Table Rock, Kings River/Viola Area in late June

[Omaha Willie]

Posted this on the main site...obviously wasn't 'astute' enough to find this forum, where it would fit best...

Will be spending a whole week at the Rock this summer (week of June 22nd)...down at Hickory Hollow sough of Viola on the Kings River arm. A number of years ago, a friend and I found good numbers of 'average' fish 15 inches or so) staged for pre-spawn (okay, it was late April) in Big Hollow.

I have a small boat (16 foot, 72 inch beam, 40hp) and limited range... do I want to fish this area? or plan on trailering somewhere else? I've fished the Shell Knob area from the bridge over to Campbells point in past years (5+ years ago)...

Just looking for advice/direction on locations and techniques typical to location/time of year.

Primary species targeted: bass (spotted/largemouth)

Secondary: cats...any thoughts/discussion on flatheads that time of year?

Thanks for the consideration and sharing of thoughts.

Kurt

[SKMO]

Will be spending a whole week at the Rock this summer (week of June 22nd)...down at Hickory Hollow sough of Viola on the Kings River arm. A number of years ago, a friend and I found good numbers of 'average' fish 15 inches or so) staged for pre-spawn (okay, it was late April) in Big Hollow.

I have a small boat (16 foot, 72 inch beam, 40hp) and limited range... do I want to fish this area? or plan on trailering somewhere else? I've fished the Shell Knob area from the bridge over to Campbells point in past years (5+ years ago)...

Just looking for advice/direction on locations and techniques typical to location/time of year.

Primary species targeted: bass (spotted/largemouth)

Secondary: cats...any thoughts/discussion on flatheads that time of year?

Thanks for the consideration and sharing of thoughts.

Kurt

Kurt -

Hickory Hollow is way up the river and for bass I personally would like to be near some deeper water that time of year. I was by Hickory Hollow a couple days ago and there was less than 10' of water in the channel down that by the resort. Would only hope that lake would be back to a more normal level by June.

Nice flatheads are taken in the upper Kings all summer long. Try live bait (bluegill, goldfish or crawdads) on limblines or short trotlines along the bluffs between Hickory Hollow and Viola.

Bass fishing (especially spotted bass) is probably going to be better closer to Viola and beyond to the White River channel, and in the main lake channel such as the Shell Knob-Campbell point area you mentioned. Lots of different things might work. Topwater at sunrise, later in the morning if the sun was shining I'd probably switch to 20-30' depths and drag plastic, a big jig and trailer, do a dropshot, or even spoon. I think year round there is always some type of "deep" bite going on if you can figure it out. If you like to night fish for bass I think you could have good luck within boating distance of your resort. I've had good luck throwing black spinnerbaits with big colorado blades in the upper Kings (and everywhere else) at night.

In addition to trailering to Viola or the Shell Knob bridge you might also consider putting in at Big Indian. This would be a couple miles less than driving to the SK bridge. To get to it turn east on H hwy (about 3/4 mile S of where you would turn off 39 to go to Viola ramp). This will put you in Indian Creek arm which has deep clear water and less large boat traffic if that is something that concerns you in the Shell Knob/Campbell point area.

I bet if you keep your eye on this forum the weeks prior to your trip you will have a pretty good idea what is working best.

[Bill Babler]

Kurt, SKMO absolutely nailed your question. I have guided the Shell Knob area for the past 20 years and you couldn't have gotten a better reply. Hickory Hollow, or the old Ackin Back Resort that all the locals call it is a great place to stay during the Spring White Bass and Walleye runs. After that you are about trapped. The Crappie will remain pretty constant up the rivfer and the Largemouth hang out up there in decent numbers, but smallie's and spot's like a littler cleaner and deeper atmosphere. If your a bass fisherman and want the opportunity to catch a larger concentration of fish, move out to the main lake. June is primo! It is the time of year that the guides wait for. Spots and smallies will be post-spawn and in large concentrations on the flats and channel swings out in front of the spawning coves. Long main lake points and deep cove mouths will provide excellent topwater action usually until the sun hits the water in the mornings. You can either swim a 4in Chomper single tail grub or dropshot these same places after the suns up a while. this is the time to be able to really use your electronics as the fish will be hungry and ganged up after the spawn. Great catches of White Bass can also come at this time on the deep main lake points as they are post spawn also and chasing. shad early and late.

Up the river where you are staying the catfishing will be very good on limb lines using perch or shiners. Also trotlines using perch or crawfish will catch lots of great cats. Try long lining the pole timber flats from Hickory Hollow to Royal Pt. You will catch all you want to eat. Please be kind to the bass. Have fun with them and let the next person catch them again. You can only eat them once. Enjoy the Shell Knob Eagle Rock, Baxter area, without a doubt an assume part of the White River. Also bait the lines for the cats really late, right before dark or the turtles will eat all your goodies. Bill Babler Whiteriver Outfitters Guide Service.

[jay bird]

Night fishing that time of year is great. You do not have the boat traffic like during the day, and the fishing is great. As some of the other guys have said watch this post and I am sure it will be a great resource for some great information. Have you ever fished at night for Bass? I know for all the Bass fisherman this seems like a dumb question, but in the state I grew up in it was not legal to fish after dark. If you never have post a question about night fishing on Table Rock and you will get all the information you need.

[Omaha Willie]

Thanks for all the good help and responses. Bill, I will let the bass go as you suggest...as for the cats, I'll let them go as well...what I was looking for was any info on the cats in terms of rod/reel opportunities...still looking for that big flathead photo opportunity....

Thanks again and best regards, Kurt