Not Sure What I'm Going To Do

[Ultralance12]

Heading to the lake tonight with my parents and plan to get some serious fishing in with my dad. I generally do alright (been fishing the rock for a while) dragging a jig or throwing a spook but problem is, that is all I've figured out how to do. Dad is a pond guy so what he is comfortable throwing is not great on big water and I never seem to put him on any fish.

A few questions. Even though there is colder air temps should I still fish like its summer? I hate the transition periods. Never sure what to do. I'm sticking with what champ and rps said from earlier this week unless anyone else has input.

What tackle should I tie on for dad? Little rapala stick baits and spinner baits are what he is used too (not cold enough for the little rapalas) so I'm thinking set him up with some war eagle spinners. Any other suggestions? Jig isn't getting it done for the guy and it is my comfort bait.

I'll be in the red nitro 591 with all my ou sooner gear if anyone sees me near shell knob. Take care all.

[jolicious]

My humble advice would be to drop shot

[ness]

Calling Dr. Babler, Dr. Babler to the Table Rock forum.

[Ultralance12]

Calling Dr. Babler, Dr. Babler to the Table Rock forum.

If my family could plan more than a week out I would have hired him this weekend.

[Champ188]

Lance, get your dad some 1/4-ounce War Eagle spinner baits (or Screamin' Eagles, which are 1/2-ounce but built on the smaller 1/4-ounce frame) and put him on windblown bluff banks. The harder the wind, the better. Have him reel that blade at a good clip but deep enough that it's almost out of sight. You can also catch them on flatter banks as long as there's big slab rock present. These same fish will hit a buzz bait early in the morninig or later in the day if it's cloudy.

I also wouldn't be afraid to have him throw a Bandit 200 series crank bait in the craw-orange or rootbeer color patterns on the same banks. There's a fair number of largemouths already moved up and you can catch them if you get on these areas and keep moving.

Hope this helps. Good luck to you and your dad.

[Bill Babler]

Champs info is perhaps as good as any. Fishing Table Rock in Early September is super hard for all of us, even those of us that have the chance to fish everyday.

I would be on the water at daybreak and fish top water off the bluffends. Does not matter what you throw. You can try the shallow bite, but I cannot get bit on it.

I am fishing to the shad and throwing a flutter spoon thru the schools. With any type of electronics on your boat they are easy to see. I am also fishing live bait to suspended fish off the bluffends that I am seeing on my electronics or a Yamamoto drop shot worm. I have heard a jig bite in 20' to 30' but have not had luck with this on the gravel runnouts.

I you see a big white Phoenix out of either Eagle Rock or Shell Knob this weekend motor over and ask us how we are doing. I will be up there thru Monday.

Good Luck

[Champ188]

Same goes for a white Ranger with silver/gunmetal stripes and a Merc. Donna and I will likely be somewhere around Shell Knob all day Saturday.

[Ultralance12]

Thanks all. Pretty good weekend. We ended up doing ok. Just ended up throwing spinner baits and dad got a handful. It seemed pretty slow out there in general but he has been skunked out there and had a good time before so boating the fish is just icing on the cake.

[Quillback]

Glad to hear you got some, September can be a tough time to catch bass.

[Champ188]

Good deal. The bottom line is you guys had fun. This sport is way too expensive and time-consuming to not have some fun every time out. If your fun depends on catching a boatload of big uns, you'd do well to sell off your boat and tackle ASAP and find another hobby.