Kimberling City Crappie?

[motoman]

Myself and a couple guys will be down the end of next week for some time on the water.

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I get down a few times a year, and can do allright, cracking the bass code. But, the crappie thing.............this will be a first.

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I don't see many posts about the crappie, but we would love to get into some, so any help anyone can offer; would be greatly appreciated.

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We typically just fish a few miles either way from the Kimberling City area, so if anyone's had any success around KC; don't be shy, let's hear what you've got to say!

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Thanks in Advance!

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(as always, I'll keep my eyes peeled on the Table Rock thread for any reports; but since I haven't seen any crappie reports in a bit, I thought I'd jump in and get one started.)

[5 Keepers]

I have a neighbor that said they catch crappie around the Gobbler Mountain Resort Dock. It's about a mile or so down from Kimberling. Haven't heard of any activity yet.

[Don House]

Myself and a couple guys will be down the end of next week for some time on the water.

-

I get down a few times a year, and can do allright, cracking the bass code. But, the crappie thing.............this will be a first.

-

I don't see many posts about the crappie, but we would love to get into some, so any help anyone can offer; would be greatly appreciated.

-

We typically just fish a few miles either way from the Kimberling City area, so if anyone's had any success around KC; don't be shy, let's hear what you've got to say!

-

Thanks in Advance!

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(as always, I'll keep my eyes peeled on the Table Rock thread for any reports; but since I haven't seen any crappie reports in a bit, I thought I'd jump in and get one started.)

Moto, I would for this week go bass fishing.. Crappie are just not ready, even up the rivers let alone on the main lake.. I would say about 3-4 weeks out for main lake stuff but it might change.. We need a few good days of rain then very warm weather to rush things along.. Just go play and have some fun!!

Good Fishing

Don

[motoman]

Thanks Mick, I'm familiar with Gobbler Mountains dock, I'll have to see whats doin' over there.

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I hear yah, Don, I was thinking it may be a bit too soon. One of the guys I'm coming down with will certainly persist, so we'll see what happens.

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But Mick brings up a good point; fishing other peoples docks. I know it's one thing if I'm pitching into the stalls or casting up under their ramp a few times, then moving on; but have you ( or have you heard) of dock owners getting bent out of shape if you hang out by their dock for a while and fish 'their' brush pile? (or whatever)

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I know it's all public water; but you guys know how people get.

[Sam]

Private dock owners on Tablerock have always been real good to me. Quite a few times I've been a long ways from my truck getting pounded by a rainstorm, and private dock owners have let me pull my boat into a stall and take shelter for awhile.

I'll fish around docks, but I always respect private property and don't touch the dock. If someone's out on their dock I don't crowd them, and I wouldn't sit on someone's dock brushpile that they've put out and fish it for a long time - I'll gladly give it a couple of casts as I go by, though.

There's plenty of brushpiles in the lake for everybody, and most of them aren't near docks.

[motoman]

Thanks Sam, I'm the same when fishing docks; respectful. If people are out, or on them, I just say hello and maybe make a cast or 2, but may just move on by.

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You bring up a good point about plenty of brushpiles in the lake. I know they're out there, just finding them in a timely manner is my concern.

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I always bass fish when I'm down at The Rock, so dabbling into the crappie thing will be new for me. But, I've been reading archives on the site here, and taking plenty of notes around the ole' Interweb.

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Thanks again!

[edwin]

Regarding private docks, I can say that we have more things (electronics, life jackets, rods, skis, cans of gas, etc) stolen during rain storm than just about any other time. Thankfully, we have lifts in all our stalls and the dock right next to ours has an open slip on the end so most 'visitors' seek cover over there.

I have no issue whatsover with folks fishing around our dock as long as they're courteous. Slinging a 3/4 oz jig into the back of a boat on a lift isn't such a great thing to do. Doing it when boat owners are on the dock and not apologizing seems to be the perfect recipe to start an argument...which have been known to escalate on occassion.

[Bill Babler]

Here is my question. Table Rock is one of the only lakes in the country that you can catch record book LM, SM, and Kentucky Spotted Bass on the same freeking day. Why in the holy begeebers would anyone want to mess with dabbing docks for stinking crappie?

Table Rock is not a crappie, destination. Yes, we have some in the river systems that you can work on, on a early season basis, but main lake Kimberling City is a pretty tough customer for slab fishing. Yes again, some of the locals, and some of the resorts, for their clients, and that is the key words, for their clients have some beds that hold a crappie or two. Never a load or a limit, so much, but some.

Go out and have a blast with the bass. Eat diner at one of our local resturants, or get a fantastic steak at Harter House and grill it at the resort.

Old saying, When in Rome, do what the Romans do.

You chase crappie at Kimberling City this time a year, and you wasted a bunch of fishin time.

Take Don's advice.

Good Luck

[motoman]

Believe me Bill, I'm with yah. When at The Rock, I'm a bass guy through and through. One of the guys coming down with us (also happens to be my boss.......Gulp! ) is interested in getting into some crappie; so I'm game, to give it a shot. But, like you mentioned, I don't want to waste a bunch of time looking for 'em; when I can hook into some nice bass; get some great pix, and let 'em swim to fight again!

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And my apprehension with fishing resort docks, is for the sole reason you point out; I'm not real comfortable imposing on those spots, intended for guests of the resorts. (public water or not, courtesy goes a long way)

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And heck, if you AND Don say not to waste our time for crappie; that's saying something. Now to convince those coming with me..........

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(P.S. .......GREAT seminar Bill! I caught the podcast, and took some good notes. And look, your 1000th post in my thread..........WooHoo.........I'm honored!............you guys are the best!)

[Phil Lilley]

Some people don't like to fish for bass, Bill Some people like to eat fish , Bill. And you, especially you, would be the last person to allow a fillet knife to enter the belly of a nice smalley... right?

Oh yea... are we still on for our Table Rock CRAPPIE trip tomorrow??

Kidding aside... we had a COLD winter and the water under the surface is still freezing cold. Don't get in a big hurry on the crappie.