Early Spring Bass Fishing on Table Rock Lake

BY: ERIC PREY - TRL Fishing Guide

Let’s admit it; it’s been cold, you’ve looked at your tackle, rods and reels all winter, a couple of nice days in the forecast and you’ve got a fullblown case of cabin fever. This happened before, last year as a matter of fact, a couple days at the end of February where it hit 60 degrees and you took off to the lake like a running back through a hole in the defense. A few hours later you were scratching your head wondering where you went wrong and why the fish didn’t bite.

Don’t beat yourself up too much, early spring fishing can be tough and most anglers look for fish where they should be later in the spring. While a couple of days of warm weather can turn the fish on, it’s unlikely they will move up into your favorite fishing spots in such a short window of time. Before you make a mad dash to the lake this year let’s look at how and where to be successful in the early spring.

Depth and Deep Water

During early spring deep water access is extremely important particularly to bass. On brief warm ups the water temperature in the shallows will rise a degree or two but colder nighttime air will cool this water back down in a hurry. Bass will move up into the shallows briefly to chase bait in the early spring but they prefer to stay in or near deep water due to temperature stability and safety.

Table Rock Guide Phillip Stone is known for being a Jerkbait expert, he is one of the first to throw a jerkbait in late winter and his success in local tournaments cannot be denied. “A Megabass Vision 110 is usually my go to bait early in the year. I like to find deeper banks in feeder creeks, position the boat around 18’ – 25’ deep and cast toward the bank. I’ll use a jerk, jerk pause retrieve allowing the bait to suspend motionless for 10 – 30 seconds between jerks.” Stone said. “Areas near a creek channel are very important to bass this time of year, they move up shallow to feed but like to have an area for a quick retreat when temperatures drop, or they feel threatened.”

Targeting shallow flats with standing timber, brush piles and docks that are on the edge of a channel swing or deep drop off are critical to early spring success.

Take advantage of warming trends

“If you don’t like the weather in the Ozarks, wait a day, it’ll change….” That is especially true later into spring. The Ozark Plateau is known for wide temperature swings as spring approaches, watching the weather forecast can certainly help angler success. Watch for warming trends and plan accordingly, the first warm day is rarely the best, the end of a three- or fourday warming trend is ideal. “Three days of warm weather can be amazing, especially if you have a 10 MPH south wind.” Stone stated. “Not only do warmer air temps heat the water but a south wind will concentrate warmer surface water on the north side of the lake, causing an additional increase in water temperature. On these days I will put down the jerkbait and pick up a 3” soft plastic swimbait on a ¼ oz. jig head and target fish on gravel and rock mixed flats around the mouths of creeks. The warmer water in the shallows combined with wind will move shad up and the bass will follow them. When conditions are right you can stay on one flat point catching fish for several hours as more and more fish move up throughout the day.”

Sleep in, Catch More

You don’t have to be at the lake at the crack of dawn this time of year, as a matter of fact, fishing in the afternoon with the heating of the day can be much more productive than first thing in the morning. “Being a late riser can be an advantage in the early spring.” Stone said. “Take your time going to the lake, stop and eat breakfast, maybe even lunch before you fish. On sunny days the water is going to warm up throughout the day and the fish will get more active later than they are in the morning. This is one time of year that the afternoon and early evening hours are best.”

Big Baits equal Big Fish

The biggest fish caught every year on Table Rock always seem to show up in February and early March. Targeting those big fish is one of the reasons why anglers fish this time of year. If you’ve got ambitions of catching a true Table Rock Trophy fish now is the time. “All of the big fish I have caught over the years on Table Rock have been in late February and March. Big fish become more aggressive this time of year because they are starting to feed up in preparation of the spawn later in the spring.” Stone said. “I like to throw an Alabama Rig (A-Rig) when searching for big fish in the

Get out and Fish!

A few warm days in February can trigger cabin fever in even the most casual angler. Having a plan and a little expert advice can make all the difference between getting out and just taking a boat ride or putting a few fish in the boat. When cabin fever sets in this year; watch the forecast, pick the right lures, and listen to the advice from a Pro and you could add a few more fish to your day on the lake.

late winter. A fish over five pounds is looking for a meal, not a snack and an A-Rig looks like a small school of shad that a big fish can eat in one gulp.” Stone added. “I like to target deeper trees with an A-Rig when searching for big bass on Table Rock. Trees that top out around 25’-35’ deep over deeper water but are close to channel swings always seem to produce big fish. The bigger fish will move up in the water column to feed and back down when they are inactive, a lot of times bringing an A-Rig over top of a tree will be the thing that will trigger them to bite.”