LWW

SKMO, You right, I did launch at Campbell's Point yesterday, but not at the Corps boat ramp. I'd need another boat to get to my car after I launched my boat. The guys at Sports Boats told me about the marina area, and that worked great. I spent half the day playing with the new 2007 HD Navionics card. All I have to say is wow. That card is going to be extremly helpful in identifying many hidden underwater structures. The enhancements from the last card are impressive. I can't wait to spend more time playing with it. Still didn't catch any fish, but that's not the cards fault... needless to say I need to practice in other areas also ! LWW

Unfortunatly I do suspect it might be someone I know. I can't say for sure, but things just don't add up and it appears that they knew what they were coming for. What was most suprising is that they took 5 guns and left 3. One of the three was a high dollar Thompson Omega with the laminated stock and a stainless barrel, beautiful gun. Must have bagged their black powder deer for the year! One of the biggest lessons I learned, is be absolutely certain to record all Serial Numbers, Make, and Models of each and everyone of your firearms or else after they are stolen or lost they become essentially a myth. That's the only information the police can go off of, so if anyone hasn't recorded that information do so before it is too late. One more thing, I was fishing some docks in one of the creeks in Baxter's last weekend and overheard a couple tennants of those docks talking about how they had 3 Stainless Steel props stolen during the last week and they believe there were more incidents on some other docks in the Baxter area. Keep a close eye on things, you just can't trust people these days. Take care all, LWW

Cold mornings and another tough bite. 8 fish total for the whole weekend, 1 keeper LM and several 13-14 inchers. Threw about everything I could think of again but mainly had success on an Eakins 7/16 TX Craw jig. 7 jig fish and 1 War Eagle Blade fish. I attempted to fish the banks and focused in the creeks but kept finding my fish deeper 15-35'relating to timber on points. The bite was typically on the pause, some hit it hard on the fall in the trees. Overall enjoyed my weekend, until I got home. Got home Sunday night to find someone felt obligated to help themselves to my firearms. Stole 3 rifles and 2 shotguns. Really hurts to see things that you work so hard for only to be taken away by some low life. At least the thugs had enough repect to not trash my house and cause even further damage. Be safe all, LWW

I'll have to throw my vote in for April. I've only fished Table Rock on a year round basis for 2yrs now, and no question April has provided the most fish. The rest of the year I really strugle, but April - May have been very good and it seems the fish are more receptive to a variety of techniques. As for spinning reals, I really like my Quantum Catalyst reel. Their mid range in cost $79-$99, but they hold up very well and have given me no troubles.

The pull cord on my 25hp Mercury broke last weekend. I've never had to repair a pull cord on a mower or an outboard. Thought I fish for a few tips before I get in to the repair. Any tips will help. Thanks in advance, LWW

Ham, Table Rock certainly doesn't treat me like one of it's "premier angler's", once again the bite was minimal for me. I caught 3 fish all weekend: 1sm, 1ky, and 1lm. The weekend was beautiful especially with the leaves changing and the great temps, but the blue bird skys, no wind, and post front conditions lock-jawed my fish. I threw everything at them except the kitchen sink, tried every location I could think of, and even worked the boat docks hard which I hate to do because I always end up getting hung up or backlashing all the time. I love this lake and thouroughly enjoy fishing it, but never seem to get the "Premier Fishery" treatment others seem to find here. The only time of the year I can catch fish here is in the Spring! Will keep trying though. I feel a trip with Babler is gonna have to come soon! LWW

I wish I had more advice than questions, but like I said I haven't fished Table Rock since Sept. Forsythian, I'm like you I seem to hold myself back from Drop Shotting because I find it fairly difficult to pinpoint specific fish and simply enjoy power fishing. Although, I know it can be very effective so I'm trying to learn more each time out. I've been eagerly waiting for the Fall patterns to kick in so I can catch some fish on the banks again, and later this winter I'll go back to working the DS rig and other deep techniques. I'll be sure to post my weekend results on Monday. Hope this post-front weather doesn't slow things up too much. Keep it Reel, LWW

1st fishing trip since the BASS Elite Series event. Are the fish and baitfish begining to fill the backs of the creeks yet? How's Mill Creek near Shell Knob fishing? Is anyone finding any fish up on the banks 0-20ft range? Gonna start with my spook, work the PBJ jig on gravel points, and probably bounce the finesse worm down some 45 degree banks. What lake features have been the hottest this week, ie: 1.) Main lake gravel points? 2.) Bluff transitions? 3.) Timbered channel swings? 4.) Backs of creeks? 5.) 45 degree banks? Any comments on the weather Table Rock had this week? Any advice is appreciated. Good Fishing to All, LWW

Dale, If you're gonna be fishing around Shell Knob, I'll have to tell you of the most productful Knob stop I've had lately. I caught 3 Keepers here last weekend at a time when all the pro's were struggling to boat 2-3 fish... it's been pretty consistent needless to say. Location: Right in front of Windsor Bay (next to the island where they shoot fireworks off for Shell Knob) there is a large Gravel flat with a text book channel edge running 25-35' alond side it. You need to graph over the flat directly to the NE of the bay opening and find how the gravel makes some bowls and then out further in the middle of the lake dumps off into the river channel. Ealry in the morning for a short time fish can be found almost anywhere on the flats especially if they're busting topwater, but later throughout the day, I'll run my boat down the channel/flat edge and catch quite a few each time I stop there. Caught most fish there on a 7/16oz Eakins Texas Craw w/ Yum Wtrm/Rd craw pappy trailer or a Zoom Finesse worm usually watermelon candy. The big jig has been bringing in the bigger bites. That and make sure you spend some time graphing all the deep main lake humps north of Pt. 19 on the western side of the lake. I mean way off the banks too, I must have seen at least a dozen or more pros at a time set up on something in that stretch of bank. And they were way off the banks sometimes so don't be shy. Anyhow wish I could be out there reguardless of the weather.. Duties call. Good luck. Let us know how you do. LWW

Seems like I've heard they move back into the creeks and coves chasing the baitfish. Doesn't the Fall have similar fishing patterns as the Spring? I've heard they can be found much shallower and closer to the banks within 10 - 20'. When does the Fall stage begin? Are stageing and transition zones important once again? LWW

Bill I'd like to thank you for all the detailed tournament information you provided this weekend. I myself enjoyed watching these pro's fish our difficult at times, but outstanding fishery this weekend. I was on the water from Friday morning thru Sunday and saw many pro's fishing about every main lake gravel point between Campbell's Pt and Kimberling City. Like Bill said, they all seemed to be relating to the channel ridges associated with these deep main lake points. It was a real eye opener seeing excatly how far off the banks these guys were fishing. It definatly changed my thinking on how I should go about covering these points. I only saw a handful of anglers go beyond Shell Knob. I saw Joe Thomas heading back from past Big M, and I believe I saw Denny Brauer fishing some Bluff ends in the cedars near Carter's Hollow. I also saw Mike Worm and Kevin Worth spending some time in Big Bay on Friday. I also saw Greg Hackney fishing outside of Campbell Pt Marina. I didn't do to bad myself this weekend. On Friday I caught 2 keepers that could have probably gone 4.5lbs. I had quite a few bites on my 7/16oz Eakins Jig (brown/prple) w/ a Yum Craw Pappy in Wtrmln/Red trailer as well as Watermelon Candy Zoom finesse worm. Again finding most the bites on the ridges of the gravel points except I was getting bite around 25'. I also saw a few pros pick off a few fish drop shotting the inside bridge piling of the Shell Knob bridge. Learned alot this weekend. Now it's time to see if I can put it to good use. And by the way, when is this September slump supposed to fade away to the upcoming Fall pattern. I'm usually deer hunting that time of year but plan on some great Table Rock Fall fishing to change things up a bit. Good Fishing, LWW

For anyone that can't make it to the weigh in, but would like to keep up with the tourny. Log on to this link each day at 3:00 to follow the Bassmaster Real Time Leaderboard. It will post the weight of each Angler as they come accross the stage as well as provide alot of other notables. http://espn.winnercomm.com/lb/632/default.asp www.bassmaster.com provides alot of other coverage that might be of interest as well. Enjoy! I can't wait to see the action Live!

Here's my best guess to how things may shake out.. I know Ike is not the common man's favorite, but that guy can fish and he has held the AOY lead all year and I'd hate to see him lose it now. So I will be pulling for Ike. That said here's my top 3... 1.) Aaron Martins (63lbs 4 day total) 2.) Brent Chapman (59lb 4 day total) 3.) KVD ( 57lb 4 day total) I think Ike, Skeet Reese, and Hackney might also be fishing on Sunday. Wouldn't be suprised to see Kennedy and Snowden make it through some of the cuts. Anyone's ball game. Should be interesting!

As always the information on this forum is priceless thanks to Bill, Lilley, and many others. Except sometimes it can also be frustrating if you don't really understand how to execute it. Which leads me to my questions. I've been trying to put Bill's advice to work all summer, but realize I'm not clear on a few fundamental things. First, I do have a Fishing Hot Spots Map and a solid electronic map for my Lowrance finder. But still I'm finding I have trouble putting myself on top of the "Main Lake Humps or Points". Can someone please clarify some of the characteristics I should recognize when I feel I have found a good Main Lake Hump or point on my fishfinder and how to recognize where to start fishing some of these vast structures? 2nd, I'm pretty new to drop shotting and keep finding it a struggle to keep my bait presented in the depth and location I know I want to be. With drop shotting is it common to drift around trying to fish at a particular depth, or is it a better strategy to anchor /tie up to focus on working specific structure? I tend to think of drop shotting as a vertical presentation and in reality my line and bait want to stay vertical for about as long as I can stand to go to the mall with my girlfriend! Any advice will be put to good use this weekend. I also am looking forward to seeing where and how these BASS guys go to work this week. Hope to see some of you guys at the weigh-ins. LWW

You asked, so I will tell what I know. Very few bites. Atleast that's what my buddy and I found last weekend. We zeroed on Sat. and caught 6 on Sunday. I believe I am right in the middle of the longest slump I've ever had at Table Rock. I'm about to put in a prayer request to Tom J. I have caught some fish the past few months, but I haven't seen a 15in keeper since the spring. About to get concerned!!! We did find some decent topwater bites early NW of Devil's Backbone off the 1st channel swing heading into Rock Creek. Also had a few jig bites up the white near the AR/MO border. And for what it's worth, not sure where you're launching from, but I wouldn't fish anywhere east of the James River. The boat traffic Saturday was almost absurd. A matter of fact it was downright dangerous. These Rental Benders out there in the rental boats have no idea how to pull a tuber much less drive a boat. I'll stick to the quiet and peaceful side of the upper White. Plus it seemed like the water was a little more stained up the white which can't hurt anything. Good Luck. LWW

Thanks for bringing me up to speed Bill. Looks like the lake is getting lower and lower each day (912.0 today). Is this having any effect on the fish? Thanks again. LWW

It's been since the 4th of July since I've been able to fish at the Rock. My buddy and I plan on coming up this weekend and I'm not sure where to start looking to find these dog days of summer fish. I'll be roaming the Eagle Rock/Shell Knob/Baxter's areas and would appreciate any general tips (times, locals, depths, techniques, etc.) to help find any fish. Thanks in advance for any help. LWW

That's a bold statement better than crappie! I'll have to give it a shot. Can't see it being better than crappie though... makes me hungry just typing the word crappie. LWW

I've had a bunch of fish frys, but never any blue gill fry's. Aren't they somewhat bony. I always thought I would spend more time pickin at em then eating them. What's the best way to prepare a mess of blue gills?

Flipper, Eagle is made by Lowrance and are alot of times close to the excact same unit, just not the big name and the high price. I live here in Tulsa where Lowrance (LEI) is, and I have a friend who works at Lowrance who vouches for all that. He actually just got me an LMS 332C for a great price, and was very informative about all their units. Last year he lined me out with the Eagle Fish Elite 480, which now as I am playing with the LMS 332C, the menus are almost excactly the same with the only difference's in screen resolution, the colorline feature, and a stronger transducer. The Fish Elite 480 (retail $349) is in my mind one of the best units out there for the price. It lacks nothing in GPS features, a quality sonar(200khz with 1500watts for graphs up to 800ft, plenty deep for any freshwater lakes), and a finely detailed 5in LCD display. Go to Cabela's website and compare the Lowrance LMS 480 and the Eagle Fish Elite 480, and you will see the excact same unit only difference you'll find is the $150 price gap for a 4000watt peak to peak power with depth capabilities to up to 2500 feet (who fishes that deep anyhow). Only downfall I've found is that it is not "LowrnceNet" compatible which means I can't share information between units which is about to become very popular. Coming from an insider at Lowrance, if money is an issue, he says to check out the Eagle's very closely. Of course there wiil be features the Lowrance units have that Eagles don't... but for your money your getting the functions of the big name. Good Fishin to all.. LWW

I'm surprised I haven't seen one comment about the Sooner Run tournament we had at Grand Lake last week. All I can say is wow! I haven't seen any one angler completly dominate a tournament like that in a long time, or better yet ever! Plus, He just completly owned that lake. He caught his fish at will and really took advantage of his experience at Grand. We all know just cause you fished somewhere doesn't make you an expert. But in McClelland's case he really whacked em. I am also pleased to hear such favorable comments about the lake itself and better yet the courtious spectators. Nice showing for Grand. Maybe we can top it at The Rock this fall, will be tough though! LWW

Bill, Can you tell me why you turn the "Grayline" all the way up to the max. It seems to just wash out the picture to me. And also that wouldn't be any different in your opinion to turning the "Colorline" up on the color graphs would it? I really appreciate your tips on fishing with these units. This weekend I am installing an LMS 332C in my console and moving my Eagle Fish Elite 480 to the to the bow. The fish better watch out! Also, Bill I really like your B&B. Steve Parot built that for you didn't he. He built our cabin in Shell Knob. Over Memorial day I overheard my dad recommending you to some new Table Rock visitors, and I asked him how he knew you? He told me he met you when you came by our cabin in Shell Knob to see some of the work Steve was doing. I then told him how much you have helped me in learning how to fish this lake, which indirectly led to his 6lb 10oz big boy the weekend before. Small world. Thanks for everything Bill! LWW

Conman, That is the excact bait I was using (Shad Pattern). Last Sunday was the first time I ever fished with it or with a swim bait for that matter, but your right it does not have a bill and does suspend when you stop cranking. It does narturally dive about 3-5 feet when simply slow crank it back to the boat. Sometimes I would give a few a quick jerks right off the bat that I felt lowered its starting depth which then gave me an extra foot or two once I started reeling. There was one spot just north of Big "M" Marina were there is a large flat gravel area with the regular 5-25 foot terrain but at the southern end of the flat the channel curved by and made a 35-70ft deep ledge. I'm not sure at what depth the fish were actually suspending but it felt like they were coming from pretty deep and drilling the bait. Point is they were picking up on it on the flats and even out in open water. I even picked off a few fish suspending around the bridge pilings on the Shell Knob bridge. Which by the way as I was waiting for the trailer to get to the ramp I caught a "little" fish and was fighting him back in, when the biggest fish I've ever seen came up and tried to take the bait right out of the little fish's mouth knocking him free and moving on. Wish I had more experience with it to tell you more, but I'd definatly recommend for you to experiment yourself. They do make some of the baits with weighted heads that will let you work the real deep stuff but I haven't gone there yet. Keep you posted if I do. Here's the first fish the swim bait gave my dad (6lbs 10oz): Good Luck! LWW

My basic pattern was to fish any visible gravel bank I could find as I boated around the lake. From there I would simply fish the flat structureless and coverless gravel banks that gently sloped out to deeper water (usually a 10-20ft depth range). I was always looking for the area were say a 10ft gravel flat dipped down to a 15ft gravel flat. Sometimes the depth change was only a foot or two but the fish seemed to relate to that depth change. I would also look for any gravel points and focused again on the ledges associated with the gravel. Not much structure or cover though. From what Bill is saying about the temperature change, this pattern may dwindle away fast. I'll still be looking for the fish to be schooling up baitfish on these flats early in the morning for a topwater bite. One other thing, I caught a nice smallmouth and when I got him in the boat he spit up a 3in crawdad that was black and had red specks on his tail and back. Looked just like a zoom speed craw. Might want to run a small crawdad bait along the gravel also.

Last weekend the bite was real good around Shell Knob all the way up to Eagle Rock. First the topwater bite with a spook or red fin was pretty active on the shallow gravel flats and points where the bass were feeding on the baitfish near the banks. They moved out deep rather quickly, but first thing in the morning the shallow bite was more active. Sunday I found a bite that was on fire all over the lake. My dad started throwing a 3" storm swimmin shad (the new one that suspends and rattles and has the trebble hook dangling from the belly). His first bite of the day was a 6lb 10oz toad. Later he went to church and I stayed out throwing the swimming shad on all the gravel banks I'd been running the last few weekends. 20 fish later, I was convinced the swim bait was for real. I worked it mostly like a crankbait with a steady retrieve sometimes pausing or twitching it every now and then. I got bites from Largemouths, Spots, Smallmouth, and Crappie. It was super hot bite and a real pleasure to fish because I didn't have to concentrate so hard on picking up the bite from the bottom of the lake. Other than the swim bait, I found many bites slowly draging a watermelon candy finesse worm or a watermelon candy centipede split shot rig across the gravel keeping bottom contact at all times. If you can let your bait sit there for 5-15 seconds after you shake it or drag it a bit, the fish can't stand it and you'll feel the bite mostly in 10 -20 feet of water. I'd definatly try the swim bait if you get a chance, it's a great lookin bait. Good fishin to all, LWW