1St Bass Fishing Trip To Table Rock

[GBpackerfan]

Hello!

My buddy from Wisconsin and I are planning our first-ever fishing trip to Table Rock.

We want to fish for largemouth bass during the pre-spawn, but neither of us know anything about the lake. What I'm looking for is any advice as to where to fish (upper vs. lower), ideal dates to come, campgrounds to stay at, and even a recommendation for a reasonable guide who could take us out for a 1/2-day just to acquaint us with the waters.

I've just about exhausted my "Google-ing" efforts because bass fishing info about the lake seems very inadequate and hard-to-find, so that's why I'm asking for your help, please!

The other question I have is: would Bull Shoals be a better choice for a largemouth trip? I've heard great things about both lakes, but I just happened to come across Table Rock first, that's why it's penciled in for the trip.

Really appreciate any advice!

Matt

[WeekendWarrior]

I would plan on making the trip somewhere between say middle of March to the end of April and I would definitely go to Table Rock vs. Bull Shoals. Don't get me wrong Bull is a great lake but water levels could be 35-40 ft high vs TR 15 ft high. As for guide, if your a first-timer to lake I would definitely get a guide to make your trip get off to a great start. There are some great guides on TR. I have used Bill Beck which I consider one of the best. Mr. Babler is on this board and is good as well as are others. A lot of the guides all talk to each other and help each other out even when out on the lake. You will not be disappointed. You can fish for any of the bass species you wish and find any kind of water you like to fish as well. Good fishin!

[Jeremy Rasnick]

I would plan on making the trip somewhere between say middle of March to the end of April and I would definitely go to Table Rock vs. Bull Shoals. Don't get me wrong Bull is a great lake but water levels could be 35-40 ft high vs TR 15 ft high. As for guide, if your a first-timer to lake I would definitely get a guide to make your trip get off to a great start. There are some great guides on TR. I have used Bill Beck which I consider one of the best. Mr. Babler is on this board and is good as well as are others. A lot of the guides all talk to each other and help each other out even when out on the lake. You will not be disappointed. You can fish for any of the bass species you wish and find any kind of water you like to fish as well. Good fishin!

Hands down, Table Rock would be my pick over bull shoals. It is much more "fisherman friendly" especially for your first trip. If you want to scratch your head and catch hammer handles go to Bull, if you want to get your arm broke come to the Rock and throw a grub. Don't worry about water levels, by that time BS should be back down if it is anything like the spring following 2008 flooding. Table Rock is already back down. John Sappington is a great guide this time of year as well.

[magicwormman]

Table Rock for sure!! I would pick the week around the full moon in April. You will catch a few spawners, but mostly pre spawn. I feel this is the best big fish time period. If you want numbers, end of April to early May get my vote. You can't go wrong with Beck or Babler for a guide. If you looking for Largemouth I would fish the James or the Kings River. If you want Smallmouth or Kentuckys I would fish the dam area to Kimberling City.

[Tfsh4bass]

Trock would probably be the choice but Bull is a great lake and much better than some think. The last week of March or first week of April would get my vote. Sometimes a little later in April when they start to make their beds and roam the pockets it can get a little tough. I prefer the straight up prespawn and you can catch them on a variety of patterns...jerkbait, blade, wart, jig, grub, etc. Also, I prefer the Baxter to Indian Point area because you have a good chance in that stretch of catching all three bass species. Just keep checking this board leading up to your trip and you will get plenty of info.

[techo]

Last week of April to first week of May. Course we flooded the last week of April this year.

[GBpackerfan]

Really appreciate the info so far - keep it coming!

Is anyone able to recommend an affordable campground near the good fishing spots, particularly the mentioned spots near Indian Point? Would prefer to keep the boat in the water the whole time.

[bluebasser86]

Wouldn't be able to keep your boat in the water the whole time but the campground at Aunt's Creek is really nice and there is really good fishing up there in the spring. Lots of shaded and level spots for tents or RV's and nice shower houses and bathrooms. There is a couple ramps right in the campsite so it takes very little extra time to load and unload the boat. I'm sure the guys that live on the lake can give better advice about where to fish but my wife and I get down to the rock as often as we can to camp and fish and we both really like Aunt's Creek for the camping and fishing.

[Ham]

FWIW, this forum is dominated by folks that LOVE to fish TR. The time of year you are talking about is relatively easy to find a few fish on TR and they are catchable. You'll have a good time there.

No doubt about it that the average size fish on TR is bigger, but BSL fishes a lot easier and you don't ever seem to get crowded. TR CAN BE crazy busy. BSL has it's share of toads as well though, it isn't a dink fest.

TR has lots more places to stay and lots more guide services. Which might be a deciding factor for you.

IF I lived exactly in between the two lakes, I would fish BSL 8 times out of 10. I catch a lot more bass out of BSL and I have a much better chance to catch a big ole walleye while bass fishing at BSL.

[Cajunangler]

Everyone seems to get a little emotional when it comes to which lake they like and why. But as to your question as to what to try when you are down, YOU'VE FOUND IT!! Several weeks prior to your trip down start looking at post on here and asking questions if you've got any. I'm all about planning ahead and for vacation time you have to plan that well in advance but picking lures and patterns will be completely dependent on current weather and water levels.

Good luck and hope you catch a bunch.

And HAM, shut up!!!!!!!!! You simply crazy thinking Bull Shoals is somehow better than the Rock!!