Destination: Lake of the Ozarks - Major League Fishing

Destination: Lake of the Ozarks

EverStart Series Central Division, April 20-23
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Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks
April 18, 2005 • Matt Williams • Archives

EverStart Series Central Division anglers can expect to find bountiful numbers of plump bass locked into a prespawn mode when they arrive at Lake of the Ozarks.

Pro Dion Hibdon of Gravios Mills, Mo., said shallow-water flipping around stumps, lay-downs and brush could factor into the equation if water temperatures stablize in the mid-50s by tournament time.

Otherwise, the veteran angler predicts the heaviest sacks will be caught by those who pinpoint concentrations of largemouths and spotted bass hanging around rock bluffs, secondary points and Lake of the Ozarks tournament launch siteother structure in water 15 feet deep or less. Carolina rigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits will be the baits of choice.

Hibdon’s call: 30-35 pounds to make the cut; 40 pounds to win.