Advice for out of towner launching at state park marina area

[FishSqueezer]

Hi all,

In Branson area for vacation and plan to take my son and nephew out tomorrow (Wednesday).  I'll hit the lake early for scouting (launching at the state park marina by the dam), but the boys will probably not join me until the morning bite slows (maybe 10am).  It looks like FB jigs on points and drop shot for fish suspended over trees are a couple of patterns that have worked well lately.  Any advice on which of these would be better mid-morning through early afternoon (are the points only producing early in the day?)...or is there something else I should try?  I'd really like to get my nephew on some fish...he is new to fishing (my son is used to the drill and knows striking out comes with the territory some times).  I'd appreciate any pointers from folks who have fished the area lately.  Thanks!

[m&m]

FS, pretty slow around the dam area right now. Fishing deep >30’ seems to be the place to start. Use your electronics to find bunch’s and the try to entice them. 

I went over to Taneycomo last week to fish for bass and caught a few. WT was 69 - 71 in the Bull Creek area. Nothing bigger than 14” but it was fun with topwater and bottom creature baits. I put in at the ramp at Rockaway Beach and motored to Bull Creek. Was able to fish lily pads and lay downs. 

But the TRL dam area has been tough. 

Mike

[fozzype]

If you want to just catch something, throw a crawler on a drop shot or split shot rig.   The big gills should be on points and you probably will run into a few small k's and smallmouth.  I would guess 25 to 35 feet.

[FishSqueezer]

Thanks for the input guys!  We had a fun, but short trip (about 2h before they wanted to go tubing) with one smallie and one largemouth, both right at 15".  My nephew caught the smallmouth, so I call it a success!  My trolling motor batteries had drained, so we were stuck with anchoring/drifiting, but was not bad.  I love the fishery here.  It seems really easy to pattern.  I kept the idea of nightcrawlers in reserve, but we caught fish pretty early in the process (both were caught in the first 30 minutes), so never go there.  The wind picked up and I think that is why we had trouble getting more (makes you appreciate the T-motor a lot more when you spend a trip without it😃).  Thanks again for the advice!

[Bill Babler]

I love the fishery here, it seems really easy to pattern?  I'm not even going to go there.  Glad you caught a couple, and thanks for the report back.

[abkeenan]

3 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

I love the fishery here, it seems really easy to pattern?  I'm not even going to go there.  Glad you caught a couple, and thanks for the report back.

I'll bring the humble pie if you bring a double dose of reality.  🤣

[FishSqueezer]

LOL...just saying I have a number of days back home where I go multiple hours without a bass.  Of the 4 trips I think I've had to T-rock, all but one were short (1/2 day or less) and I've caught something each time.  If I tried to pull a couple hour fishing trip back home I'd expect a shutout more times than not.  Makes me a happy camper when I can put the family on fish that quickly (cause my ability to go fishing on vacation can hinge on them having fun when we do 😮...but I'll take dumb luck if that's what it is too😋.  It really helps to have the great people on this forum (you guys have helped on 3 of the 4 occasions) and the guides who post YouTube videos to know what patterns to try.  You guys have a real gem...the lake is simply beautiful and the fishing is a blast (don't have smallies in my local lake but fishing here makes me wish we did!).  Thanks again for the help.

[Bill Babler]

Not being a SA and glad you enjoyed your trips.   That is what we strive for on this site, but the reality is that any of the White River Chain are the hardest lakes in the country to pattern.  Good friend Mike McClelland, also called the "Table Rock Hammer" and one of the top BASS all time earners says the Rock, Bull and Beaver are nearly impossible to pattern.  The fish are movers and you can never repeat a location the following day.  Here one day somewhere else tomorrow.

If there is a pattern on the Rock there are two main factors,  Wind and Depth.

Thanks again for the report and good luck again next time.