[Editors Note: Branson, Missouri’s Table Rock Lake covers 43,100 surface acres and has 857 miles of shoreline. This report covers the portion of Table Rock Lake that most people staying in the Branson area would typically be fishing and is submitted under the auspices of the Central Pro- Am Association by guide(s) who are actively involved in guiding on almost a daily basis. The level of Table Rock Lake, as of 0400 January 26 is 915.10 up from 912.22 on January 12. Its normal “Top of Power Pool” level is 915.]
Table Rock Lake by Buster Loving
Dam Area
It was a tough week. There are some big largemouth being caught on the swings on stick baits but not a lot of numbers. The best deep bite was on spoons out in front of deep docks around the cables. Water - Temp: 44 and clear
Rivers
The upper rivers are still tough. There is a good jig bite around the mouths of the rivers. Look for large rock with a good drop. The fish are in 10-15ft. of water. Water - , Temp-44 and Clear.
Table Rock Lake by Eric Prey
Dam Area
Two different deep bites continue to dominate the lower end; white spoons fished on flats and flat points 30’ – 60’ deep will produce spotted bass, much like the mid lake most of these fish will not appear until you get one to bite. The jerkbait bite is strong in the clear water of the dam area as well, work baits close to isolated trees or docks over deep water to be successful. The deep dock bite continues to work; Jewel Eakins jigs or 3/8 football jigs pitched to the center walkway of large commercial and community docks has been producing very good quality fish. Look for dock on points to out produce those on straight banks.
Kimberling City Area
The recent rains have increased forage movement over the past week. Shad have traveled from the mouths of creeks toward the backs in search of oxygen rich water and zooplankton. Mixed bags of largemouth, smallmouth and Kentuckies have been caught in as little as 10’ of water toward over the past week. White ½ oz. and 3/4 oz spoons, smoke and salt / pepper single tail grubs and jerk baits have all caught fish in these areas, Look for shad on or near the surface and birds working the surface to indicate fish locations. Cast spoons and grubs into and around the schools of bait to be successful.
James River
The James River has some of the coldest water on the lake right now, the upper James has had a very good jerk bait bite on main lake and secondary flat points with deep water on one side. Make long casts with Spro McSticks, Mega Bass Vision 110s and Lucky Craft Pointers. Despite the additional color in the water, natural shad patterns are outperforming bright flashy ones. On the lower end of the James the deep bite has been very good, ½ oz. and ¾ oz spoons and single tail grubs have been very effective from 35’ – 65’ deep on both main channel bluff ends and flat points or roll offs. Finding the schools of shad has been the key, once they are located work a variety of baits in and around the school to activate the fish.
White River
One of the more predictable areas of the lake has been the White River from Baxter to Shell Knob. A very reliable deep bite has set up on gravel points and roll offs from 30’ – 60’ deep. Look for schools of shad to be on the down stream side of points, once located use ½ oz and ¾ oz white spoons, 4” single tail grubs and ice jigs to draw fish off of the bottom. The jerk bait bite has been good as well, wind will increase your odds of getting bit and make the fish much more active; Spro McSticks, Mega Bass Vision 110’s and Smithwick Rouges have all been producing on windy main lake and secondary points. Any standing timber is a plus. Around boat docks there has also been a very good jig bite, Jewel Eakins jig and craw combos and 3/8 or ½ oz football jigs with a J-Tail grub have been very effective on larger commercial and community docks.
Submitted by Eric Prey for Central Pro-Am Association
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