Yesterday

[Bill Babler]

Same buddy that caught the 7 pounder was at it again yesterday. Baxter to KC. 
Said he had 26 fish with 12 keepers. Bout 14 pounds. 
Every fish he caught was on an underspin. Transitions with gravel. Boat in about 30’/35’ fish in the 10’/15’ range. Said he had a blast. 

Surface temps at 54 degree 1/4 oz. head with a 2.8” Keitech. 
Good Luck. 
 

[whateversbiting]

Bill, thanks for the tip. I’m bringing my kids down (all six, ages 14 to 6) next Friday for a week to fish on TR. Sounds like swim baits might be the best way to go. Any suggestions on Keitech 2.8 vs 3.3 and color choices? Also, I have 1/8 and 1/4 swim jigs, but no underspins, does that matter a lot? I don’t care too much about size, just want the kids to have some action. I also bought a couple A-rigs to try. We’re staying in the Kings near Arrow Point, but don’t mind trailering the boat if that would be best (clear vs stained, etc.) Thanks for any advice you would be willing to give us. First time fishing Table Rock. Matt

Ps. We wouldn’t mind any advice on the crappie too, if you are so inclined. I heard the Shell Knob area is a good place to start. Thanks!

[Bill Babler]

The Big fish he caught this past week was in the Kings, around the mouth. 
Spoke to a good friend at Pickleball yesterday. He is catching them really good in the upper Kings on a RK Crawler in Phantom Green or Brown. Said he had 30 some in a 4 hour trip. No size. 
As far as the Keitech is concerned the 2.8 on 1/4 oz. head will always get the most bites. Gizzard Shad,Threadfin Shad, Pro-blue Pearl are the best TR colors for that and most all areas. 
Don’t hesitate to try a shaky or a Ned  if your not getting bit. 
Same guy that caught all the bass said they are struggling with crappie in the Kings even on minnows. Said they have been catching some short male walleye on the minnows and some big bluegill for cripes sakes. 

Good Luck. 
 

[whateversbiting]

Thanks again. On the 1/4 oz jigs, does the under spin make much difference? Assuming same colors are good for the Ned? I’m be sure to report back everyday, starting 3/23.

[Bill Babler]

Some folks just love the Underspin. I’m a bit wishy washy on it.  On clear water or as it is today I don’t think you gain a lot over the straight swimbait. 

You do lose a lot if you hang it up. With the kids I’d think about that. 

Dockit is a great resource on it. If he thinks it is a helper, I’d take his word for it. I just have not found it better in clear water.  

They can see the durn thing 15’ away right now, even in the Kings River. 


 

[Dock-in-it]

Feedback regarding the underspin. 

I use a 2.8" straight swimbait 95% of the time.

These clear water fish are real picky and the 2.8" dominates. I use the exact colors that Bill mentioned. Currently the vast majority of swimbait bass are using the top 15ft of the water column. I would say 8 to 10ft below the surface is the high percentage section of the water column. 

I use a 1/4oz underspin when the fish are very aggressively breaking the surface around lots of shad or they have the shad pushed up to the bank. The underspin flash gets their attention. I have the underspin handy in the cold weather months. It also works in the shad spawn timeframe when the bass are chasing shad on the surface ( I burn the underspin 1ft under the surface).

Forward facing sonar has taught me just how picky these bass are and how their strike zone is very small. 

[whateversbiting]

Thanks guys, this is great advice. I really appreciate it.

[top_dollar]

14 hours ago, Dock-in-it said:

Feedback regarding the underspin. 

I use a 2.8" straight swimbait 95% of the time.

These clear water fish are real picky and the 2.8" dominates. I use the exact colors that Bill mentioned. Currently the vast majority of swimbait bass are using the top 15ft of the water column. I would say 8 to 10ft below the surface is the high percentage section of the water column. 

I use a 1/4oz underspin when the fish are very aggressively breaking the surface around lots of shad or they have the shad pushed up to the bank. The underspin flash gets their attention. I have the underspin handy in the cold weather months. It also works in the shad spawn timeframe when the bass are chasing shad on the surface ( I burn the underspin 1ft under the surface).

Forward facing sonar has taught me just how picky these bass are and how their strike zone is very small. 

You're fishing a 2.8 fat on a 1/4 oz (no underspin) head 10 feet down? That sucker must be haulin.  Do you catch them better moving it fast? I'm thinking i fish keitechs too slow.  For that range I'd choose a 2.8 fat with a 1/8oz jig and #2 hook.  Or even a 3 inch easy shiner on a 1/16 oz #2.  Maybe I need to try some heavier weights.  

[Dock-in-it]

Fishing a plain 2.8 fat on 1/4oz head. The 1/4oz head is needed for casting distance and would easily out fish an 1/8oz head around active fish.

I use a 7.2 ft spinning rod with 6# line in open water and a 7ft casting rod with 10# line when casting in thick trees where I want to muscle them away from the cover.

On the spinning rod, a 1/4oz head works good from 1ft to 30ft below the surface. If you make a cast and let it sink 1 to 15ft and barely crank the reel the bait will move horizontal and stay fairly level. So if I see a fish break the surface I cast to it and count to 3 and start a very slow retrieve. 

If you cast and let the bait sink below 15ft and start the retrieve the bait will jump up a foot or so and then angle upwards back to the boat.

I normally have a rod rigged with a 1/4oz head and a 3.3 SB in sight fish color (white) and that is good to get the attention of surface fish that are bugging shad.

 

[whateversbiting]

Thanks Dockit. Are you running mono or fluoro on the 6 and 10#? Also, anybody throwing a A-rig at all?