Boat Rental & Walleyes On Table Rock?

[Bob On Rainy Lk]

My wife and I are making our first trip from Minnesota to the Branson area and camping at Table Rock State Park next week. We're mostly touring, and not towing our boat along.

1) Any suggestions for renting a fishing boat for a day? The State Park marina has boats, but some resorts advertise lower prices. My wife wants to mostly tour the lake, but she'll tolerate some time for trolling or casting. So we need enough hp to travel some distance, and locator and trolling motor for fishing. We've done a lot of boating on large bodies (>100,000 acres) of water.

2) Any suggestions of areas to try for walleyes? Especialy for crankbait trolling?

Thanks,

Bob

[patfish]

Bob, post your questions in the Table Rock Lake forum and I'm sure you'll get a quick and educated response from at least a few of the fellas....

[tippett7]

Its a little bit of a drive but Indian Point Marina by Silver Dollar City is cheaper than Table Rock State Park.

[Steve Smith]

Bob; can't help on the boat other than Google "Table Rock Boat Rental". You should get lots of hits. Not an expert on walleye, but I believe they would be just coming off spawn in the backs of the rivers flowing into Table Rock. Although at the other end of the lake, the Kings, Roaring, and White River towards Arkansas would best bets, but that's where I have been looking. Caught my biggest walleye ever last year on St Patricks Day in Roaring River. And, the best time to catch them is after dark on 1/4 ounce Kastmaster spoons [rainbow trout pattern]. There are a lot of other guys on this board more experienced than I that may be able to give you better suggestions. Good Luck. The "Rock" won't be anywhere near the walleye factories in have in your part of the world. Good luck

[rps]

I live at the extreme other end of the lake in Holiday Island, just outside Eureka Springs. Can't help you on the boat question. I have caught a couple walleyes in the last week dragging a Berkley power crawler on an 1/8 ounce jig head in rocky shoals (5 to 10 feet of water) in the upper White River arm. I would imagine the same trick will work in the Kings River arm. Locals also use roadrunners and plastic swimming minnows in the same size. Crankbait trollling works better later in the year here, but if you try that I suggest a number 5 shad rap. Good luck.

[Bob On Rainy Lk]

Thanks everyone for your tips. I'm printing them out and taking them with us tomorrow. I have to get some maps and study them to find the boat rentals and fishing spots you've offered.

I had major surgery on my right hand (guess which hand is my dominate one?) 8 weeks ago. Casting will be difficult, but trolling may be do-able. Trolling also allows us to explore some of the area while searching for an occasional fish. With only a half day or so to fish on a lake I've never been on before (or anything similar to it), I'm not expecting much. Although I target mostly walleyes, I'll have fun with anything that hits.

I have well over 100 crankbaits to choose from, mostly shads and stickbaits. It is generally tough to catch walleyes on cranks in very cold water, but I have done it down to at least the mid-40 degree range. I may also jig some plastics.

Thanks everyone - I'm offline for at least a week now.