Help; Table Rock Late February

[Pounce]

The wife and I will be staying at Big Cedar Lodge February 21 - 24th. I am bringing the bass boat with me. Any bass fishing suggestions for that area (Long Creek) would be much appreciated. I fish a lot of bass tournaments, but this will be my first time on Table Rock. Thanks

[innova]

Just my 2 cents.

Due to the unpredictable weather of February (wind, rain, SLEET and SNOW), I would leave the boat at home and spend the money and hire a local guide. There are plenty to choose from.

[Pounce]

I fish a power plant lake in the Illinois weather, so I try not to let the weather bother me. It gets harder as I get older..LOL The whole point of this trip(For me, for the wife it is the lodge) is to get the big boat ready for tournament season, and enjoy the beauty of the lake. Hiring a guide is not really an option. I'm just looking for some general tips.

[rps]

I would/will fish jerk baits, slow rolled twin spins, jigs with trailers, and grubs. If we have several unseasonably warm days in a row, I add warts to the list.

Bluff ends and transitions.

For more detail, there are several excellent articles in the archives.

Good luck.

[Pounce]

Thanks RPS. In the late winter do you key on the main lake or back in the creeks? On Shelbyville (my home lake) the fish are normally on the main lake bluffs right after ice-out. I read a couple of your archives, and it looks like they are mostly back in the creeks on Table Rock.

[rps]

First, I am sure Bill and others will have better advice nearer your arrival date. Weather can make a huge difference early in the year. I would also ask around the marina. They won't tell you spots , but you maybe can learn depth and a pattern or two.

I live way up lake, where it's nearly a river. What I fish would be like the bluff transitions back in Long Creek near Big Cedar. I just looked at the middle Long Creek map posted in the Table Rock forum. It is the one with Big Cedar. The second point on the left as you leave the cove for Devils Pool looks to be a bluff end transition. I would start there and then head across the lake to try those two bluff ends, especially the one near what looks to be Persimmon Creek.

BTW, I forgot to mention a bait. If the weather has stayed cold, a jigging spoon would be a good tool to have.

[Pounce]

First, I am sure Bill and others will have better advice nearer your arrival date. Weather can make a huge difference early in the year. I would also ask around the marina. They won't tell you spots , but you maybe can learn depth and a pattern or two.

I live way up lake, where it's nearly a river. What I fish would be like the bluff transitions back in Long Creek near Big Cedar. I just looked at the middle Long Creek map posted in the Table Rock forum. It is the one with Big Cedar. The second point on the left as you leave the cove for Devils Pool looks to be a bluff end transition. I would start there and then head across the lake to try those two bluff ends, especially the one near what looks to be Persimmon Creek.

BTW, I forgot to mention a bait. If the weather has stayed cold, a jigging spoon would be a good tool to have.

Thanks...It is people like you that make this a great site.