Guide and tournament fisherman, Eric Prey.
BRANSON, Mo., October 11, 2011 — 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 October 11 is 907.73. 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 improved with the cooler weather, fish are definitely on the move to shallow water and the bite improves a little every day. There is a still a deep bite with drop shot rigs and Chompers spoons. Tightlines UV, Chompers and ROBO worms continue to produce with fish 22’ – 30’ deep on gravel points and flats all over the lower end. Smallmouth have started to move up into shallow water and can be caught on Jewel Spider jigs and Squirrel heads with Tightlines Finesse worms as a trailer.
Kimberling City Area: The water in the mid lake still has move color than the in Branson. Fishing guides have been finding fish shallow on gravel and mixed rock and gravel points. Jewel football jigs in brown and PB&J have been working well, a J Tail trailer or Tightlines Jig Trailer in green pumpkin has been the most effective combo. Early and late there is a topwater bite starting to take shape; spooks, Sammies and pop-rs will all produce for surfacing fish.
James River: The fish are very shallow in the James River. Most of the fish are less than 10’ deep holding on wood cover . Topwater lures have been very effective early and late, look for fish to following schools of shad from the main lake into creek arms, when shad are found fish will be close by. Shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits have been very effective in the upper reaches of the James and Flat Creek. Work both baits in and around stump rows and standing timber making contact with the cover to draw strikes.
White River: There is still a very strong topwater bite in the White River, look for surfacing fish to reveal their locations. The cedar tree spinnerbait bite has been very strong in the White River. Look for isolated cedar trees to be the most productive, cast a Chompers McCutchen spinnerbait beyond the tree and burn it back to the tree, pause the bait for a second next to the tree to draw a strike from fish hiding in the branches.
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.
