Table Rock first timer

[ranger2bass]

I'm going to Aunts Creek Mar22 - Apr2. A few questions I have about the Table Rock from what I've read and researched:

1. I keep seeing "bluff ends" What by definition are these and is this a visible shoreline feature?

2. I'm assuming that the bass will be spawning when I get there, at least in the northern parts of the lake, What depths are most productive and can you see the beds -sight fish? What water temps to?

3. Trees are a popular cover. Is this productive during spawning time?

I appreciate any information

[Phil Lilley]

Bass spawn typically very last of April - mainly in May so you're too early to worry about spawning bass- except for white bass which may be making false runs by then.

Bluff ends- where the bluff/cliff banks end and level out to more of a gradual bank. This "transision" is where bass typically travel from deep to shallow water... thus they tend to group up in this area.

This is a transision bank in Long Creek. The bluff on the right gives way to a more shallow bank on the left.

[Don House]

Ranger2Bass, Lilley is right you will be alittle early for the spawn... But you can still catch fish..

Water temps rights now up the rivers low to mid 50's and climbing.. The rain has been from the south so that is helping out alot..

It is possible with the warm winter, the spawn may be early this year, but only a few weeks, It will all depend on the weather over the next few weeks..

Some parts of the lake will warm much faster with the muddy water and those fish will be going on the beds. But it will be hard to see them.. Mid Lake is were you can really see the fish on the beds, but that water is still in the mid to high 40's. So it will be a week to week thing in mid to late April, keep checking back we will keep you informed..

By then I would hope for a really good swimming grub (3" Zoom Grub) bite to get started they will be feeding really good getting ready for the spawn..

So for now I've been catching some on the channel swings in deeper water up the James river arm, past Cape Fair, that is about a 10 mile boat drive up from Aunts creek..

I've been using small critterjigs and eakins jigs with a small craw in green pumpkin, or PB&J colors with matching craws.. These fish are in the trees and the laydowns in about 15 feet of water on the 45 degree chunk rock channel swing banks. Also I found a pretty good bite up there also on stickbaits on the flats when there is no sun, so the fish are there just hard to get to bite sometimes..

Hope that helps alittle

Good Fishing

[ranger2bass]

Thanks Lilley I had a different picture in my mind, as with most things, so in front of the bluff it pretty much goes straight down into the abyss?

Thanks Don. So these channel swings I keep reading about, Are they where the river channel that goes throughout the lake makes a sharp turn or doglegs? On this channel swing do the fish position themselves in a certain area? The inside of the bend or the outside closer to shore?

[Busters Guide Service]

The bass on Table Rock are not going to be spawning during this time. Our spawn usually happens more towards the end of April through the first part of May. Transition banks in major creeks are a good place to find these fish staging. Tubes, grubs, and stickbaits are effective.

[petertherock]

ranger2bass,

In my opinion listen to lilley and Don, i know these guys.

They won't steer you wrong!

petertherock

Buster is right on too!

petertherock

[ranger2bass]

Thanks. So tell me where can I catch a 9 pounder?

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Where you least expect to catch that 9 pounder - that is where you WILL catch that 9 pounder.

Meaning fish it all.. fish it good (not fast), and fish thorough. Do not leave anything unfished... make tracks.. but keep a good watch on you're elctronics. Something deep on the still banks.. a shallow running crankbait on the choppy banks.. and a tube for GITZIT fishing if all else fails.

And most importantly - have at least 5 rigged rods at the ready - Brian

( .. like I bass fish.. this is TV advice!! )

[Bill Babler]

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

[Sam]

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

Or Castaic or some of the other famous Southern California lakes where a 9-pounder is a "medium" size lunker.

It'd be kinda fun to catch a 15-pounder out there and haul it to Tablerock real quick to check it in. That would cause some excitement and confusion.

Seriously, I've been fishing Tablerock every year and season for 15 years now, and a few bass over 6 lbs. are the best I've done.