Current Table Rock Lake Fishing Report For 2-17-12

[Bill Babler]

Nice Table Rock LM on A-Rig, using 4.5 inch Bait

Transition Banks are Holding Moving LM

If you want to catchem right now, early is better than late. First light these days is commin at 6:45 AM and you should be where you want to start to flingin by then. Bite seems to get really tough at 11 AM or so.

Table Rock Lake Level at 915.1 and surface temps vary depending on time of day and locations, generally running from 45 to 47 degree. Surface water is stained from recent rains, but visability in main lake locations in the 8 to 12 ft. range. Kings River is much less.

Fish are really starting to transition, moving up in the water column. I can see this by the number of K's we are starting to catch on the A-Rig. Up until this week, it had mostly been LM and some Slobber/Knocker Jaws.

Most of these are 4.5 inch baits

Earlier this year we were using some Bigger Baits on the Rigs, up to 8". I have downsized considerably as of yesterday as the 3 inch baits are hooking up far better than even the 4.5 inch baits. Lots of short strikes yesterday reported by both Buster and Myself. I believe these are K's.

Switched to a 3 inch bait from a 4.5 and the hookups increased dramaticlly.

Larger 5 to 6 inch Swimbaits

3 inch Swimbaits are producing better hookups

Smaller baits with both curly tail and boot tail will work for sure.

Fish seem to be on the transition banks where one form or rock moves to another in a big hurry. Channel banks and large deep coves seem to be the best bet.

For the last week I have really been able to see these fish. Don't need bait present and I'll get to that in a minute. Just idle into the locations and look for suspended fish or fish moving in the water column.

Yesterday we brought 12 keepers to the boat, with only 2 being LM. All the rest and all the shorts but one were K's. All the K's were just full of crayfish. That is the reason you don't have to see the shad. The K's in the White River are are really working Craws.

Nice K on the Rig

With the clarity of the water and the way the fish have been going this Winter, I was suprised to see most of the K's were vivid bright green. They are up. Not the dull grey or white of deep caught spoon fish. These guys are chasing craws. The LM that came on the floater, was up as my guest saw a boil on the surface and flung the floater to it, catching the minature LM.

Fish we caught yesterday were on an A-Rig,Jig and 1 on a Floater (Small LM To Windy).

Would have thrown a wart, but was on an instructional trip and my guest was interested in a couple of other methods. I caught the jig fish, just trying to stay out of his way on the Floater and the Bass Chime.

[rangerman50]

Bill, I have never responded to any reports or comments on this forum to date however I could not pass it up this time. Your sincere honesty and detail on your fishing reports along with what Buster or another guide is doing is top knotch and well appreciated. It always is very evident that you truly spill the beans always...a hold nothing back type of report. I can only speak for myself but, I am sure that others also appreciate what you do.

Thanks and Great report too!

[balsabee]

Bill, I have never responded to any reports or comments on this forum to date however I could not pass it up this time. Your sincere honesty and detail on your fishing reports along with what Buster or another guide is doing is top knotch and well appreciated. It always is very evident that you truly spill the beans always...a hold nothing back type of report. I can only speak for myself but, I am sure that others also appreciate what you do.

Thanks and Great report too!

X 1000

Thanks Bill!

[Phil Lilley]

http://www.ozarkanglers.com/blog/2012/02/17/bablers-table-rock-audio-fishing-report-21712/

Bill's audio report.

[motoman]

You guys said it, always a wealth of information. But, you should really treat yourself and hire a guide too, next time you're down at The Rock. You'd ba AMAZED how much MORE you could learn. It'll save you a TON of time next time you're out on the water. Worth every penny!

[Gone Fishing]

Bill, nice report. Let us know if you get out there and try the wart.

[dtrs5kprs]

_{Well done as usual. Like the "bass chime" tag. Figure all those rigs going overhead in April and May should drown out most of the motor noise.}

[DChance]

Great report. I will be there the end of march with the wife and hope to get her on some fish. I will be checking back often. Thanks for the great repors

[edwin]

Great info Bill, as always. FWIW, after the 11am slow down you mention, I was able to put together a pretty decent pattern mid- afternoon on the drop shot. 45 deg chunk banks, deep water fairly close by, little bit of wind helped, and wood didn't hurt. I caught 23 this afternoon with 8 keeps, lots of solid, fat 13.5 - 14.5" spots...all holding close to the bottom in 26-32' deep. Was able to duplicate it in 4 diff't spots up the James.

My big fish of the day came right at noon on a jig is similar depth as mentioned above. The spots sure don't carry weight like a LM, but a 3.1lb spot was a pretty big fish

[Bill Babler]

Great thought on the Shot. I don't even have the fixin's in my boat right now. Just goes to show, you have to try different things.

I have not seen any concentrations of fish in that depth range. Most of my fish are singles and moving up and down.

Drop shot in February, you might have created something as big as the Bass Chime.

Good Luck