Baxter, Campbell Point, Dam Area, & Kimberling City
With the weather turning colder the fish are on the move. Shad are starting to show up in main lake pockets, and fish can be taken in the early morning hours on a Zara Spook or Red Fin. Some fish can also be taken, if you have a windy day, on spinnerbaits. Work the steeper, chunk rock banks and points going into coves with a 3/8 or 1/2oz., double willow leaf spinner bait. As the day progresses, and this bite slows, the fish seem to be holding on main lake, gravel points in 30-40 feet of water. Work a 5/8 or 3/4 oz. football jig in a brown color using a green pumpkin/purple flake, Ultra Vibe, Speed Craw. I have been throwing my jig on 12 pound fluorocarbon line on a medium heavy, St. Croix Legend Elite, Casting Rod. Fish can also be taken on these points and bluffends, especially if it has submerged timber. Use a drop shot rig with a Zoom, Finesse Worm in watermelon candy.

Long Creek
In the upper section of Long Creek work any type of laydown or stump in 1-3 feet of water with shallow running crankbaits like a Balsa B1 or 3/8 oz., willow leaf, spinnerbait. As you move out toward the main lake work the channel swing areas with a drop shot rig as stated above or a 1/2 oz., white spoon.

James River
In the upper portion of the James River numerous fish can be taken cranking the channel swings with a Bandit 100 or 200, depending on the depth. A spinnerbait works best on the flat banks with isolated laydowns and stumps. So good topwater action can happen in the morning using a Zara Spook or buzzbait around standing timber, especially if shad are present. As you move further down the James the gravel flats are loaded with shad. Fish can be taken in 30-40 feet of water with a drop shot or spoon working the baits underneath the schools of bait fish.

local weather forecast