Nightstalk Bull Shoals

Went on a nightstalk last night with my brother-in-law in the Long Bottom area. :D We trolled for a couple of hours for walleye, but no fish.:mad: Then about an hour before dark, we anchored in a hole about 40' deep and dropped a light down about 10'. Shortly after dark 30, the shad started to move in. By about 2130 there was a lot of shad under the boat. About 2200 we started see some dark shapes under the shad, but they were not yet busting them. At 2300 the cloud bank lifted and the big bright moon came out and everything dissappeared. :eek: We packed it about 0030, still no fish. I think if the moon had stayed hidden for another hour we would have cleaned up. Oh well, try, try, again.

Dang-it flyflinger if I'am going to come down and fish with you I need a better report than that!!;) Just joking buddy, you keep after them and you'll get them. I hope to be coming down soon and try my luck with you again so get out there and find us some fishes!!:D

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Originally Posted by flyflinger

Went on a nightstalk last night with my brother-in-law in the Long Bottom area. :D We trolled for a couple of hours for walleye, but no fish.:mad: Then about an hour before dark, we anchored in a hole about 40' deep and dropped a light down about 10'. Shortly after dark 30, the shad started to move in. By about 2130 there was a lot of shad under the boat. About 2200 we started see some dark shapes under the shad, but they were not yet busting them. At 2300 the cloud bank lifted and the big bright moon came out and everything dissappeared. :eek: We packed it about 0030, still no fish. I think if the moon had stayed hidden for another hour we would have cleaned up. Oh well, try, try, again.

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flyflinger....that is a great post, except for the NO FISH, i know how frustrating it is....i have been on about 6 total nightstalks on Beaver Lake now and it just takes time to get these down. the moonlight is a HUGE factor when considering when to plan a nightstalk....do NOT go on a full moon like we did over crappie camp here at beaver lake. i have to admit your story was getting intense, i figured after the dark shadows under the shad, we'd here you ripped them out, but oh well, maybe next time! MM

Heck we didnt even have shad under our lights Saturday. Keep after them and sooner of later they will turn on.

Longliner, fyi we trolled Lindy Rigs for 2 hours, I did not fish then, just drove the boat, but the two who did fish had lines that were so twisted we had to cut them off and respool. I think the swivels that come on the rigs need to be replaced with bigger ones. My brother-in-law did hook up once using a deep diving minnow but it took him in the trash and got off. He had so much line out the fish was difficult to control. Must be a trick to it.

Flyflinger get some Norman DD-14's in the sunfish or perch pattern and troll with them, but don't get into water any less than 30' or you will lose them. Sometimes the lavender shad color will work for you but most of my walleye come from the first two colors. I usually have about 100' of line out in about 40' to 60' of water on flats or near points.

Thanks Jeff. Can you get those at Wallyworld? I would necessarially have to fish the North end of the lake to find consistant water over 30'. Jimmy Creek is up and down, except in the middle where it sometimes goes over 100'. Looking forward to fishing with you again. Next week our camping club is going to be at Shaols Bend near Forsythe and close to were you were cam;ing. I wish I could bring my boat, but cant pull the RV and the boat and its too far to go back for it.

Dave, I'am not sure if Walleyworld has them, seems to me I saw them there, but can't say for sure. Jimmy Creek would work if you troll where it breaks from say 30' on down to deeper water, any where it drops off to deep water from shollow water is a good spot. If the water warms up enough try to find where the thermocline is at and the fish will be there. Most of the time thats about 30' to 35' in the summer. They will suspend there during the day. Good luck on your camping trip, sounds like good fun. I'am off to a family reunion at Meramec State park for a few days, by orders of the BOSS!!!