northern'r

Thanks again to you guys and all the advice provided by everyone on this post. Great stuff, and can't wait to hit the road and come down for a few days. I won't have access to this site after 11am tomorrow. Any last words of advice, tips, conditions? Hope to maybe get a chance to say hello to some of you, look for the green Triton TR-21 up in Aunt's with a short guy, old guy, and the guy catching fish (hopefully me)...

Thanks Bill and Techo, appreciate the advice! Bill, will definately hit some of the spots you mentioned both on and off the lake, thanks for the info. Techo, yes we have found every year, every lake we end up on is quite different. They are different from each other and very different from the lakes up north. Presentations are different, techniques, patterns, all change. We have always ran into the most friendly people though, it's different down by you guys, lakes don't get hit so hard with short seasons, people are more open and friendly. However we did have a bad experience a couple years back on a different lake trying exactly what you said, following a local guide around for a morning. But I'll talk it over with the guys, we may want to try that again. I am not sure who the second Bill is, but the Bill that replied on this topic, or Don? if you are on, feel free to email details on what would be involved in going out with you for a half day. We are coming down this Wednesday night and plan to be on the water all day Thursday thru Sunday. nlepak3@wi.rr.com The topics on this forum are great, sounds like the lake is really starting to pick up! Sounds like there is some good fishing not far from where we're docking which is awesome! I am reading a lot about the section from Kimberling City to the Dam as Bill recommended. Are the conditions over towards Baxter relatively the same or is that section still slow? We'll probably run up the James River further from Aunt's too, I thought I read a few reports on the Cape Fair area, water pretty stained in that area? Bill, you mentioned soft plastics, what specifically seems to be working well, finesse worms, lizards, brush hogs? Thanks again guys...

Been reading some of the posts on this forum, lots of great info and fun to follow some of the topics! We (brother-in-law, father-in-law, me) are planning a trip to Table Rock next week to get a jump start on our season. Where we are from even now you still have to drill a big hole in the ice, freeze your butt off, and sit and wait if you want to catch anything. We are staying up in the James River in Aunt's at Crest Lodge and would greatly appreciate any helpful advice or info anyone could provide. Every year we pick a different lake, hop in the truck and head south, this year it's Table Rock. Primarily looking for bass, but my father-in-law won't pass up the crappie if they are on. Any help on what to use, good spots to hit, creeks, cuts, points, areas with good structure, where to get a good map with all of the above, where to get a good meal, etc... Thanks!!