Best Tackle For Table Rock

[Lunker Lane]

If you where starting a new tackle box just for fishing bass (year round) on Table Rock. What whould be you top selection of lures (size, color, brand, etc.) I have to be tight with my cash cause I have two lil ones and don't want to waste cash on unneccessary tackle.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Gary Lange]

I would start with a BPS Extreme 7' Medium action rod with a Pro Qualifier Reel spooled with Seaguar Florocarbon line in 8lb test I like the VizX myself. Then some good 3/8oz Jigs in various colors like Crawdad, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and whatever else strikes your fancy. Next some good stickbaits in Chad color with some orange and blue. Some good Top Waters and some nice Crankbaits in Crawfish, Chad and chrome with some blue. I would also go back through this forum and read every Fishing Report that has been done by Bill Babler, Don House, and Eric Prey and collect all that info into a booklet and choose tackle from the recommendations they have made over the years. I would also be sure to attend the Seminar that Bill Babler is going to give on Feb. 16, 2010 at the Springfield Nature center because you will learn a ton about Table Rock. Oh, and some finese worms in Watermellon Red and Red flake. Welcome to Ozark Anglers.

[techo]

Geesh Gary! Are you married? If not I am sort of attracted to you! I wish my wife had the same version of frugal you do.

I think once again there will be all kinds of answers. On the cheaper end the carolina rigged fish doctors, shaky heads and a few jigs. I would think you could fish year round on those three. As a matter of fact.....when I first started loading up the box it was with the c-rig and fish doctors per Babblers' advice.

As time passed.....I have aisles 2-8 from Bass Pro and one wall of Fin and Feather. I keep adding and updating stuff as time goes on.

Rods and reels are a whole different matter. We actually started probably 20 years ago with Lightning rods and Shimano spinning reels. I am updating to Shimano baitcasters and Falcon rods as money permits.

A cool way to get more is to always buy two of the same thing. Your wife sees the one new rod and reel, but you actually purchased two and she doesn't know it!

[Catchabiggen]

Under normal conditions for any given season I'd feel confident with these: 1) Mix of finesse and FB jigs in 5/16-3/4oz - punkin/grn fleck w/zoom lil critter craw trailers in same color 2) Lucky Craft live pointer in bloody ghost minnow for less choppy water and Rogues in blk/silver/orange for more choppy water 3) a few Wiggle Warts in a variety of colors 4) 1/2oz Spinnerbaits w/clear skirt, painted red head, single #4 silver willow blade 5) 5/16oz drop shot rigs w/ a couple bags of 4" finesse worms in shades of green, brown, and purple.

[rps]

Frugal Table Rock tackle box:

1 silver Zara Spook

1 blue and white Zara Spook Jr.

1 White and gray Chug Bug

2 each V37 and V38 Wiggle Warts.

Three bulk packs of jig heads bought cheap on ebay - 1 each of 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 oz.

Smoke and watermelon seed 4 inch curl tail grubs

4 inch and 6 inch straight worms - watermelon red, black, motor oil or PBJ

Chompers/yamamoto twin tail grubs - same colors as worms

C rig makings and Zoom Fish Doctors, same colors plus Junebug

2 suspending Smithwick Rogues, one bright and one subtle

1 Booyah counter rotating buzz bait

One black and one white War Eagle mid size twin spin

One white jigging spoon

One silver in line spinner

Drop shot hooks and weights

Note - invest in one or two half day trips with one of the guides who contribute regularly to this board. It will save you years and dollars in the long run.

Good luck.

[Gary Lange]

I guess I should go out an buy two new rods now Tim. I am frugal by nature and I am sure that the Falcon Rods are great but I am cheap. I just can't justify paying $220.00 for a rod. I like the BPS Extremes and think they work fine at $100.00 and for the reel the Pro Qualifier has been flawless for me. Besides I am 65 now and on Medicare cut me some slack or buy me coffee youngun.

[techo]

I guess I should go out an buy two new rods now Tim. I am frugal by nature and I am sure that the Falcon Rods are great but I am cheap. I just can't justify paying $220.00 for a rod. I like the BPS Extremes and think they work fine at $100.00 and for the reel the Pro Qualifier has been flawless for me. Besides I am 65 now and on Medicare cut me some slack or buy me coffee youngun.

I miss our coffee days! The crab shack is merging with Luigis and they are going to carry Ed's drip coffee. No Americanos, but there will be drip! We will have to hook up!

I don't buy the spendy Falcons. I think mine usually go for 120ish. I started with cheap rods, moved to Extemes and now on to Falcons a little at a time. It takes a long time to update though.

Hard to disagree with RPS's and Catcha biggen's list either.

[Jason Essary]

All sound great! techno, im with u on the upgrading rods. the sensitivity has really helped in the last year.

rps, I saw one that I am curious on. Black straight worm? when would that hit the line-up?

And the use of a guide, I have went with Bill Beck twice, and have learned more in those hours than years by myself.

[edwin]

Only thing I'd add to the above mentioned list is a couple packages of 1/4 oz and 3/8oz tube jig heads, along with a couple packs of green pumpkin or watermelon red tubes. I like the Chompers tubes but they all seem to catch fish. Oh, can't forget a handful of Blakemore Roadrunners for when you take beginners along...especially importants as you can't fish them wrong as long as you fish em slow

[Gary Lange]

You should still have my number and you know where I live. Coffee with a friend is always good. I check the $120.00 Falcons.