Guide and tournament fisherman, Eric Prey.
BRANSON, Mo., September 20, 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 20 is 908.20. 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 guides are still catching fish deep on the lower end. Most of the bass are moving into predictable early fall patterns; suspending over deep water or holding tight to the bottom. Tightlines UV, Chompers and ROBO worms on a drop shot rig have been the best presentations. Look for fish to be suspended around large boat docks and tree tops 25’-35’ deep over much deeper water. There are still plenty of fish on gravel points and flats throughout the lower end. Most of the fish are holding 25’-35’ deep in and around brush or rock piles.
Kimberling City Area: The mid lake area continues to be a hot bed of fishing action. Unlike the lower end near Branson fishing guide trips are producing fish much shallower. There is a strong topwater bite early in the day; spooks, Sammies and pop-rs are all very productive on surfacing fish. Once the sun comes up switch to Jewel football and Squirrel heads and concentrate on gravel and mixed gravel and rock points on the main lake and in the larger creek arms. Look for fish to be holding close to rock and wood cover or drop offs from 10’ 20’ deep.
James River: Weather conditions have improved the James River over the past week; run off from recent rains, cooler nights and shorter days have dropped water temperatures into the lower 70’s throughout the James. Unlike in Branson fishing guides have been concentrating on shallow water in the James River. Shallow running crankbaits, buzz baits and spinnerbaits have all been working less than 10’ deep around wood cover from Aunts Creek to Flat Creek. On calm sunny days this same shallow cover will produce, switch to Jewel Eakins jigs with Paca Chunk trailers and concentrate on shady areas around the cover to draw strikes.
White River: The bite is still strong throughout the White River; below Campbell Point the bite tends to be a little deeper above it is shallower. Similar to Branson fishing guides have been catching several fish on drop shot rigged Tightlines UV and Chompers worms, look for fish to be holding tight the bottom on gravel points and flats from 20’-30’ deep near brush and rock piles. These same fish can be caught on Jewel Football jigs as well; 5/8 oz. jigs with a Zoom baby brush hog as a trailer has been tough to beat. Further upstream the shallow bite is much stronger, look for docks and shallow rock or wood cover to be the most productive areas.
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.
