River Run Outfitter's Carolyn Parker with beautiful Lake Taneycomo Rainbow Trout
BRANSON, Mo., September 13– The most comprehensive fishing report available Branson’s Lake Taneycomo submitted by people who fish the lake on just about a daily basis. As used in this report “Trophy Area” refers the portion of Branson’s Lake Taneycomo between the mouth of Fall Creek and the base of Table Rock Dam. It is the primary wade fishing area, a trophy management area and has special regulations and limits in effect within the area. Natural baits, Gulp and soft plastic baits are illegal in Trophy Area. but ok for the other 19 miles of Lake Taneycomo.
Lake Taneycomo Trophy Area – Fly Fishing – by Carolyn Parker, River Run OutfittersFishing has been very good this past week. Even with the one generator going every morning this past three days, a fisher can safely wade in some areas and catch fish. Unfortunately, they have been turning on more in the afternoon so that makes wading more difficult. The generators were off most of today and will be again tomorrow.
Several boats on the water all week on guide trips. Good numbers of fish being caught on the P&P midge, the size 18 ruby midge, and early in the morning, the black zebra and the copper head and copper wire. Today it was the P&P midge, an egg pattern and stripping the holographic green crackleback.
Submitted by Carolyn Parker, River Run Outfitters
Lake Taneycomo – by Eric Prey, FocusedFishing.com
A little more generation this week due to the rain over the weekend, still not a ton of water flow but enough to keep the trout biting throughout the day. Early in the day the best bite has been from Short Creek through Branson, fishing guides have had a lot of success using small jerkbaits from Yo-Zuri and Rapala or 1/16oz. jigs from Zig Jig. Cast both baits around docks and wood cover and retrieve erratically to draw strikes from fish holding close to the cover.
Most Branson fishing guides enjoy using jigs over jerkbaits because they can be fished deeper than a jerkbait. Allowing the jig to fall to around six or eight feet deep before starting the retrieve will often result in larger fish. As the sun comes up most will change to either a trout magnet or micro jig below a float. The less action you impart on either bait the better, allow current and wind to move the float around and occasionally twitch the rod just enough to make a ripple on the water. Colors have changed over the past week, but pink and pink/white been the best colors for the Trout Magnet and sculpin or sculpin/orange on the micro jig have been the most productive.
Drift rigs continue to put Taneycomo Trout in the boat; lighter weights have been better with the slower current, mix colors of Gulp or Power Bait until you find a combination that draws the most strikes. This past week pink/white has been the most productive but the week before orange/chartreuse was better.
Live night crawlers injected with air will work when prepared baits stop producing. Pinch off about 3” of a night crawler and inject a small amount of air into the crawler to float it off the bottom. When all else fails try this tick; tie a six foot two pound fluorocarbon leader to a small swivel on the end of four pound main line. Use a #10 or #12 bronze egg hook and bait it with a small section of live night crawler. Cast the rig as close to the dock as possible and allow it to fall on a semi slack line, most bites will come as the bait slowly falls, pay close attention as a lot of the bites will be nothing more than tension in the line. If you find the bait not falling fast enough add one bb split shot on the main line so the bait falls a little faster.
Submitted by Eric Prey, FocusedFishing.com
Don’t Miss Eric’s Tournament Fishing Radio on ESPN 1400 AM Springfield
Mondays 5:30pm and Saturdays 5:00 am or on-line at www.espn1400.com
As part of its continuing commitment to serving the community, Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected sellers of vacation planning services, Branson show tickets, attraction tickets and lodging is proud to sponsor this fishing report, the Central Pro-Am Association and K.A.S.T. (Kids Are Special Too). BTC can be reached by calling 800-785-1550 or by visiting their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com. The Central Pro Am Association, through such sponsorship and that of Ranger Boats and Mercury Marine,is pleased to participate in furnishing this report to those fishing the Branson Tri-Lakes area.
