Table RockSUMMERTIME FISHING

By: Eric Prey

BY: ERIC PREY - TRL Fishing Guide

Summertime Deep Fishing on Table Rock

When water temperatures rise into the mid 70’s in late May bass on Table Rock Lake begin to move deep. The rigors of the spawn are over, and fish move out deep to safety and cooler water temperatures. Most of the fish are spotted bass, but largemouth and small mouth will also make a move to deeper water making it difficult for angler to catch them with traditional methods. Below we will discuss how and where to catch bass on Table Rock when they make this move.

Where:

Bass move to a couple of locations once the water temperatures rise. The bulk of the fish will be on long tapering point on the main lake, gravel points that extend out to the main river channel are the ticket. Look for bass on your electronics holding close to the bottom from 20’ deep out to 35’ deep. Finding fish can be a little tricky, most of the time they will resemble a small “bump” or “line” just off the bottom, the more you look the easier it will be to find these fish. Finding a single bump on the bottom doesn’t mean there is only one fish in a location, deep fish on Table Rock tend to school up and you may only see one or two on your electronics, once they start feeding the size of the school will become apparent.

The second location to find deep bass in the summer is suspended around larger community docks and wave breaks and deep trees. The shade of docks and trees offers bass the cover they are seeking and allows them to ambush schools of shad that swim by. Look for docks that extend out over 35’ of water or more, the deeper wa - ter allows fish to move throughout the water column when threatened without leaving the security of the dock overhead. (Note: Marina docks cannot be fished on Table Rock. The Corps of Engineers clearly marks these docks with red “No Fishing, No Swimming,…” signs. You can be ticketed by the Water Patrol if you fish these docks.) Look for trees that top out around 25’ – 35’ in creeks and bluff ends. The trees allow cover and ambush spots for fish, a large tree with several limbs can hold an entire school of fish.

When:

The initial move begins when water temperatures reach the mid 70’s, bass are done with the spawn and start to move out deep to their summer habitat. The warmer the water gets the larger the schools of fish living offshore become. As water temperatures reach the 80’s a thermocline will develop as the lake stratifies, the thermocline usually develops around 30’ deep. Thermocline is important because oxygen levels are low below the thermocline making it difficult for fish to survive below it. Knowing where the thermocline is will help you determine where the bulk of the fish will be located. You can see the thermocline on your electronics, it will appear as a line with what looks like debris below it across the entire lake. Fish will stay around and above the thermocline as the water is cooler and there is ample oxygen. When the thermocline is set up the fishing tends to get better.

How:

There are a multitude of ways to fish deep in the summer; casting heavy jigs and Carolina Rigs, using spoons and drop shot rigs vertically and using deep diving crankbaits are all productive techniques. The most common practice on Table Rock is to fish vertically with a spoon or drop shot rig. Position your boat above the fish and drop your lure directly on them. With a spoon hopping it up and down in front of a fish mimicking a dying shad will draw strikes. The drop shot is much more subtle, drop the rig just above the fish and shake it lightly to draw a strike. A drop shot rig with a finesse worm or shad imitator will result in more bites than a spoon. When the bite gets tough most of the guides on Table Rock will use live night crawlers on a drop shot vs. a plastic worm. Double hook a whole night crawler and allow the ends to move around and most bass cannot resist it.

If you prefer casting vs. dropping on fish you can still catch ‘em, you just need to change your tactics. Move out toward the end of the same points and throw a cont. on page 14

3/4 oz. or 1 oz. football jig or a heavy Carolina Rig and drag it back to the boat. Position your boat around 30’ deep and fan cast an area with either lure until you find the fish. Once located, make several casts to the same general location to target the entire school. Using a deep diving crankbait around cover and structure on these locations is another tactic; brush piles and rock ledges will hold several fish as well, locating this cover and running a crankbait through it can result in several fish in a short time.

If you get out around sunrise or sunset don’t forget your top water lures. During the low light times of the day fish will be more active and feed on shad near the surface. The first or last hour of your trip can be the most pro - ductive time to catch bass.

When the water warms up it’s time to change your tactics to remain successful. Summertime bass on Table Rock like the comfort and security of deep water and to stay productive you need to follow their movements. Start early, where sunscreen, get off the water before it gets too hot, and you can still put several fish in the boat throughout the summer.

Eric Prey is the Owner / Operator of Focused Fishing Guide Service on Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals lakes.

To book a trip or contact: www.focusedfishing.com or call 417-860-4743.