SRV1990

Heading down tomorrow morning and will be there until Sunday. Was wondering if anyone has been in and around the Aunts Creek area (or within a few mile markers) and if so, any information you can share would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Tom

^^^ This is the best advice anyone can give!!!

Bill, what colors do you prefer/use most often in the McStick jerkbait? Or do you think it doesn't matter? Thanks, Tom

Excellent link, thanks! And as a side note, there's a creek listed called "Ants Creek"... anyone know anything about this??? LOL...

My best luck has always come on the single tail, but I usually use the 5". In addition to the darter heads I've also use ball-head jigs with good success. Tom

"shouda been here last week"... Story of my life!

Hey mixer, can you explain a little more what is meant by "mudline"? Are you looking on the shore for rock or dirt to change to mud, or are you focused on areas of water that change from clear (relatively speaking) to muddy? Thanks, Tom

First off I would like to say THANK YOU to all those who post information on here, no matter how detailed or limited, it's very much appreciated. My situation, however, might be like many others: I only fish TRL once a year, for about 4-5 days in the Spring with a group of guys. This year our trip is the first week in April. So while I come to the site often, especially in the month or so leading up to our trip, I really have no information to offer. I do, from time to time, post a reply if I feel I can add a little value to a topic... outside of that, the only time I have information regarding fishing is either during our trip and/or shortly after I return. I love this site and have learned so much about fishing in general, and especially about fishing Table Rock... And again, thank you to all who contribute! Tom

I use Megastrike and J.J.'s Magic. I like the ease of Megasrike, and a little bit goes a long way. And J.J.'s Magic has a super strong scent and seems to take forever to wear off. Similar to what dwiebenga said, I like the idea of appealing to all of the fish's senses... plus, an angler of my skill level needs all the help he can get!

I've used this set-up and like it... But just curious, what knot do you use? I see posts regarding what some others use, so wondering what you (and others) feel is the best. Thanks, Tom

Happy Birthday Sir...!

We did OK Conman, not as good as some of the others who posted here about last week. However, I did land my personal best on this trip, this 4lb 7oz beauty:

I used the Invsi-Braid with fluro leader on two of my reels during my trip last week, and I must say it performed great. Had zero issues with line twist and the Spro swivel I used held tight and never failed. However, I learned that I needed to shorten the leader from the length I started with to keep the swivel from going through the line guides, which unfortunately affected my casts at times... So then my buddy showed me how easy it is to tie the surgeon's knot, so that's what I'll be doing from now on.

You're right Donna, it was downright chilly yesterday, not something I anticipated for the middle of May. The few I caught came on a white spinner bait, including a nice 4lb 7oz largemouth. Will get a couple pics up when I get back home and can download to my PC. Good luck today! Tom

Same here, nothing around point 10 yesterday afternoon/evening. Fished around point 9 this morning, caught one keeper K, a couple 14's and two nice whites. All caught swimming a 5" grub, smoke/silver flake. On the keeper we were in 40' of water on a point, the grub may have been down 20'-30'.

Thanks Conman, we're looking forward to the trip, and Sue and Carl seem like real nice folks. Just curious, what colors worked best in the spinner baits? Most of my arsenal is plastics -- fish doctors, centipedes, finesse worms, tubes, etc, I just don't have a lot of spinner baits. How about the top water bite, anything on the red fin or spooks? Thanks again! Tom

Sounds like it was a good trip Brian. We'll be heading down this Wednesday for about five days, but like you we decided to switch places and are staying at Holiday Hideaway over in Aunts Creek. Even though Techo has insisted there are no fish over there, we are going to try it anyway . Will post some information as time allows. Tom

I'm considering using the braid (Invisi-Braid) to fluoro set-up and have several packs of the Spro Power Swivels (#10 & #8). Seems like it might be a better option than trying to tie line-to-line, at least for me since I'm not as experienced as others with the type of knot needed to tie line-to-line. Any cons with using these swivels for this set-up? Thanks, Tom

Thanks everyone for your feedback, it's much appreciated. I also contacted Sue at Holiday Hideaway and she gave me some good information on conditions, etc. We were there in 2008 when it was high and adjusted our approach and were more cautious while out on the water. Will do the same this year. Thanks again and all the best! Tom PS, thank you too Vernon for starting this thread, and for letting me tag along for the ride ;-)

Vernon, like you my buddies and I make an annual trip to Table Rock, we plan to be there from 5/11 to 5/15. We'll be at Holiday Hideaway in Aunts Creek. And likewise, I would be interested in thoughts anyone would like to share with regard to how conditions will be at that time. It's in no way being insensitive to ask, and I certainly understand that many folks have been impacted in a negative way with all this terrible weather. But I think all those who make their living at the lake (guides, resort owners, etc) would want us to know the truth about what is happening, as well as give us their honest opinion of what is to come. It would only make a bad situation worse if folks cancelled a trip based on false information. Best of luck to all who call Table Rock 'home'. Tom

I would recommend looking into the C.A.S.T for Kids Foundation, volunteers who provide disabled and disadvantaged kids with an opportunity to fish. http://www.castforkids.org/ Tom

That is some great info Bill, as always... Thank You! Now, appreciate very much if you can keep those beautiful green monsters in the same mood for about 4 weeks...!!!

With three kids 11 and under, have to do what they want, at least for the most part

Whew, and I thought it was me... Glad to hear that it's you!

The one in St. Charles didn't have many of the jointed one's available, but plenty of the others.