Pretty new to bass fishing, very new to Stockton

[nhornback]

I've only been into bass fishing for a couple years now, and I've spent most of my time on table rock thus far.

I've decided I'm going to turn my focus to Stockton and see what its all about, and was hopeful some of you seasoned vets of the local fishing scene could give me a run down on similarities and differences between TR and stockton? 

Sunday will be the first "serious" day of bass fishing on stockton for me, and I'll start reporting my findings (or lack thereof) on here after that first day...

Thanks,

Nick

[Ham]

TR has better average size. Stockton has better everything else well except hat the wind is often MUCH worse at Stockton than TR.

Less people and more fish. More walleye, more crappie, lots of White Bass, more bass but smaller on average, and likely less smallies although we caught them good.

These are just my opinions. I'm not a regular at either lake. If I could chose ONLY one, I'd take Stockton EVERY time. Just sayin.

[nhornback]

For the most part I like the wind as long as it isnt too crazy out.  I struggle on TR when it slicks off (which seems like it has been slick every outing ive made to TR this year).

What about water clarity and stain?  I know "bass will be bass" on any lake and follow channel swings and points as they migrate pre and post spawn,  but are there any quirks since it looks like there's less chunk rock and more mud banks than TR? 

Definitely not asking for anyone's honey holes, as I want to find my own just love the game plan part of fishing (when the plan works!) And a little local knowledge goes a long ways.

Thanks,

Nick

[Flysmallie]

Still lots of chunk rock on Stockton. I really wouldn't consider it any less than Table Rock, but it fishes very different. My experience has been the opposite of Ham's. My average size has ALWAYS been better on Stockton. But if you fish it the way you fish Table Rock then that could be part of the issue. I grew up fishing shallow and Stockton is better suited to my style than Table Rock so that's why I've probably had more success there.

Stockton is not your friend when it's windy. Totally different animal than a lake like Table Rock when the wind get's up and it can be a very dangerous place. Just have to be smart about it.

[blacknoseddace]

You do need a little wind on Stockton though or fishing can be really tough, and fish the banks and points where the wind is blowing into them. Use a spinnerbait and you will be rewarded many times. My late father in law had a little cliche, "If you you ain't spinnin' you ain't winnin'. 

[Flysmallie]

 

You do need a little wind on Stockton though or fishing can be really tough, and fish the banks and points where the wind is blowing into them. Use a spinnerbait and you will be rewarded many times. My late father in law had a little cliche, "If you you ain't spinnin' you ain't winnin'. 

Stockton is probably the best spinnerbait lake I have ever been on. Me and your FIL would have got along just fine.

[blacknoseddace]

Thank you Flysmallie, my wife will really appreciate that. We just lost him to cancer a few weeks ago. He will be dearly missed. A very kind man who lived in Ohio. 

[Flysmallie]

 

Thank you Flysmallie, my wife will really appreciate that. We just lost him to cancer a few weeks ago. He will be dearly missed. A very kind man who lived in Ohio. 

Lost my dad the same way about a year and a half ago. It's a tough time for sure.

[Ketchup]

I've been a frequent flyer to Stockton for the past 20 years.  I've been fishing TR pretty hard the past 14 months or so.. When it comes to quality and numbers, Stockton will out fish TR every time. This isn't just my opinion, but that of some of my close tourney buddies.  

 

As stated, Stockton can be a nightmare when the wind kicks up. TR has lots of bluffs to block the wind, and provide you with a way out of it, but not Stockton.  

 

Stockton has about every type of structure that a bass fisherman could ask for.  The fish numbers of all species are doing very well.  What has worked for you at TR will work on Stockton for the most part. You will have to change things up a bit.

 

Get familiar with Stockton, find areas that look good to you, and start catching fish.  It is a Great Lake that has some hogs in it. 

 

Are you fishing out of a glass boat?

[bassfisher]

Head up to highpoint boat ramp my friend get yourself familiar with that part of the lake during spring