crwdz7

How was the fishing?

Buddy and I are going to fish a for a bit tomorrow morning. I drove down by cape fair a couple weeks ago and saw the ramp by the marina was usable. Can one still launch there? Are the water conditions fishable in that area? What about Eagle Rock area, any ramps open there? Thanks in advance!

Here I go adding to the KC vs STL discussion and I agree that Oklahoma Joe's is dang good, but Pappy's Smokehouse in STL is very good as well. Hard to say which is better, but hands down both are better than Arthur Bryant's. IMO

When you say creeks, are you referring to being in river arms (White River, Kings, James etc) or are you referring to being in coves with water flowing into them? Such as rock creek or even coves with unnamed tributaries? I only make it to TR to fish a few times a year, but we have done real well out of Eagle Rock the past couple years at this time. All the changing water conditions and lack of topwater bite have me a little concerned that we may be in for a tougher trip this weekend.

I caught a 17" bass out of the brush within sight of our campsite here at Campbell Point about noon today while the wife and son were taking a nap. I saw another one hanging around the bushes near the walkway to the restaurant earlier this morning that probably would have kept.

Well, here is my report from this past saturday when I tried my luck using pointers from my Topwater Pointers thread. Compared to most on here I am a Table Rock rookie, so take it for what it is worth. Put in at Campbell at about 5:30 and headed up the lake. I started out by fishing what I would call a main lake point, about 20' of water with the wind blowing straight at the point. If you look at Bill B's map that is marked with fishing spots for the Campbell Area, I fished the point labled TW on the north side of the lake at Basin Hollow. I guess that is a main lake point? Anyway, no luck there on top with the redfin. I headed straight across to main lake point marked TW at the Mill Creek Cove. No luck there, still on top. Moved east across the cove to that point and broke the ice with a 14" crappie on a salt and pepper Zoom fat albert. I also picked up a short kentucky on the grub casting out towards the main lake. While at this location, I did see three other boats fishing the mouth of the Basin Hollow cove much farther out than I was. Made me wonder what was out there, but there were guys there when I decided to move on. From Mill Creek Cove I headed back towards Cambell along the small bluff on the south side of the lake to the point at the east end of the bluff. Right at the end of that bluff the water went from about 6 feet to 80 feet in a very short distance. I did the best in this location. I parked the boat right at the end of the point and cast parallel to the drop off right into the wind. I caught four shorts in that spot on the grub. I also took RPS's advice and tried the point at the end of campbell bluff and had the best topwater luck albeit not much luck. My buddy managed one on a spook and I had a couple that I momentarily hooked with the redfin. I also tried the flat he refered to and caught one keeper on a finesse worm on a shakey head. I didn't have a scale, but I would say somewhere between two to three pounds. There were fish surfacing here a little as well. I had some takers, but I couldn't hook any. That was my morning. I fished a couple other gravel points to no avail. Overall though I was pleased. I do have a couple of questions to add. I have always heard not to set the hook on a topwater bite until you have actually felt the fish so that is how what I tried to do with the redfin. Is that correct? I completely missed most and had a couple on for a couple seconds, but they all got off. Also, I tried the Zoom fat albert grub in a smoke salt and pepper color on some flat, gravel main lake points to no avail. Any help there? Are these fished fast, slow, stop & go, steady, on the bottom? I guessing all of the above, but I just haven't figured it out yet. Well, I'll be headed back for the full upcoming weekend. Looking forward to seeing other reports until then to help me out. Thanks Guys Cody

WOW, Thanks for the great tips guys. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. However the weather isn't looking real promising this Saturday. Have to wait and see what happens.

Hey Guys, I'm looking for some pointers on this topwater bite. Through reading topics I have figured out the lures I need, some of which I have already, but I see a trip to the sporting goods store is in my near future. Anyway, I may be headed to the rock this Saturday, but I will definitly be camping for the following Saturday and Sunday. Should topwater still be good in a week and a half? I tried this type of fishing on the Rock with limited success this time last year (cool rainy day may have had something to do with this). I will be fishing out of Campbell Point. What areas should I be looking for; bluffs, bluffs with trees, bluff ends, pea gravel, chunk rock, etc.? What depths should I be fishing? I saw a thread talking about 7-14 feet. My fishing background is mainly white bass fishing at Beaver Creek on Bull Shoals as I grew up and white bass fishing on Spring River at Grand for the past 10 years. I have not a bit of problem catch white, and I usually manage a few fish of various species whereever I go, but my Largemouth success has always been limited. I've never caught a largemouth over 4 lbs. Any pointers would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in Advance Cody

Any ideas about Cape Fair campground? I was planning on heading there to camp a week from today.