Topwater And Flukes Tomorrow Where To Go?

[polock]

hey guys, so my last post we didn't get to make it down to table rock. told the wife we are going tomorrow no questions asked . my buddy and I are heading down and hopefully will be pullin into branson around 6am. I live for topwater and fluke fishing. Where should we put in and fish these baits?? everytime I have been on table rock I have used the resorts ramp, where is a good public access ramp??? I was thinking darn area and indian point but not sure if we should hit a different area. If you guys could direct me to a part of the lake that isn't so big and still has some fish that would be better since I have my small 16x48 johnboat.

[MstStudent10]

If I were you wanting to fish the East side of the lake with topwater I would put in at Moonshine Beach Public use ramp. It is just north of the dam and right below The Chateau. With the way the wind blows, the actual ramp is usually pretty protected. I too fish out of a small jonboat and it's pretty easy to load and unload there. That area around Moonshine and all of that Chateau area coves can be great for fishing topwater, last Friday I fished there in the morning and caught some quality fish. Throw that fluke into, or the redfin parallel to any docks you come across and prolly have a good chance to hook up with some nice kentuckys. I had a 3+ lb kentucky doing that on Friday, boy is that fun. That whole area is great for some nice largemouth and smallmouth too.. Look for long gradual sloping points and fan cast all of it for some smallies, or throw a redfin up close to any brush that's submerged on rocky banks for some nice largemouth.

Another option is State Park, the only problem is that ramp can have some nasty waves crashing into it if it's a windy day. That's not fun in a smaller boat.

on another note...Hope for a cloudy day!!!! Love throwing that topwater all day long!! Good luck out there!

[motoman]

Not trying to hijack your thread po, but this question should be fitting?

-

What length flukes and redfins--jointed or non-jointed(speaking of topwater) are preferred on The Rock?

-

I searched the archives on both and have a pretty good idea; but just want some more current opinions.

-

(I noticed i'm running low on both and need to re-stock)

[FRENZEL]

Remember that this time of year you can use that top water all day long ... Even in the sun.

[WAVINGSWAN]

If I were you wanting to fish the East side of the lake with topwater I would put in at Moonshine Beach Public use ramp. It is just north of the dam and right below The Chateau. With the way the wind blows, the actual ramp is usually pretty protected. I too fish out of a small jonboat and it's pretty easy to load and unload there. That area around Moonshine and all of that Chateau area coves can be great for fishing topwater, last Friday I fished there in the morning and caught some quality fish. Throw that fluke into, or the redfin parallel to any docks you come across and prolly have a good chance to hook up with some nice kentuckys. I had a 3+ lb kentucky doing that on Friday, boy is that fun. That whole area is great for some nice largemouth and smallmouth too.. Look for long gradual sloping points and fan cast all of it for some smallies, or throw a redfin up close to any brush that's submerged on rocky banks for some nice largemouth.

Another option is State Park, the only problem is that ramp can have some nasty waves crashing into it if it's a windy day. That's not fun in a smaller boat.

on another note...Hope for a cloudy day!!!! Love throwing that topwater all day long!! Good luck out there!

Thanks for that information, will use your advice this weekend. Thank you and good fishing.

[Spinnaker]

I usually stay in the area around the dam and have fished the coves around that area. Check out the TR maps and you will see some good info. I am going to focus on the top water next trip down. Good luck!

Not trying to hijack your thread po, but this question should be fitting?

-

What length flukes and redfins--jointed or non-jointed(speaking of topwater) are preferred on The Rock?

-

I searched the archives on both and have a pretty good idea; but just want some more current opinions.

-

(I noticed i'm running low on both and need to re-stock)

I too have been researching the forum posts on the length for redfins. I am a student of fishing strategy so this is not advice but just what I am trying. I went to Rogers Lures my local tackle store here in KC and found 4 inch and 5 inch redfins. I also found 5 inch jointed. I suppose both sizes would work, but I went for the 5 inch as I think they would cast better and provide a more enticing profile and wake. I got silver/blue and smoke colored. I also got a couple spooks as well and can't wait to try them out. What are your thoughts?

[motoman]

..... I went for the 5 inch as I think they would cast better and provide a more enticing profile and wake. I got silver/blue and smoke colored. I also got a couple spooks as well and can't wait to try them out. What are your thoughts?

-

I actually found some of the 4 inch jointed redfins on clearance at our local Ya'll-Mart, so I grabbed those. But, I picked up some 5 inch jointed in smokey joe at our BPS. They were going like hotcakes.

-

The 4 inch seems incredibly light, may be tough to cast, even with a touch of breeze. I'm gonna try weighting the tail a bit and see if that helps any. May have to mess with the buoyancy though too. But, I'm with you on the 5 inch Spinnaker, I think that may be the way to go. And my understanding is that the redfin is supposed to replicate the gizzard shad down there. And when I was down last month, there were a few struggling on the surface I picked up to snap pix of, and paint cranks to match; and they were HUGE. Many as big as the short smallies and kantucks we were catching!

-

I've had a few redfins over the years, but rarely threw them; so they faded away somewhere? Anywho, I forgot those 5 inchers having those ridiculous saltwater, galvanized looking dull crappy hooks. Sheesh! I replaced those seconds after the package was opened.

-

As I mentioned, I paint my own cranks too, so I added a little splash of color to a couple of them, not sure if it's necessary, just a personal preference. But I guess we'll see next week! (painted one TRS for good measure too)

-

But with the flukes, I recall most the minners I saw shooting around last month being in the 4 inch range; so I'll probably throw those a bit too. (although I've got the 5 inch flukes on standby)

-

Hopefully I'll have something to report next weekend! (fingers crossed)

[troutgnat]

I did just fine on the Zoom Super Fluke last week and Arkansas Shiner was by far my best color!

[mrcold]

Remember that this time of year you can use that top water all day long ... Even in the sun.

Will that hold true through the cold front that looks to be coming in Thursday/Friday?

Every year without fail...my apologize to everyone who's fishing there this week, I guess the weather's following me.

[troutgnat]

Can't say for sure, but I'm for sure the cold front will affect the topwater bite a might. I'm headed back to the Rock on Wedn. I'll probably put in at Indian or the state park. I'll be sure to let you know. If your in the area look me up I'm in a 06' white Tundra with a beat up 20 yr old silver/burgandy Rnager 374 in tow!.........lol