Reels
Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcasting Reel
A reliable baitcaster for jigs, Texas rigs, and moving baits.
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A sprawling Ozark reservoir with docks lining the shore and strong bass and crappie fishing.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Lake of the Ozarks for largemouth bass, crappie and channel catfish. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct. In October, largemouth bass and crappie are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Bass Jig and Spinnerbait are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (2 fly, 10 bait and tackle); the closest is Edgar's Ozark Bait & Tackle in Laurie, 4 mi away. Truman Lake is 33 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct
In October
Largemouth Bass, Crappie
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Lake of the Ozarks Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
12 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureBass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz
LureJig · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureSpinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.
Shop This LureBladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.
Shop This LureSquarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureLipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.
Shop This LureCrappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz
LureJig · Crappie
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Crappie, Largemouth Bass · Under a slip float.
Nightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Channel Catfish
Chicken Liver Chunk
BaitNatural Bait · Channel Catfish
Cut Shad Chunk or fillet
BaitNatural Bait · Channel Catfish
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Largemouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.
Crappie
Fly 8.5 ft 4 wt rod, floating line, small jig flies and minnow patterns.
Spin / Cast 10 to 12 ft jigging pole or 6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 4 to 6 lb hi-vis line.
Channel Catfish
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning or casting rod, 3000 to 4000 reel, 15 to 20 lb line, slip-sinker rig with a circle hook.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Lake of the Ozarks
Panfish Lures
Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jigs
A go-to crappie plastic on a light jighead, under a float or vertical.
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Ugly Stik Catfish Special Combo
A stout, long rod with a large reel for heavy sinkers and big cats.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament
Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.
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St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Lake of the Ozarks
Bait & Tackle
Laurie Bait & Tackle
Gravois Mills, Missouri· 5 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Gravois Mills, MO.
Bait & Tackle
Osage Beach Bait & Tackle
Osage Beach, Missouri· 7 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Osage Beach, MO.
Bait & Tackle
Vanhook's Bait & Tackle
Camdenton, Missouri· 8 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Camdenton, MO.
Bait & Tackle
Fitz Fishing Tackle & Supplies
Osage Beach, Missouri· 10 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Osage Beach, MO.
Bait & Tackle
Bottom Feeders Bait and Tackle
Crocker, Missouri· 25 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Crocker, MO.
Make It a Trip