Table Rock Lake Fishing Report May 24Th. 2011

[dtrs5kprs]

Not that I spend all day studying Bill's pics (maybe just 6 hours a day or so), but that looks like either a regular old round head or possibly a football jammed in there. Footballs work pretty well for dragging tubes, as long as you can get them inside. Works in post spawn sometimes with regular pool levels also, but has always been a deal for one or two good bites for me since being told about it a few years ago. Same long gravel places.

[gitnby]

Not that I spend all day studying Bill's pics (maybe just 6 hours a day or so), but that looks like either a regular old round head or possibly a football jammed in there. Footballs work pretty well for dragging tubes, as long as you can get them inside. Works in post spawn sometimes with regular pool levels also, but has always been a deal for one or two good bites for me since being told about it a few years ago. Same long gravel places.

We used to throw the old FAT GITZIT.

Basically, it was 2 tubes melted together head-to-head on a jig head.

The jig head was similar to a FB head.

I made up a few recently, but haven't used them yet.

I took 2 tubes, snipped off the heads and melted them together with a Bic lighter.

Then feed the tubes up the hook and push open end up snug to the jug.

The tentacles on the front act like a skirt and the back tentacles are the tail.

Looks pretty cool!

You can even mix colors. I made up some with gr. pumpkin and watermelon.

[powerdive]

None of us could hit the bank with a rifle shot. If you can hit the bush line you are to close. They are way out on the gravel rolloffs. put the boat off the extemly flat points in 32 to 38 for Jaws and deeper for K's. I'm not on the LM as you can tell by my derby results this last weekend. Could not get the Jaw bite in the wind, but if I can get on these long runouts, that is the ticket. Best LM bite however has been reported to be up the White and James river off the points in 24 to 34 on a FB Jig.

That is some top-quality, super-helpful information, and I thank you, Bill, for your willingness to provide it. As you recall I don't fish bass, but knowing what other predators are doing helps me target the walleyes a little better. Again, thanks!

[powerdive]

Unfortunately, though, it looks like I'm gonna have to take up bass fishing due to work requirements...probably not the most terrible thing in the world, but I've got a lot of catching up to do.

[Martin]

This I gotta see.......lol.......

(For those of you that hadn't noticed, Powerdrive, or is it Powerdive, is one of my walleye fishing buddies).....He's from up nort, and I've learned alot from him and the weirdo's he's got me rides with...(tongue in cheek firmly)... I agree fully, that Mr. Bablers reports and hints are probably the best I've ever seen on the world wide web. If the smallies and Kentuck's are out there, then the walleyes aren't too far away. Bill, thank you sincerely.

mF

[rangerman]

Powerdive bass fishing....He,he,he, this is going to be funny. Don't we catch enough of the things while walleye fishing. I'm in full agreement on the opinions of Bill. I can almost picture the eyes laying right where he is talking about. Thanks Bill

[Bill Babler]

Been out everyday and just have not had time to post much. My phone has 72 pic's of Jaw's on it waiting, but who knows.

I am using a 3/8th. either Football or round. Mine are supplied by Pig Sticker Jig company, but the best ones are round ones with extended top head eyes that most of the tube guys make themselves. This longer extended eye, helps to poke thru the head of the tube without cutting the tube.

Beck and Lisek, make them. Not For Sale. They did have hundreds at Table Rock Tackle and Marine. I cleaned them out today. They will have more pronto.

Put on your memorie caps and remember when the lake was way down. Picture the long flat gravel point that run out hundreds of yrds. on the rock. Right at the end of these runouts where they break off into the channel are where these post spawn and pre spawn fish are holding. They are reloading daily.

Most of these spots are adjacent to big flat spawing coves, and allow the fish to feed on both shad and crawfish as the current washes over these points.

The Jaw's also hunt these ridges for the seafood, most being full and running over with crawfish. had one puke up 4 daddies bigger than the tube this morning, and I could see more down in his craw.

We had K's yesterday that were just full and dripping eggs. Really don't know if they will spawn or not, but they have a belly full of babies.

Here is a very quick method in removing the hook from a deep tube hooked bass.

Holding the fish in your left hand by the lower jaw, place your right thumb on the head of the tube. run your index finger down the tube to the hook bend, usually in the top portion of the craw or the beginning of the throat. Push down with your thumb and pull up with your index finger, rotating the tube front to back, or simply turning it around. It will come out without hurting the fish what so ever.

If it is extremely gut or gill hooked it is just as easy to cut off your tube. If you make it bleed and you know it will die, do what you think is best.

When fishing the tube, be extremey sensitive to the bait. Working it or hopping it like a jig will get it down the throat quick. Tim Page has his people just drag the bait with the rod and pick up the loose slack with the reel. Just like you were fishing a rig. This is the best method I have found to keep it in their lips and roof of the mouth.

If you work it like a jig, they will just flat gulp it. Also be very sensitive on the cast to watch the line to the bottom. Lots of these fish will rise to meet the bait and if you are a line watcher, you will have a quicker set and keep it out of their guts.

Good Luck

[Jason Essary]

Bill, above and beyond as usual. Good karma to ya.

[johnm]

busy day on the lake today... found a largemouth pattern on a 1/2 oz carolina rig, zoom lizard green pumpkin or watermelon with purple flake, 2 1/2' liter dragging on bottom. all on gravel. all spawned out... hopefully helps all fish 10' - 20' good luck

[dtrs5kprs]

Seems like any fish with eggs would be pushing the clock pretty hard. We went through a few bad high water years on some lakes in Iowa and were told that eventually the fish would sort of re-absorb the eggs if they could not come up and spawn. Don't know that to be correct, seems as likely they might drop them and be done with it.