Trip South - Advice Needed

[monty97]

Hello all,

My brother and I are thinking about making a little trip south to either Stockton, Table Rock or Bull Shoals for a few days either the 19th-22nd or the 26th-29th, we are both off of work for 2 weeks starting the 18th and would like to get some fishing in before we have to go back.

We live in Oskaloosa, IA which is about a 5.5 - 7 hour drive depending on which lake we decide on. Could anyone give me some recommendations on which lake would be best this time of year? We are mainly looking for Bass but would like to catch some Crappie and possibly Walleye as well.

Any help would be appreciated

Thank you

[Ham]

I would almost always pick Stockton over TR.

Lots of ramps so you can trailer to close to where you want to fish.

I appreciate the ability to fish for all kinds of different fish. Stockton is a great multispecies lake.

I'm guessing the walleye are a lot easier to catch on Stockton. I have made one multiday trip to Stockton. We caught walleye everyday while we where there bass fishing. I've fished a lot more days than that at Table Rock and I've never seen one caught. I know TR has them and I know ppl catch them, but I think your chances are way better at TR.

The one real advantage to consider about TR over Stockton is the ability to fish in wind. TR is fishable in wind up to 30-35 mph. Not enjoyable, but possible. Stockton does NOT have the same lay of the land around the lake. Wind definitely affects you more at Stockton.

[fishinwrench]

I was gonna tell you that you were hurting yourself by driving right on past Lake O.... but then you said "walleye".

Our walleye fishing sucks overall, but everything else is about as good as it gets for December.

[Dutch]

If I were looking for walleye, I'd go to upper BS. If I were looking for bass, I'd go to Table Rock. If I were looking for crappie, I'd go to Pomme de Terre or Stockton. I wouldn't look for all three on the same waters.

If I were you I'd pick a lake then pick one or two species then research the guides then hire one for a day.

[Flysmallie]

From that list of lakes I would choose Stockton every time. If you spend some time on it, it's obvious that it's a better lake.

[fishbait3]

i would fish stockton but as wrench said i wouldnt just pass by lake Ozarks either

[mjk86]

Chalk another one up for stockton....Great multispecies lake....lots of big crappie, walleye and bass. Use something with a bit of purple in it!

[Lvn2Fish]

Was at stockton last weekend. Good bite. Threw jerkbaits and caught a lot bass. Also had three nice walleye. That bite is only going to get better

[monty97]

Thank everyone for the input, I think I may spend a day or 2 at Stockton and then spend a day at the Ozarks.

[Haulin Bass]

The first time I went fishing on Stockton, my kid and I almost caught our limit of Crappie in a little cove that we dipped into just trying to avoid that wind. Ham is definitely right about one thing, that wind is a killer on Stockton.

But as far as catching fish blind, Stockton produces!

Bull Shoals is an excellent Walleye Lake, but a tourist isn't going to catch em on their first go out. (not unless they charter a guide.)

If I were to go to Stockton this weekend,,, I would troll crank baits & flicker shads around the points and just cruise the lake until I caught something, then focused on those areas of success.

(Or) you can always catch bass on rubber worms in the winter in Stockton's coves,,,, hell,,,, we catch those darn things every where!