LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Cool, wet fall weather can make for fantastic fishing on the Lake. But when the skies clear and the sun shines bright, bass become elusive, in what is one of the big challenges of fall fishing, local fishing guide Jim Dill says.
His mantra—If the fishing weather is bad, the fishing is good, and vice versa—proves especially true in the fall. “The first day after clouds and rain can be tough, and that was pretty much the story today,” he mused after a challenging day of fishing on Friday.
And the fish are not yet at their seasonal peak of activity, either. Once the water drops to 65 or below, large gizzard shad move up against the banks to feed along mossy rocks. The bass follow them, and then the fishing gets good, but can still be tricky. “One of the favorite places for bass to hide is alongside concrete piers behind docks,” Dill says. “This can be very challenging because these piers are inside the cables and braces. But with an accurate cast and some luck, they will pay off big.”
Main lake points with large mossy rocks are another good spot to find bass hunting for large shad.
But Dill pulled in a few fish on Friday, using buzz baits, flukes, and small jigs, proving even on a clear, sunny day, there are bass to be had with good lure selection and, again, a bit of luck.
THE BAIT BUZZ: Dill suggests a Crock-o-Gator 3/4-oz buzz bait for angling success—white colored on sunny days, and black when it’s overcast.
TEMP & CLARITY: The Lake is ranging from 65–67 degrees, and is still mostly stained, as the water turns over during the fall temperature shifts.
LakeExpo.com interviews professional bass angler Jim Dill to publish the “Reel Dill.” Jim is a fishing guide at Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. He has fished the Lake for 20 years and is sponsored by Sportworld Boat Center, Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Falcon Rods and Crock-O-Gator Bait Company)
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