Big_Bass_John

Ventured to Robinson's lodge located on Toledo Bend last week. Water temp in the lake and on the Sabine rive was in the mid 50s. Bass are in the back of the coves around laydowns and under the grass mats. Fished for largemouth for about 8 hours in 3 days just in the cove by the resort. Caught 15 ranging from 1 1/2lbs to 5lbs 13ozs. Caught all of them on a Texas rigged baby brush hog watermelon red with 1/4oz weight. We fished the Sabine river for white bass and caught over 300 in 2 days. Caught most on chartreuse roadrunner and 3" swim baits on any sand bar.

As you can see there is to many lakes to list them all. As for which lakes are best depends on what you're looking for. Lots of the state lakes have large numbers of bass but lack quality and some have quality but bites are few. For the chance at both I would try Banner Creek which is a city owned lake by Holton, Ks. I have caught a few hawgs out of Nebo state fishing lake but its real small and a mile of gravel to get to it. I'd suggest going to kdwp website and look for electro fishing reports of any lakes close to you.

Yes they are a Yum bait. I bought all I could find within a 60 mile radius.

Closest thing I've found that resembles it is a baby brush hog.

I think they discontinued it cuz it was catching more fish than the umbrella rig

Here is pic of bait. Its a weird one. The smallmouth here at Table Rock couldn't leave it alone and wouldn't spit it out.

I have a bait that was discontinued by manufacturer. If someone makes custom plastics send me a PM.

That's a nice bass. Where'd you catch it? Customary replies: In the water. Right here. (insert pic of finger hooked inside mouth) Off the rocks. (table rock line) Off a stump. (Smithville or mozingo line)

Went back out before dark when the wind died down some. Hooked up with a nice smallie on A-rig on secondary point. 17" if you can't tell in photo.

Water temp is 47. Water is getting more clear every day probably 4' visibility. We just had some rain so hopefully it will cloud it up some. Fished for couple hours today just in the cove here by the resort. Wind advisory kept me from venturing out. Caught one 16" spot on the A-rig with 5" smoke grubs. Hooked a nice largemouth on a texas rigged watermelon/red baby brush hog in a boat stall 35' water depth but lost it before I could get it in the boat. Guessing 4+ but just another fish story with no picture. Attached pic of spot.

Welcome to the forums!

Welcome to the forums. Is there bass in the pond? If so, I'd suggest a willow bladed spinnerbait. If the water is cold like it should be right now just throw it out there and slow roll it in.

Hello! My name is John Hammersmith. Joined this site on 1/8/14 in hopes to gain some knowledge on fishing, offer what knowledge I have acquired over the years to those in need and to meet new friends. I lived and worked in NE Ks till August of 2011 when I moved to my present location on Table Rock Lake. Fished with the Like Fater Like Son aka Family Tour circuit for 8 years till it desolved. Then moved to the Atchison Bass Club and am still a member with them fishing a couple tournaments a year. Wife and I purchased a resort here and are enjoying our time on the lake and meeting all the new people this industry sends our way. If anyone wishes to see information about our resort please feel free to message me. Fished at numerous locations in North America and Mexico. My brother and some coworkers traveled to Canada for walleye and to search for Master Angler Northern Pike. Presently I have 13 Master pike (over 41") and 1 Master lake trout (over 39"). We have also ventured to Mexico Bass fishing in search of the 10+ pounder. We fished Comedero once and El Salto twice. My second trip to El Salto was in 2011 and was my dream trip or well it finished out that way on my last day. I had the pleasure of hitting the right point at the right time with the right bait. In 2 hours I boated 8 bass over 8 pounds with 3 of them over 10. The biggest one weighed in at 11 lbs 8 ozs which is the one in my profile pic. Big bass on Table Rock are hard to find but I have boated a few over 5 lbs one of those a samllmouth. My plans are to learn this lake and possibly start a guide service for my guests but for now I'm just the desk clerk/maid/plumber/electrician/carpenter/groundskeeper/pool boy and a friend to all who visit. Tight lines everyone and may the fishing gods always be with you.

The fish I'm holding is an 11 lb 8 oz from El Salto lake in Mexico. I had the pleasure of having a bass fishermans dream afternoon on El Salto. Caught 9 bass in 2 hours all over 8 lbs with 3 over 10 lbs. Biggest bass out of the Rock is a 6 lb 8 oz largemouth on the baby brush hog. I've caught a few nice smallies in the 4 - 5 lb range. pbrussell is related to me but he thinks I know alot about fishing I put up a pretty good front. I'm still new to TR even after fishing it for 2 yrs.

Shad spawn depends on water temp. 2012 it was end of March. 2013 it was middle to end of April. Keep in mind I'm at the lower end of the lake. As for the brush hog size does matter here and I have tried the larger one and don't get the same results. Which side of the JJ point are you on? Can you see the Branson Belle or opposite side? At the end of JJ is Coombs Ferry public use area and is about 2 mins by water or less from me. If the weather is good when you're down give me a call if nothing else we can go for a boat ride and look around.

Welcome to TR! We purchased a resort here in August of 2011 and love the lake. We are located on Indian Point at the end of Jakes Creek Trail. If you want to look us up www.artilla.net is our resort. I've been fishing since I was old enough to hold a rod and it is my therapy for life. Enough about me on to the important stuff. Just to let you know there is not a "BAD" area to fish here on TR. Some like it up the river and others like it down on the main lake area. What I have found in my first 2 years is you can find whatever kind of water you want/like to fish within a few minutes from almost anywhere on the lake. You can catch bass here on whatever bait you are most comfortable with but there are some that simply produce more bites than others. I've found there is always a wiggle wart bite as the lake is rock and crawfish are in abundance here it simply works better or even best in the spring/early summer. Once the shad spawn happens then the bass tend to switch over to them. If you have the stamina to throw it once the water temp gets below 55 the A-rig is the way to go for numbers of bass. Personally, I can only throw it for a short time and have to change so something else (bad R shoulder and L elbow). My confidence bait for here is the baby brush hog in watermelon/red. It seems to produce almost anytime of the year because it looks like a shad/lizard/crawfish all in one bait. I've C-rigged it but prefer the simple texas rig. Hook size and weight are adjusted to what I am fishing. From the resort it takes me about 8 mins by water to get to the back of either of the cow creeks. There isn't to many docks or houses up there so I'd guess your home did not come with a dock. If you want to fish sometime give me a call at 417-338-2346 (resort number) and will see if we can get out and find a few.