Table Rock State Park

[Gary Lange]

I am going out Sunday with two guys one of which was on my River Patrol Boat with me in Vietnam the other is his friend. We will put in around the Dam are at the State Park and will be looking for Smallmouth. I understand this area is good for them. However, I have not fished this area and having moved here from Illinois where I spent the last maybe 10 years or so Wading the Streams for Smallies up that way this big body of water is giving me a lot of trouble. What would anyone suggest to use in this area. I have the map that this site offers for the area and it appears very helpful. Any other help would be appreciated. You can e-mail me at glange@cebridge.net if you would like PM me for my number. Like to put them and myself on some fish for a change.

[Bill Babler]

Gary, I fished that section of the lake yesterday, concentrating on smallies. We had only 7 smallies and 2 KY's.

Concentrate on long flat gravel points and position your boat in the 35 ft. depth range and fish toward the bank from there.

Good baits are Jewell football jigs with Chomper twin tail trailers in either green pumpkin or peanut butter and jelly. Other baits such as tubes are also catching some fish, same colors apply.

If its windy, concentrate on the same locations with lots of wind on them and throw a spinner bait to the bank, we caught a couple on the blade, but as soon as the sun hits the water its pretty much over.

You are just to early for a real good smallmouth bite.

When you tire of chasing the sm, put your boat in 36 to 42 ft and vertically fish drop shots for spotted bass and you will be more successful.

[Bill P]

Do you fish the drop shot at depths fish are marked,or above them?

[Gary Lange]

Thanks to Bill Babler for the information on the Smallie Fishing.

[Bill Babler]

Guys, these smallies should be starting at any moment. We are going to get some really cool nights the latter part of this week, and it should get the smallies thinking about a crawfish gumbo.

Currently they are eating suspended sushi that is hovering in the 30 to 70 ft. range in the middle of the lake.

They need to be up on the bank, where we can get a fair crack at em. Should not be long till that football jig gets some respect. Try a 1/2 oz in green pumpkin, over the traditional PB&J.

Guided taney this am and may try and sneek out of an hour or two on the Rock this afternoon. I'm mad at them.

There are some pretty nice smallies being caught suspending near the hardwoods. IT has to be cloudy and windy to get them to nip. a 1/2 oz. war eagle tandem spinner bait has worked the best for me. As soon as the sun hits the water, its over. Most of the trees are on the main lake near the river channel, and the fish are just in these locations, waiting for shad.

When I'm dropshottin, if I can put it in their mouth, I will.

Put the bait right on them.

[Gary Lange]

I know what you mean. I have been reading reports from back in Illinois on the Fox River where one of the guys is killing Smallies with a White 1/2oz. Spinnerbait fished at the edges of the fast water. I got to get me a Smallie before I go mad. Went to BPS today and got some jigs and some Dropshot hooks. Gonna give that ol college try Sunday.

[Bill Babler]

Went out for a couple of hours this afternoon. Extremely bright with a little wind. Fished out of old 86. Did no good until just about 4:30 and stopped on a flat secondary point in the back of a flat gravel cove.

Boat was in 39 ft. and I was throwing a green pumpkin Jewell 1/2 oz football jig with a chomper green purple fleck twin tail trailer. Caught a pretty nice 15.5, inch smallie and on the next cast caught a 15 inch K. I think these fish were on the bottom in approx. 26ft. Just a guess, as I was long distance heaving the jig.

Called it good as I didn't want to break my winning streak, and when to the barn. 2.5 hours and 2 keepers, I guess I'll take that on a whim.

Nice to be able to run out for a couple of hours on a fantastic fall afternoon.