I'm Coming Back To The Rock In April!

[adamarnold]

Hello everybody im new to this site my name is adam arnold and im a fisherman from iowa. i really enjoy bass fishing and last fall me and my family in law took our very first fishing trip to table rock lake. we came last october and had a blast. the fishing was kinda tough but that was expected we just love to get out and have a good time on the water. we stayed at the hideaway resort on the james river arm of the lake. we didnt venture too far i think we fished jackson hollow and then over as far as saw mill hollow. i ended up with on keeper kentucky and a ton of shorts for our trip. anyways we are coming back to the hideaway resort from april 16-19 and was just wondering what your guys thoughts were on catching fish in that area during that time. i would love to get into the crappie or white bass we love to just fish for anything that bites. my father in law and my two brother in laws are very novice fisherman so i thought maybe during the spawn would get them a few more bites which always make the trip more enjoyable. i have read all the archives from the past years and i hear alot about the james river but nothing really about around where we stay. by the way i love this site and i am so glad i stummbled upon. within the past week i have spent hours just reading fishing stories and reports and looking at great pictures of fish caught on the rock. its wonderful that the knowledgable fisherman in this area are so kind to post such reports and run such a 1st class site. well like i said any info from locations to lures to any type of species that might be going at the time is greatly appreciated.

[motoman]

Welcome aboard Adam, this site definitely is a fantastic resource. And be sure to check back closer to when you're leaving, for more up to the minute reports.

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I fish The Rock a few times in the spring. But, typically in the Kimberling City area. I imagine my experiences would be similar on other parts of the lake; so I'll add my 2 cents, on techniques that work well for us.

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Since the water's pretty clear, it's a good idea to have on some 8 lb fluoro line for starters (maybe even 6 lb?, but I prefer 8). Some good baits that work well for novices (as you mentioned some family members are), if the fish are active; would be to swim a 5" salt&pepper grub on 1/4 ounce jigheads, slow rolling them back to the boat; just fast enough to bump the bottom, or keep the tail flickering. Throwing them around docks and other cover have proven effective, but you may want to scare up some weedless jigheads for those who don't fish often. Otherwise, you'll spend more time getting them out of trees/brush, etc.

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Another, slower technique would be the ole' tried and true Green Pumpkin finesse worm on 1/4 to 1/8 ounce jighead. Creeping it on the bottom. This can be tough for those who don't fish much, just because some people have trouble feeling the bottom. Heck, even seasoned anglers I've had in the boat, think they're dragging the bottom, when they're actually nowhere close. And in turn, not getting bit.

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Both of these methods work great on the spots and smallies. But some of the regulars at The Rock will be able to give more valuable info.

[Sam]

Adam, you've picked a real good time to schedule your trip. Weather permitting, everything should be going on at that time - bass, crappie, white bass, and up the James arm you might even want to snag a spoonbill!

Others here will jump in with some help on the details, I'm sure - but if you're around the lake in mid-April you'll soon learn what's going on from other fishermen. Just be sure and bring what tackle you've got for all species, panfish as well as bass.

The only possible spoiler would be the weather. April is our thunderstorm month, and last spring it rained and rained, the lakes and rivers got up, and we got to do a lot less fishing than usual. The lakes are back to normal levels now, and the high water of 2008 should make it a real good season this year. I hope you have a great trip.

[techo]

The water temps haven't dropped as much so it will be hard to judge where the fish are in relation to spawn in April. You might have to wait a bit to determine patterns. Three really easy things I have my kids do are a carolina rigged fish doctor, the Eakins jig, or a jig with a grub tail. They can always drag or hop them from the back of the boat and should snag something. Sometimes a spectacular tree or rock!

Where are you from in Iowa? I should be up there April 6-10 for work and am thinking of fishing Saylorville Lake.

[adamarnold]

I'm from fort dodge, iowa. i have never fished saylorville lake but have heard good reports from it. my home town is northwest about an hour and half from there. around that time it will be good walleye fishing in the des moines river though which runs right around that area. look on a map for any sort of darn or water block and the walleyes will be up there ready to spawn.

[techo]

Gracias.

[rps]

Adam - welcome.

In April for the last several years, none of us have enjoyed the same lake any two years in a row. Low water, high water, warm water, cold water, muddy water (my personal dislike is high cold muddy water) Postings nearer your trip will be far more informative.

Having said that, at that time of year, I always rig wiggle warts in brown crawdad or green crawdad on one rod. Buy the original series in V37 and V38. V90 is not too shabby either.

Cast the baits in 6 to 11 feet of water on 10 pound mono and run them parallel to the bank with a medium slow stop and start. You want to bang them off rocks, limbs and stuff. Fortunately, its not like your fishing $20 Lucky Crafts.

Good luck.

rps

[dtrs5kprs]

Techo...I am from Des Moines originally, learned to fish with the DSM Bass Club. Steer clear of Saylorville in April, but right next to it is Big Creek...about 859-900 acres and a decent bass lake. Saylorville is actually better than it gets credit for, but fishes much better mid May thru July. Also some good lakes just South of DSM on I35...West Lake (has the casino on I35), Little River, Three Mile, and 12 Mile. All are within an hour or so of DSM. Good luck, hope it does not snow on you.

I learned my lessons, and will be at Schooner Creek then.

[techo]

Thanks. There is a bait shop right in Johnston and I think he is famous for putting chilkoots on spots up there. I am actually going up there for work, ut thought I might try to fish a bit too.

Schooner has a lot of fish in it. You will do well there.

[CaptainJoe]

I agree with the others, it is too early to try to predict what April will bring. Heck, we are lucky to predict the next 5 minutes. With that said, the Wiggle Wart, Shakey Head, Carolina Rig, and grub are all great choices most times of the year. In the Spring, I always have a Wacky-rigged Senko-type bait ready to go. Pre-spawn fish hanging around secondary points are my favorate locations for this rig. This rig has worked well for me in the James.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.