kyled

Can some of you guys give me some clarity on this bait? I have used it and had some success but just wonder if it could be more effective if I knew more about it. My questions are: Is there a right, wrong, or better time of year than others to throw it?? What type of structure do you focus on when you are fishing it, and is there a depth that seems to be the "wheel house"?? What types of soft plastics do you use (i.e. centipede, worm, senko)????? Thanks in advance for your help!!!!!!!!

Man that is some close weights in the top 4 or 5 boats. I was glad to see on the website, it looks like you do it right with trailer and tanks to take care of the fish.

Thanks so much for the advice and further explanation. Makes sense. I don't think I get far enough in the dock or cover sometimes. Really appreciate it champ.

Man that is an awesome day! Thanks for the report! Can you help me out and give me some tips on what to look for on drop-shot fishing around docks??? Is there a depth to look for or size of dock or bottom structure? That type of fishing sounds like a blast but just have never had any success doing it.

Results for 5-30-12 http://www.headachecare.com/Bass.html

You should post your weekly results on the Table Rock forum. I hope I get a chance to fish one of your tournaments this summer.

very helpful feedback......... I would not ask the question if I was not willing to take the advice given, and it sounds like I need to: 1. Read, study , read some more about the fish I am trying catch and not as much about the baits or new hot lures. 2. Hire a guide. I don't know exactly why I was against it initially, but this many positive opinions about it cant be wrong. I would not hesitate to use a consultant in my day job, but never thought of hiring a guide for my hobby. Kind of funny how that works. So it looks like I need a consultant (guide) for my hobby. Thanks to all of you who took the time to reply and help me out, also thanks for sharing your knowledge. I appreciate how open you guys are about what is working for you.

I would like advice from some of you seasoned anglers. I grew up fishing ponds and creeks. I finally have some time and a boat and would like to become better at just catching fish down on Table Rock. My goal would be to just catch (and release) fish on a consistent basis. I don't need to win any tournaments, and at this point would be perfectly happy if every fish I caught was 14 inches. I would just like to catch more of them. I fish mostly in the James arm. My question is...... If you guys could go back to when you first started, what would you do differently to speed your learning curve up? Is there a technique you would try to learn faster than others? Would you simplify your tackle choices down or throw a little of everything? I keep acquiring more and more tackle and gear and it does not seem to be translating into more fish. I have a decent graph, and comfortable with bait-casters. Any tips would be very appreciated.

This has been good reading. Its seems like MDC or whatever entity manages our wonderful fisheries has a tougher job than what I gave them credit for. Its hard to make everyone happy. I understand the science could lean towards no effect or little effect on bass fishing. However, science and data can be easily aranged to prove a desired point. I think input from guys on here who spend day upon day fishing a lake might have first hand experiance and possibly a better grasp on where TR is in its constantly changing state. The problem with that is opinions are not science. If I wanted to know how the lake has changed over the last decade I would probably put more emphasis on a fisherman who has spent most every day on it over random samples taken by bioligist. Since the goal is to manage the fisheries for public enjoyment and get more people enjoying the outdoors, the fact that Beaver and Bull are so close give me the OPINION that TR should be left alone. If someone wants to striper fish they have the opportunity. If someone has the opinion that stripers are negative on bass and want to fish in a lake without a large population... they have the opportunity.

I put in at Blunks Monday night and saw a few dead suckers with no gig marks and several suckers that just looked really sick swimming up at the surface. I have no idea what is going on with them though.

I know. It makes you wonder. About the time I have made up my mind one way or the other on favorite color, or convinced that color is not as important I will have one of those days where it is real slow and I loose a jighead and tie somthing else on and BAM! It seems to turn on. Who knows if it just coincidental or not. I dont have the many years of experiance some of you guys do and all of your input has been a huge help.

What a great forum, feedback like this is awesome. It is somewhat reinforcing what my thoughts were. Seems like jig head color can make more difference to the fisherman than the fish in most cases. It does make sense about the real cold water and slow presentation though. I have driven myself crazy at times worring about matching jig head and soft plastic colors to look right. As for the red hook........ It does not make much sense for it to help produce more strikes because it is red, when cajun line sells red line and tell anglers that the color red disapears at a certain depth MAN IT'S CONFUSING.

I would like to know what your opinions are about how important jig head color is (chart, white, pink, yellow) in relation to crappie fishing. Does jig head color make that much difference on catch rate or would a person catch as many on plain old lead heads. Again I know it is everyones opinion but would love to hear the feed back as well as a tried and true favorite color if you have one.

Thanks so much Bill and everyone else who added input. I appreciate how open everyone on here is to share knowledge and experience.

Bill, I first want to say thanks for being such an awesome resource to us fisherman who still have a lot to learn. Do you think it makes a difference how you rig your tube (ie tube jighead, weedless, texas rig with worm weight)? Do you have a preference? I have never fished the tube much any advice would be helpful. If anyone else has experience and would be kind enough to share their thoughts it would be appreciated as well.

I put my 14ft with a 9.9 in easy enough. The depth is fine it just has some current which makes loading your boat a little tricky but it can be done. Its pretty shallow going up from there. As always just be careful. I have seen some very large boats put in there in the last week or two.

Throw in some deep fried biscuts and and you nailed it. I personally never mess with cutting the red meat out. Maybe I have never had them done that way but they taste fine to me with the red meat still on them. Andes fish fry mix is about as good as i have found.

It does seem to be much more shallow than I remember in years past. Both above blunks and the riffle below blunks. I have seen some boats put in and go down that i wonder how in the world they are going to get back up (ie bass boats and larger outboards). I have not ventured above Taylor yet this year. I imagine it is as bad or worse.

Does anyone have an idea on how much depth is on the riffle just above the blunks ramp? I know the jet boats wont have any problem with it but was wondering if anyone has had problems getting up it?