Lost on the Lake - Table Rock Winter Bass Fishing - Eric Prey

WINTER BASS FISHING

Eric Prey - Table Rock Lake Fishing Intel

BY: ERIC PREY - TRL Guide

Many anglers think winter is the time to pack up their rods, winterize the boat and start dreaming of catching fish in the spring. On highland reservoirs like Table Rock nothing could be further from the truth. Anglers that put on an extra layer of clothes and head to the lake will be rewarded with some of the best bass fishing of the year, it’s just a matter of knowing where to look and what to do as winter passes through the Ozarks.

Throughout the winter bass move from deep to shallow following and feeding on schools of threadfin shad. Finding schools of bait regardless of depth is critical to your winter fishing success. The adage of “find the bait and you find the fish” is never truer than in the winter. Here are a couple of tips to make your bait and fish search, more successful:

• Watch for birds: Loons migrate to Table Rock in November, if you find a group of loons swimming and diving in the lake there’s a good chance, they are feeding on Threadfin shad. Seagulls are also helpful if you see gulls diving in the water there will most likely be shad present.

• Go out deep: Deep channels will hold more shad than the shallows by the bank. The center or guts of creeks, main river channels and bluff type banks will be where the big schools of shad will be. When you find the bait you’re halfway there, in the winter bass will not stray too far away from their food source, their metabolism is slowed due to cold water, they won’t expend a lot of energy to find the food they need.

Knowing winter bass follow shad through -out the winter, the general migration of shad and fish is crucial to your winter fishing success. Looking at that migration is the next key to putting more fish in the boat.

By: Eric Prey

December:

By this time the shad have moved into the creek arms, prior to December the shad have made a move from the main lake and schooled up towards the backs of creeks feeding on plankton that washes in during fall rains. As the water cools the school will move closer to the mouths of creeks but remain in large groups.

This is a prime time to target bass deep; spotted bass, largemouth and smallmouth will take advantage of the large schools of shad, suspending underneath the shad using them as cover and a food source.

Pattern and Techniques:

• Look for loons and gulls you will find the shad and bass.

• Utilize your electronics and fish vertical with Jewel Scuba Spoons, Drop Shot Rigs, Rapala Jigging Raps and Damiki Rigs. Once you find the fish drop your lures directly in front or just above them. Your lure will mimic a dying shad falling from the school and trigger a bite. Pay attention to fish movement within the school of shad, if you notice fish feeding and moving on the shad you need to get your bait to them while they are active.

January:

A transition begins in January; shad will begin to break up and move toward the bank as water temperatures warm. Pay close attention to water temps and shad movement to stay with the fish and continue success.

There will still be bass deep just like in December, but you will start to see them chase shad shallower in the water column. Forward Facing sonar is an important piece of the puzzle once this begins, sitting over top of these fish chasing shad is difficult without spooking the fish. You can still have success fishing vertically, but as water temperatures rise casting to feeding fish becomes more important.

Pattern and Techniques:

• Finding birds is still critical, look for loons and gulls and target those areas.

• While you can still catch a few fishing vertically, finding the active fish with forward facing sonar is the key to success.

• Casting Alabama Rigs, Jewel Scope Spins, Small Swimbaits and Small Dixie Jet Spoons in and around the schools of shad are the most effective techniques.

• Watch for fish “Blowing Holes” in the schools of shad on your forward facing sonar and you will catch fish.

By: Eric Prey

February:

Water temperatures will continue to rise through February increasing shad and bass movement. Schools of shad can still be found offshore but smaller schools will break away and head shallower as the water warms. Some bass will follow the smaller schools toward the bank and start suspending in standing timber and other cover less than 30’ deep. The biggest bass of the year are usually caught in February and March, so this is the time to do some trophy hunting on Table Rock.

Pattern and Techniques:

• Birds will still be important; loons will tend to follow the shad shallow as gulls will stay out deep.

• Spotted bass will stay deep and can be caught both vertically and casting like December and January patterns. Largemouth and smallmouth will follow the smaller schools of threadfin and gizzard shad.

• Finding cover is critical when targeting largemouth and smallmouth; standing timber, docks, brush piles and rock piles are all important.

• Jerkbaits, Alabama rigs and swimbaits are the most effective presentations during this transition. Keep your lure close to the cover.

• Wind and clouds are your friends during this transition, anything that breaks up the sunlight in the clear water of Table Rock makes fish more aggressive.

Following the migration of shad based on water temperature changes is key to catching fish in the winter. Table Rock Lake boasts some of the best winter fishing in the country with the opportunity to not only catch numbers of fish but an excellent chance at a true trophy largemouth or smallmouth. Learn to follow the shad, use your electronics effectively and put on an extra layer or two and you’ll find out that bass fishing isn’t just a summertime activity on Table Rock Lake.

For more Table Rock Lake fishing: www.tablerockfishingintel.com

Kimberling City Bridge

Eric Prey has been a licensed fishing guide for over 25 years, building a reputation as one of the best in the area. From beginners to seasoned pros Eric’s clients are guaranteed to have one of the most enjoyable and memorable fishing experiences of their lives. With multiple tournament wins Eric knows how to locate and catch fish on Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals. Eric also operates www.tablerockfishingintel.com , the most comprehensive fishing website on Table Rock Lake.