[Editors Note: Branson, Missouri’s Table Rock Lake’s 43,100 surface acres has 857 miles of shoreline. This report covers that portion of Table Rock Lake that most people staying in the Branson area would typically be fishing. Table Rock Lake’s level as of 1700 Feb. 24 is 915.45]

Dam area to Baxter:

Water Temperature: 45 F
Water Clarity: Clear

The bass fishing in the dam area this past week was below average. The stickbait bite was very slow. The most productive pattern was halfway back in the major coves where the fish are holding in 12-15 feet of water. Chompers 5″ grubs on a 5/16 oz head retrived slowly, letting it fall down the ledges, worked the best . The fish were much more active on days with cloud cover.

James River

Water Temperature: 44 F
Water Clarity: Stained

Unlike last week, the lower James was very slow ths week. The best bite was in the upper James from Cape Fair up. There was a decent stick bait bite; however, the fish seemed to be feeding more on crayfish. Wiggle Warts “crayfish pattern” on transitions and secondary points was by far the best pattern in the James River this past week.

Rivers - Long Creek, White, and Kings

Water temperature: 44-46 F
Water Clarity: Stained

I crappie-fished Cricket Creek with little success. The fish were in 15 feet of water and they were very sluggish. We did catch some bass on clown-colored rogues. The bass were concentrated on hard rock to gravel transitions.

In the Kings River, Wiggle Warts on wind-blown points had moderate success this last week.

Cambell Point-Shell knob.

Water Temperature: 44-46 F
Water Clarity: Clear

From the reports I received this week, the best bass fishing was in the White River between Cambell Point and Shell Knob. The fish are on transitions, secondary and main points. If cloud cover is present the fish will take a stickbait. On sunny days, a Chompers pearl-colored 5″ grub caught the more reluctant fish.

Submitted by Buster Loving for Central Pro-Am Association