Table Rock Lake in Branson, MO Fishing Report
Capt. Eric Prey
April 10, 2011
Table Rock - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake - Table Rock
4/10/11:
Kimberling City Area: Massive water temperature rise over the past week; average surface temperatures are in the low 60's in the afternoon in the mid lake area. With that in mind fish have moved shallow in mass and can be caught on a variety of baits. The most predictable bite has been on a Jewel football or spider jig worked slowly along the bottom on points near spawning coves. Look for points that are at the mouth of these coves to be the most productive. On windy days these same locals will produce on an X-Rap or Mc Stick jerkbait. Work the bait quickly allowing it to pause five seconds or less between jerks.
James River: The James River has warmed as much as any other part of the lake; surface temps in the mid sixties are not uncommon right now on sunny afternoons. With that in mind males have begun making beds in shallow gravel coves around rock and wood cover, these fish are no where near being locked on the bed but they are holding close waiting for females to move up and spawn. Best opportunity to catch males have been to draw reaction strikes with RC crankbaits and Chompers spinnerbaits; throw the bait well beyond the fish and pause it briefly near the fish to draw a strike. Bigger females can be caught on Jewel football jigs worked on points near the spawning coves.
White River: Just like the rest of the lake the White River has much warmer water temperatures this week. Look for fish to be holding on the inside of points in spawning coves twenty feet deep or less. Jewel Football jigs and Squirrel heads worked along the bottom on these points will produce staging fish. Toward the back of creek arms fish are further along in the spawning process, the same tactics outlined for the James River will work here. The Kings River has the warmest water on the lake, males are hovering very close to nests built over the past week and should be spawning by the end of the week.
Dam Area: While not as warm as the rest of the lake the lower end has warmed considerably this past week as well. Fish are not as far along in the spawning process in the dam area as the rest of the lake and can be found on main lake and secondary points. Jerkbaits have been a key bait when the wind is blowing, quick retrieves with short pauses will draw strikes from fish moving shallow to feed. Chompers single tail grubs on a quarter ounce head are working well in these areas as well. Jewel spider jigs with J tail trailers are effective when the winds are calm, work the bait along the bottom from ten to twenty feet deep.
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Lake – Taneycomo
4/10/11
Warmer weather would normally result in slower fishing on Taneycomo but the Corps have been running a lot of water in anticipation of heavy spring rain and the extra current has kept the fishing strong all week. Jigs remain the mainstay of most anglers; sculpin and sculpin orange jigs have been the best colors, with heavier jigs being more effective in the current. Bank anglers continue to have success with live night crawler and prepared baits; mixed colors of Gulp or Power Bait eggs are producing throughout the lake.
Don't Miss Tournament Fishing Radio on ESPN 1400 AM Springfield
Mondays 5:30pm and Saturdays 5:00 am or on-line at www.espn1400.com
http://www.guidefishingbranson.com
http://www.focusedfishing.com
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