12-1-11 Table Rock Lake Fishing Report

[Bill Babler]

12-1-11 White River Outfitters;

Hit the lake this Morn to a beautiful bright high sky, with surface temps in the 56 degree range, air temps in the 24 degee cold range. Launched at Baxter.

Started out looking for deep fish with the spoon, and could find some, most being keeps, but just that. Got bored with it, and even though there was no wind I switched to the 3/8th. oz. Sticker and started to explore.

Quite a few shad and they seemed to be right on the bank. If I would have had the nerve in this clear super flat windless water, I probably would have slung a blade a mite, but didn't. Pig Sticker worked non-the-less, catching 5 nice keeps on it, all under 15 ft. Most were LM in the 17 inch range but were painfully thin.

Gave the crappie a try on some of the Baxter docks, and caught 6 keeps, but again just that. I released them.

Went back to the Spoon and caught some more deep keeps, mostly K's suspended at 40 over 60.

Finished the day with 14 keeps and 23 bass total. Probably 13.5 pounds for the best 5. Crappie were not the quality we caught last weekend.

Spoke to Bill Richey and he had quite abit better size bass than I did. Said he caught two limits this morning with two over 4 pounds and three good keeps at 3 plus. All on a Football Jig, under 15'. He is a very straight shooter, so I'm sure of the information. Did not quiz him on location, as I believe he is fishing the CPA this weekend and didn't want to be no nosey.

Good Luck

[Champ188]

Good report, Bill. Thanks. And agreed on Mr. Richey. Darn good fisherman and a straight shooter. Donna and I put in at SK bridge about 8 a.m. last Saturday and fished all day in the rain. Lot tougher day than I expected. Nothing on the blade. Ended up catching about a dozen on a shaky head and little jig and don't think there was a keeper in the bunch. Threw the blade too long. I do that sometimes.

[Donna G]

Champ188 NEVER throws the blade too long. Glad there's no webcam. I don't have a poker face.

Thanks for the FB jig tip, Bill. I know just the spot for that. Champ and I always have the dragger versus winder debate. He's a winder - I'm a dragger. lol

[Sore Thumbs]

Did any of you guys try a wiggle wart? I fished from Eagle Rock to Holiday Island and did very well in water 8ft or less. I am learning here. Just want to know if it is better to fish blades and jigs closer to the dam or if what works in the Upper applies to the Lower? I am starting to use blade some where I never would before. Caught some pretty good ones on Beaver the other day using War Eagle Mouse colored with one white blade and one gold blade. I am trying to figure out what situations call for spinner bait or crankbait. Is it gut feeling or is there a science to it? Thanks for any input.

[Donna G]

I hear they are being caught on a Wart. Threw one quite a bit today, though, and only stuck a single short fish. I bet somebody caught 'em. I'm no expert, but I believe that I'm more successful when I'm throwing what I am confident in after considering the conditions - wind, water color, temp, cloud cover. Champ has a lot of confidence in a spinner bait. I feel that way about a jig. Often I pitch a jig around behind him and sometimes we get lucky with a one-two punch. lol

[Sore Thumbs]

I hear they are being caught on a Wart. Threw one quite a bit today, though, and only stuck a single short fish. I bet somebody caught 'em. I'm no expert, but I believe that I'm more successful when I'm throwing what I am confident in after considering the conditions - wind, water color, temp, cloud cover. Champ has a lot of confidence in a spinner bait. I feel that way about a jig. Often I pitch a jig around behind him and sometimes we get lucky with a one-two punch. lol

How did you do today overall? I am going tommorow and would love any tips.