Shell Knob

Table Rock Lake Fishing Report – Report date: 6/7/13
Water level = 918.2’ – Falling Water Temperature = 71° to 73°

We are definitely in the early summer post-spawn period and with this, the need to adjust our fishing styles to ensure success.

As we know, bass will follow the reverse route of the one they used for their trek to spawn. The fish are now headed toward their summer home which is deeper water near some type of structure. While the basic pattern for catching them is consistent, there are variables which you will encounter which will allow you to have good days utilizing other methods. More later in this report.

I have fished the past 2 days and found totally different conditions. Thursday was cloudy, temperatures in the 60’s with a light wind out of the north. The fish were scattered as were the methods. We caught fish shallow flipping buck brush using finesse worms, 6” lizards and jigs. We also caught a few (in the 10’ range) fishing parallel just inside the creeks using the same baits.

Even though we didn’t specifically try any top-water baits, there were surfacing fish on most main-lake points and the flats surrounding them. As an aside, we saw one gentleman on the water about 2:00 PM who had caught over 20 on top water Thursday morning and early afternoon targeting the mentioned areas.

Today was sunny, temperatures in the mid-70’s with southeasterly winds in the 10 to 15 mph range. We fished from about 3 PM until almost 7 PM and 9 or 10 (with 2 keepers). We saw no top water action.

When the water level is dropping, fish typically move to the outside of structure, so we were casting to the bank at a 45º angle. We would move the baits slowly to the outside edge of the buck brush, laydowns, etc., let the bait sit there briefly and they start a slow retrieve. Most of our fish really didn’t hit the baits, but lifted it and started swimming away. The bites came as the lures would enter the 8’ to 10’ range it seemed. We really had to watch our lines which was tough in the wind. We were using Zoom 6” lizards in watermelon red, Zoom trick worms in watermelon red and Haggerty ¼ oz. marabou jigs with a watermelon red twin-tail Yamamoto 4” trailer. One keeper was on the lizard and one on the jig.

As mentioned earlier in this report, the summer type pattern: There are many options available to you as it relates to lure choice, fishing location, time of day, wind direction, etc. The early morning top-water bite is definitely something you should try. Popper type baits, i.e. Pop-R, Heddon Spook or Spook Jr., Sammy, and buzz-baits are all effective and will remain so through late fall. This is also an excellent time to throw a frog if you enjoy that and are looking for a trophy fish.

Carolina rigs using 6” to 10” worms in a green pumpkin, watermelon red or some type of green are all effective as are 6” to 10” lizards, Baby or regular Zoom Brush-Hogs in the same colors plus watermelon with green-orange flake and Zoom Flukes in the same colors. Main lake points and secondary points just inside creeks, coves are all effective. Locate the bait fish using your electronics and cast both to the shallow part of the point, as well as moving your boat shallow and casting out to deeper water. Jigs, Texas-rigged worms, lizards, etc. are all effective in main lake areas near shallow water flats.

Summers are excellent times to throw what I call a split-shot rig. Using 4” to 6” finesse worms, French-fry type worms, etc. (4”) place a split shot 12” to 24” up your line. Throw it to your chosen area and retrieve it slowly. This is somewhat like a modified Carolina-rig but without the free sliding weight. A wacky-rigged worm or Senko also works well during this time.

Boat docks provide shade, protection and built in areas to allow fish to ambush their prey. It’s rare that you can’t catch fish on sunny days if you target docks using jigs, shakey-head work rigs and/or the occasional fluke. Fish both into the dock areas around boats as well as along the side and behind docks trying to cast into the shady areas as often as possible.

Hope this isn’t too much information, but instead, a few thought starters to help increase your catch rate.

Good luck and be careful out there.

I’ll see you on the water!
Tony Noland