Not again this year!

[willow]

Well, I was determined to try TR again, last year here the 3rd week in May and bascially got skunked, have fished bass in ponds in WI all my life and never stunk it up so bad on TR. Headed down to TR now 2nd week in May. Will need some advice on where, with what etc. as the time gets closer. Come on guys catch me some fish!

[dtrs5kprs]

Not sure where you are staying but my choices (and I will be at Kimberling the week of mother's day):

Spooks / chuggers early on main lake points, major points back in creeks, or around boat docks. French fry / fish doctor / finesse worm on carolina or split shot rig on flat gravel banks and points for post spawn fish. If you see fish breaking you can catch some swimming a spoon or smoke grub thru and under the breaking fish, or fishing a grub or spoon vertically around the shad (assuming that is why they are breaking). Probably a little early for drop shot, but maybe if it gets warm and stays that way...

Worked ok for me during same period last spring from Kimberling back to Shell Knob. I usually stay out of the Kings and James that time of year. Would not presume to make suggestions for Kimberling to the dam, as that end of the lake hates me.

[willow]

Thank you for the help, we stayed at Big Cedar and I worked mainly around that surrounding area, Beardsley, Clevenger, Jakes Branch. Then went under hwy 86 to around the brush Creek area. Only had a small boat and tank last year so couldn't make long run, different now since I have a bigger boat. I mainly topwater in Wis, with some plastics and spiiner baits. Crank or Suspending jerk baits that time? Thanks again, hopefully I can figure this thing out!

[techo]

Not sure how long you are planning to stay, but if you grab a guide for a half day it is money well invested.

[willow]

Techo, will be on the lake about 5 days, I know a guide will be well worth it and this is something I prbably should do, frustrating to me that this type of fishing is so different than the natural lake fishing in WIS, thanks for the advice. Anyone have an idea of good spots around the Big Cedar part of the lake?

[techo]

I lived in International Falls, Minnesota and fished Rainy Lake for about nine years. I placed in most of the tournaments I fished there, and I guided some for a House Boat place. I fished Table Rock for almost a year with little or mixed success. I have been to two seminars on fishing Table Rock, which helped me plan things out, but didn't bring me success. I had a guide take me out the other day (Babler) and it was an eye opening experience.

The second week of May, will still be transition areas. Look for banks that change from rock to gravel or sand. Fish the ledges, humps, and drop offs. Look for long points leading into the coves. Follow them out until you find the depth they are out. Then experiment with tackle , until you find what they be eatin on. If it is windy you can never go wrong with spinners or crank baits. If it is calm, you can't go wrong dragging fish doctors around. My fav is still the spider jigs, tipped with a double tail grub. Table Rock bass fishing is a lot like Minnesota and Wisconsin walley fishing. Structure fishing!

At least this is what I learned from a new friend.

[willow]

Techo, you made my day! I was beginning to think I really didn't know how to catch bass! I did think of two guides, capturing this Lilley guy sounded good and the other I read links from is Babler, both these guys are the real deal from what I have read. Maybe I can capture them for a half day trip, that's if they can put up with all my questions! thanks again.

[Fisherdan]

Hey Willow,

I stay at Big Cedar a couple times a year. I will be there April 15 for a week. There is a lot of good fishing around that area. My best days last spring came off the point just before you hit the main lake from the marina. I always take a guide out at least half a day, to learn more about fishing the lake. I have been going there for five years, and the money spent on guides has more than paid for itself in enjoyment and being able to locate fish on my own. As I have read in articles on this site, the fish are in different stages, in different parts of the lake, but when you locate them, you deffinately duplicate the pattern to catch more in the same area. I have hired guides off the internet, that have been good, I have hired guides at big cedar that have been good, and I have also hired a few guides early on that were not so good. I judge the time I spend with a guide by what I learn, not how many fish I catch. I watch their electronics, their techniques, boat positioning. The thing I believe that has helped me catch fish the most at Tablerock besides the guides, is using lighter line than I was used to. Even with crankbaits like wiggle warts, I am not afraid to use 8# flourocarbon. Make sure you tell the guide what you want to do, You don't want a guide to take you out and catch white bass, if you wanted to learn about smallmouth or largemouth. Good Luck and Good Fishin. Dan

[willow]

Fisherdan, thanks for the info. on the Big Cedar area. Did you get a guide from the marina at Big Cedar or somewhere else? It's funny you said flourocarbon #8 since that's what I strung 2 spinning reels with last night! I do think line was a problem last year, used to my power pro and yanking bass out of lilly pads! Give me a heads up after you get back in April, I'll be there 2nd week in May. Good luck, willow

[Sam]

About line - I've got everything strung up with 8 lb. Berkley Fireline this year because they finally came out with a clear "Crystal" color.

I've loved the way the stuff behaves for several years, but it was a charcoal gray color that I can't see against the water - and I've GOT to be able to watch my line when fishing. I can see the new Crystal color with no problem.

Fireline has NO stretch - you can feel everything. 8 lb. test is the diameter of 3 lb. monofilament, so it casts real well. I don't know what the real breaking strength of their "8 lb." is - but I think it must be well over 20 lbs. I've made 5 trips this year since putting Fireline on my reels, and I haven't broke off even once yet - it straightens out hooks or breaks off tree limbs first!

Fireline is a little different to fish with - you have to use Palomar knots or it'll cut itself off. When spooling up, you have to put a drop of superglue where the line is tied to the spool - the line is so slick it'll go around on the spool without the reel turning otherwise. And - carry a heavy garden glove in the boat, you can't wrap Fireline around your hand to pull loose from a snag, it'll cut you.

Monofilament or fluorocarbon feels like fishing with a rubber band to me now - I'd never switch back, except in a special situation where I need to see flourescent line under a black light at night.