Lil Help

[jerkmybait]

I am a first timer on this site, as I am from Minnesota and have never been south fishing. Only took 24 years to realize it gets warmer down there earlier than up here. Anyway, a buddy and I have a trip planned from March 18-21. We are staying at Lunker Lodge on the west side of the lake. Basically just looking for any information or help for fishing this massive lake at this time of year. Keep in mind, we're from Minnesota, land of the the milfoil. Any tips on how to aproch the lake and patterns this time f year would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[denjac]

Hey, what part of minn are you from? Lived in the Southern part of the state for 6 years. You will find the walleye fishing is better down here.

[Phil Lilley]

jerkmybait- there's a few articles here on the forum- also lots of information on past posts and topics including fishing reports from the last 2 seasons. It's kinda hard writing a post with all the information you're asking for- and most of it is already here.

There are quite a few people who are willing to help. I would suggest read away, watch the forum and when the time get nearer, ask some specific questions, if you have any.

Thanks for joining in...

[jerkmybait]

Born and raised in St. Paul. Grew up walleye fishing, but in last year gt bitten big time by muskie bug. Pretty much all I can think about these days. Until now, my buddy has me really excited about bass fishing in March, on Table Rock. That time of year we are still hunkered over holes in the ice up here. It is ur first big trip south, so there is a miixture of excitement and trepidation. Kind of worried about not having my nookie blankie, weeds!

[techo]

I lived in Minnesota for a bit over twenty years. The last ten of it was in International Falls. Walleye fishing in Minnesota is real similar to bass fishing on Table Rock. You will do fine once you find a pattern. Might want to pick up a guide for a half day. I fished around for a year or so with limited success. I tried a couple of guides and now I seldom come home and don't smell like fish. We don't always do real well, but usually catch something (even if it is minnows).

Good luck!

[SD bass hunter]

Here are a couple baits that you will want to have with you. Plus down size your line. The fish get a lot more pressure down here.

Jerkbaits (suspending)

Double willow leaf spinnerbaits w/ clear skirt.

Peanut butter and Jelly colored football jig

crawfish colored wiggle wart

Shaky head worm

drop shot

These baits will work for you all year long.

I am going to guess that the fish will be on the points/ maybe start moving back into the creeks.

Stay tuned. The people on this forum are awesome. They saved me many times from getting skunked while I lived down there. So this is a big thanks to those fisherman who a willing to help another out.

[Trav]

March is the best time. Right when the dogwoods start to bloom is my best indicator. I fish "the rock" several times of year but I actually set up my camper on the lake for 3 to 5 days every march to hit the water hard. I usually do that near Viola on the Kings River arm.

I pick that location for several reasons. The biggest reason being its over on the opposite side of the pond than I usually fish the rest of the year. Usually I am fishing the James River arm when I fish Tablerock. Second, the Kings River arm is excellent that time of year. Third, from there I am 20 minutes away from several different options of water in every direction. Finally, its all on a more quieter side of the lake.

As far as lures, I lean heavy on Chompers, Terminators, Rapalas, Wiggle Warts, Bombers, Bandits, Spooks, and the occasional salamander. But there are alot of things that work. Just dont leave your "confidence lures" at home. Most people I talk with tend to have a few little favorites they prefer to use and most the time they will work.

[denjac]

I lived south of the cities in a little town called Kenyon. Straight east of Fairbuilt.

[Don House]

jerkmybait- Here is what I will be fishing at that time of the year, three things,

*** First Choice ***

1) Long billed and short billed diving and suspending stickbaits, all types Lucky craft, Jackall and Smithwick Rouges. Colors all change but the primary colors I like to stay with are, Clown (Yellow and Red) Tenn Shad (Silver and black back) Aurora Black (Blue and Black Back) Table Rock Shad (Chart and Purple, (Blue Back and Orange Side) and last AYU (Green Back and Chart strip on Side.)

Work these baits around bluff ends with timber and middle to the back of the big creek arms working all main and secondary points with or without rocks and timber, start out with your boat in 30 feet and make long casts toward the bank. Change up on retrieval Long pauses/short pause, ect until you find what the fish want.

Be warned hang on to your rod, alot of times you will not be paying attention with your stickbait out there just sitting and they will slam it. Had a few rods take the plunge and they are gone!!

Next

Wiggle Warts or Shallow diving crankbaits up in the rivers or the Bigger creek arms, use this anytime you get some good winds. Colors all crayfish colors, green, brown and Orange. Look for Wind to be beating on points with cedars trees in the Big Creek Arms. Throw these warts into the cedars and work then back out, if you go slow you can get them out of just about anything, fish will be suspended below and come out and eat the bait.

Another Big fish bait so be ready!!

And Last the good old 1/8 ounce Eakins jig with a small matching color crawfish trailer in Brown and pumpkin green, Missouri Craw, Brown and Purple and Green Pumpkin colors. Drag this bait back SLOW to the boat, pitch it in the cedars and any brush piles you can find in the deep water on the same type of points and bluff ends.

Well there is more but those will get you alot of small fish bites, but these other should get you bit in March. Good Luck and Good Fishing.

Capt. Don

[jerkmybait]

Wow! What a great site! One day and already this much help. Getting me really excited for March and it is only December. I guess that gives me a whole lot of time to study, plot, and plan. Thanks to all who have already helped alot, I look forward to learning alot from this site in the next couple months. Checking in here regularaly, will help March get here sooner.

Thanks Again,

Nate