Need help with my Christmas list

[ness]

29 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

I do too but wives buying things they don't understand is just flushing money.

My mother in law is trying to buy me something fishing related for Christmas. She has never been fishing a day in her life. I keep telling her to just keep her money and not waste it but she won't listen. She asked me if I had a fishing vest at Thanksgiving. And when I said no I don't like them she starts trying to sell me on the benefits of wearing one. So I would rather have gift cards with a balance than a vest that I will never wear.

You've got to have your wife do an intervention. Stat!

[ness]

As to the topic at hand, I hear pre-Rapala Wiggle Warts and Ned Rigs are working.

[abkeenan]

Just now, ness said:

As to the topic at hand, I hear pre-Rapala Wiggle Warts and Ned Rigs are working.

 

If he can't afford electronics there is no way he can afford Pre Rap Warts. 

[Flysmallie]

5 minutes ago, Bill Babler said:

Only part of the time.  You always hope that part falls on your day.

LOL. You know I was only kidding. If I could keep my kids from spending all my money I'd hire you for a day just to get out.

[abkeenan]

To answer the OP's question it depends on what type of fisherman you are....power or finesse?

If you are a power fisherman or a cranker then some 1/2oz War Eagle spinnerbaits in shad colors, wiggle warts in crawdad colors (new models are just fine) and some deeper divers of your choosing (Strike King 5 and 6XD's, Bomber Fat Free Shads, Norman DD16 and 22's). All of those work on TR.

The finesse stuff I would recommend what Dave said with the Ned Rig stuff, but include 3/8oz,1/2oz and 3/4oz jigs with a craw trailer of your favorite color (green pumpkin can't go wrong). I also would include 4" and 5" shad colored grubs (smoke, white, etc) rigged on a 1/4oz jig head/darter head as it will catch anything and everything that has fins in TR.

It is just getting to be jerkbait season going forward so get yourself a couple of SPRO McSticks in shad patterns (blue bandit, chrome shad, etc), or regular Smithwick rogues if you are on a budget. Luck E Strike also makes a fair jerker for $8 (which is cheap for a jerk bait actually).

A handful of white or chrome spoons is another Table Rock staple and War Eagle makes a good one that come 2 per pack for not a ton of coin. Cotton Cordell also makes a fair one for the more frugal angler as well.

Lastly a topwater assortment is necessary (maybe not now in the winter) and you should get a chugger (pop-r, chug bug, etc), a walker (zara spook, super spook jr, spit'n image) and a waker (cotton cordell redfin,jackall mikey, whopper plopper, etc).

 

Those should be enough to get you started in the right direction and you can fill in the blanks as you get more familiar with the lake. Fish can be caught on a variety of baits so whatever suits your fancy. As far as colors I like to stick to natural colors to imitate forage (crawdads and shad). I fish the clearer section of the lake near the dam so the more natural the better typically. Upper in the river arms brighter colors may do a little better. Hope this helps and good luck on the water and with your bank account as well.

[Hunter53]

Only thing I can add is to buy some of Dtrs5kprs jig heads for the Ned Rig stuff.

[cheesemaster]

I second abkeenen.  I prefer the lucky craft 110 jerk bait in the chrome, ghost and a table rock color - white with a purple back. A little spendy but good baits. 

Academy sports has their house brand H2O baits at a very reasonable price - well worth looking into. 

[Quillback]

29 minutes ago, Hunter53 said:

Only thing I can add is to buy some of Dtrs5kprs jig heads for the Ned Rig stuff.

For sure.

[Quillback]

1 hour ago, Bill Babler said:

Guided Fishing trips are always in good taste.

It is not a bad idea, spend the day interrogating the guide to find out what baits to use based on the season and where to fish them.

Nobody has mentioned jigs, that's one bait that works just about year round.  Get some 3/8 and 1/2 oz football jigs.  Green Pumpkin with some orange or blue.  Nutech makes some good ones.

[abkeenan]

14 minutes ago, Quillback said:

It is not a bad idea, spend the day interrogating the guide to find out what baits to use based on the season and where to fish them.

Nobody has mentioned jigs, that's one bait that works just about year round.  Get some 3/8 and 1/2 oz football jigs.  Green Pumpkin with some orange or blue.  Nutech makes some good ones.

I mentioned jigs in my post. I have one tied on at ALL TIMES. There isn't a more versatile lure made.