Guide and tournament fisherman, Eric Prey.
BRANSON, Mo., October 4, 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 1500 on October 4 is 907.61. 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 have been productive over the past week despite the onset of early fall weather. In Branson fishing guides have been successful fishing both shallow and deep. The deep bite has moved a little shallower than in recent weeks, most of the fish have been holding 25 – 30’ deep close to the bottom or around rock and brush piles on gravel points and flats on the main lake. Jewel Spider jigs and Squirrel heads have been very successful on mixed rock and gravel banks. Look for the fish to be very shallow early less than 10’ deep and as the sun comes up they will move to 15’ – 20’.
Kimberling City Area: The mid lake has a little more water color than the lower end. Look for fish to be holding shallower in Kimberling. There is a deep bite on Tightlines UV, Chompers and ROBO worms fished on a drop shot rig. Most of the fish are around 25’ on gravel points and flats holding tight to the bottom. Carolina rigged Tightlines beavers and finesse worms have been working shallower on these same points for roaming smallmouth. Work the rig slowly along the bottom to draw strikes from schools of smallmouth roaming the flats.
James River: There is still decent color in James River. Fish remain shallow from Campers Point to above Flat Creek. Shallow crankbaits on exposed stump fields has been a great pattern for putting a few larger fish in the boat. Make long casts across stump laden flats and try to hit as much of the cover with the bait as possible. Spinnerbaits are staring to work around cedar trees throughout the James, burn War Eagle or Chompers spinnerbaits to the tree and kill it for a second to draw strikes from fish holding in the tops of the trees.
White River: The best topwater bite on the lake is in the White River. Spooks, Sammies and Pop-R’s have been extremely good early and late in and around isolated cedar trees. Cast the lure past the tree and work it slowly back, hitting limbs with lure will draw strikes from fish holding in tree tops. As the day wears on Jewel Spider Jigs and Squirrel head jigs with Tightlines finesse worms have been very effective on gravel and mixed gravel / rock points and flats throughout the White River.
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.
