5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Fishing With Top Truman Lake Guides
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Halfday guided fishing trips on Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks.Target Blue Catfish, Crappie, Striped Bass, and White Bass species.All tackle and equipment provided for groups up to two guests.
When you're looking for some of Missouri's best lake fishing, you've come to the right place. Our half-day trips on Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks put you right where the action is, with professional guides who know these waters like the back of their hand. We're talking about real fishing here – the kind where you'll feel that rod bend and hear your drag screaming as trophy fish make their runs. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing adventure or you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Missouri monsters to your memory bank, we've got you covered with top-quality gear and the local knowledge that makes all the difference.
Your morning starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the lake is at its best. We'll meet you at the dock with everything rigged and ready to go. No need to worry about tackle, rods, or bait – we provide all the gear you need, and it's the good stuff. Our boats are equipped with fish finders and GPS, but honestly, after years of working these waters, we know where the fish are holding without looking at a screen. Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks offer different opportunities depending on the season and what's biting, but you can count on plenty of action. We keep our trips to just two anglers, so you're getting personalized attention and prime fishing spots without the crowd. The half-day format is perfect for families or anyone who wants to experience world-class fishing without committing to a full day on the water.
We adapt our approach based on what's biting and where we find them. For blue catfish, we're usually working deeper structure with cut bait or live shad, anchored over known holding spots where these giants like to cruise. Crappie fishing means working brush piles and timber with jigs or live minnows – it's all about presentation and finding the right depth. When we're after striped bass, we might be trolling umbrella rigs or working the surface with topwater lures when they're busting shad. White bass fishing can be absolutely electric when you hit a school – they'll hit just about anything you throw at them. Our rods are matched to the species we're targeting, from lighter spinning gear for crappie to heavy baitcasters for those big blues. We carry a full selection of lures, live bait, and terminal tackle, plus we're always adjusting our approach based on water conditions, weather, and what the fish are telling us.
"Jorden did a fantastic job getting us on the blue cats. We caught well over 100 pounds of fish including a 29.22 pounder. Jorden is very good with kids. He made sure my grandson had a great time." - kenny
"Absolutely loved our fishing execution! Jordan was so patient a knowledgeable. We will definitely be back!" - HEATHER
"Great time, great guide, caught lots of fish. Best equipment available Would recommend highly. Will book again" - Larry
Blue Catfish are the heavyweight champions of these waters, and Truman Lake is renowned for producing some true monsters. These fish can live for decades and grow to massive sizes – we're talking 20, 30, even 40-pound fish that will test your tackle and your endurance. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught year-round if you know where to look. Blues prefer deeper water with good current and plenty of baitfish, and they're not picky eaters. When you hook into a big blue, you'll know it immediately – they make long, powerful runs and won't give up without a fight. The thrill of landing a trophy blue catfish is something every angler should experience, and these Missouri lakes consistently produce fish that'll make your arms sore and your smile permanent.
Crappie are the perfect target for anglers who love finesse fishing and great table fare. Both black and white crappie call these lakes home, and they're absolutely delicious when prepared right. Spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn, but we catch them year-round by adjusting our depth and techniques. Crappie are structure-oriented fish, so we're working brush piles, standing timber, and rock ledges where they like to suspend and feed. They can be finicky – sometimes they want a slow presentation, other times they'll attack a fast-moving jig. A good crappie bite is pure fun, especially when you find a school and can catch them one after another. These fish typically run 10 to 14 inches, with the occasional slab pushing 15 inches or more.
Striped Bass bring saltwater-style action to freshwater fishing. These powerful fish are built for speed and endurance, and when they're feeding on schools of shad, the action can be absolutely explosive. Truman Lake's striper population is healthy and productive, with fish ranging from schoolie size up to 20-pound line-burners. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate, but we catch them throughout the fishing season by following the thermocline and baitfish schools. Stripers are aggressive feeders and will hit everything from live bait to large spoons and umbrella rigs. The fight is what makes them special – they'll make multiple runs, often jumping and tail-walking across the surface. It's the kind of action that gets your heart pumping and keeps you coming back for more.
White Bass might be smaller than their striped cousins, but they make up for it with attitude and numbers. When you find a school of feeding white bass, you can catch them as fast as you can drop a lure. They're aggressive, willing biters that will hit small jigs, spoons, and live bait with enthusiasm. White bass typically run 12 to 15 inches and are excellent eating when cleaned properly
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue catfish are the giants of Missouri waters - real tackle-busters that can top 50 pounds and stretch over 3 feet. These slate-blue bruisers have a squared-off anal fin and love deep holes with muddy bottoms, especially near creek channels and structure. They're opportunistic feeders that'll eat just about anything, but fresh-cut bait works best - herring, shad, or even chicken liver. Summer nights are prime time when they move shallow to feed. What makes blues special is their sheer power - they'll test every knot and make long, bulldogging runs. The meat is mild and excellent eating, especially from cleaner waters. They're built tough and can handle some serious drag pressure. Here's my secret: let your bait sit on the bottom and give them time to find it. Don't set the hook on the first tap - wait for that second pull when they've really got it.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the best eating fish in these waters, which keeps folks coming back. You'll find both black and white crappie here - whites have those vertical bars, blacks are more speckled. They run 7-12 inches typically, weighing up to a pound. These fish love structure, so we target them around submerged timber, brush piles, and drop-offs in 8-15 feet of water. Spring spawning season is prime time when they move shallow, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. They travel in schools, so once you find one, there's usually more. They're not aggressive fighters, but their light bite means you need to stay sharp. My tip: use a small jig tipped with a minnow and fish it slow - crappie have small mouths and won't chase fast-moving baits.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the trophy fish that get everyone's heart pumping. These powerful fighters can reach 20-40 pounds and stretch 3-4 feet long, with distinctive dark stripes running down their silver sides. They love structure - rocky points, submerged timber, and channel edges where they ambush shad. Water temperature matters with these fish; they stay deeper in summer heat but come up to feed at dawn and dusk. Fall and spring are prime seasons when they're actively feeding. What makes stripers special is their fight - they'll make long runs and test your drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. They're smart fish that can be picky about presentations. My go-to strategy: find the baitfish first, then work live shad or large spoons just above the thermocline. When they're feeding, the action can be non-stop.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are scrappy fighters that'll give you a workout on light tackle. These silvery fish with dark horizontal stripes typically run 10-12 inches and weigh 1-2 pounds, though some reach 18 inches. They're schooling fish that roam open water chasing shad, so we often find them suspended over deep structure or hitting the surface during feeding frenzies. Spring through fall are best, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding. They hit hard and fight dirty - great fun for kids and beginners. The meat is white and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. Look for birds diving or baitfish jumping - that's usually white bass pushing shad to the surface. Here's a local trick: when you find a school, work small spoons or jigs fast through the middle of the action. They're aggressive and competitive, so speed triggers more strikes.
5.0 out of 5.0Jorden did a fantastic job getting us on the blue cats. We caught well over 100 pounds of fish including a 29.22 pounder. Jorden i...
Absolutely loved our fishing execution! Jordan was so patient a knowledgeable. We will definitely be back!
Great time, great guide, caught lots of fish. Best equipment available Would recommend highly. Will book again
Truman Lake