New To The Forums, And To The Rock.

[pbrussell]

Hey all. Let me take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Blake and I'm from Kansas city, and I'm a fairly avid bass fisherman. My family and I will be coming to table rock smack dab in the middle of may, and I would really appreciate some basic information on where to get started. I fished the rock a couple of times but that was when I was a wee tyke. I've learned quite a bit since then, but really know nothing about table rock other than it's clear, it's deep, and all three species of bass are pretty plentiful there.

My family and I will be staying at indian point so I imagine most of my fishing will be focused around that area. I've got a 90 horse evinrude, and I'm willing to make a run to certain sections of the lake, but I'm not going to be able to do it in the amount of time a 250 can. My research has shown me that the bass will more or less be altogether done with the spawn at this time. There may be a few late comers on beds, but it's looking like I'll need to be focusing on some post spawn patterns.

I keep hearing an awful lot about bluffends for this time period. Would this be a good place to start?

It's also sounded like topwater in the morning can be pretty hot around this time. What areas should I concentrate on? It's looking like I need to learn how to fish a spook, because that's all I hear about from rock guys. Well, that and redfins. Also have heard a good deal about pbj jigs, tube baits, shakyheads and grubs on jigheads.

This is about all I know. Coming from Kansas City, deep water scares me. Clear deep water scares me more. I don't even really know where to get started, so if you fine folks could point me in the right direction, that'd be awesome! Oh, and if you could maybe give me a few extra pointers on hooking up with some smalleys, I'd be grateful. I've caught kentucky's, and largies, but never a brown fish. I'd like to change that this may.

Thanks again.

-Blake.

[dwiebenga]

Where are you in KC? I am in Lee's Summit

[pbrussell]

I'm on the kansas side, in shawnee

[dwiebenga]

Okay...I hit the lakes here in Jackson County, but I also hit Table Rock 2 or 3 times per year

[dtrs5kprs]

Lansing, KS for me. Don't let that clear water scare you, that is the whole point in making the 4 hour drive.

Spooks and fins are fun, but a small chugger like a pop-r, chug bug, or yellow magic is awfully good in May. Bluff ends, main lake channel swings with wood, middle of cove mouths, flat gravel out in the lake, long points, deep docks. Strike King wake bait throws a little better and runs a little easier than the fin.

Football jig in PBJ/brown purple/etc, carolina rig with a little green worm, and swimming a smoke 4" grub on a 1/4oz head should be good about that time on flat gravel points and flats with deep water close by, plenty of those places from Kimberling City back to the dam. Also dragging a 1/4oz-3/8oz green tube in the same places for brownies. Prefer a 3/4oz jig like a Hazie Dazie b/c I want to feel bottom all the way. Stay waaaay off the bank, boat in maybe 20'-30' (or more) throwing up towards 10' on the gravel. Should not be able to hit the bank with two long casts and a friend to help.

Tend to start on flats and gravel places because I think the fish stop there to feed up before pushing deep for summer. Maybe better fish other places, but not necessarily more.

[pbrussell]

Thanks for the tips. It will definitely be tough for me to stay off the banks. I only just got a boat a few months ago and have been confined to the banks by merit of not having one. Should be a great learning experience for me.

[dtrs5kprs]

The flat gravel is still kind of fishing shallow, just way off the banks. Definitely shallow compared to the vertical fish. Also the big jig, TW, and c-rig let you run a little heavier line. Grub, shaky, split shot, and tube should be on 6#-8#.

Used to come down from KC and run way up the James and Kings looking for dirty water, or praying for wind up the White. Then I broke down (literally...drive shaft) and forced myself to fish and learn the clear water. And really, TR is clear, but not like Beaver or Bull can be.

If you end up fishing the bank give the Ned Rig a look. Half of a ZinkerZ or Zero (elaztech material senko baits) on a 1/6oz head and 6# line. Throw it shallow on gravel, plain chunk rock, dead water between docks, and shake, crawl, swim, or deadstick it out to about 10'-15'. Pretty good way to catch brown fish. Other baits work that way as well, cut down finesse worms, half (or so) of a fish doctor, tiny flukes and tiny brush hogs. Very simple and a fun way to get some bites.

Ned's blog:

http://www.in-fisherman.com/core-experts/ned-kehde/blog/