I'm looking for a little advice.  

We've been getting a bunch of rain here in Missouri that is really messing with my spring fishing.  I fish Lake of the Ozarks a lot - especially in early spring when the jerkbait bite is on.

Went last Friday - lake was MUDDY!  Managed to catch a couple of decent keepers just under 3 pounds.  Found some clearer water (started off in chocolate milk basically) and that helped.

I was wanting to go this weekend too.  Problem is its rained a ton today (and is still raining).  The forecast last night was calling for 4 inches at the lake today.

So by the weekend I'm expecting the lake to be at full pool.  Normally it's around 5' low at this time of year for the winter drawdown.  Water is going to be very dirty - even down towards the dam.  Water temps should be in the high 40's to low 50's I'm guessing.  

Tournament results for the last two weekends have been awful when compared to normal.

Normally on LOZ at this time, you'd have pretty clear water and just hit the points and secondary points with jerkbaits, jigs, and wiggle warts.  Noboby fishes the upperpart of the lake this early, most of the focus is around the dam and a few arms close to it.  The fish are bunched up and feeding and if you hit enough points you can usually find some quality fish.

I'm guessing the jerkbait bite will be tough.  What approach would some of you take?

Myself, I'm thinking about looking for the warmest, cleanest water I can find.  I'm probably looking for some chunk rock and would work pretty shallow with a jig in the rocks and behind docks. Might also check the backs of coves and pockets for warmer water from the rain (though water clarity comes into play there).

Even in the muddy water the fish are still in pre-spawn and have to be feeding pretty actively.  Just curious as to what you might try.

You called it with the jig. 1/2 oz, at least, with a trailer to make a big silhouette. My closest lake gets really muddy after every rain and the jig (I use a strike king pro model that has a rattle) is my best producer. Sorry to not have any new ideas for you, but sometimes confirmation feels just as good. Good Luck.

Ok you said the lake is muddy, and most don't fish the upper part of the lake this time of year. I guess because of muddy water? I would look at the upper end then. Those fish are used to muddy water, and untouched, so they should be easier to catch. also if there is a very sunny day or two, the muddy water will warm faster. I would work jigs around wood and also looking for where stream come in and there is some current and maybe using rat-l-traps or shallow CB or spinner baits.

Up here in Pa one of my clubs early tournament is on a small lake that can rais feet in a day and drop the next ( flood control) sometime the lake is very very muddy, sometime clear. When its muddy I always fish the upper end where the main creek comes in and there is current. The water temp is ussily round 50 degree give or take a few. I use jigs around wood in the current. one year I was fishing a small tournament there, 20 +- boats. and it was a very early hot sunny day. temps in the 70-80 range. normal temp in the 50's the water was still around 50. everybody fished the main lake in the clear water. the current was realy rippin. they were dropping the lake after a big rain. couldn't catch one in the clear water so I went up in the upper end  to a flat where the main creek came in. no body, I mean nobody else even came close to that area all day. the water was mud, fast and cold. I ended up using a Baby 1- in red and casting itt into the current and reeling it back into the slack water. the fish ended up sitting on the current break. it was a 3 fish limit. I had 3 for 10-11 pounds( think I caught 6 or 7 keepers) and only one other guy caught a keeper that day.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1205161454/28#28

Try this

Lake reports for LOZ have not been good since Truman began dumping mud into the lake. Water temps are at best in only the mid 40's.  It's (the mud) made it's way most of the way down the lake and this rain won't help.  The reports have been poor. The usual great jerkbait bite is about gone except for right around the dam and up the Gravois. (which usually stays a little cleaner).

Chompers fished on steep banks and bluff ends, very, very slowly were what the last I heard was working.

Good luck

It looks like the area has gotten just over 3" so far.  As of yesterday, the lake hadn't come up much - Truman had but not LOZ.  

Thanks for the help.

I would try jigs in black/blue with trailers don't forget to add some lunker sauce to them.  You could also try Rat-L-Traps and a spinnerbait with a big colorado blade.

I fish a jig, big blade spinnerbait and a large plastic. I fish tight to cover as the fish in our area will hang tight to anything when it is way off color. I find it is the most challenging type of senario for me when the water is cold and muddy and try to avoid it if possible. Usually can find fishable water by moving down lake.

I agree with what your thinking. Look for the cleaner water towards the dam or warmer water near the creeks. Personally I would use a larger bait that gives a better profile. Something like a black/yellow or black/blue jig, colorado blade spinnerbait, wide wobble crankbait, or even a lipless crank fished slower then normal.