Today On The Rock Friday November 4Th. 2011

[Bill Babler]

Hope I can get this down without tears. 56 yrs. of life. Twenty plus as a Table Rock Guide and I have never been presented with a more magnificent display of Gods Creation. My thoughts wondered today to the reciently passing away of a friend, Vince Elfrink.. He would have marveled at the display of nature that we whitnessed . Without a doubt one of my finest days.

One of the crowning jewels that Vince had, was earning his guide license and guideing on Lake Taneycomo. This would have been a day he would have never forgotten.

The gratutide and gratefullness I feel for being premitted to do this are words that I am not capable of displaying or really understanding. The bouquey of God's colors were presented on such a magnificent stage today that they measure in ways beyond me.

Kyle and Wes, two Okie's from Tulsa were my companions on this journey. Wonderful young men with their lifes before them. My absolute priviledge to be with them today.

Day strated at the Knob Ramp and it was a humdinger. Not for great quality in fish size but everything else for us was taken care of.

40 plus fish to the boat today with 5 solid keeps, anchored by a 3.5 pound LM was the total, and that is a good one considering receient days. We did cover the water, fishing from Shell Knob to Eagle Rock.

Early fish to the bost on a wart and blade and when the sun hit the water the jig came into play. Fish are not near where they are suspose to be, nothing on mainlake stuff or deep. Most all our fish were on 45 degree rock,and wind did not seem to be a factor. Best bite was late.

Water in the area is clear, but nothing like point 8 to the dam. Surface temps at 62 to 64 degree.

JIg color did not matter as we did well on either green pumpkin, green pumpkin candy, pbj. Trailers were either a twin or a smallie beaver in pumpkin or gobe.

If you get a chance, get out this weekend. If you don't catch a fish, it will be the best day you have ever had. I have never seen the color displayed as it is now on Table Rock Lake.

Good Luck

[Champ188]

Great report, Bill. Seemed a few weeks ago during the heat that this was shaping up to be an unremarkable fall in terms of color. Then we got that big September rain just in time to perk everything up. Haven't been up that way in a few weeks but it's sure pretty in our neck of the woods.

Glad you had a great trip and actually got to catch some fish. Maybe the bite is starting to turn on finally.

Gotta say in closing, it's beyond me how folks can think for even a minute that God's wonderful creations "just happened."

[Spinnaker]

Heading down next week. Hoping to do well, but just getting out will be a blessing.

[Bill Babler]

Back to Back good days on the Rock! What in the Sam Hill is happenin here. Started today Techo out of Aunts Creek. Should have known it would be good with Don H.

Ran to the back and had a vey nice LM bite on a Wareagle Blade along with the Wart. Water is clear, but with the wind blowing they were hungry. Had their noses right up on the chunk rock.

Motored up the James when the Auntie Em's bite stopped and popped a very nice K on a Shaky Head with a 4" Slim Sinko in Green Pumpkin Pepper.

Thought that might be the deal for the rest of the morning and it was. Never had 4 hrs. go by faster. 5 keeper Jaws, 2 nice K's and another 3.5 pound LM to anchor our string, along with several short fish. Best 5 at next to 14 pounds.

Colors were as pretty as yesterday and with the cloud cover it was a very good Jaw morning.

Surface temps all morning in the Aunts creek Point 11 area 61 to 62 degree. Water was super clear.

Good Luck

[snakem]

Back to Back good days on the Rock! What in the Sam Hill is happenin here. Started today Techo out of Aunts Creek. Should have known it would be good with Don H.

Ran to the back and had a vey nice LM bite on a Wareagle Blade along with the Wart. Water is clear, but with the wind blowing they were hungry. Had their noses right up on the chunk rock.

Motored up the James when the Auntie Em's bite stopped and popped a very nice K on a Shaky Head with a 4" Slim Sinko in Green Pumpkin Pepper.

Thought that might be the deal for the rest of the morning and it was. Never had 4 hrs. go by faster. 5 keeper Jaws, 2 nice K's and another 3.5 pound LM to anchor our string, along with several short fish. Best 5 at next to 14 pounds.

Colors were as pretty as yesterday and with the cloud cover it was a very good Jaw morning.

Surface temps all morning in the Aunts creek Point 11 area 61 to 62 degree. Water was super clear.

Good Luck

Now thats the Bill i know. Been waiting for some good fishing reports,have not been out in quite a awhile waiting on this crazy fall bite to get going,with the cost of gas and all and out of work for 3 months now Oh well just my luck now momma told me next sat. we will be in the woods after them four legged critters. Very nice report Bill.

Snakem Out.

[Bill Babler]

Snake, U have probably driven her crazy these last 3 months. Be careful in the DEAR Woods and just give her one bullet like Barney used to get. That ways at least you have a chance if she misses.

I'm headed that way too. Next Monday thru Thursday. Don't usually hunt opening weekend. We are headed out this morning up to Camdenton to put the stands up.

I believe the fish are getting it right now, so we will be ok with our late Fall early Winter bite. Should be good as they have been fasting for 3 months.

Good Luck in the Woods.

[Tfsh4bass]

Finally got something going on Sunday. I fished around the Joe Bald area from 12 to 6 and caught 19 (12 spots and 7blacks) including 11 keepers that were just keepers. I caught 12 on a blade and 7 on a jerkbait and had a flury from 1 to 2 where I caught 9 but had to work before and after. Just nice to get up into double digits.

[gitnby]

Snake, U have probably driven her crazy these last 3 months. Be careful in the DEAR Woods and just give her one bullet like Barney used to get. That ways at least you have a chance if she misses.

I'm headed that way too. Next Monday thru Thursday. Don't usually hunt opening weekend. We are headed out this morning up to Camdenton to put the stands up.

I believe the fish are getting it right now, so we will be ok with our late Fall early Winter bite. Should be good as they have been fasting for 3 months.

Good Luck in the Woods.

I was all excited to see Bill's report! Decided to try the same pattern mid-lake.

Went out sunday at the crack and fished till 10:30 AM. No topwater action first thing like I thought there might be. Didn't see any bustin.

Fished the chunk rock up Fisher and Schooner creeks and got nothin on the blade or wart. 1 small K on the shakey head. Went back out to the points and worked the FB jig. 2 smallies, 1 barely 15".Couldn't find any schools of shad in their normal hangouts?

Water up here is very clear! 63-64+

Was going to head up the James, but needed to cut the grass, and some other yard work before the rain that was forecast.

Still, it was good to be out. saw several bald eagles, and the loons were out in force. (the birds, not the weekend pleasure boaters)

I only saw maybe 3 or 4 other bass boats the whole morning? I guess everyone was up in Aunt's creek catchin Bill's fish?

[Sore Thumbs]

Finally got something going on Sunday. I fished around the Joe Bald area from 12 to 6 and caught 19 (12 spots and 7blacks) including 11 keepers that were just keepers. I caught 12 on a blade and 7 on a jerkbait and had a flury from 1 to 2 where I caught 9 but had to work before and after. Just nice to get up into double digits.

Is that a soft or hard jerkbait? I was under the impression it was too warm for hard jerkbait. If you are having luck with it I am very interested in how I can catch them with it.I am assuming you are working it pretty fast. Thanks for the report.

[Tfsh4bass]

Is that a soft or hard jerkbait? I was under the impression it was too warm for hard jerkbait. If you are having luck with it I am very interested in how I can catch them with it.I am assuming you are working it pretty fast. Thanks for the report.

Hard jerkbait and I am ripping pretty it quick for a reaction bite...no pause really and most bites are very shallow. I usually have a jerkbait on deck from 65 and below but I did take this guy fishing once in August and I watched him catch 4 good ones on a firetiger jerkbait up river...something I would never have believed if I didn't see it. One thing I do this time of year is if I get a few bites on a blade I will turn around with jerkbait...if they swipe at it I have a better chance to hook up.