2/28/10 Table Rock Report
Kimberling City Area: The mid-lake area has gotten a little tougher over the past week, stickbaits are still an effective presentation but they have given way for more finesse approaches in recent days. Steeper channel swing banks are still holding the majority of the fish both on the main lake and in the creek arms, while rock is important a mix of chunk rock and ledge has been a better choice than sheer bluff walls. Mega Bass 110’s and SPRO McSticks continue to be the stickbaits of choice in the mid lake, with pro-blue and blue bandit out producing other colors. Allow the bait to rest from 5 – 15 seconds between jerks to draw strikes. Chompers single tail grubs and ultra tubes have been an effective finesse technique. Fish the same steep bank locations cast toward the bank and allow it to fall to between 8’ – 15’ then make a moderate retrieve back to boat.
James River: The stained water of the James has been warming faster on sunny days than the rest of the lake. Stickbaits and jigs have been the most productive choice through out the mid and upper James River. Look for steep banks and points with wood cover to out produce flat gravel right now, cast SPRO McSticks in Norman flake and Rogues in clown and gold beyond the cover and work them back to the boat. Jewel Eakins’ jig and craw combos in brown / purple flash and Missouri craw have been effective in wood cover on these banks as well.
White River: The White River continues to produce with a variety of patterns; Drop shot rigs and spoons are effective in and around deep tree tops in the larger creek arms, stickbaits and grubs are producing on steep banks throughout the river and creek arms and jigs have been producing on rocky banks toward the backs of bigger creeks. The deep bite has been best from Baxter to Campbell point, ½ oz and ¾ oz spoons or ROBO and Chompers drop shot worms have been working on main channel tree tops from 35’ – 55’ deep. Locating schools of shad has been the key, if shad are around the fish will be active. Vision 110’s and McSticks have been working on swing banks around isolated timber throughout, let the water clarity determine your bait colors and work the baits with a PB&J or brown / purpl flash have been the most productive, work the jig from the bank through the channel to be effective and pay close attention to any wood cover.
Dam Area: The deep bite is still the most effective on the lower end, ½ oz and ¾ white spoons, 4” Chompers single tail grubs and ROBO or Chompers drop shot worms fished from 35’ – 55’ deep have been the most productive methods. Look for birds to indicate bait location and in turn fish locations then fish vertically. The stained water of Long creek has gotten allot of attention over the weekend. Some of the warmest water on the lake is in Long Creek and it is producing on a variety of baits, stick baits and Eakins’ jigs fished on steeper banks are producing quality keeper largemouth. Look for ledge rock and chunk rock banks to out perform bluff walls and wood cover is almost a guaranteed bite.
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
www.focusedfishing.com