Texan comming to Table Rock for the first time

[chriso]

I am coming to Table Rock next week and have never been to the lake. Is it clear to run? Any tips on what part of the lake I should focus on or specific patterns. Any help would be appreciated.

Chris

[CMAC]

My best advice is to search all posts by Mr. Bill Babler. You'll have a good knowledge of where and what to do.

[Phil Lilley]

Bill has been guiding everyday... he should be reporting real soon.

[chriso]

Is it ok to run or does it have allot of underwater hazards?

Thanks,

Chris

[Bill Babler]

For the most part, you can run the main lake anywhere. Most navigational obstructions are bouy marked. Stay in the channel, and don't cut corners, as the lake is about 7 ft. under full resw. Get a map and use it.

Give us an idea of what section of the lake you are to be staying and we'll see if we have any current info.

Fishing remains pretty tough up the river arms and somewhat better on main lake long gravel rolloff sections. Long flat gravel points seem to be holding more fish than midlake humps, and everything should change with lower water temps.

Some of these bass should start moving shallower. Most spotted bass are currently suspended and on the bottom in the 35 to 45 ft. range, depending on the lake section you are fishing. Immediatly release these fish as coming from that depth, you just can't fool around with them or their swim bladder will expand and they won't be able to restablish themselves.

Not going into fish fizzing;

Beck, told me he is catching quite a few shorts in the 45 ft. range over 70 to 100 ft. of water off the main lake flats.

That tells me the suckers are in the middle of the lake. Bum deal! Shell Knob fish seem to be somewhat more hospitable. 42ft. on the bottom.

Dropshot is still the key. I'm using a 3/8 oz. dropshot weight and usually a cotton candy or watermellon candy 4" dropshot worm.

Don't shake it around to much as they don't want a lot of movement. Just raise and lower it to their location. Maby they'll bite.

[chriso]

I am staying at Ozark Mountain resort but am willing to run as far as needed. My map came yesterday and I have been studying it carefully. The ironic thing is that two weeks ago I was fishing Sam Rayburn with 65# test braid and a one once weight punching hydrilla in 10 foot of water. Even with 65# braid I broke one off. That was our last tournament prior to the regional on Table Rock. I have caught maybe 50 fish on dropshot over the last year but it certainly is not my strength. I throw a great deal of wacky worm with what I consider light (12-14#) line but I have never considered throwing 8 or 6. I was thinking that Table Rock would be on a fall pattern by next week but from everything I read it seems that Fall patterns are delayed that I need to get comfortable with 8# test. I am trying to cut the lake down to ¼ before I get there next week. It is great to find a forum up here similar to the TFF (Texas Fishing Forum).

Chris