Kings river spawn

[dtrs5kprs]

7 hours ago, Ham said:

To go fish Bull Shoals instead

You're not thinking right. I think you need to go fish or something.

[Champ188]

8 hours ago, wdberkley said:

Wise old fella once told me that on Table Rock, the banks are only there to hold the water in....

You guys go right ahead believing that. There are plenty of guys out there with names like Sullivan, Thomas, McCutcheon and others who for many years have been padding their wallets with tournament winnings made by fishing shallow.

It was never easy on Table Rock and it's getting tougher as the lake ages. But it is still possible most months of the year to catch a lot of fish from 20 feet of water or less. That's where I spend 75% of my time and I'm pretty often successful, both in recreational fishing and tournaments.

Just like deep fishing, there's a lot more to consistently catching fish from skinny water than meets the eye. Sky conditions, wind speed and direction, water clarity and temp, available forage, the presence of the right kind of cover for that day (wood or different types of rock), lure selection and many other factors play into it. Being consistently successful at it is probably harder than being consistent offshore because the absence of one necessary ingredient can spoil everything. Any shallow pattern is far more fragile than deep patterns because shallow fish are affected more greatly by weather changes, etc.

 

[wdberkley]

9 minutes ago, Champ188 said:

You guys go right ahead believing that. There are plenty of guys out there with names like Sullivan, Thomas, McCutcheon and others who for many years have been padding their wallets with tournament winnings made by fishing shallow.

It was never easy on Table Rock and it's getting tougher as the lake ages. But it is still possible most months of the year to catch a lot of fish from 20 feet of water or less. That's where I spend 75% of my time and I'm pretty often successful, both in recreational fishing and tournaments.

Just like deep fishing, there's a lot more to consistently catching fish from skinny water than meets the eye. Sky conditions, wind speed and direction, water clarity and temp, available forage, the presence of the right kind of cover for that day (wood or different types of rock), lure selection and many other factors play into it. Being consistently successful at it is probably harder than being consistent offshore because the absence of one necessary ingredient can spoil everything. Any shallow pattern is far more fragile than deep patterns because shallow fish are affected more greatly by weather changes, etc.

 

There's no arguing that Champ, but given the context of the OP, it's a valid point. I've only fished in the Knob a handful of times during our annual spring trip, and never had a problem catching fish there - shallow or deep. That being said, the greater point about the bank comment is that too many folks get locked in beating the bank when in reality (given conditions, etc) they've got their boat parked on the fish and need to back off.

In all the trips I've spent with my old man on Bablers boat that's the one thing that's stuck with me no matter were I'm fishing - don't get locked in, adapt to the fish. That's all I was sayin' 

?

[Champ188]

Gotcha, wdberkley. And when guiding, you often have no choice but to fish deep because some clients aren't skilled enough at casting to fish shallow.

For whatever reason, I just felt compelled to try and dispel the notion that all shallow fishermen are simple-minded "bank beaters." Babler very well knows that, as do many of the regulars here. He's been very complimentary over the years of my skills, such as they are.

[wdberkley]

3 minutes ago, Champ188 said:

Gotcha, wdberkley. And when guiding, you often have no choice but to fish deep because some clients aren't skilled enough at casting to fish shallow.

For whatever reason, I just felt compelled to try and dispel the notion that all shallow fishermen are simple-minded "bank beaters." Babler very well knows that, as do many of the regulars here. He's been very complimentary over the years of my skills, such as they are.

Believe me Champ, I'd much rather fish shallow or flip - ALL DAY. But sometimes it just don't happen that way. When it does, look for a Red Ranger parked in the middle of no where or on a bluff in 20-30 FOW trying to dislodge another jig stuck in the darn rocks....

[dtrs5kprs]

There is a big difference too between beating the bank and fishing shallow-ish. In April and May there are lots of fish available from 6'-15', in addition to those out in 20' or so. Guess I sort of split the difference. A lot of folks fish between me and the bank, and another group fishes past me on the outside.

[Sore Thumbs]

I took a screenshot of Babler's advice so I can reference when the time is right. He just gave a wealth of information for free folks. Thanks for the help Bill. I feel like I owe you some money. Ha

[Ticker]

I took a screenshot of Babler's advice so I can reference when the time is right. He just gave a wealth of information for free folks. Thanks for the help Bill. I feel like I owe you some money. Ha

I saved it to my desktop so I can buy the lures he mentioned. I appreciate all the advice. I took a crap ton of different ned rigs but want a few more options this year. 

[dtrs5kprs]

20 minutes ago, Ticker said:

I took a screenshot of Babler's advice so I can reference when the time is right. He just gave a wealth of information for free folks. Thanks for the help Bill. I feel like I owe you some money. Ha

I saved it to my desktop so I can buy the lures he mentioned. I appreciate all the advice. I took a crap ton of different ned rigs but want a few more options this year. 

Shoot me a pm or email on the Ned if you want to. Will be glad to help you get it dialed in, in terms of the how's and where's. It mostly takes a change in mindset, and a dedication to slowing down.

[Willyh08]

I see that the grand master himself will be giving seminars at the KC Sports Show on Friday & Saturday January 22 &23.  Might be worth going just to hear what he has to say. I've heard he knows a little about the Ned. Ned Kehde.