Burtons bait and tackle gives a pretty good report for Smithville. it is kept up to date in the spring, but does not seem to change much after june.

 

 

[KCFinesse]

I was out at cedar valley yesterday, and did ok on numbers of shorts, but only caught one bigger fish at 19". I found good amounts of bait and marked a bunch of suspended fish. The water clarity was better than I thought it would be and I spent a fair amount of time trying to get bigger bites deeper on football jigs, c-rig, and scroungers without getting anything going. 

 

Anyone have success slow rolling a scrounger/money minnow combo on shad lakes locally? I've been beating this technique with a stick this summer without success.

 

-Jared

[skunked_again]

Stockton lake was a good time this weekend. Fished it Saturday with good results. I caught most of my fish on a jig, the guy in the back a Ned rig. That lake has a nice Smallie population these days. Nice size too. Felt like the old Melvern almost, with fewer bigger fish. 

[Russ E]

8 hours ago, KCFinesse said:

I was out at cedar valley yesterday, and did ok on numbers of shorts, but only caught one bigger fish at 19". I found good amounts of bait and marked a bunch of suspended fish. The water clarity was better than I thought it would be and I spent a fair amount of time trying to get bigger bites deeper on football jigs, c-rig, and scroungers without getting anything going. 

 

Anyone have success slow rolling a scrounger/money minnow combo on shad lakes locally? I've been beating this technique with a stick this summer without success.

 

-Jared

 

haven't used those brands , but have caught some nice bass slow rolling a 1/2 oz chatterbait with a keitech fat swing impact at Wyandotte, Smithville, and Perry.

8 hours ago, KCFinesse said:

I was out at cedar valley yesterday, and did ok on numbers of shorts, but only caught one bigger fish at 19". I found good amounts of bait and marked a bunch of suspended fish. The water clarity was better than I thought it would be and I spent a fair amount of time trying to get bigger bites deeper on football jigs, c-rig, and scroungers without getting anything going. 

 

Anyone have success slow rolling a scrounger/money minnow combo on shad lakes locally? I've been beating this technique with a stick this summer without success.

 

-Jared

 

[Russ E]

On 8/9/2017 at 8:35 AM, SuperVehicle001 said:

 

Edited August 15, 2017 by Weedwhacker
redundant post

[Russ E]

had an interesting day at Perry.

in the past I have spent most of the time above the rock creek or slough creek bridges.

most reports I have read stated that the bass fishing is confined to these 2 coves.

decided to venture out onto the main lake.

fished several rocky points on the lower end of the lake.

caught 15 Smallmouth up to 2.5 lbs. most of them were on a black chatterbait.

caught 8  Largemouth on a pb&j ned rig, and a squarebill.

also caught 1 Flathead, 2 Channel cat, 5 Drum and 3 Sauger.

one of the Sauger was over 18 inches. my first keeper from Perry.

not a bad day searching new water..

Only problem with the main lake is, when its windy it gets pretty rough.

 

 

 

[SuperVehicle001]

What are good kayak spots around KC? I can't cover water like a regular bass boat but I want to use my mobility to fish. 

 

I found out that lake Jacomo makes you get a sticker for every boat including an inflatable kayak! What are the steps for this and is it even worth the cost?

 

I got a Sea Eagle 330. I'm going to take it out to Watkins Mill this Friday.

 

 

[awohlwend]

On 8/13/2017 at 8:26 PM, skunked_again said:

Stockton lake was a good time this weekend. Fished it Saturday with good results. I caught most of my fish on a jig, the guy in the back a Ned rig. That lake has a nice Smallie population these days. Nice size too. Felt like the old Melvern almost, with fewer bigger fish. 

Similar report from @micahthorlawson and I on Saturday at Stockton. Lots of smallies on jigs and shakey heads. We had a great shallow bite going on a flat, windy point in the morning but an angry smallmouth broke the only color of spinnerbait they would eat. We each caught a black bass slam by the end of the day. It was my first time on the lake and Micah's first in several years. Definitely will be returning.

 

[Bluebasser86]

On 8/14/2017 at 8:58 PM, SuperVehicle001 said:

What are good kayak spots around KC? I can't cover water like a regular bass boat but I want to use my mobility to fish. 

 

I found out that lake Jacomo makes you get a sticker for every boat including an inflatable kayak! What are the steps for this and is it even worth the cost?

 

I got a Sea Eagle 330. I'm going to take it out to Watkins Mill this Friday.

 

 

The permit can be bought at the marina I believe. I bought mine at the marina on Longview. It was worth it to me, I wish I could still fish Jacomo. 

 

Lots of places to kayak on the KS side, never done any kayak fishing on the MO side. James A. Reed would be perfect if they allowed it. Belcher Branch would probably be a pretty good bet up north a little ways. 

[SuperVehicle001]

Ugh, Jackson County's website is not helpful when it comes to what I need to do to register an inflatable.

 

Quote

In order to purchase annual boat and motor permits, you need:

- Proof of Ownership of all boats/motors to be registered (titles or pink slips with registration numbers and motor horse powers listed)

- Current Missouri Watercraft Registration Certificate

- Personal Property Tax Receipt with boats and motors listed, if owned on January 1 of that year (Jackson County residents only; new residents of the County will be required to obtain a "Statement of Non-Assessment from the Jackson County Department of Assessment).

 

How on earth do I get a certificate when Missouri doesn't issue them for any vessel "Propelled solely by paddle or oars (regardless of length)". I have no problem paying I just need to know exactly how I'm supposed to do so.

 

I wish Reed allowed kayaks. I've talked to some people that fish it (including one guy while I was out there beating the banks). There are decent bass there you just have to work for them. He told me that he caught 5 fish that day (I got skunked). But he works EVERY castable inch of the bank to get them. I've never made a circuit around the entirety of any of those lakes. I'll hit the dams and laydowns and move to another lake.

[BigGame0892]

1 hour ago, SuperVehicle001 said:

I wish Reed allowed kayaks. I've talked to some people that fish it (including one guy while I was out there beating the banks). There are decent bass there you just have to work for them. He told me that he caught 5 fish that day (I got skunked). But he works EVERY castable inch of the bank to get them. I've never made a circuit around the entirety of any of those lakes. I'll hit the dams and laydowns and move to another lake.

In my experience at James A. Reed, Catclaw was always the lake that held the best fish.  Don't even bother fishing near the parking lot though, you have to hike around and fish all the laydowns and other cover in the lake.  On sunny days, you have to work hard fishing slow with plastics and jigs.  You can also pick up a couple on squarebills and then the buzzbait can be nuts when its raining or storm moving in.  Normally only caught 5 fish or so also, but a couple would usually be over 3 lbs and up to 6.5.

[SuperVehicle001]

I finally did it! I got the skunk off! After almost of month of getting skunked I hopped into my Sea Eagle and finally got my first bass in over a decade! It's almost like my first bass again! 

 

Caught him at Watkins Mill lake this evening on a Smithwick Floating Rogue jerkbait. I was working shady trees with a jig but started seeing blowups around 7pm. I switched the baitcaster to the jerkbait and caught this chunker next to the dam. Sorry for the bad angle but I was fumbling with my phone to take the pic and I didn't want to drop it. I had to take it out of my floating phone case.

 

Edited August 18, 2017 by SuperVehicle001
More detail about location and lure used.

[skunked_again]

Had an awesome time at Melvern Sunday. *

 

Tried to sink the boat.

[SuperVehicle001]

On 8/16/2017 at 9:29 AM, BigGame0892 said:

In my experience at James A. Reed, Catclaw was always the lake that held the best fish.  Don't even bother fishing near the parking lot though, you have to hike around and fish all the laydowns and other cover in the lake.  On sunny days, you have to work hard fishing slow with plastics and jigs.  You can also pick up a couple on squarebills and then the buzzbait can be nuts when its raining or storm moving in.  Normally only caught 5 fish or so also, but a couple would usually be over 3 lbs and up to 6.5.

Went there tonight hoping the storms would get the bass up and going. A pair of other anglers had the same idea. I tried to beat them to a jetty but I birds nested and on the next cast my line broke at the reel from the pressure of the hang up in the nest. I hand reeled my squarebill and went home lol.

Reed is now my white whale. 

[BigGame0892]

On 8/21/2017 at 8:07 PM, SuperVehicle001 said:

Went there tonight hoping the storms would get the bass up and going. A pair of other anglers had the same idea. I tried to beat them to a jetty but I birds nested and on the next cast my line broke at the reel from the pressure of the hang up in the nest. I hand reeled my squarebill and went home lol.

Reed is now my white whale. 

That's brutal.  It happens to the best of us!  Don't give up on it.  Me and a buddy of mine have had several days out there with multiple fish over 5 lbs.  They are still there - your timing just has to be right.  Now that I've left KC, I don't know as much about what is going on there.  There used to be multiple good fish in Lake Remembrance right off of I-70 out in Blue Springs/Independence.  But, that was right after it opened.  Have no idea what its like now, but it might be worth a shot too.

[awohlwend]

53 minutes ago, BigGame0892 said:

That's brutal.  It happens to the best of us!  Don't give up on it.  Me and a buddy of mine have had several days out there with multiple fish over 5 lbs.  They are still there - your timing just has to be right.  Now that I've left KC, I don't know as much about what is going on there.  There used to be multiple good fish in Lake Remembrance right off of I-70 out in Blue Springs/Independence.  But, that was right after it opened.  Have no idea what its like now, but it might be worth a shot too.

I have bank fished Remembrance quite a few times. I live in Lees Summit and it is probably one of my more favorite lakes to bank fish in the area. Tons of access and a decent population of bass. Haven't caught many over 3lbs though. The jerkbait bite in the spring and fall is usually pretty awesome. It gets tough to fish from bank once the grass gets higher in the summer. Still fish to be caught but your presentations get pretty limited. It does get fished pretty hard for panfish and catfish and I have seen a number of bobber fisherman take larger bass home in buckets. 

[tyson2925]

Has anyone been out since the rains this week?  I want to get out this weekend but Im hoping I can find some water that's not trashed?

 

Gardner and Olathe I heard are messy.  Anyone been to LaCygne or Mound City??

 

Thanks!!

[Bluebasser86]

56 minutes ago, tyson2925 said:

Has anyone been out since the rains this week?  I want to get out this weekend but Im hoping I can find some water that's not trashed?

 

Gardner and Olathe I heard are messy.  Anyone been to LaCygne or Mound City??

 

Thanks!!

Gardner fished good last night. 

[tyson2925]

4 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Gardner fished good last night. 

OK great thank you!  Was the water pretty muddy or not bad?

[Bluebasser86]

Just now, tyson2925 said:

OK great thank you!  Was the water pretty muddy or not bad?

Dirty but it's never really clear. It's always a good lake when the water is high, turns those frog eaters on.

[SuperVehicle001]

I just ponied up for my KS fishing permit. What are some good bank fishing or kayak fishing lakes in KS that don't require a silly amount of extra fees?

So some background I work in KS. Long story short there is a small public lake right behind my office that was recently re-stocked after being drained and dredged a year or so ago. I've been told it has 4-5lb bass in it! I have no excuse not to get some fishing in over my lunch break! I've been working the banks with a squarebill and hitting the few shady spots with a jig. No bass so far but I just caught two 1lb channel cats on some shrimp I soaked in salt water and garlic powder.

[tyson2925]

Caught a good one at Gardner Lake Sunday morning.  Thanks Bluebasser for the report.  

 

 

Water Temp: 76

Baits: Whopper Plopper and Frog