Bill Babler

Anytime I have the opportunity to talk Becky into going fishing, I take it. Got a call from SKMO saying the crappie were on the banks in the Kings River and that the white were chasing late in the day. Must have been a conference call as I have never seen the like of fisherman. Roared into the ramp at viola at about 3pm and couldn't believe my eyes. The lot was over flowing and rigs were parked up the entrance road. I counted over 90 outfits. Went ahead and lanched the fish catcher with the thought that i may have spent my time better painting the porch. Headed up the river past the Sweetwater ranp and Becky commented, what are all those trucks up in the woods? Told her they were fisherman that had parked after lanching at the ramp. Between 40 and 50 rigs their. I have never in the last 20 years seen over 5 cars at that lot. I have a little spawning bank up the Kings I like to fish and headed that way. I have never seen another fisherman on that spot, basiclly because it looks like it would never hold a fish. Completely flat gravel. 31 boats were on the bank. I had 66 boats in view from the ski bouys thru Deer Bluff, training the banks, it didn't matter weather they were on flat gravel or complete bluff. Stopped between two docks to fish and had two other fisherman pull into the same cut, both were within 10 ft. of my boat. There is a small deep cove with a nice spawning flat up above Royal Point, that I like, there were 16 boats in the cove and everyone could have casted into the next boat. Spoke to about 15 fisherman on these spots and none had more than 4 fish, and most had been out all day. Just flat to much prussure. I will not go back to the Kings River again this year. This was my last outing for crappie. Spoke to Buster and he said Long Creek and Cricket were absolutely swamped with crappie fisherman and they would not hesitate to pull in front of you to hit any kind of bank. He said he had 25 nice keepers on his guide trip, but all the traffic made it about as unpleasant as it gets. I have guided and fished Missouri and Arkansas now for almost my entire life and have never at anytime seen this ammount of boating traffic. I was on the Mo. State Water Patrol for 5 yrs. and can't remember traffic being like this even on holiday weekends. This is the middle of the week. Good luck to you guys, I'm going back to Taney, and never complaining about the boats again.

After the schlacking I took yesterday by SKMO, I needed the front of the boat with a full schedule of Table Rock Guide work this coming week. Put in at 86 about 10;30 after helping serve breakfast at the lodge. Was only going to fish until about 2 and then check out the Masters. Noticed immediatly that the surface temp had dropped a bunch from yesterday.51.8 today and that put me back on the stick. Caught two quick smallies just across from the ramp and then went to the main lake. Lots of wind and surf in the Clevenger Branch area and fished the War Eagle for about 1 hr. Caught 3 shorts, 2 smallies and 1 KY. Bite kind of died by noon, so went back to the stick and my first cast caught a really nice keeper smallie. Contimued to throw it on chunk gravel 45 degree type banks with wind, mostly the East side of the lake. Picked up another really nice keeper smallie and a 17 inch KY. It was about time to go in and I stopped on 86 point and give the stick a whirl into a 30mph wind, it went about 30 ft. but decided to work it anyway. Check out the pic. This is the biggest KY I have ever caught. I know people have caught lots larger, and many claim 5 to 7 lb. fish, but this if my biggest. 20 1/8 inches long 4lb.14oz. I have caught thousands and thousands and have seen that many caught, and have only seen 1 bigger in person. It was caught off the island in front of Big Cedar on a crawler during a guide trip. 5lb 6 oz. This fish had the largest extended stomach I have ever seen. It was completely full of eggs and threadfin shad. It was spitting shad as it came to the boat and spit shad all over the deck. Was done and on the trailer by 1;30, not a bad morning after my fishing lesson yesterday. I thank the teacher, and wish he would have been there for the big KY.

Way to kind on the fishing report. While I was giving myself a backache with the stickbait, SKMO was boating fish after fish on the War Eagle. I feel if we would have had a net, my time would have been served better. Instead, I was a whitness to proper spinnerbait presentation. When you get in a grove like that you just have to ride it. I assure you I will make a come back. Maby.

For crappie, try the following locations, and I am sure you will have good results. Basin Hollow: Go to the back of the left fork and work your way out thru the pole timber on both sides of the hollow. Fish a swimming minnow or tube jig. If they are in close a jig and float may also work. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL BOATING IN AND AROUND BASIN HOLLOW LOTS OF ROCKS AND TREES. Mill Creek: right across the lake. Go back in both arms and work your way out thru the same timbered locations. Hobbs Hollow, Try both arms, I know Dan Langley was catching crappie near the mouth from the cedars using a swimming minnow just on the outside of the trees. Take lots of baits as you will lose them playing around these trees. Bait colors that tend to work best are white, blue, chartruse, and white pink blends on maribou jigs. SKMO, should be frothing the waters in that area for bass, and I'm sure he will be able to give you some great tips, later in the week. Probably should stick to the crappie as most of the bass will probably be suffering from oral surgery and respiratory problems from being jerked from the water by SKMO and his guest this week.

Don't let sleeping beauty know how much fluorocarborn was on that reel, or she'll have you super gluing the pieces back together. That would definatly make a dent in you $300.00 worth of fishing equipment. I thought I would die. Becky dosen't even ask amymore. Of course I have a legit excuse. HA HA

If you uncle caught 2 over 6lbs. you had better be asking him! Please review the current posts by our professional and local anglers and all your questions will be answered. Also please check out our pinned topics Thank you for coming to the fourm

Maby you should Mount the backlash. I have 2 Chronarchs that I just retired because of the quality of the lashes in them. I knew I probably could never get a better one. Great day. Glad what we spoke of worked. Seldom does on those type of tips, but I think they will bite anything right now. Jerk, Spin, Drag, Crank, Top. Thats the way we like it Excellent Report.

Hugh and Hugh Mellans of Chicago visited out little piece of heaven on Friday wanting to give both the trout and bass a fling. The great part about this is Hugh Sr. is 97 years young. We started on the trout. Both Jr. and Sr. have fished the world over and Sr. at 97 had no problem seeing and reacting to his strike indicator in the restricted area of upper taney. He had 4 fish in the boat before I could even get Jr's fly line soaked. Lots of trout in the Andy section of the lake. Most coming on that stinky micro. Saved enough for Becky to prepare them for breakfast for the guys. Hard to beat rainbow for breakfast. At noon, we switched to the rock, lanching at old 86. I haven't fished this area a whole lot as Shell Knob has been so hot I have been trailering up there. Was suprised to find water in the 55 degree range. Jr. had been on the fourm, reading about stickbaiting, and wanted to give it a try. I knew Sr. would have trouble with the stick and tied on a grey 4 inch. chomper single tail for him to swim. Went looking for gravel and wind and when I set them up, I started with Sr. See results of his 3rd. cast with the grub. We fished about a 1/4 mile stretch of gravel in the Clevenger Creek area for 3 hrs. and caught and released 2 smallies,6 Ky's and 1 5lb. channel cat. This was middle of the day. All the fish were at least 15 inches and that dosen't happen often. T. Paige had told me he also had a really nice number of keeper fish in the same general area on sticks earlier in the day. Guys, I have to admit to ya, when Sr. caught his second nice Ky on that grub, this old crusty guide had a hard time chocking them back. Jr. never did quite get on the stick, as he tended to move it a little too quickly but man it was great watching his dad catch those fish. This a absolutely the reason I'm out there and this was my second 97 year old in the last year. No matter what it takes or what work is involved it is the most worthwile feeling I have as a guide. These fish are biting, LOOK FOR THE WIND.

Guys, hope everyone is enjoying all the up to date info on Table Rock Lake. There has never been more comprehensive, and seasonal up to date information published on the rock. Locals that are out there several days a week are contributing with clarity and absolute fantastic up to the day information. More info. than I can even believe on hard to find locations and baits. Please to keep cluter down and keep topics fresh, if you are a new comer to the fourm look and browse the topics already in play and the archives before asking for further information. Plese don't repeat your questions in every species catagory. IF Don or SKMO has a current topic dated the day before you are coming or even several, you can bet the patterns have remained the same. To ask for Table Rock reports the next day after a post is probably pretty much a waste of time on our part. If something new comes up, the way this fantastic fourm is working, you will hear about it quickly. Plese enjoy the fourm, and we'll keep that info. coming from guides and seasoned fisherman that are on the water everyday. Thanks a million, we love having you.

Guys, Buster and Paige hit it pretty hard in the Dam to Kimberling area the last couple of days. They both did have nice quality keepers but both reported the bite was a lot more active from Pt. 16 up the White. Get a nasty day with some rain a little wind, not a gale and the smalljaws will kick it in, in that dam area. Lots of males getting active up the White and that accounts for good numbers of fun fish. won't win you a tournament but their girl friend will if you are in the right place at the right bite. It.s just starting to kickin.

Talked to SKMO by phone, he is having internet problems, but will soon be back online. I don't believe he has had time to fish much up the White, but believe he intends to hit her hard next week. Please refer to my posts up to Campbell Pt. and just continue on with the same pattern. It should hold to about roaring river.

Kind of a general lake bass report for March 30th. Reports by Tim Paige Ozark Mountain Guide Service, Buster Loving, Buster's Guide Service and Little ole me. Big Cedar to Kimberling area, water temp in the 47 to 49 degree range. Nice spotted bass starting on swimming minnows and grubs swam on 3/16 or 1/4 oz jib heads off the main lake and secondary points. Use 6lb. line, put the boat in about 20 to 24 ft. of water and work the windy banks, following the contour of the bottom as you swim the grub slowley back to the boat. Seconday flat and gravel points in the same region use sitckbaits in Table Rock Shad, and Purple and Chartruse. Have the bait slightly sinking and impart just enough movement on the bait to make it flash. We will also clasify this as the dam area and fish are also being taken in some of the main lake coves on a splitshot rig or a traditional Carolina rig, using a fish dr. or finess worm in either green pumpkin, or watermellon. Don had reported earlier that he is catching some fish in Beardsley Branch on this method. Fish seem to be coming in the 12 to 18 ft. range. Haven't been to far past Aunts Creek, so won't comment on the James. Kimberling to Shell Knob. Hang on! Water temps in the 51 to 53 degree range and fish are really nipping. Had about 35 fish yesterday on my trip out of Kimberling with 8 solid keeper size fish. Two Blacks in the 4 1/2 lb range and some toad KY's. Keep heariing of people catching close in fish on warts in the main lake pockets, so we melted the paint off them yesterday. One of the Blacks came on a wart but that was the only bite we had on it. Probably tried it in at least 20 places, wehre I have taken them before on it. No luck. Tried a rig some in good rig places but only 1 short smallie. You know me, I had to throw those custom sticks and everywhere we tossed it was litup. Was fishing a tourmanmet guy and he just wanted spots to fish on Sat. so we didn't stay anywhere long, but man were they biting the stick. Main lake flat points with any wind whatsoever and you could count on a bite. If you are unfamiliar with Table Rock and are tooling down the lake and see a flat gravel point and think I would never fish there, you just goofed. These fish love wind and flat gravel, especially if there is a major cove next to the flat. Don't pass them up. Didn't get above Campbell Pt. so I will have to get back to you on the upper White. Should be on a wart up there if you can put the stick down. Did have 4 shorts on the PBJ but just could not put the stickbait down.

Don, take a quick look, I'm sure it was just a type O, but the length limit on the Mo. section for Spots is 15 inches. Arkansas is 12 inches, but may not be transported back across the state line. Brett, didn't mean to just your case, and it has nothing to do with how I make my living. You or anyone else is entitled to any fish you wish to keep that is legal. I will guarantee you that Don feels the same way. I have chosen not to kill any of the 3 black bass varities we have for personal reasons. I have fished and guided here since 1968, and have seen a trememdious transformation in the bass populations. Thru the 60's and 70's we were a predonimate largemouth fishery. In the late 70's the spots really started to come on. When I went back to full time guiding in 1992 based out of Shell Knob, it was not uncommon from that period until about 2000 to catch and release a 100 plus spotted bass per day. Any day, Everyday. These were fish that occupided deep structure, channel swings and humps, along with just roamed around chasing shad. Many a time I had boaters approach me in the middle of the lake and asked if I was broke down. People just didn't know the fish were out there. These were not tournament fish as the largemouth population was good and you just frankly could not win a tourmanent on a limit of spots. The big boys just called them guide fish and could care less about the Ky's. I remember Rick Holmgran of Shell Knob a good friend and one of the best ever tournament fisherman on TR, asking me why I even messed around with those little fish and that I should concentrate on real fish. Boy how times have changed. With the fishing shows and the guide trips and the quality of off shore electronics, these places were discovered and people learned how to take these off the bank fish. AS the largemouth population dwindled and the size went down, the tournament boys now started to target the spots that had, had pretty much no prussure. It changed the fishing as we know it on Table Rock when these discoverys were made. In 1999 and again in 2000, devestating fish kills affected both the largemouth and then the spotted bass. While the spots are more nurmerious than the largemouth, they are still nothing like it used to be. I had places up the White River Post Spawn where spots would be on channel swings recovering from the spawn that would hold litterly 100's of bass. They now hold some. Buster Loving, Tim Sainato, Tim Paige, Bob Tindle and I could all literally tie our boats together and catch and release fish for days at a time. We never killed the fish and still we saw the population slowly diminish. Tim Sainato, found a fall spot up the White that you could literally catch bass on until you were wore out. In a 3 day period, Tim, Buster and I caught and released with clients a number of fish that was just to unbelieveable to print. This was before the drop-shot, on spoons and rigs. only a few live there now. Brett, nither my clients or myself have anymore right to the fish than you do. The good Lord has blessed me and allowed me to follow my dream to do what I do. I would never dictate morality as far as the fishing or expect anyone to release fish so my clients could catch more. I just want there to be fish here for my childrens, childrens. As you stated it took you 20 hours to catch 1 legal fish. THAT'S NOT BECAUSE YOUR A BAD FISHERMAN, Think about it! When I was in College a frieds folks had a cabin in Beardsley Branch, we could walk the bank and catch largemouth, non-stop on a texas rigged ringwrom with a fire or blue tail. Showing my age. I must have been to the cabin dozens of times at all times of the year and we could catch them anytime. We had fish frys. Wish we would have just had fun and grilled a hamburger, and maby great guys like you could still walk the bank in Beardsley.

Brett, Killing bass that are getting ready to spawn is not exactly the way to solicite information on this site. With the trouble's we have had here in the past, putting a knife to females getting ready to help repoplulate a lake that is not or will never be stocked is not how most of us operate. Sam's club, has farm raised catfish fillets for about $1.99 per pound. They are delicious. Help us promote and preserve this great fishery by purchasing a bag and letting these fantastic fighting fish reproduce at their most vulnerable time of year. Everyone that reads this site and depends on it for information will truely appreciate it. Thanks Bill

Wonderful week on taney with the EMJ group, but lots of work. 16 big boat trips with lots of fisherman ready for a trout cook off on the MDC. My hands are a mess, every finger with a cut or hole in it. My lip is split right up the middle and my cheeks so chapped they are like leather. Still wanted more and SKMO and I had a great day on the rock. A real relaxer. I didn't have to tie on one bait for him or unhook his fish. It was nurvona. I hope he dosen't see this, as he will want the full treatment next time. SAY, those were his fish. He should have tied on my baits and took off my fish. Maby next time.

Probably a little late and I'm sure your going now, but that is a huge problem with the Rudes. There are two square relay or fuses, 1 up and 1 down. You can switch the two to get you up or down. I used to carry at least 4 extras in the repair kit and most people with the rudes do. It may also be the fuse board as this has happened too. Good luck I also may have missed the reason all together. The fuses have saved me many, many times.

After a full hard week on the trout it's nice to have a buddy that has a handle on the rock. Great trip today on the middle section of the White River arm of Table Rock lake. SKMO may not say so but he backed up what he told me yesterday. Blue Bird day, and some competition on our spots, but a great day on the water. I'll take that anytime. When your dealing with KY's and Smallies this time of year, you are dealing with critters on the move. What's good for you today may be completely wrong the next. If you have a spot holding fish, there is probably not a greener pasture around the bend, don't leave whats working. We worked a great location 3 times and it paid off on the second helping. Good advice. On the wife deal, God bless both of us.

If Don and Rick are catching fish in the 7 to 10 lb. class, they are the ones to go with None of the rest of us can even touch that. 6 lb. smallies and 6 lb meannouth, are all near lake records. All the rest of us poor guides have a lot to learn. I would never tell anyone that I can produce those type of results as it would come back to haunt me forever. 30 years on the rock and I have only had 3 fish in the 9lb. range. Even in its absolute hayday this type of fish was extremely hard to come by. As Bobby Tindle has said to me, if you even tell someone they can expect a 5lb fish here, you are going out on an impossible limb. Yes they get caught on a simi-regular basis, but I sure wouldn't say I could come up with them on a guide trip. What I can catch and what the average client can catch are two very different things. No one can beat Bobby Tindle for large fish on the Rock and even Bobby would never tell you that kind of fish is possible. Good luck, we'll keep practicing.

FliTrap, I will try and get one up today. Phil if you have a small 1/2 micro in archives please put the pic up. Thanks Bill

Truth be known, I believe thats what the Hilton is counting on down the road. Lets not get in a stew, It's not happened yet.

I'm sure you are right and that's the best way to look at it. We all are afraid of change and like the status-quo. I know we will continue to do all we can to make our guest feel like family. Most of this right now is speculation and we are all very concerned about upper taney which for me is one of the main reasons besides our wonderful native people for being here. We could have built anywhere but love our neighbors and friends in the branson area. It is truely home.

Try Lake Fork in Texas for the 9 lb. If it happens on Table Rock, I want your autograph.

Sorry Phil, you should have said it. I was agreeing with Brian.

Guys, as most of you know, my wife and I just completed a life long dream of a bed and breakfast out on Table Rock. Now with the influx of condos it really makes it tough. There are adds Running out there for 2 bedroom jacuzzi condo suites with fireplaces, show tickets and SDC tickets going for $250.00 per week. We have even seen 3 nights stay for free, with the same free tickets. All they are looking for is numbers, like Phil said it is new money with new ideas, comimg from corporations that losses are fine as long as dollars are generated. Breakeven is more than good. High prussure sales are the norm and complaints are rampaid. We have had both Taney and Stone county officials at the lodge and they say the complaints on the high prussure sales are huge. The deals are so good just to get the folks in that they can't refuse, and once they have you, getting away is a nightmare. I think we are in for a wild ride

Amen!