Anybody Up for Table Rock?

[Daze Off]

Just out of curiousity, would any of you bass fisherman be interested in a mid-April road trip to Table Rock Lake in southern Missouri? I'm thinking the trip would be a week and I know a decent resort that has a good location on the lake where folks could do anything from rent a cabin to pitch a tent to pull up an RV.

I had this crazy idea that a small caravan of MN fishermen would descend upon the lake just about spawning time and have a great time. I did it last year with one buddy but timed it about two weeks too early as it turned out. A severe cold front really hit the lake hard and dried up the fishing for the most part.

There, of course, would be the opportunity to stop at Bass Pro Shops as well.

Anyone interested in talking about it some more? Let me know!

Daze Off

[Dan Wood]

Sounds fun. Not sure if I could pull off a week though... Maybe a 4 day weekend?

[Daze Off]

I wouldn't be opposed to that - awful lot of driving though - it would be two full days (12 hours each) of driving for two full days of fishing. Uff da!

Have you fished TR before?

Daze Off

[Dan Wood]

Hey Daze Off,
No I've never fished Table Rock. Do you know the lake pretty well? That sounds like a blast. I'd be interested in something like that, but not sure about this year. Already have a couple trips planned. A weekend deal I can always work out, but your right, that is a heck of a drive for a couple days fishing...

[Daze Off]

Dan,

I wouldn't claim to "know" the lake but I have fished it several times. It is a HUGE resevoir - something like 45 miles long and nowhere is it very wide. Lots of branches. It has around 750 miles of shoreline lots of it steep drops from limestone bluffs. Virtually no weeds and lots of rock on the bottom of various sizes from the size of a car to gravel. The water is incredibly clear (at least in April) with TONS of standing timber. Some timber extends out of the water when you are in 30 feet of water or more! Lots of interesting structure including some man-made - old road beds, cemeteries, fence rows, etc. Main forage is shad and crawfish and it is not uncommon to take 7-8# bass and even larger. Also has a decent supply of smallies, in fact that was all I caught last year. White bass and crappie are also primary game fish. Lake is known for huge changes in lake water levels - can go up 15' overnight or so it seems.

Last year we fished about a 14 mile stretch around Indian Point arm. Was really limited by my boat - had an old Lund Mr. Pike and had to carry spare gas cans with us. Now I have a new Lund with plenty of fuel capacity so it should widen my ability to venture out further. The boat of choice down there is a pure bass rig - especially Tracker and Ranger - with at least a 150 on the back.

Only bait that worked at all for us last year was a 1/2 to 3/4 oz plain jig head with 3 and 4 inch Yamamoto twister tail grubs in pepper smoke and craw. Of course fishing was extremely tough due to a massive cold front that arrived just hours after we did.

Daze Off

[Yaeger Guide]

Two years back we traveled to Lake of the Ozarks in March and got hit with record low temps for two of the five full days we were there. It is a great getaway for springtime. Last year we hit Kentucky Lake in March and had a much better time. I encourage any trip down to the Missouri / Kentucky / Tennessee lakes.

Do note that TR is a real clear lake - similar to the northern MN lakes. Unlike LOZ, TR when it was created, they left the timber so you should be able to find the secondary bays with good timber structure. Good luck if you go (I am booked for KY Lake again otherwise I would be interested) and let us know how you do.

------------------
God bless,
Judd Yaeger
Yaeger Guides (Twin Cities Guides) www.yaegerweb.com/guide

[Guest]

If any of you are considering coming to Table Rock I could probably help you with some information. I actually am looking out the window at the Rock as I type.

I stumbled across this HSOforum a couple years ago researching some MN bass lakes, and drop in occasionally to see what the MN bass guys are talking about.

In any case I'm on the lake year-round for bass. Be glad to answer any questions you might have.

[Guest]

OK, check your email...

[bucketmouth64]

Hey Aim, I was thinking of taking a trip in June and possibly doing a day of fishing with my kids. Drop me a line I could use some info. about the Branson area. You can get me at [email protected]

[Daze Off]

AIM,

If this trip I am thinking about actually comes about I will be contacting you - thanks for the offer!

Last year we only fished about 7 miles in either direction from Indian Point arm - the campground was a couple of bays west of Indian Point. Will likely be staying there again. What part of the lake do you know best?

Any recommendations on when to arrive (i.e. mid-April, late April, early May)

Drop me a line at [email protected] if you would so I can contact you if the trip shapes up...

Daze Off

[Guest]

If you mean the Indian Point near Branson I do not know that part of the lake very well at all.

There is another area called Big Indian/Little Indian creek (Baxter Campground, and I know that part well.

Generally the east end of the lake is clearer, deeper, the water slower to warm, and the spawn can be a couple weeks behind the west end. East end has more smallmouth, west end more largemouth, and spotted bass are everywhere. Mid lake around the mouth of the James has a good mix of everything.

I live at Shell Knob and am extemely familiar with the western half of the lake, From the James River west. I rarely fish the east end. Don't like the ultra clear water and boat traffic.

James River and Kings River are two major arms that both have some colored water. By colored I mean visibility of 4-6' as opposed to 12+'. Offhand I would recommend moving west to the Shell Knob, Baxter, Campbell Point, or James River Areas, unless you have some reason for wanting to be around Branson. I think you will find Spring fishing better in those areas.

As far as timing that is hard to say. Peak of Spawn on the west end is mid-April, extending into May. Fishing is good right now, water temps still in 47 degree range. Can be real good starting in late Feb, and certainly by mid-March things are moving along.

Late winter and pre-spawn is good time for big fish. Also some excellent topwater fishing immediately post-spawn into late May. If I had to pick a time I would say anytime in April, my choice would be the first half. However I would not feel bad about any time Mid March through Mid-May. However it seems like each year is different and things can change real quick for the better or worse that time of year.

There are large numbers of fish on the bank late March through early May. Cold fronts really hurt this time of year. Like fishing anywhere you just have to get out and hope the fish gods are smiling.

Hope that helps somewhat. Any more specific questions I'll try yo help.

[BigMike]

The new in-fisherman magazine talks about Table Rock in it's Adventures - timely hot spots section this month. It basically just states that March and April are the best months for this smallmouth hot spot and that 5-6 pound smallies are not uncommon.

Wish I had some time free to go with. Sounds like a perfect spring destination for smallie lovers like us to hit and break into the bass season a little early.

[Daze Off]

BigMike

The only fish I caught there last spring were smallies....that's where I caught the "FEVER" even though they certainly were not trophy class. <g>

I may not be going myself though - can't seem to find anyone interested and it is too expensive for me to do alone. Besides, it's more fun with other fishermen. My "partner" from last year is starting up a new business and can't get away this year.

Will have to check out the article.

Daze Off

[Daze Off]

BigMike,

BTW, I thought you would be interested to note that among my winter purchases was a new landing net that was SIGNIFICANTLY larger and longer then the old one. <g>

Daze Off

[BigMike]

The longer the better! Maybe this year we can hook up for another opportunity at the one that literally got away!! Maybe we should bring the video camera next time too.

Sorry to hear about Table Rock. It sounds like a great opportunity to get some early bassin' in. But then again, it may only bring on more of an itch to get out when you get back. It's like giving me a steak and then telling me I can't eat food for the next two months.

[Guest]

Might oughta keep my comments to myself on this one but in my opinion the statement that 5-6# smallies are not uncommon on T-Rock is a little misleading.

Smallmouth of this size are not unheard of but few and far between, especially the 6# guys. I have caught hundreds of smallmouth on the Rock and never broken 5#. I think 3-5 may be more representative of what we have to fish for in the way of good SM. The only reason I offer this opinion is to avoid disappointment on your end when you come down.

What we do have is a very good bass lake with 3 species: LM, SM and Kentucky (Spotted). Depending on when, where and how you fish, you might find yourself catching predominately one species or a mix of all 3.

If I were to guess Dazeoff was dragging a hula grub or jig on gravel to catch only smallies that time of year. LM will be an entirely different presentation, while spots are usually a deep bite year round.

Just my opinion based on my experiences.

[Daze Off]

Aim -

You were very close on your guess - 1/2 - 3/4 ounce jig head with 3 and 4 inch Yamamoto grubs in smoke/pepper to be exact.

You were also right in your guess on the Indian Point I was referring to earlier - it is the one nearest the dam on which Silver Dollar City sits on/near. We fished the area from Brush Creek (just south of the Hwy 86 bridge) to Little Cow Creek to the west.

Still hoping to make this trip happen but it is not looking good - may be as the winter gets colder and longer....

Daze Off