focused fishing

It is what it is boys, we all discuss rates and for the most part the Licensed and Insured guides will have identical or very similar rates....... Just like most auto mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, realtors, lawyers, doctors, etc........ Of course if you want to hire a cheaper guide you'll get what you pay for, kinda like using a surgeon from Costa Rica, sure he may know how to hold the knife but is the apendix on the right or left side?????? As a side note we all also share information on where, what and when to put our clients on fish as well, but I guess we should stop having these discussions or the Anti-trust Lawyers will file suit.....

Whack'em, I feel your pain on the ski boats / jet skis / cruiser situation. Was guiding on Sat. morning, on a point up the James when a wakeboard boat (big chrome tower, loud music and graphics on the side) drug his wake boarder within 20' of my boat. My clients, a couple of great guys from OK, started yelling at the 40 something guy running the boat when they made their second pass. He shut down within talking distance and my client proceeded to have it out with the guy and the guy's little kids (under 10). Not wanting to make a bad situation worse I told the guys we'd move and go fish somewhere else, about that time johnny wakeboard dropped a couple of "F-Bombs" my way and told me he was on vacation and not going to let some "F-ing" fishermen ruin his day. I looked over at him, his wife and two little kids plus the one at the end of the rope and told him he didn't need my help, he was doing enough to ruin his own vacation. About this time the guy fired up the boat and started pulling his boy down the lake and ran smack into a big floating stump and bent his prop. I love instant Karma

Sorry about that, unfortunately Baseball is the priority. The show was on at 4:30 instead, they didn't let us know until that afternoon......

Kimberling City Area: The bite has slowed a little on points through out the lake, several fish can still be caught on main lake and secondary points if you fish them slow enough. The increase in water temperature has sent good numbers of fish to the bank to spawn and about 50% of the fish being caught on points appear to be post spawn. The fish on points are coming on a couple of presentations; split shot and Carolina rigged lizards, fries and fish doctors in green pumpkin or watermelon are have been effective as have Jewel 5/16 oz. spider jigs in green pumpkin / green flash with Chompers jig trailers. Fish either of these presentations as slow as you can stand, if you think you are moving the bait slow enough, slow down. In the bushes weightless Senkos and floating worms are taking cruising fish, it can be difficult to cast in the brush but it is worth it. James River: The fish up the James River appear to be much further along in the spawn than in the mid lake area; several fish locked on beds that can be caught if that’s your “cup of tea”. Most of the fish on the beds are smaller males, not big females, the females are holding close by but are not on the nest. To target the larger fish switch up to Carolina rigged lizards, fries and brush hogs, work points close to spawning coves from 15’ – 25’ with a C-rig or Split shot rig, it is important to note that you cannot work the bait slow enough. Early and late there is a great topwater bite getting started; spooks, sammys and red fins are all producing some very good fish, you will not get a lot of bites but the fish are pretty choice. White River: The bite up the White and Kings Rivers continues to improve. Just like the rest of the lake several fish have moved to the banks to spawn with males locked on nests through out the Shell Knob to Big M area. Larger females are being caught on Chompers Ultra Tubes, Carolina or split shot rigged fries and lizards or Jewel Spider jigs. Colors are pretty simple; green pumpkin, pumpkin seed, and just about anything in the watermelon family of colors. In the Kings River the spawn is as strong as anywhere on the lake; just about every cove has fish locked on beds. Also the topwater bite is much better up the Kings; several post spawn fish can be caught on spooks, sammys and red fins, key on points in the mouths of spawning pockets and coves early and late in the day. Dam / Branson Area: The fish in the dam area are always the last to spawn on the lake. Several fish have made the move to the shallows this past week and a third of the fish being caught on points are post spawn. Post spawn fish can be caught on tubes, Jewel spider jigs and Carolina or split shot rigged lizards, fries or baby brush hogs are all effective when fished extremely slowly. Much like the mid lake area fish can be caught out of the bushes right now, weightless Senkos and floating worms are working for cruising fish and tubes and jigs are working for fish locked on beds. 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

Sewage & pollutants in Table Rock? With an overmatched sewage plant in Ozark, hundreds of chicken farms up the White, Kings and Flat Creek, thousands of unmaintanied septic tanks through out the area. Naw, there ain't no pollution in Table Rock all this fresh water washed it out, jump in the water's fine.......

Kimberling City Area: The bite has changed a little in the last week but for the most part it has gotten better. While there are still fish to be caught in the shallow flooded timber the best bite is out away from the bank. The fish are staging in a big way for the spawn and as soon as the water warms there will be a mad rush to the bank to spawn. The best bite over all has been on a 4” Chompers single tail grub in smoke / pepper or salt and pepper rigged on a ¼ oz. jig head. Look for the fish to be holding from the old bank line out to 30’ feeding on shad and crawfish. Day to day the fish will change the depth they are holding at in that range, one day they will be on the bottom the next they will be suspended less than five feet deep, pay attention to your electronics and vary the depth you are retrieving your bait until you find the fish. James River: The bite up the James has been very good this week as well, several fish have already moved to the beds in the warmer water. While it is not a full on assault of the bank, there are enough fish up making beds that it won’t take long before they lock on and actually spawn. The best bite has been off of the beds on a combination of a Carolina rigged lizard or brush hog and a Jewel Football Jig. Look for long tapering pea gravel and mixed gravel rock points near the mouths of spawning coves and pockets to hold the most fish and work either presentations from 15’ – 25’ deep. Color selection is pretty standard Table Rock fare; brown / purple flash or PB&J on the jig and green pumpkin with some sort of flake (red, blue, purple, etc..) on the lizard and brush hog. White River: The White River really turned around this week, the bite has been a little slower than the rest of the lake but this week it turned around. The grub bite has picked up following the same presentation as the Kimberling area, the jig and Carolina rig bite is working well on the mouths of spawning pockets as well and up the Kings River there has been a resurgent spinnerbait bite. Chompers McCutchen spinnerbaits work parallel to large logs and other debris in shallow spawning pockets has produced some very nice fish over the past week. These fish appear to be large females that are holding tight to the wood cover waiting to move in and spawn. Dam / Branson Area: Despite the cold front the bite at the dam area has changed little, still several fish being caught on Chompers single tail grubs and the shaky head and split shot rig bites are coming into their own. Just like the rest of the lake the grub bite is in and around spawning coves, the fish on the lower end have not begun their spawn yet but they are grouped up and poised to move shallow en mass. Pay attention to the depth the shad are holding in around the dam, it will give you a very good idea where the fish will be holding. The shaky head and split shot bites are not as dependable as the grub bite but the quality of fish seems to be much more consistent. Fish either presentation in the same area as the grub on the bottom from 15’ – 30’ deep. Best baits have been green pumpkin fish doctors and french fries on the split shot and finesse worms and Senkos on the shaky head. 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

Just like Don I leave the bail open and count the bait down on controlled slack (keep the rod tip high). I want the bait to fall as close to vertical as possible. I don't use any scent on my grubs either, most of what I use has either salt or salt / garlic in the bag. Right now electronics are helpful but not critical. If the graph you are using will show schools of bait fish your have a great starting point as to how deep the fish will be suspended. EP

getfished, To increase your odds of catching a larger fish you will need to target largemouth. While Table Rock has a significant population of Smallmouth and Kentucky over the 4lb. mark, you can consider yoursef lucky to catch one a trip & 6 pound fish are fish of a lifetime. This is why most tournaments on TR are won on Largemouth, not smallies or KY's. To target largemouth prepare yourself for fewer bites in shallow water. Head up one of the dirtier tributaries (James, Kings or Long Creek) focus on shallow wood cover and alternate pitching a jig and a weightless senko (rigged straight or wacky). The bite will not be as strong but you will catch several fish and your odds of catching a 4# - 6# class fish is are greatly improved. Oh, and to answer your question, no I NEVER GET TIRED of catching 2.5# - 3.5# fish. Hope this helps, EP

just don't land in the lumberyard....... na na na na naaa

Dang Crappie, You seem a bit too sensitive....... Anyway, had a similar deal on trip yesterday, a couple of guys pre-fishing for the pro-am ran in cut infront of us on a point we were working toward, fished the heck out of the trees the bushes everything. A couple of minutes later we got on the point and the young lady in my boat caught a 3# KY right behind their boat. As she held it up for a picture she yelled over "hey fellas, ya missed one!". Priceless.......

rps, Good luck and enjoy the day, don't over think it just fish.

Kimberling City Area: The bite has changed a little in the last week but for the most part it has gotten better. While there are still fish to be caught in the shallow flooded timber the best bite is out away from the bank. The fish are staging in a big way for the spawn and as soon as the water warms there will be a mad rush to the bank to spawn. The best bite over all has been on a 4” Chompers single tail grub in smoke / pepper or salt and pepper rigged on a ¼ oz. jig head. Look for the fish to be holding from the old bank line out to 30’ feeding on shad and crawfish. Day to day the fish will change the depth they are holding at in that range, one day they will be on the bottom the next they will be suspended less than five feet deep, pay attention to your electronics and vary the depth you are retrieving your bait until you find the fish. James River: The bite up the James has been very good this week as well, several fish have already moved to the beds in the warmer water. While it is not a full on assault of the bank, there are enough fish up making beds that it won’t take long before they lock on and actually spawn. The best bite has been off of the beds on a combination of a Carolina rigged lizard or brush hog and a Jewel Football Jig. Look for long tapering pea gravel and mixed gravel rock points near the mouths of spawning coves and pockets to hold the most fish and work either presentations from 15’ – 25’ deep. Color selection is pretty standard Table Rock fare; brown / purple flash or PB&J on the jig and green pumpkin with some sort of flake (red, blue, purple, etc..) on the lizard and brush hog. White River: The White River really turned around this week, the bite has been a little slower than the rest of the lake but this week it turned around. The grub bite has picked up following the same presentation as the Kimberling area, the jig and Carolina rig bite is working well on the mouths of spawning pockets as well and up the Kings River there has been a resurgent spinnerbait bite. Chompers McCutchen spinnerbaits work parallel to large logs and other debris in shallow spawning pockets has produced some very nice fish over the past week. These fish appear to be large females that are holding tight to the wood cover waiting to move in and spawn. Dam / Branson Area: Despite the cold front the bite at the dam area has changed little, still several fish being caught on Chompers single tail grubs and the shaky head and split shot rig bites are coming into their own. Just like the rest of the lake the grub bite is in and around spawning coves, the fish on the lower end have not begun their spawn yet but they are grouped up and poised to move shallow en mass. Pay attention to the depth the shad are holding in around the dam, it will give you a very good idea where the fish will be holding. The shaky head and split shot bites are not as dependable as the grub bite but the quality of fish seems to be much more consistent. Fish either presentation in the same area as the grub on the bottom from 15’ – 30’ deep. Best baits have been green pumpkin fish doctors and french fries on the split shot and finesse worms and Senkos on the shaky head. 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

S&M, Good point, alot of manufactures are looking at live well design; Ranger livewells are insulated, Nitro has come up with a baffle system to help cool the water and so on. Refrigeration and oxygen infusion has made a big difference. The problem arrises when I pull my fish out of the cool, highly oxygenated water of my live well, put them in a bag, dunk them in air temperature water, weigh them in and then send them down an 8" PVC pipe into the lake. Release boats use cooled water with oxygen and additives to rebuild the fishes' slime coat. Plus most release boat opperators actually care about returning the fish alive and good condition to the lake. No matter how much a tournament angler cares for his catch if the tournament opperator doesn't do his job the fishery still suffers. Great idea though every little bit helps. EP

KC, Sounds good, this board is by far the best on the web as far people sharing "real" info. See Ya, EP

Procraft, Good idea but I don't think it would ever happen. Chamber, CVB and the rest at all of the tournament lakes in MO depend on the income (tax dollars) generated by tournament anglers when they come to town. Besides it is not just a Table Rock issue, BFL did the same thing at LOZ, Truman and every other pond in Missouri they visit. I'm not a fan of regulation either but something needs to be done to protect our fisheries in Missouri, they might as well fillet half of the fish they weigh-in at this rate. It will only get worse as the water temperatures rise and the fish are stressed. I don't have the answer but it was suggested that Minnesota has a very effective law (wildlife code) requiring tournaments over a certain size to have a release boat, it's the best idea I've heard so far. If anyone else has any suggestions I'm all ears. Thanks, EP

Procraft, IF, we are able to get something done it would need to target the larger tournaments like BFL, BASS W/E and others not using release boats. Most of our Pro-Ams and regional circuits already use release boats but the concern is when a tournament comes to town with the potential for 50+ limits and does nothing to care or the fishery. Club and company tournaments would be exempt if they don't break that 50+ limit market, if they do they should be treated as any other tournament. If you think about it at 50 limits you are talking about handling and care of 100 fish and dropping them into the lake or down a tube is unacceptable. I don't have the answers but I know that the way fish are being handled by BFL and others will not work. I can only imaginge the delayed mortality from these events, especially in the summer months, is stagering. EP

We had a similar day on Saturday, Tim Paige, Mike Webb and I had over 100 fish with 40 + keepers on the same patterns. It's finally starting to break loose.

Techo, I love the dead body line..... Yea the water patrol issues the regatta permits but they are so overworked chasing "lake lice", uh.... jet skis that they could never enforce it. I think it needs to be a conservation dept. wildlife code, not necessarily a law. But then again they don't exactly have enough agents to do the job either. I think f there was enough outcry something could be done, but I just don't know where to start.

KC, Great area of the lake, directly across from Cow Creek good fishing year round. Of course the summer boat traffic is a nightmare....... Get out early or late and beat the big boat running, compensating for something, my boats bigger than yours boat owners or pray for rain. On second thought, don't pray for rain, we're good. EP

Gary, The ramp at Indian Point is completely under water, you may be able to launch from the parking lot if the barriers have been taken down. Not much parking and alot of cables and stuff to look out for, best bet is to bite the bullet and drive to State Park, the ramp is open with courtesy docks in place. EP

KC, Now: 8# fluorocarbon for swimming a grub, split shot and shaky head 15# Fluoro for football Jig, Flippin Jig, Carolina Rig and spinnerbait Usually: 6# - 8# for grub, shaky, split shot, drop shot etc.. 12# flouro for football, flippin, C-rig and spinnerbait. 8# mono for wiggle wart 15# mono for squarebill That's all I can think of right now..... EP

Techo, I know, BFL (FLW) is the largest tournament organization in the US and they only have 5 release boats. It's freking ridiculous. Kory and I have talked more off air about the situation and have thought about floating an idea out there: What if Missouri pass a new law / code requiring a catch and release boat for every tournament with the potential of 30 or more limits? We would want to base it on limits not boats because Pro-Ams have the potential of two limits per boat. I am not infavor of more legislation but in this case I think we need to do something to protect our fisheries. Minnisota has a similar law and it has been very effective. Let me know you thoughts. EP

Thanks S&M, Glad you like the show, it is on every Monday at 5:30 PM and rebroadcast on Sat. at 5:00 AM. It's is also available on the internet as streaming audio every Tuesday Morning at: Tournament Fishing Radio Link Wish the AM signal was a little stronger but not much we can do about that. Thanks Again! EP

Hey Don, Thanks for listening, should be some interesting info re. the lake levels and how the Corps plans on handling the lake over the next couple of months. Your right. I forgot to mention that if you catch a couple of fish on a point you need to stay put for a while. We hit several points yesterday but only had three that produced, of course those three produce 10 - 15 fish each with 4 - 5 keepers per point. The other points didn't even produce a bite. Thanks, EP

Hey Guys, We have Greg Oller the manager of Table Rock Lake for the Corp on Tournament Fishing Radio this afternoon. The show will air from 5:30 - 6:30 on ESPN 1400 in Springfield, we should get some very good up to date info on Table Rock and Taneycomo levels , releases, etc..... If you can't hear the show on the radio it will be up tommorrow morning on-line at: Tournament Fishing Radio Thanks, EP