May fishing

[willow]

Not sure if this is where my post should be but what the heck. I will be a first timer on Table Rock in middle May and pretty pumped up already. I'm just an old pond bass fisherman from middle Wisc. looking for some help to fish this lake. I have tons of questions about the lake, what to use, where to go etc. Also looking for a map of the lake so I can see depth, structure etc. Will be staying at Bluegreen Wilderness outside fo Branson. Thanls for any feedback. Willow

[Wayne SW/MO]

You can get a map from Bass Pro Shops, if you want one early. You'll want the East Table Rock map and you'll be on the Long Creek arm. I would venture that you'll see reports of Smallies and Spots taken on points with deep cranks, Carolina rigs and jigs and on chunk rock banks early and late. Watermelon/Red is always a good color on the Rock for plastics. There will be some Largemouth around wood in the coves. The time you're here is a time that can be susceptible to the weather, so adjustments might be in order.

[Phil Lilley]

Just keep watching the forum... Table Rock will light up in the coming months with lots of reports and information.

[willow]

Not sure if this is where my post should be but what the heck. I will be a first timer on Table Rock in middle May and pretty pumped up already. I'm just an old pond bass fisherman from middle Wisc. looking for some help to fish this lake. I have tons of questions about the lake, what to use, where to go etc. Also looking for a map of the lake so I can see depth, structure etc. Will be staying at Bluegreen Wilderness outside fo Branson. Thanls for any feedback. Willow

Wayner, thanks for the help, look forward to my time down there, mike

You can get a map from Bass Pro Shops, if you want one early. You'll want the East Table Rock map and you'll be on the Long Creek arm. I would venture that you'll see reports of Smallies and Spots taken on points with deep cranks, Carolina rigs and jigs and on chunk rock banks early and late. Watermelon/Red is always a good color on the Rock for plastics. There will be some Largemouth around wood in the coves. The time you're here is a time that can be susceptible to the weather, so adjustments might be in order.

Thanks for the help. Lilley I see your name all over this site, I will continue to follow the forum. thanks again, mike

[Sam]

You'll have fun on that area of Tablerock in May.

That's when I get into some of the best bass fishing of the year. It'll probably be in the post-spawn with the big fish just off the nest. Use a 5" Senko worm, pumpkin green color, rigged wacky style on a #4 Kahle circle hook, with a medium spinning outfit and 8 lb. test. Cast to each flooded tree trunk, letting it sink naturally all the way to the bottom. Watch your line as you let it out, and when it twitches a bass has picked it up. That circle hook will always catch them in the lip, so you can do as much catch-and-release as you want.

If you like to fish for species other than bass, you're in luck there too. Slow troll a swimmin' minnow type jig on a lead jig head, 1/4 or 1/8 oz. Do that around the outside edge of the flooded trees, and you'll pick up some crappie and an occasional white bass or catfish.

And as an unexpected side benefit - while fishing for crappie that way last May, I started picking up big goggleyes (rock bass) in the coves and in flats in about 15 feet of water. They're nesting at that time, and on several trips I got limits (15) of 12 to 14-inchers.

[willow]

You'll have fun on that area of Tablerock in May.

That's when I get into some of the best bass fishing of the year. It'll probably be in the post-spawn with the big fish just off the nest. Use a 5" Senko worm, pumpkin green color, rigged wacky style on a #4 Kahle circle hook, with a medium spinning outfit and 8 lb. test. Cast to each flooded tree trunk, letting it sink naturally all the way to the bottom. Watch your line as you let it out, and when it twitches a bass has picked it up. That circle hook will always catch them in the lip, so you can do as much catch-and-release as you want.

If you like to fish for species other than bass, you're in luck there too. Slow troll a swimmin' minnow type jig on a lead jig head, 1/4 or 1/8 oz. Do that around the outside edge of the flooded trees, and you'll pick up some crappie and an occasional white bass or catfish.

And as an unexpected side benefit - while fishing for crappie that way last May, I started picking up big goggleyes (rock bass) in the coves and in flats in about 15 feet of water. They're nesting at that time, and on several trips I got limits (15) of 12 to 14-inchers.

Sam, thanks for the info. I am defintely excited about coming and fishing this lake. Just saw on TV yesterday a Busch Shootout on the rock. Would there be any topwater action that time of year. I fish lots of ponds with buzz baits and scum frogs, ponds never more than 5-8 feet deep so this lake will be a new type of fishin for me. Thanks again, Mike

[Sam]

Would there be any topwater action that time of year.

I don't specialize in bass. I enjoy fishing for everything, including bass - so there are others here that could tell you better than I can.

My impression is that top-water fishing kicks in better in June and July than in May. In May on Tablerock the post-spawn bass I catch are looking for shelter near the nesting areas, their tails are worn down from sweeping the nest, and right at that time I don't think they're active enough for topwater.

I've had some good action on crankbaits at that time of year, and that's getting pretty close to topwater lures - so I don't really know. Most topwater bites, if any, are going to be very early in the morning or around dark in the evening. I know that much.

[willow]

I don't specialize in bass. I enjoy fishing for everything, including bass - so there are others here that could tell you better than I can.

My impression is that top-water fishing kicks in better in June and July than in May. In May on Tablerock the post-spawn bass I catch are looking for shelter near the nesting areas, their tails are worn down from sweeping the nest, and right at that time I don't think they're active enough for topwater.

I've had some good action on crankbaits at that time of year, and that's getting pretty close to topwater lures - so I don't really know. Most topwater bites, if any, are going to be very early in the morning or around dark in the evening. I know that much.

Sam, thanks again, any info will be helpful. 2 more questions and i'll let you go. My impression is that Table Rock is a very clear lake, do you have any idea what type of line people usually use? flurocarbon, mono, etc. I ususally hall big bass out of heavy pads and use braided, power pro 20 lbs., to do that. Sounds like fish will be a little bit more aware of line type in a clear lake. Thanks, mike

[Sam]

Sam, thanks again, any info will be helpful. 2 more questions and i'll let you go. My impression is that Table Rock is a very clear lake, do you have any idea what type of line people usually use? flurocarbon, mono, etc. I ususally hall big bass out of heavy pads and use braided, power pro 20 lbs., to do that. Sounds like fish will be a little bit more aware of line type in a clear lake. Thanks, mike

Mike - You're right, Tablerock can be TOO clear. In early spring I've seen it where you could tell if a penny was heads-or-tails on a 15 foot bottom. It's tough fishing when it's like that. It won't be a big problem in May, though.

For years I mostly used Stren clear blue flourescent line for bass there. For night fishing with a black light I'd get up to 17 lb. test, but mostly 10, 12, or 14 lb. during the day depending on what I'm throwing. The heavier lines for Texas and Carolina rigs, the lighter ones for crankbaits, topwaters, and spinnerbaits.

But for the past two years I've switched over to Fireline (except when I need a flourescent line at night with a black light). Fireline takes some getting used to - it has NO stretch and you can feel everything. You need to use a Palomar knot and carry fingernail clippers so you can cut it.

Fireline has allowed me to go down to 8 lb. test, which has the diameter of 3 lb. monofilament. You can really cast that stuff. I don't know what the actual breaking strength of 8 lb. Fireline is, but it's sure more than 8 pounds. If I hang up, I can pull my boat against the wind with it - and it usually breaks off tree limbs or straightens out a hook before breaking the line. It's a great line, in my opinion.

[willow]

Mike - You're right, Tablerock can be TOO clear. In early spring I've seen it where you could tell if a penny was heads-or-tails on a 15 foot bottom. It's tough fishing when it's like that. It won't be a big problem in May, though.

For years I mostly used Stren clear blue flourescent line for bass there. For night fishing with a black light I'd get up to 17 lb. test, but mostly 10, 12, or 14 lb. during the day depending on what I'm throwing. The heavier lines for Texas and Carolina rigs, the lighter ones for crankbaits, topwaters, and spinnerbaits.

But for the past two years I've switched over to Fireline (except when I need a flourescent line at night with a black light). Fireline takes some getting used to - it has NO stretch and you can feel everything. You need to use a Palomar knot and carry fingernail clippers so you can cut it.

Fireline has allowed me to go down to 8 lb. test, which has the diameter of 3 lb. monofilament. You can really cast that stuff. I don't know what the actual breaking strength of 8 lb. Fireline is, but it's sure more than 8 pounds. If I hang up, I can pull my boat against the wind with it - and it usually breaks off tree limbs or straightens out a hook before breaking the line. It's a great line, in my opinion.

Sam, thanks for the feedback again, much like you I like fireline, I use it in Canada for my walleye trips, no stretch, extremely sensitive. I've not used a fluro or mono for years but Stren sounds like the deal. I'm bringing a bunch of equipment, baitcaster to spinning and will most likely have these rigged to try to encompass everything that I will run into. Thanks again for the information and can't wait til May. Mike