Smj In The Baxter Area Or Just Dam Area?

[Engr5]

Have not been on Table Rock since March. Want to take my dad to catch a smallmouth after reading all of the fine reports. Is the action only in the Dam area or could I find fish in the Baxter area?

Thank you for any help and this fine forum.

[Fishrman]

There are smallmouth throughout the lake really. Majority of them are in the lower end, but Baxteris an excellent place to find some smallies.

[Bill Babler]

Campbell Point to Point 9 encompassing the Baxter area is without a doubt some of the finest SMJ water on all of Table Rock Lake. Some of my largest fish and biggest strings of Jaw's have come from this area.

That is a lot of Aqua to cover. I know for a fact that Beck's best 5 Jaw's up there Sunday were in the 19 to 20 pound range.

If it were me, I would throw a 3/8th or 1/2 oz either Chompers or Jewell jig in any of our traditional lake colors, with a 4 inch twin tail of some make or model, on any windy type shelf rock bank you can find.

If you see transition with gravel to chunk or ledge, all the better. If there is a breeze on it you have a Real Spot.

Fished have moved a little deeper, and want some action on the jig. Look from 18 to 36 ft. I know that sounds deep, but believe me it is not. If you find them on the deeper end, you can go to the 3/4 oz. to get ya there quicker.

If you are having a hard time, I would without a doubt have one of you all dragging a rig. seems a 4 inch lizard is a very good bait right now. Of course the Dr. is always good, and a cenipede will get them if they want it.

Did throw a Shaky Head some in the dam area the other day, and had my biggest jaw of the day on it, close to a 5 pounder. This fish was under 20 ft. Now it may be harder, since I believe they have moved out a mite. The head is not really that great of bait for me, at those depths.

Good Luck

[techo]

When the dam is pulling water, the little wall on point 9 to the marker buoy could be a good time for you. Please don't tell anyone....