Table Rock Lake in Branson, MO Fishing Report
Capt. Eric Prey
April 19, 2010
Table Rock - Freshwater Fishing Report
4/19/10:
Kimberling City Area: Overnight this past week bass moved to the beds and spawn is in full swing throughout the lake. Spawning beds are very easy to find in the mid lake area, the moss that has plagued us all season has made finding spawning bed incredibly easy. The best baits for sight fishing have been; white or green pumpkin Chompers ultra tubes, green pumpkin Eakins craws and cotton candy or green pumpkin lizards. The majority of the fish on beds have been smaller males that are "locked – on" and actively guarding the nest so they are relatively easy to catch. If you don't like to sight fish several fish are still being caught on four inch single tail Chompers grubs on a quarter ounce head. Look for flat gravel and mixed gravel and rock points near spawning areas to be the most productive.
James River: The spawn is in full swing up the James River as well, the stained water of the river make sight fishing a little more difficult but beds can be located with a little searching. The same sight fishing baits are just as effective up the river with darker colors out producing light ones. Several post spawn fish have begun to show up on points and in timber close to spawning areas. Early and late these fish can be seen chasing shad on the surface, target these fish with spooks, red fins and other top water baits until the sun rises above the tree line. Once the sun is up these fish become more difficult to catch; Chompers four inch single tail grubs are a great option for these suspended fish.
White River: Throughout the White River fish are in all phases of the spawn. From Baxter to Campbell point they moved to the beds around the middle of last week and spawned over the weekend. For the most part the fish on the beds are males that are very aggressive and will strike at a variety of baits including Chompers Ultra Tubes, Eakins craws, Jewel Spider jigs and finesse worms. Further up the river fish are further along in the spawn, these fish have begun to suspend in tree tops in spawning pockets and points near spawning areas. Early and late spooks, red fins and other top water baits have been the most effective with Eakins jigs or Jewel Squirrel heads with four inch finesse worms working in and around trees once the sun rises.
Dam Area: The lower end of the lake is a sight fisherman's paradise right now. Ultra clear water and a massive wave of fish moving up to spawn have made sight fishing easy. More natural colored baits have been the rule in the clear water; Chompers Ultra Tubes in green pumpkin, Eakins craws in green pumpkin or cinnamon and lizards in cotton candy or green pumpkin have been the most effective bats and colors. While not as far along as the rest of the lake the top water bite is starting to pick up early and late on the lower end; spooks, sammys and red fins have been the best offerings.
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Table Rock Fishing Forecast:
As the spawn tapers off through this week the top water bite should be awesome. Jigs, Carolina rigs and shaky heads will all become more important.
Target Species:
Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass
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