Table Rock Lake Fishing Spot

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• vinny60

  Table Rock Lake's reputation for producing hefty stringers of bass, laced with lunkers was earned through an unprecedented management program, which combined man's biological expertise with the natural environment. A 15-inch size limit and creel limit of six fish linked with an abundant food chain in the lake, is the foundation for this fine program. The result is resurgence of large numbers of largemouth, Kentucky, and smallmouth bass of exceptional size along with many other species available at any time of the year for the professional and novice angler alike. The lake contains every conceivable type of structure, which the bass use as they progress through their consistent seasonal patterns. While the patterns may vary slightly during the year, due to fluctuating changes, successful fishermen conform to these cycles in order to locate and catch their quarry. In the early spring before the spawning season, largemouth and Kentucky bass will be found at the base of cedar trees and, also, near structure in various feeder creeks in the lake. During this time, the fish can be taken on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and the jig-and-frog. Smallmouth will be near rocky banks at varied depth. Feather jigs are deadly for these bronzebacks at this time. During the spawning season in late spring, bass will be on gradually sloping, pea gravel banks. They build their nests near stumps, logs, rocks, and other structure along these banks in from two to eight feet of water. During the early days of spawning, the fish can be found more abundantly on the north banks, where the water warms more rapidly. The most action will occur in May, when both the male and female are attending the nest. During this time, the fish will strike nearly anything thrown in the vicinity of their beds. In the summer, most bass migrate to deeper water from 25 to 35 feet. Here, the fish will hit plastic worms, jigs, grubs, and spoons. The fish will stay near chunk rock points and along rocky banks, dotted with hardwood trees in the main channel. Also, at this time, some breaking activity will appear throughout the lake, usually at the mouths of feeder creeks, which enter into the main channel. Food lures for this type of fishing are clear top-water lures and chuggers. During the summer, Kentucky bass can be taken in large numbers on pea gravel points at depths of between 20 and 40 feet. Live night crawlers and crawfish on light tackle are best for this type of fishing. In the fall, when temperatures cool the water, the bass move into the shadows once again. Crankbaits, jigs, grubs, and jig-and-frog are effective, when fished on rocky banks for both largemouth and smallmouth. Kentucky bass will remain deep at this time of year and they can be caught near the channels on a variety of spoons, as well as live worms and crawfish. White Bass will chase shad on the surface and nail topwater and slow falling lures. During the months of November and December, lunker bass cruise the shallows, gorging themselves in preparation for winter dormancy. They fall prey to spinnerbaits and crankbaits. They can be found mostly in the back of live creek beds, which hold heavy concentrations of baitfish. Crappie fishing is at its best in the early spring, when they school. At this time, they can be found near submerged stumps and trees in shallow pockets and coves. Jigs, grubs, and live minnows on light tackle are effective at this time. Crappie fishing is good during the late summer months. Live shad netted at the site are excellent bait for the fish under these circumstances. When the water cools in October, crappie can be caught from six to ten feet deep around sunken cedar trees in feeder creek beds. Whether you fish from a boat, a dock or from the bank, Crappie and Bluegill fishing is exciting. These little fighters will test your skills if you go after them with light tackle. The small, tender fillet is as flavorful eating as you can find in the fish family. The big guys, the catfish, make wonderful catches and they, too, are especially flavorful. Being bottom feeders, they cruise the floor of the lake and many find that setting out trotlines to be the best method of catching them. Fishermen prefer to fish the bottom with bait as they like the tug and pull it takes to boat them. Ugly? Sure they are, but the fillet is great when rolled in milk, then potato flakes (yes, potato flakes). Now, deep fry them and you may never go back to lobster! Catfish can be caught on Table Rock Lake throughout the year, both on trotlines and by angling. Between March 15 and April 30, anglers will have the opportunity to snag paddlefish, one of the largest fish found in North America. Paddlefish concentrate each spring in the upper reaches of the James River Arm above Cape Fair. Paddlefish must be 34" (eye to fork of tail) to be harvested. If the James River rises enough to stimulate a spawning run, paddlefish will migrate upstream to spawn. The extent and duration of these migrations are dependent upon fiver flows.