Table Rock Lake in Branson, MO Fishing Report
Capt. Eric Prey
May 1, 2011
Table Rock - Freshwater Fishing Report
Lake - Table Rock
5/1/11:
Kimberling City Area: With water levels the highest in the history of Table Rock Lake the Corps of Engineers and Water Patrol asked boaters to stay off the lake for most of last week. Toward the end of the week with water levels dropping anglers returned to the lake in search of fish roaming shallow water. Current and rapidly dropping water levels have held fish out of the shallows for the most part, with the majority of fish holding close to the old bank line in fifteen to twenty feet of water. Jewel Squirrel heads with finesse worms and football jigs have been the best option for these fish. Work both baits along the bottom on mixed rock and gravel banks to draw strikes.
James River: Still allot of debris in the river, especially early in the day before wind pushes it to the bank. With some of the dirtiest water in the lake and heavy current the James has been pretty good over the past few days. Eakins and J Lock jigs in black blue or Missouri craw with a Paca craw trailer have been some of the best choices in and around cover on the old bank line. Look for steeper banks to be holding most of the fish, banks the have ledges mixed with gravel have been better than flat banks.
White River: The current and debris in the White River has been as bad as the rest of the lake, use caution early in the day when running. Much like the mid lake area the bite has been close to the old bank line and will remain there until the water stabilizes. Jewel football jigs with J Tail trailers have been the best choice for fishing holding twelve to eighteen feet deep. Early and late there a topwater bite is developing along brush lines and tree lines over the old bank line. Spooks, Red Fins and Sammys have all been producing during low light conditions, work the bait parallel to the bank near the tree or brush line on the bank.
Dam Area: The lower end is a tale of two areas right now; from the dam upstream toward Kimberling City the water is relatively clear while toward Long Creek it is dirty and debris filled. In the clear water the old bank line has been important just like the rest of the lake; Jewel Squirrel heads and football jigs, split shot rigs and spider jigs have all been effective on mixed rock and gravel banks. In the dirty water fish are still being caught but the bite has been much tougher, work the old bank line with black blue or Missouri craw jigs and Paca craw trailers to draw strikes.
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