Just looking for any advice on fishing flats. I haven't done it much (mainly fish a lot of points, secondary points, and channel banks/swings). Fished some last year on Truman in the fall and then fished some last weekend on Lake of the Ozarks.

I know any kind of ditch or cover on a flat is going to be a key and relationship to the channel is important too. But I'm looking at covering big chunks of water to try to find sweet spots - using HD maps to try to help but still no substitute for actually covering water (especially at Lake of the Ozarks with all the docks).

Any tips or things to think about?

I could describe my LOZ fishing approach as similar to yours; however, recently I've been trying to expand my options of techniques to include the drop shot. I've had some luck on flats that are between the docks where I have been able to consistently catch fish and the drop off into the main lake channel. Generally the fish I have caught this way are not LOZ keepers though. Still the most consistent at LOZ for me are the docks with the deeper water better producers this time of year.

So you are fishing between the docks on LOZ. I'm never sure whether to just focus on the docks or to fish the docks and in between them. Normally though what I'm doing around the docks (flipping something) is different than what I want to do between them (something I can cover water with a little faster). That's always made LOZ a little tougher to fish for me.

Besides the structure and cover, if it's a shallow flat I also try to look for stained water. It keeps me from spooking the fish and it sets them up better on the available cover.

So you are fishing between the docks on LOZ. I'm never sure whether to just focus on the docks or to fish the docks and in between them. Normally though what I'm doing around the docks (flipping something) is different than what I want to do between them (something I can cover water with a little faster). That's always made LOZ a little tougher to fish for me.

What I meant - but was not clear from my post - was fishing from the docks out toward the drop off to the main channel with the drop shot. I agree that between docks I use something that covers more water faster. I switch back to my baitcaster between docks. Recently my favorite choice is the Z-man Chatter bait which has replaced my spinnerbaits as my go-to lure for covering a lot of water.

I'd have to check to make sure, but I think the reason God told somebody to make spinnerbaits, rattle traps, swim baits,shallow cranks, swimming worms,buzz baits, swim jigs and a few that I know I'm forgetting, is so that bass fishermen would have several options when fishing shallow and mid depth flats. JMO

What I meant - but was not clear from my post - was fishing from the docks out toward the drop off to the main channel with the drop shot. I agree that between docks I use something that covers more water faster. I switch back to my baitcaster between docks. Recently my favorite choice is the Z-man Chatter bait which has replaced my spinnerbaits as my go-to lure for covering a lot of water.

Are you slow-rolling that chatterbait between the docks? Thought about doing this but need to buy a little heavier bait to do so probably.

Are you slow-rolling that chatterbait between the docks? Thought about doing this but need to buy a little heavier bait to do so probably.

Using a 3/8oz black with black/blue skirt and trying to keep a slow retrieve - but, I'd say most of what I've caught are 3 to 5 ft deep, sometimes when the lure is on the upswing to the boat. I sure love the action on that lure. I vary the speed sometimes and do a little jigging - but, most of the time the strike is during a steady retrieve.