mixermarkb

The smallmouth are biting pretty well despite the high water. I fished Monday, Tuesday and today. I found a decent tube bite Monday afternoon, and got onto them pretty good yesterday and today. Boat in 18-24 FOW, flat points, dragging a tube or swimming a grub. Fished with a friend of mine yesterday, and we both had well upwards of 15 smallies, with a couple in the 3 pound class, along with a 24" walleye, and a couple more keeper walleye, with a few nice whites mixed in. Solo today from 9 to 4, 17 smallmouth, 3 short largemouths, a 17" Kentucky, a 19" largemouth, and 5 nice whites. The smallmouth were all on tube or grub, everything else topwater. Be careful running still tho, there are some big trees, and the occasional raft of debris. The lake is clearing up, ranging from a good hard stain around Theodosia, to clear in the white river arm. Good Luck! Mark Burris

I fish Bull Shoals, but have been thinking of trying to get to know my way around TR, just because I'd like to fish a tourney circuit at some point, if I ever get to the point that I have time on the weekends free. When I go to TR, I will be hiring Bill Babler for at least a half day trip. Guides who give good info like this on a forum deserve support, as they truly care about people having a good time on their lakes. Thanks Bill, classy move. Mark Burris

You should be ok, if you use common sense and are careful. I'd make sure the resort has enough walkway to get to their dock, as some of the smaller docks are 50' from shore right now. Im going down on Sunday, and fished the lake in 2008 when it was up, and had no issues. Just watch out for floating limbs and other debris and you should be fine. Mark Burris

Howdy. I keep a boat at Theodosia, and have fished the lake for years. Haven't been down in a few weeks tho, the lake was at 680 and coming up fast when I was down last. There was more debris than ive ever seen in the lake, and didnt even try to launch at theodosia. I drove over to buck creek, and was able to launch and fish clear water with no problems, but still had to watch for floaters. From talking to my friend Brian at the marina, there is still an awful lot of debris between Theodosia and big boy point. I have no guess as to how much will have settled by memorial day, but a slow drop from an expected crest this week would help a lot. The lake is clearing up and in much better shape around point 13 to Pontiac. Going back to 2008, they did have a decent place to launch off the road at the corps park, with trailer parking up on the hill at the boat storage in town. I'm headed down Sunday evening for a few days, and will post back what I find. My gut says you will be ok, if everyone uses common sense. The tubers may have to run 5-10 minutes down the lake to do their thing, but their should be a fun topwater bite for the fisherman, and probably a good smallmouth grub bite downlake. Ill know more on Monday, Mark Burris

I launched in 2008 at Theodosia several times, and just put in off the road at buck creek this week. Also saw rigs at Pontiac in 08, so there are places around. May have to walk a bit to your truck, but it is do-able.