Topwater Bite In July-August?

[woodpig]

Hello -

I am a brand-new forum member and a newbie to Table Rock Lake, and I am seeking a little advice about topwater fishing during the months of July and August.

I was born and raised in Missouri, but moved to Michigan in the late 1990's. I am bringing my family down for a week's vacation on Table Rock sometime in July or August of this year. The reason I am asking about topwater action is because I am primarily a fly fisherman, and prefer to fish that way whenever it's possible. I love to throw popping bugs for bass, but I can also fly-fish subsurface down to about 5'. (It's possible to fly-fish deeper than that, but the tackle you have to use makes it less fun.) I should also mention that I do have a very nice fishing kayak to fish from, so I am not stuck on shore.

Anyway, would I be correct in assuming that, even though the bass may go deeper for most of the day at that time of year, there would be some topwater action to be had around shallow cover like submerged trees, etc. in the hours just before dawn and just after sunset? Would there be other times of day and/or types of cover where bass might be holding shallow at that time of year?

Any advice I can get here would be much appreciated. Looking forward to my visit to Table Rock and to getting to know the folks on this forum.

Cheers,

Bryon

[merc1997 Bo]

it is possible to find some brief early morning top action, but most of the bass go down as the sun gets up. the other hurdle you will have to deal with is the big waves off of the summer boat traffic on table rock. since you have a kayak, we have plenty of great streams in the area to fish.

bo

[rps]

woodpig,

Hello and welcome.

Most years top water action continues to be good well into July. By the end of August it becomes quite spotty. Kayak fly fishing will be possible if you choose where and when wisely. I have no idea where you will be staying, but assuming it will be up near the Branson/Hollister megopolis, look at the Indian Point map pinned at the top of the Table Rock forums. From that you can see the deep water runs back intoo Jacques Creek and beside Indian Point. If you launch close to there just at day break you should have a couple hours per day to safely fish beside docks and a few of the small cove points. If you are going to stay elsewhere, tell us and we might be able to suggest places.

Good luck.

rps

[hawg wobbler]

with the kayak, you should be able to get back into the creeks far enough that you may not see another boat or at least very few and have some decent fishing all to yourself. depending on where you are staying, google maps might give you an idea of some convenient locations to launch the kayak.

[woodpig]

Thank you gentlemen for your responses. We haven't settled on a specific property to rent yet, but it will likely be in the Branson area, so rps I will check out the Indian Point map that you mentioned. I like the idea of getting back into little creeks where the big boats can't go, that sounds intriguing.

merc1997 I would dearly love to float some area streams in the kayak, but as this is a family vacation I doubt I will be granted that kind of time to fish. That hour or two at daybreak will probably be all I get.

[dtrs5kprs]

Might have more fun down on the lower end of Taneycomo for that sort of fishing.

[magicwormman]

Good advice on Taneycomo!! That time of year, and the fact it's a family vacation, it work be a good fit.

[woodpig]

Thanks guys - Taneycomo would have been my preference, but I guess some of my family have stayed on Table Rock before and they know and like the attractions near where they've stayed in the past and want to stay there again.

It sounds like maybe I'd better bring along my spinning rod and some lures and plastics as well as the fly rod. That's okay by me--gives me an excuse to build a new spinning rod.

[dtrs5kprs]

Bring the Ned rig.

[woodpig]

Being primarily a fly fisherman, I had never heard of a Ned Rig until I joined this forum. After some cursory reading about it, I have to say I'm intrigued. I will be checking out the videos tonight when I get home.

The nice thing about all this is, where I live now a 5-pounder is considered a trophy, so I'm going to have a blast with just about any bass I catch in Table Rock, I imagine.