2-22-20 White River Table Rock Lake Current Report

Snagged, I agree. This winter with all the grey skies reminds me of Michigan winters without the snow. I’ll take a little of that global warming thing any day now.

Mike

I’m sick of the winters, I would probably be a snow bird if my wife wanted another house in Florida after the girls are older. As far as Florida fishing goes, I could really dig that intracoastal fishing. A huge variety of fish. Ozarks are definitely good though, Especially LOZ. 

Well Saturday looks to be a really nice day, with the BFL on TR and everybody looking to get out, I bet there will be more than a couple of boats out there.  

Heard yesterday that there might be as many as 205 boats in the BFL, don't know that for sure but that is a lot of hammering on them.

3 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

Heard yesterday that there might be as many as 205 boats in the BFL, don't know that for sure but that is a lot of hammering on them.

Last I heard from tournament director was 197 , that was a week ago !!! 

Couple of things on Florida, I don't like 85 to 90 in December, January and February and I for sure don't like lots of 75 to 80 year old guys with 22 pounds of gold chains around their necks  with their shirts unbuttoned to the navel driving Jag's.

The late great Bill Beck had a home in Ft.Meyers and I visited a couple of times.  Was always glad to get out of the heat and mess and come back home.  Driving is far worse everyday than 76 country blvd in July.

Louisiana, Alabama and Tejas are by far a way better option.  Way better fishing and not nearly so congested.

If I got to pick I would go to Lake Champlain or somewhere in Michigan for smallmouth, Traverse Bay or maybe St. Clair. Lots of opportunities in that area and those fish don't get hit over the head everyday with rattle traps. 🙂

On 2/28/2020 at 11:42 PM, willyfish said:

If I got to pick I would go to Lake Champlain or somewhere in Michigan for smallmouth, Traverse Bay or maybe St. Clair. Lots of opportunities in that area and those fish don't get hit over the head everyday with rattle traps. 🙂

I agree. I had the opportunity to fish Lake Champlain in 2014 as a co-angler in the Northern Bassmaster Open Tournament. Big Largemouths in the Northern and Southern ends of the Huge Lake, and a ton of quality smallmouths. I live in Michigan, and the possibility of catching a smallmouth over 6 pounds in any of the lakes connecting to Lake Michigan exists, as well as many of the northern inland lakes. I try to make a trip to Lake St. Clair a couple of times each spring before the spawn when huge schools of smallmouths move shallow to feast on the yellow perch that have just finished spawning. 50 fish days 3 to 5 pound bass per angler are considered a slow day. 100 fish days per angler are possible along with the chance of a 6 pounder being caught. Fish are in 4 to 8 FOW, so they can be caught on a lot of different methods. I will be coming down to Table Rock for my 40th year this spring. A lot of things have changed with the growth of the area, but the fishing is as good as ever. Not many places where you can catch an 8 pound largemouth, football shaped Spots, and a lot of nice smallmouths. Looks like the fish may be "moving up" a little earlier this spring in the weather forecasts are right. I was ice fishing today, but I think the ice could be gone in the next week. Can't wait for another trip to the Rock. Love reading your posts and Bill's reports.

6 hours ago, edyer said:

I agree. I had the opportunity to fish Lake Champlain in 2014 as a co-angler in the Northern Bassmaster Open Tournament. Big Largemouths in the Northern and Southern ends of the Huge Lake, and a ton of quality smallmouths. I live in Michigan, and the possibility of catching a smallmouth over 6 pounds in any of the lakes connecting to Lake Michigan exists, as well as many of the northern inland lakes. I try to make a trip to Lake St. Clair a couple of times each spring before the spawn when huge schools of smallmouths move shallow to feast on the yellow perch that have just finished spawning. 50 fish days 3 to 5 pound bass per angler are considered a slow day. 100 fish days per angler are possible along with the chance of a 6 pounder being caught. Fish are in 4 to 8 FOW, so they can be caught on a lot of different methods. I will be coming down to Table Rock for my 40th year this spring. A lot of things have changed with the growth of the area, but the fishing is as good as ever. Not many places where you can catch an 8 pound largemouth, football shaped Spots, and a lot of nice smallmouths. Looks like the fish may be "moving up" a little earlier this spring in the weather forecasts are right. I was ice fishing today, but I think the ice could be gone in the next week. Can't wait for another trip to the Rock. Love reading your posts and Bill's reports.

Can you recommend a time range to go in the spring and an outfitter please?

11 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Can you recommend a time range to go in the spring and an outfitter please?

Marcel Veenstra - Marcel's Guide Service- Also on Facebook

Art Ferguson - Art of Fishing Guide Service

This Year, late April through early May should be good. Catch and Release during this time of year. Most of the fishing for big smallmouths will be in 4 to 9 FOW. Fun times! This is the time I like to go, but the guides can put you on fish other times of the year. Most of the big FLW and Bassmaster Elite tournaments are in late August and Early September. Did you see Seth Feider last year on Lake St. Clair?