Table Rock Dam Area

[troutgnat]

Gentlemen,

Now that I've clued everyone in on the wart bite up the James,............Can anyone tell us if the grub bite has started in the dam area??? Please include water temp and clarity if you would. I thank everyone in advance for their posts.

[CaptainJoe]

The grub bite is not there, yet. Water temps in the high 40's. Started out yesterday at 47 and finished at 49. Through the grub most of the day and nothing. The day before, I had a 3#, but that was it. Wind was strong so I tried the spinnerbait...no luck. Warts did not work, either, except for one fish way back in Cricket Creek. Heck, I could not even get them to eat a jerkbait. All in all, very disappointing.

[Bill Babler]

Started this morning out of Rock Lane with Dave W. and his Dad. Dave is a long time client and good friend. His Grandma has a place next to our's at Shell Knob. We usually fish up there. Wish we would have today.

What a complete "GAR HOLE." We fished from 7 AM till 10:30 AM and just flat STUNK IT UP! I have never seen a slicker, flater, no fish catchin water than was in the dam area this morning. It was just depressing.

1 nice SM to the boat, 1 K got off in transit, and 3 simi-solid tugs were it for us. Spoke to most every guide on the water today trying to get some help, but nobody had any for me and were wanting any I had.

Surface temp at 48 degree from State Park to Point 5. Just a complete and total disaster this morning.

If you caught them in the dam area this morning, bless you. Wish I would have called ya.

Threw a jig, Float-n-Fly, swam a grub, and of course jerked. Jerkbait was the only fish and bites we had.

Dam area, is to tough on flat water for me right now, and it showed this morning.

Good Luck

[Donna G]

You shouldn't have used up all your fish in AIA. We're making a run to Mt. Ida tomorrow to visit the folks. We hadn't decided where to fish Sunday. It may not be Table Rock from the sounds of it. lol

[Bill Babler]

Donna, I think it is just that Da!!--Dam area that the bite is ragged. However, Beck reported it to be pretty slow in Kimberling this morning.

We are going to fish Joe Bass on Sunday. You and I both know, these fish are on the verge of breaking loose. You can bet when we come out of Fisher on Sunday, we will not be turning left, unless there is plenty of wind.

We did last weekend get into a pretty good Jaw bite in a couple of flat windy pockets. They were nice Keeps, but just not big enough to trade out. We also got slammed a few times and didn't hook up. Tends to make you think the flat gravel bite in the dam area, is not far away.

I'm no longer allowed to cull, as I tend to get excited and throw to many fish back. Another week like the one I had last week, and I will be relegated to boat driver and net man and food and drink man only. "Gosh, Becky would let me do that at the Lodge."

Come up and spend some of that big Arkansas Money on Sunday. We will contribute to the Fann Brothers retirement fund together.

Good Luck Bill

[troutgnat]

Bill, Donna and Capt'n Joe,

Thank you, that is all I needed to hear. How depressing! My second favorite technique of swimming that grub is out the window this weekend. I guess it's that 70 mile drive back to the James Arm and where I know my wart fish are. I hope to have a repeat of this last Wednesday. To you all, grab a wart and head up river!!!

[Donna G]

I agree with you, Bill. Wouldn't catch me turning left.

As to being relegated to boat driver and net man and food and drink man only - I don't think I want a guy on the net who throws out the limit fish. Boat, food and drink - ok.

I'll tell you a secret - don't tell Champ. I'm pretty sure I tossed the larger, rather than smaller cull fish at Stockton one year in team tournament. I was too afraid to fess up. Fortunately, the difference was small enough to make no difference. I was like you - couldn't keep up. He had that fin rocking and about the time I got one out of the net and was looking for culling clips, he was hauling in another. I got flustered. However, can't say I've thrown out #5 - yet.

Contributing is what me and Champ are good at lately. Too bad donating to the Fann Brothers retirement fund isn't tax deductible.

[denjac]

This afternoon had a 40 pound carp on a grub, no kidding. it was 4ft long. Had a 3 pound black on the same grub. From 1 - 4 the only bites i had. It doesnt scare me though cause this area is going to bust loose anytime. Might give the Joe Bass a whirl Sunday too.

[fozzype]

Misery loves company. I am not glad that the bite is slow, only glad I am not the only one. Got to Long Creek at 2:30 yesterday - the wind was blowing -but I couldn't buy a bite. Only caught three fish and they wouldv'e only been keepers in an overstocked farm pond.

Anyway -- fished from cricket to the dam. They would not eat the wart in the dirty water. All fish came from jig in brushy. Could not get them to eat the stick either.

Talked with several other boates who said it was absolutely terrible in the afternoon. Must have been the cold front?