Posted on May 2, 2013 by admin

Report date: 5/1/13 Water level = 916.2’ – Rising Water Temperature = 60° to 63° I had a great day today fishing with a gentleman from Ozark, MO.  We were fishing areas near the 24 marker.  In total, we caught about 30 bass including limits of keepers for us both. This is a great time to go fishing.  This is one of the best spring fishing seasons I have experienced.  Both the numbers and size are exceptional this year. The water level has risen over a foot in the last week and with the possibility of another inch or two of rain forecasted for this weekend, the level will continue to rise.  The color is still good; clear for the most part with a slight tinge.  There’s still no problem locating the beds, especially on sunny days, but don’t forget your polarized sunglasses. We saw, and caught quite a few cruising fish, so the bedding activity should continue for the next couple of weeks.  Not sure how the forecasted drop in temperatures will affect this phase, but it shouldn’t impact those already on their beds. Our lure selection today was pretty basic/simple: a Senko, jigs, grubs and lizards.  The Senko was a 5” Kut-tail in green pumpkin.  (I color the end of the tail with a chartreuse marker).  The grub was a 4” smoke, the jigs were 1/4 oz. & 1/8 oz. Haggerty Marabou green pumpkin and red rigged with a Yamamoto 4” watermelon red twin-tail trailer.  Most of our fish came on Zoom 6” lizards. The colors were pumpkin fire and chartreuse pumpkin. A couple of important things: First you have to fish slowly and you need to concentrate your efforts in 6’ of water or less.  Without exception, yesterday and during the past week, the fish are not really hitting the lures, they just seem to picking it up or grabbing it and swimming away.  You really have to watch your line which is really tough in 20+ mph winds. Yesterday, when we went into a large cove or creek, we went all the way into the back of it and worked our way out fishing parallel in 4’ to 6’ of water targeting laydowns and small pockets.  Again the key is slow and when you are around laydowns and pockets, making multiple casts from different angles.  I often will try 2 or 3 different lure combinations on a single laydown.  You might be surprised at the result. Another good area is around and behind docks, especially using a jig or grub.  Throw the lure shallow, at multiple angles and reel it back slowly. Important item, I’m a firm believer in lighter line.  My partner yesterday threw spinning combinations with 8 lb and I used casting equipment with 10 lb. clear fluorocarbon.  I believe lighter line makes a real difference; especially in clearer water when the fish are skittish. With this rapid increase in the lake level, there is quite a bit of trash, brush and even a few logs floating down the lake.  These are especially tough to see on a windy day, so keeping an eye out for them might just save you a lower unit. Last thing: This is a great time of year to take a youngster fishing.  They can cast and retrieve (slowly) to their hearts content and, most likely, they will have a memorable trip. Good luck and be careful out there. I’ll see you on the water! Tony Noland ® www.fishtablerock.com & tonynoland@fishtablerock.com

Fishing Notes:  http://fishingnotes.com

Camping Infohttp://www.mostateparks.com/tablerock/camp.htmDWP Lake Infohttp://www.tablerocklake.us/Lake Map http://mo.water.usgs.gov/current_studies/richards/tablerock/images/trmap2.gifGuide Service http://www.tablerocklake.us/view.asp?ID=11244 State Park http://www.mostateparks.com/tablerock.htm State Department of Wildlife and Parks http://www.mdc.mo.gov/fish/ State Fishing Licensee http://www.wildlifelicense.com/mo State Fishing Information ttp://www.mdc.mo.gov/documents/regs/fis... State Parks http://www.mostateparks.com/ State Fishing Records http://www.mdc.mo.gov/documents/fish/rec...