Guide and tournament fisherman, Eric Prey.
BRANSON, Mo., September 13, 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 1600 on September 13 is 908.13. 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: Branson: Fishing guide trips continue to produce quantity and as well as quality despite the recent cold front. The shallow bite on the lower end has suffered some but the deep bite has remained consistent. Most Branson fishing guides have been doing very well using Chompers, Tightlines and ROBO finesse worms on a drop shot rig for suspended spotted bass. The majority of fish are holding close to something; tree tops, large docks or dock cables. Look for fish to be around 25’ – 35’ deep suspended over as much as 100’.
Kimberling City Area: The Kimberling City area has some great fishing right now. The fish are a lot shallower in the mid lake than in Branson. Fishing guide trips have been very productive using Jewel football and spider jigs on gravel and mixed gravel points and flats. Look for fish to be around 12’ – 20’ deep holding tight to sharp drops and rock piles. There has been an inconsistent topwater bite in the morning, you need to have a topwater handy when the fish surface and make casts in front of the fish. Unfortunately, the bite has been too spotty to rely on.
James River: Dirty water and high skies has been a good combo over the past week. The stained water of the mid and upper James River has produced better quality than the mid lake or Branson. Fishing guides have been catching some solid fish shallow throughout the day. Early in the day a buzz bait is hard to beat, look for shallow wood cover to be holding most of the fish, make multiple casts from different angles to each piece of wood to draw strikes. As the day wears on move out to around 10 ‘ -15’ deep and throw Jewel football and spider jigs on mixed gravel and rock banks and points. Most of the fish will be holding tight to wood or rock cover so be sure work every piece of cover thoroughly before moving on.
White River: The White River has lived up to its reputation of being a diverse fishery over the past week. Unlike in Branson fishing guides have been able to catch fish with a wide array of baits and presentations on the White River. Early in the day the topwater bite has been great, spooks, Sammies and pop-r’s have all been productive, look for surfacing fish on gravel flats and points and cast in front of them to draw strikes. Once the sun comes up Jewel spider jigs and Carolina rigged creatures are producing on the same points 12’ – 20’ deep. The Kings River has some great shallow water action; shallow crankbaits and buzzbaits around wood cover has been working early, switch to an Eakins jig and craw combo once the sun comes up.
Submitted by Eric Prey, Focused Fishing for Central Pro-Am Association
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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.
