Late April Tournament Questions

[BrowningFisherman]

I am headed down for a tournament on April 27 and neither me or my fishing partner have ever fished table rock before. so I have a million questions. I read another thread that suggested that the water may not be cleared up yet, but will it be at a normal level? If you have any tips or areas I should key in on they would be much appreciated, lure suggestions are welcomed, I've been told mojo rigs. one more thing if the water is more off color do I still need flurocarbon or will mono do the trick? Thanks

[MOBass]

I have a tournament the same day. I heard rumor that the Corp. is going to drop Table Rock to 920 and hold it through the spawn. I like floro for sensitivity as well as the low visibility so I would say yes to using floro. Spinnerbait, jig, split shot, fluke, and maybe a grub. I'll probably have a topwater tied on also. I'll fish a more agressive bait and my partner will follow up with something more subtle. If I get a chance I'll take a day or two to pre fish and try to find something stable.

[Ranger 520]

The Corps is doing all they can to drop the lake, however they can only drop it 6" or so per day. That is if were aren't getting lots of run-off. With spring rains still likely I would say we would be very fortunate to see it at 920.00 by the 27th.

[jignpig]

The Corps is doing all they can to drop the lake, however they can only drop it 6" or so per day. That is if were aren't getting lots of run-off. With spring rains still likely I would say we would be very fortunate to see it at 920.00 by the 27th.

[jignpig]

I would leave the split shots and the finesses stuff at home this year. Your going to need the heavy stuff for flipping bushes and getting back in the thick stuff. The water will be high and stained to muddy when you get there end of April. Those mojo rigs and shaky head stuff is for the clear and low water conditions.

[BrowningFisherman]

any suggestions of places to start or types of cover to look for?

[rps]

On a day with no rain and not too much run off and Beaver not dumping floodgates, the corps could drop the lake 6" without flooding Branson. We are at or near 929 right now. Beaver is less than a foot from spillway and has gates open. Rain is in the forecast for Wed. I'm thinking the lake will still be above 920 (and maybe even above 925) on the 27th.

At 920, the lake is 5' above power pool. Brush is flooded and shore is behind the brush a few feet. Early in the day, fish the flooded brush edge with top waters - spooks, chug bugs, and such. Some fish will still be on beds, but many will be done. After the top water bite ceases, for numbers you might try a split shot fish doctor. For large fish, I would flip the brush and logs.

At 925, the shore is yards behind the flooded brush. Bring a chain saw and during practice day cut boat trails into promising areas. ;-)

[Bill Babler]

For any of you guys that think that the spawn is even near being over the last week of April, you are way off base.

Just as many fish will spawn in May if not more. The first and second full Moon in May are monsters.

K's will still be spawning into memorial weekend.

This year its who knows. Light penetration and length of daylight hours along with water temps and conditions influence the spawn. The fish com in shifts and waves as mother nature does not put all her eggs in one basket.

If water calarity is right, alot of these K's will spawn, out to 16 and 18 ft.

Most people think the spawn is over when they see the LM move out from under their dock ramp. Not true at all.

[rps]

I stand corrected.

[Bill Babler]

RPS, Great info on your post, and right on target, On how to fish and ketch-em.

Due to the diversity of our waters and the three sub-species of Black Bass, we have, the spawn is not a week or two week thing. the Largemouth will start to cozy up when the water hits the early 60's, but some of our best fishing here is pre-spawn Smalley's and K's that are staging the first week of May.

Beck and I fish a group of dentist that 1st. week and there are times we can sit on some of the major lake points in front of the big spawning coves and catch Pre-spawners that have their bags packed getting ready to move in.

That main lake Smallmouth and Kentucky Bite is great from May 1st. thru the middle of the month in these type locations, and the fish are just flat full of eggs, waiting for that last moon phase.

Up in your country which is LM territory, I would just about bet, they are in the same locations at that time, but for the most part it is LM, Post-spawn, getting ready to put on the feedbag after their baby makin, is over. A few will still be in a family way, but as you stated most will be on their way to gettin back in shape for the summer.

Lots of Smalljaws and most of the K's are still partying while the upper river LM are getting down to rais-in a family.

Always enjoy your post. Thanks, Bill