Report From Babler

[Phil Lilley]

Bill fished the dam area on Table Rock today. His clients caught 19 bass with 5 keepers which isn't the greatest day on the Rock but it's better than the previous week or so. Other guides called Bill and said they had the same kind of day... may be a bit better. Tim Paige has 20+ bass with 11 keepers and I heard Pete Weeners had a very good day up in the James Arm on crank baits - probably Wiggle Warts.

Babler's fish, and most of the other guides, caught their fish swimming a grub in 4 to 12 feet of water. "Any place you could get to the bank without having a bunch of trees keeping you from the magical depth of 4 to 12 feet, you'd catch fish," Babler said. His fish were all smallmouth but Wenner's fish were largemouth. Babler spotted spots and largemouth on beds in Big Indian Creek Arm today too. Water temps are in the mid 60's and the water is clearing in the dam area, 6 - 8 feet of visibility.

Grubs: 4-inch Chompers in salt-n-pepper and watermellon and 4-inch XPS Copper Flake on a 1/4 ounce jig head.

James River is clearing but the White Arm is still very stained and not fishing well. Long Creek is clearing and of course, is warming up nicely. No reports from Long but I bet the catfish are full of worms back in the back of Yocum and the white bass are about done spawning in Long, Cricket and Blair. But they still should be around on points for weeks to come.

Crappie: Absolutely no reports at all. We usually hear rumors at least from our tight-lipped crappie fisherpeople but nothing! They should be going great guns on the banks but this high water has baffled anglers. I'm sure they're deeper than normal but they still should be able to be found... by someone! I'm going out the first of the week and give it a good try- will report back.

[MOBass]

Thanks to you and Babler for the good info. I have to replace a bunk board on the trailer so I guess I might as well do a little fishing while I am at it. Hopefully I can pick up where I left off last week.