Looking forward to 2007

[dwiebenga]

Hey all,

I know that fishing is still good at the 'rock throughout the winter months, but I am getting married soon, and I am not going to make it down this fall. I do want to plan a 4 day weekend for next spring. When would be the best time to come? I would be launching from Basin Hallow.

Also, I love to jerkbait fish, and I need a new spinning reel. I would love a recommendation.

Thanks

Dave

[MOBass]

Depending on the weather I like March-April. I fish a crankbait alot as I am not a good jerkbait fisherman. Febuary on could be good for jerkbaits. I know guys that fish them in January if the weather starts to warm and they catch some nice fish, but not many.

Hopefully we will have some snow or rain this winter to fill the lake back up. It has been a little low and a dry winter could make things interesting in the spring. Check the lake levels when you come down and look at some maps and note where the bank normally is and where it actually is. There are some points and humps that could ruin a good day.

Keep checking back as you get closer to your trip to see what's going on.

[Gary Lange]

I think any time you can get away is a good time but I am with the rest that Early Spring would be a nice time to be down this way.

I see that you are getting married soon so maybe it wil;l depend on when the little woman will let you off of the chores you will be doing around the house.

[LWW]

I'll have to throw my vote in for April. I've only fished Table Rock on a year round basis for 2yrs now, and no question April has provided the most fish. The rest of the year I really strugle, but April - May have been very good and it seems the fish are more receptive to a variety of techniques.

As for spinning reals, I really like my Quantum Catalyst reel. Their mid range in cost $79-$99, but they hold up very well and have given me no troubles.

[Bill Babler]

Just a quick note before I head back to the deer woods. Almost all the guides can fish any of the zebco or quantum products at no charge. None do.

Shimanno, there is no other word in spinning reels. For that same $100 plus price range you can get a reel that will last a life time with absolutely no faults and a drag system that is not compareable in other spinning reels with any ammount of ball bearings.

None of the guides of local pro's have any deals with Shimanno, cause they just don't have to give any. We can sometimes get a vip card, but I don't mind paying full price for them. I have 60 and about every 3rd year, send about 1/3 to the factory for new bearing and bail springs along with a good cleaning. It cost $12.00 and they get them back within a week.

I am still using some 15 year old reels that have litterly caught 1000's of fish and still fish like new. These reels go on 100's of fishing trips each year, and I never touch them, clean them or oil them, they just are work machines.

The drag systems are so perfect, they will sing 2lb. test completely off the spool with never a heat up or a catch. They will fish 10 lb. equally as well.

Go in any tackle store and ask, if you had one spinning reel to fish, what would you choose. There is only 1 answer.

I usually prefer the Stradic 1000 or 1500. series Price will range between $109.00 and $129.00 You can catch year end model changes at either Bass Pro or Cabalas usually about this time of year and sometimes get them at the $109.00 number. They have lots of less expensive reels and all are far superior to any others on the market. Just my thoughts. Good Luck

[SKMO]

Well Dwiebenga-

I am afraid you have a Whole Lot more to learn about Marriage than Fishing on TR!. Gary hinted at it but I will be blunt. You need to be asking your future spouse the question: "My Dearest, when might I be able to take a fishing trip to Table Rock"?

Until She gives you your Marching Orders it is all a moot point, for She may determine that a Spring Fishing Trip is not in the works for you. Speaking from experience... the Honeymoon may or may not be over by next Spring and you may be surprised at the various "factors to consider" when planning this trip. They can be enormous and confounding and you don't want to sell your life-soul for a measly fishing trip.

Just be very careful because this first post-Honeymoon trip might have deep implications and repercussions for several years. Wives I have known have an astounding memory for incriminating details that I thought were long forgotten, but were simply back-shelfed for future use against honest fishing ventures.

(Fishing is Great around the Basin, late March and April are hard to beat)

All this offered in fun, of course. There is no truth whatsoever in any of my ramblings.

Oh yeah... Toilet Seat DOWN

Good Luck - SKMO