TableRock Lake

[Bassboy15]

Hey guys! Thanks for reading this. I'm going to be making a trip up to Tablerock lake this summer/spring. I was wondering if anyone had any tips or any good spots to fish there. I have never fished a lake before so I don't really no what to expect. I will be buying a fish finder but have no idea as to what to look for on it.

Thanks,

     BBoy

[tkite16]

We'll if you've never fished a lake you picked a dandy to start with. Table Rock is my favorite lake but the first 10 times i went there I never caught more than 1-2 bass. Then I went with someone who has knowledge of this lake and it all changed for me. Youcant just beat the banks on table rock,you gotta fish deep.

Fish at table rock are aways deeper than you expect them to be. In summer look for bluff ends with timber on the points and the fish should be in the trees 30 foot deep. Also look for 30 foot deep flats on the map close to the original channel and drop shot em. If they arent in these two spots look deeper not shallower.

You can catch some smallmouth shallow in the coves. But your best bet is spots in deep water.

And the number 1 biggest secret to fishing table rock is GET A Guide!!!!!!

[roadwarrior]

You would be miles ahead hiring a guide for a day.

[Shad_Master]

Road Warrior is absolutely correct - schedule now to have a guide take you out early in your stay - otherwise you will be very overwhelmed.  There is another thread working on this lake, you might want to check it out if you haven't already.  As to where on the lake to fish - I would suggest two options -- first is the Indian Point Marina area (if you don't mind fighting the Silver Dollar City traffic) - the second would be to look around the Kimberling City area (less traffic and great fishing).  You also may want to check out the Campbell Point Marina area (at least I think that is what it is called).  Not as much pressure and still great fishing.

[eyedabassman]

This is a good lake to fish at night! I agree with RW about getting a guide Try, Pete Wenners. You can get into fish on the banks in early spring to early summer, pre spawn to post spawn.And then they go deep. I have fished the Rock for over 10 years, and it is a great bass lake. Pere Wenners had a guy on a guide trip last year and the guy caught a 9 1/2 or 10 lber. You can see the bass on Pete's web site. 8-)

[eyedabassman]

This is Pete's web site=hookedonbass.com

[peculiarmike]

If you are going, go in the spring! Work around large dead cedars in the coves with a spinnerbait & pork frog, something may come up and try to take it away from you! You can try the suspending stickbait, but it is SLOW fishing - works though.

I really like The Rock at night in the spring. Watch the weather, bad thunderstorms sometimes sneak in on you.

I agree, a guide would be money well spent. Then you will have some ideas you can put to use on your own.  

[srv1990]

I only go once a year for a week, usually late April to mid May - this year it's mid May - so my experience is limited. Most of the fish we catch are in 15' or less of water.

Our best lures have been, in no particular order: 1. finesse worms, french fries, etc. fished either on shakey heads or wacky; 2. single tail grubs fished on 1/4 to 1/2 ounce jig head; 3. jig n' pig.

We get a place just slightly Southwest of Indian Point, and fish south toward Spring Branch and Cow Creek. We go north of Indian Point into Little North and North Indian Creeks, as well as Jacques Creek. Also over/down to Coombs Ferry public use area, and then south down toward Long Creek Arm.

TRL can be very intimidating at first, I know it was for me. I never used a guide, the guys I fish with have been going for over 15 years and helped me tremendously (BTW, they did get a guide the first couple times they went, so it's a good idea!)

Good luck!

Tom