Questions/clarification On Tips

[SRV1990]

First, a big THANK YOU to everyone who provides information, tips, etc. about fishing Table Rock!

A few questions I've come up with to help me better understand some of the info provided:

>>Many references are made to fishing points right now... Are we talking about main lake points or secondary points? Or both?

>>I have read where one should fish points "at the mouths of spawning coves". How do I recognize a spawning cove? And is this typically near a secondary point?

>>Reports have stated to keep the boat in 20' - 30' of water (or thereabouts) on pea gravel flats. I should be able to identify these types of areas using a topo map like a Fishing Hot Spots map, correct?

>>When on a point and casting, should I fan cast toward land, away from land or both (i.e. off all sides of the boat)?

I'm heading down very early tomorrow morning and will be there thru Sunday. I'll post my own report once I get back.

Thanks again!

Tom

[motoman]

Tom,

I'll be heading down early tomorrow too.

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But I'll offer some insight I had on a few of these items, I figured out last time I was down, 3 weeks ago. (and catchin' 'em) But details change hourly, so I'm not sure if this will be beneficial or not? But I plan on using a similar approach, for starters.

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Re: fishing points, we were catching some of them on secondary points, windblown points. We would start out deep, then verrrrrrry, slowly work our way towards the shore. Starting in 50+ feet of water if possible. Some of them we caught were holding off the side of the point, windward side.

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Re: Having the boat in 20'-30' feet of water. The water is up 15-20' feet, so you'll need to add that to the topo map. But it's a good start. We were actually catching them just off the original shoreline. It's kinda tough to picture with the high water, but once down there and you see the terrain/treeline, It gives you a better idea.

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Re: fancasting, we were fancasting around every corner of the boat. Leaving no casting distance untouched. But working things verrry slow

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Hopefully someone with some more current info will hop in.

[Bobby P.]

We are heading down tomorrow too. We will be fishing from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday. If you guys want to email me your cell phone number I will call you and share our reports Wednesday-Saturday this week.

My email is rparker@hastingslawfirm.com. I also have email on my smart phone and I will have that with me this week. I have a 19' Nitro white with red stripe and a Merc XR 150. We will be in the dam and Long Creek area and staying at Twin Island(Point #2), I never go much past Indian Point, if you see us stop by and say hello.

Good luck.

Bob

[SKMO]

Tom - The hot point bite of last week may have petered out significantly. These were classic prespawn fish and they (SM & spots) may have started moving toward their love nests, probably many of them in the serious wood and safe from our efforts.

LM are definitely in the trees. Spent some time in there Fri and saw several, probably had six 3-5#ers come up and kiss my fluke but no takers. Caught 4 shorts. I am not real big on fishing this way because it is not easy and I am pretty lazy, and prefer not to have to pack a chainsaw to get to in and out. I am sure guys who want to pack the heavy tackle and poke around in the junk can do well.

Points are points and fish are where you find them. Any point especially those with a distinct ridge is in my opinion worth trying. The cool thing is any day now we are going to see some post spawn fish (think topwater) back on these same points. Casting deep to shallow or vice-versa not a big deal in my opinion just try to stay off the top of the fish, whatever depth you determine them at.

At per spawning coves in my opinion classic spawning coves are protected from SW and W and NW winds, and have a mix of chunk rock and wood with gravel patches. Diverse would be the word. That said in a normal year you can find beds in just about every nook and cranny, at deptths of 18" to 18'.

This year ???? Everything is different. Have a gut feeling a lot of love goin' on around oak trees.

I think we are at one of those points where fish can be caught in several different ways and if you fish your strengths you will do consistantly well. I thnk there are pre-spawn, spawning, and post-spawn to be had today. Hundreds (thousands?) of acres of submerged brush and trees is not something we are used to fishing on the Rock and it has changed the playing field significantly. Not changed better or worse, just old stuff done in different locations and the timing is off about 3-4 weeks

Rest assured the fish are adapting a lot better than we are.

Mayhaps Don H or Babs can steer you in a direction with some more difinite hints.

Good Lord I just noticed I am a Gizzard Shad, who comes up with this s**t. I just wanna be and stay a Smallmouth.

Tight Lines - SK

[motoman]

We are heading down tomorrow too. We will be fishing from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday. If you guys want to email me your cell phone number I will call you and share our reports Wednesday-Saturday this week.

My email is rparker@hastingslawfirm.com. I also have email on my smart phone and I will have that with me this week. I have a 19' Nitro white with red stripe and a Merc XR 150. We will be in the dam and Long Creek area and staying at Twin Island(Point #2), I never go much past Indian Point, if you see us stop by and say hello.

Good luck.

Bob

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Bob,

My cell phone doesn't work down there except for very isolated spots.

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But we're staying at Schooner Creek in Kimberling City, and will probably stay down around that area. They have internet access in the office, so I'll see about peeking in there to shoot over any intel we stumble upon.

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I'll be in my Blue and Silver Basscat with an Evinrude 150 on it. Feel free to say hello if you see us. The Basscat's an ole nag (1986), but she does the trick.

[SRV1990]

Thanks for the input guys, it's much appreciated.

Tom

[echoXLT]

Good Lord I just noticed I am a Gizzard Shad, who comes up with this s**t. I just wanna be and stay a Smallmouth.

LOL, man I just got a good laugh out of that, still chuckling everytime I think of it...

[motoman]

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Bob,

My cell phone doesn't work down there except for very isolated spots.

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But we're staying at Schooner Creek in Kimberling City, and will probably stay down around that area. They have internet access in the office, so I'll see about peeking in there to shoot over any intel we stumble upon.

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I'll be in my Blue and Silver Basscat with an Evinrude 150 on it. Feel free to say hello if you see us. The Basscat's an ole nag (1986), but she does the trick.

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Bob (and others ), I can't get into my e-mail, and had to borrow somone else's computer to put in a brief note, here's the link.

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http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?s...amp;#entry69499

[Bill Babler]

I like the Giz. I believe you kind of look like one, and I know you smell like one. Quit fussing and find some fish I can beat up for ya.