Bill Babler

They won the OMTT the day before with over 26 pounds. EVERYTHING on the Alabama Rig. 
Talked to a couple of participants and they also were working the Rig. Good buddy had 19 pounds all on a Rig. 
Good friend I practiced a bit with this week had 16 pounds flipping docks plus the A-Rig. 
Said they had 30 keepers and had 13 pounds on the first stop in under 30 minutes. 
After church I started at noon. There were 3 footers on the open water stretch from Shell Knob to Campbell Point. Surface temp 56.7. Went back in Fish-n-Fun cove. Ie another Mill Creek. Water in the back was 58.1. 

Started fishing docks in the flat coves with a shaky head and every other dock had a keepers or two on them. Nothing big, but fish after fish. 

About 3 I headed back toward Baxter and just had to stop on a section of chunk gravel mix with the wind howling in on it. Only possibility here was an A-Rig or for some stupid reason I had a 3/4oz. Hard head tied on so I picked that up and it was simply a cremation till 5 pm. Had 17 keepers 3 pounds the biggest and I’m guessing I missed 15 bites in the wind and surf. 

Really can’t remember a 5 hour day with that kind of action that wasn’t on a drop shot or in the Winter with a spoon. 
Yesterday the fish just went crazy. Table Rock fish don’t usually act like that but it was one of those days.  A record setter. 
Good Luck. 








 

Dock and I could pretty much trade boats and equipment and neither of us could tell much difference. 
My thought however is that his boat would take me to all the Biggins he is catching.  He’d probably want to trade mine in.  It does however have a firm grasp of 14” K’s. 😁
 

They won the OMTT the day before with over 26 pounds. EVERYTHING on the Alabama Rig. 
Talked to a couple of participants and they also were working the Rig. Good buddy had 19 pounds all on a Rig. 
Good friend I practiced a bit with this week had 16 pounds flipping docks plus the A-Rig. 
Said they had 30 keepers and had 13 pounds on the first stop in under 30 minutes. 
After church I started at noon. There were 3 footers on the open water stretch from Shell Knob to Campbell Point. Surface temp 56.7. Went back in Fish-n-Fun cove. Ie another Mill Creek. Water in the back was 58.1. 

Started fishing docks in the flat coves with a shaky head and every other dock had a keepers or two on them. Nothing big, but fish after fish. 

About 3 I headed back toward Baxter and just had to stop on a section of chunk gravel mix with the wind howling in on it. Only possibility here was an A-Rig or for some stupid reason I had a 3/4oz. Hard head tied on so I picked that up and it was simply a cremation till 5 pm. Had 17 keepers 3 pounds the biggest and I’m guessing I missed 15 bites in the wind and surf. 

Really can’t remember a 5 hour day with that kind of action that wasn’t on a drop shot or in the Winter with a spoon. 
Yesterday the fish just went crazy. Table Rock fish don’t usually act like that but it was one of those days.  A record setter. 
Good Luck. 








 

They won the OMTT the day before with over 26 pounds. EVERYTHING on the Alabama Rig. 
Talked to a couple of participants and they also were working the Rig. Good buddy had 19 pounds all on a Rig. 
Good friend I practiced a bit with this week had 16 pounds flipping docks plus the A-Rig. 
Said they had 30 keepers and had 13 pounds on the first stop in under 30 minutes. 
After church I started at noon. There were 3 footers on the open water stretch from Shell Knob to Campbell Point. Surface temp 56.7. Went back in Fish-n-Fun cove. Ie another Mill Creek. Water in the back was 58.1. 

Started fishing docks in the flat coves with a shaky head and every other dock had a keepers or two on them. Nothing big, but fish after fish. 

About 3 I headed back toward Baxter and just had to stop on a section of chunk gravel mix with the wind howling in on it. Only possibility here was an A-Rig or for some stupid reason I had a 3/4oz. Hard head tied on so I picked that up and it was simply a cremation till 5 pm. Had 17 keepers 3 pounds the biggest and I’m guessing I missed 15 bites in the wind and surf. 

Really can’t remember a 5 hour day with that kind of action that wasn’t on a drop shot or in the Winter with a spoon. 
Yesterday the fish just went crazy. Table Rock fish don’t usually act like that but it was one of those days.  A record setter. 
Good Luck. 








 

Watch Mike Baker’s video from this past week catching crappie on Truman Lake. 
Probably by far the best video I have seen on the capability of the machine and what it opens up. 
He is catching crappie in open water that really previously was not touched. He simply torches suspended fish and your right with him seeing every bite. 
Mike Baker without a doubt gives the most informative videos on livescope and also catfishing out there. I don’t fish cats at all and very seldom crappie but his videos apply to bass fishing as well.  
If you enjoy fishing of any type you’ll enjoy Mike Baker videos.  Mostly filmed on Truman and LOZ. 



 

Watch Mike Baker’s video from this past week catching crappie on Truman Lake. 
Probably by far the best video I have seen on the capability of the machine and what it opens up. 
He is catching crappie in open water that really previously was not touched. He simply torches suspended fish and your right with him seeing every bite. 
Mike Baker without a doubt gives the most informative videos on livescope and also catfishing out there. I don’t fish cats at all and very seldom crappie but his videos apply to bass fishing as well.  
If you enjoy fishing of any type you’ll enjoy Mike Baker videos.  Mostly filmed on Truman and LOZ. 



 

Dock and I could pretty much trade boats and equipment and neither of us could tell much difference. 
My thought however is that his boat would take me to all the Biggins he is catching.  He’d probably want to trade mine in.  It does however have a firm grasp of 14” K’s. 😁
 

Dock and I could pretty much trade boats and equipment and neither of us could tell much difference. 
My thought however is that his boat would take me to all the Biggins he is catching.  He’d probably want to trade mine in.  It does however have a firm grasp of 14” K’s. 😁
 

Dock and I could pretty much trade boats and equipment and neither of us could tell much difference. 
My thought however is that his boat would take me to all the Biggins he is catching.  He’d probably want to trade mine in.  It does however have a firm grasp of 14” K’s. 😁
 

Same buddy that caught the 7 pounder was at it again yesterday. Baxter to KC. 
Said he had 26 fish with 12 keepers. Bout 14 pounds. 
Every fish he caught was on an underspin. Transitions with gravel. Boat in about 30’/35’ fish in the 10’/15’ range. Said he had a blast. 
Surface temps at 54 degree 1/4 oz. head with a 2.8” Keitech. 
Good Luck. 
 

April is a great time. Most all lodging has boat parking easy to just inquire if they have electricity hookups for battery charges. 

Moonshine Beach by Chateau on the Lake excellent ramp, State Park and Old 86 all fantastic ramps in the dam area. 
April is 2.8” Keitech month Gizzard or Threadfin Shad with a 1/8-1/4 oz ball head. Also a Ned Rig in 1/16 to 1/4 is a killer for Small Jaws. Green Pumpkin and PBJ are lake standbys  Brown and orange also really works great  
Suspending stickbaits will also wack them. Not even close Table Rock Shad in the Megabass Lineup and Blue Bandit in the Spro offerings, are the best colors  
Smallmouth on the Rock love  gravel run outs and transition points going into spawning coves. At the dam don’t be afraid to keep the boat in 25’-35’ of water on these gentle run outs. Water will be 10’ to 20’ of visibility unless it floods. Rain really doesn’t make much difference. It stays clear down there. 
Expect the bite to be in 10’ to 15’’ range. Also use your electronics. If you see suspended fish on your 2D sonar under the boat, BACK OUT. If you have Live Scope or Active Target. You will see them. If you don’t move along. 
I’m sure you’ll get some more tips. 
Good Luck. 




 

Same buddy that caught the 7 pounder was at it again yesterday. Baxter to KC. 
Said he had 26 fish with 12 keepers. Bout 14 pounds. 
Every fish he caught was on an underspin. Transitions with gravel. Boat in about 30’/35’ fish in the 10’/15’ range. Said he had a blast. 
Surface temps at 54 degree 1/4 oz. head with a 2.8” Keitech. 
Good Luck. 
 

Same buddy that caught the 7 pounder was at it again yesterday. Baxter to KC. 
Said he had 26 fish with 12 keepers. Bout 14 pounds. 
Every fish he caught was on an underspin. Transitions with gravel. Boat in about 30’/35’ fish in the 10’/15’ range. Said he had a blast. 
Surface temps at 54 degree 1/4 oz. head with a 2.8” Keitech. 
Good Luck. 
 

Same buddy that caught the 7 pounder was at it again yesterday. Baxter to KC. 
Said he had 26 fish with 12 keepers. Bout 14 pounds. 
Every fish he caught was on an underspin. Transitions with gravel. Boat in about 30’/35’ fish in the 10’/15’ range. Said he had a blast. 
Surface temps at 54 degree 1/4 oz. head with a 2.8” Keitech. 
Good Luck. 
 

Same buddy that caught the 7 pounder was at it again yesterday. Baxter to KC. 
Said he had 26 fish with 12 keepers. Bout 14 pounds. 
Every fish he caught was on an underspin. Transitions with gravel. Boat in about 30’/35’ fish in the 10’/15’ range. Said he had a blast. 
Surface temps at 54 degree 1/4 oz. head with a 2.8” Keitech. 
Good Luck. 
 

April is a great time. Most all lodging has boat parking easy to just inquire if they have electricity hookups for battery charges. 

Moonshine Beach by Chateau on the Lake excellent ramp, State Park and Old 86 all fantastic ramps in the dam area. 
April is 2.8” Keitech month Gizzard or Threadfin Shad with a 1/8-1/4 oz ball head. Also a Ned Rig in 1/16 to 1/4 is a killer for Small Jaws. Green Pumpkin and PBJ are lake standbys  Brown and orange also really works great  
Suspending stickbaits will also wack them. Not even close Table Rock Shad in the Megabass Lineup and Blue Bandit in the Spro offerings, are the best colors  
Smallmouth on the Rock love  gravel run outs and transition points going into spawning coves. At the dam don’t be afraid to keep the boat in 25’-35’ of water on these gentle run outs. Water will be 10’ to 20’ of visibility unless it floods. Rain really doesn’t make much difference. It stays clear down there. 
Expect the bite to be in 10’ to 15’’ range. Also use your electronics. If you see suspended fish on your 2D sonar under the boat, BACK OUT. If you have Live Scope or Active Target. You will see them. If you don’t move along. 
I’m sure you’ll get some more tips. 
Good Luck. 




 

April is a great time. Most all lodging has boat parking easy to just inquire if they have electricity hookups for battery charges. 

Moonshine Beach by Chateau on the Lake excellent ramp, State Park and Old 86 all fantastic ramps in the dam area. 
April is 2.8” Keitech month Gizzard or Threadfin Shad with a 1/8-1/4 oz ball head. Also a Ned Rig in 1/16 to 1/4 is a killer for Small Jaws. Green Pumpkin and PBJ are lake standbys  Brown and orange also really works great  
Suspending stickbaits will also wack them. Not even close Table Rock Shad in the Megabass Lineup and Blue Bandit in the Spro offerings, are the best colors  
Smallmouth on the Rock love  gravel run outs and transition points going into spawning coves. At the dam don’t be afraid to keep the boat in 25’-35’ of water on these gentle run outs. Water will be 10’ to 20’ of visibility unless it floods. Rain really doesn’t make much difference. It stays clear down there. 
Expect the bite to be in 10’ to 15’’ range. Also use your electronics. If you see suspended fish on your 2D sonar under the boat, BACK OUT. If you have Live Scope or Active Target. You will see them. If you don’t move along. 
I’m sure you’ll get some more tips. 
Good Luck. 




 

HH is a very good choice.  

Son and I got out about 8 am yesterday. Lake here at Baxter was totally packed with boats even at 33 degree air temp. 
Steven just flat hung it on the Ole Man. Fished till noon.  He had 17 out of the back of the boat and I had 2  yep a Duce.
He was throwing a Megabass plus2 in TRS on 10# test line and I was throwing a Megabass plus 1 in TRS. on 15# line.  
Made a WHALE of a difference as he missed more than I caught. Kid is good with the Jerkbait. He’s fished with Buster and Beck so kind of has an idea how to fish it. 
Fished by myself today starting at 1pm. Fished for 3 hours on mostly flat water and a sky that went to Heaven without a cloud. I chased wind the best I could and caught 4 on Steven’s outfit. All keeps  just big Fatty K’s. Neighbor started at the same time and did the exact same. We launched together and loaded out together. He had 4 keeper K’s on a McStick, chasing wind too. 
Surface temp at H ramp when I trailered at 4pm was 55.4 on flat water. 
Good Luck. 



 

 

Buddy just sent me this picture. Sticker on the White River above the SK bridge. 
Megabass +2 French Pearl. 7.7#. 

Son and I got out about 8 am yesterday. Lake here at Baxter was totally packed with boats even at 33 degree air temp. 
Steven just flat hung it on the Ole Man. Fished till noon.  He had 17 out of the back of the boat and I had 2  yep a Duce.
He was throwing a Megabass plus2 in TRS on 10# test line and I was throwing a Megabass plus 1 in TRS. on 15# line.  
Made a WHALE of a difference as he missed more than I caught. Kid is good with the Jerkbait. He’s fished with Buster and Beck so kind of has an idea how to fish it. 
Fished by myself today starting at 1pm. Fished for 3 hours on mostly flat water and a sky that went to Heaven without a cloud. I chased wind the best I could and caught 4 on Steven’s outfit. All keeps  just big Fatty K’s. Neighbor started at the same time and did the exact same. We launched together and loaded out together. He had 4 keeper K’s on a McStick, chasing wind too. 
Surface temp at H ramp when I trailered at 4pm was 55.4 on flat water. 
Good Luck. 



 

 

April is a great time. Most all lodging has boat parking easy to just inquire if they have electricity hookups for battery charges. 

Moonshine Beach by Chateau on the Lake excellent ramp, State Park and Old 86 all fantastic ramps in the dam area. 
April is 2.8” Keitech month Gizzard or Threadfin Shad with a 1/8-1/4 oz ball head. Also a Ned Rig in 1/16 to 1/4 is a killer for Small Jaws. Green Pumpkin and PBJ are lake standbys  Brown and orange also really works great  
Suspending stickbaits will also wack them. Not even close Table Rock Shad in the Megabass Lineup and Blue Bandit in the Spro offerings, are the best colors  
Smallmouth on the Rock love  gravel run outs and transition points going into spawning coves. At the dam don’t be afraid to keep the boat in 25’-35’ of water on these gentle run outs. Water will be 10’ to 20’ of visibility unless it floods. Rain really doesn’t make much difference. It stays clear down there. 
Expect the bite to be in 10’ to 15’’ range. Also use your electronics. If you see suspended fish on your 2D sonar under the boat, BACK OUT. If you have Live Scope or Active Target. You will see them. If you don’t move along. 
I’m sure you’ll get some more tips. 
Good Luck. 




 

Buddy just sent me this picture. Sticker on the White River above the SK bridge. 
Megabass +2 French Pearl. 7.7#. 

Son and I got out about 8 am yesterday. Lake here at Baxter was totally packed with boats even at 33 degree air temp. 
Steven just flat hung it on the Ole Man. Fished till noon.  He had 17 out of the back of the boat and I had 2  yep a Duce.
He was throwing a Megabass plus2 in TRS on 10# test line and I was throwing a Megabass plus 1 in TRS. on 15# line.  
Made a WHALE of a difference as he missed more than I caught. Kid is good with the Jerkbait. He’s fished with Buster and Beck so kind of has an idea how to fish it. 
Fished by myself today starting at 1pm. Fished for 3 hours on mostly flat water and a sky that went to Heaven without a cloud. I chased wind the best I could and caught 4 on Steven’s outfit. All keeps  just big Fatty K’s. Neighbor started at the same time and did the exact same. We launched together and loaded out together. He had 4 keeper K’s on a McStick, chasing wind too. 
Surface temp at H ramp when I trailered at 4pm was 55.4 on flat water. 
Good Luck. 



 

 

All the ramps  are pay unless you have a senior park pass. 
Again, just call the lodging and they will let ya know.