Guide and tournament fisherman, Eric Prey.
BRANSON, Mo., September 6, 2012. A comprehensive weekly fishing report on Branson, Missouri’s Table Rock Lake. Table Rock Lake covers 43,100 surface acres and has 857 miles of shoreline so this report covers the portion of Table Rock Lake that most people staying in the Branson area would typically be fishing and is submitted under the auspices of the Central Pro- Am Association (CPAA) by guide(s) who are actively involved in guiding on almost a daily basis. The level of Table Rock Lake as of 1700 on September 6 is 908.47. The Seasonal Conservation Pool, level of Table Rock Lake at this time of year is 917.0.
Table Rock Lake by Eric Prey, FocusedFishing.com
Branson Area: Fishing guide trips continue to be productive in Branson. Fishing guides are still putting fish in the boat with drop shot rigs with Chompers, Tightlines and ROBO worms. Most of the fish have been coming on gravel points and flats from 23’ – 30’, with most fish holding tight to the bottom near wood and rock cover. The topwater bite has been hit or miss in Branson, fishing guides have been catching fish on smaller lures; Skitter Pop’s, small pop-r’s and Zara Puppies out producing larger baits.
Kimberling City Area: The mid lake continues to be strong, fish have moved much shallower in the Kimberling City area than in Branson. Fishing guides are having success on Jewel football and spider jigs with J tail trailers, Chompers skirted twin tail grubs on stand up heads and creatures or lizards on a Carolina rig. Most of the fish are coming on gravel points and flats close to deep water. Work all of the baits slowly along the bottom to draw strikes. On cloudy and windy days fish have been moving to the bank and can be caught on a mix of topwater and shallow running crankbaits.
James River: The rain from Isaac sent a little more run off into the James River than it did in the mid lake or Branson. Fishing guides are finding more stained water in the James and its tributaries than elsewhere. The dirty water has fish holding much shallower here than anywhere on the lake. Early in the day buzzbaits have been producing around shallow wood cover, make several cast to each side of the cover to draw strikes. As the day wears on switch up to Jewel Jigs and Chompers wobble heads worked slowly along the bottom on gravel points and flats.
White River: The best topwater action is still on the White River; from Baxter to Big M shallow gravel points have surfacing fish almost every morning. Much like in Branson fishing guides have been using smaller lures to draw strikes from surfacing fish. Gravel points can produce throughout the day; once the surface activity subsides switch to Jewel football jigs and squirrel heads and work the baits slowly along the bottom. Most of the strikes on these lures will come when the bait comes in contact with wood or rock cover on the point
Submitted by Eric Prey, Focused Fishing for Central Pro-Am Association
Don’t Miss Eric’s Tournament Fishing Radio on ESPN 1400 AM Springfield
Mondays 5:30pm and Saturdays 5:00 am or on-line at www.espn1400.com
As part of its continuing commitment to serving the community, Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected sellers of vacation planning services, Branson show tickets, attraction tickets and lodging is proud to sponsor this fishing report, the Central Pro-Am Association and K.A.S.T. (Kids Are Special Too). BTC can be reached by calling 800-785-1550 or by visiting their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com. The Central Pro Am Association, through such sponsorship and that of Ranger Boats and Mercury Marine,is pleased to participate in furnishing this report to those fishing the Branson Tri-Lakes area.
