To the locals, it s referred to as “The Rock”.  Probably because 99.9% of the lake’s bottom is rock of some type, along with miles of bluff banked shoreline and chunk rock banks.  The Rock is truly one of the Midwest premier fisheries.  Numerous major bass tournaments are held every year on the lake.  At conservation pool or power pool, the lake has 43,000 acres while at flood control pool it increases to 52,000 acres.  The deepest depth is around 220 feet and the average depth is 73 feet.  The shoreline spans over 745 miles and four main tributaries that feed into Table Rock are Longs Creek, James River Arm, Kings River Arm, and the White River.

Right now, “The Rock” happens to be one of the hottest lakes for bass fishing in the United States.  It is not uncommon for 20 pound stringers, a four pound average to be caught and big bass for a tournament around seven pounds.  The minimum length limit is 15-inches on Spotted, Smallmouth, and Largemouth Bass.  The most unique part of these stringers is they may include Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass. 

Professional angler and Pro-Guide Batteries Pro Staffer Pete Wenners, has extensive knowledge and experience on “The Rock” with over twenty years of guiding and fishing tournaments on it.   “The average size spotted bass will weigh around 2 to 2½ pounds,” said Wenners.  Wenners likes to fish in the spring with 4-inch single tail grubs, jerkkbaits, spilt shot rig, or a Carolina rig to catch spotted bass or Kentucky bass as they are often called.  In the summer, Wenners switches to a drop shot rig, spoon or football head.  During the fall months, Wenners likes a 5/8-ounce football head jig or a shaky head.  “The smallmouth keepers are bigger than the spotted bass and will weigh around 2½ pounds to 3 pounds,” Wenners explained.  Wenners likes to fish with 4-inch single tail grubs in smoke or salt and pepper, smaller finesse tubes, jerkbaits, or 4-inch finesse worms for smallmouth in the spring.  In the summer, Wenners switches to bottom scratching lures like twin tail Chompers and jigs.  During the fall months, Wenners likes football head jigs and a finesse worm on a shaky head.  “A keeper largemouth will normally weigh more than a smallmouth or spotted bass,” Wenners said.  When fishing for largemouth, Wenners likes to fish with jerkbaits and other lures he uses for smallmouth and spotted in the springs.  In the summer, Wenners may go up in the river arms and deep crank with a Bomber Fat Free Shad or cast a jig around lay downs or brush depending on the water level.  During the fall, Wenners will fish with football head jigs, spinnerbaits, or really late into the fall a wiggle wart.  

“The lake can be separated into two parts,” Wenners continued, “the main lake from the dam to the Kimberling City and Aunts Creek to Shell Knob will almost always have the same water clarity and temperature; the major tributaries or river arms that feed Table Rock is the other part which includes Long Creek, Kings River Arm, James River Arm, and the White River.”  Wenners also pointed out, “Up the White River to Campbell Point fishing gets better early in the spring and there is less boat traffic.”  When is the best time to fish Table Rock?  “April, May, and June for size and for numbers of fish April or May; the bass usually go on the beds around April 1st, after that I will start fishing off shore structure to catch bass,” answered Wenners.

Anglers interested in booking a guided fishing trip with professional fishing guide Pete Wenners on Table Rock Lake or Lake Tanycomo in Branson, Missouri, can contact him at www.hookedonbass.com or call (888)214-1767.  Table Rock and Lake Tanycomo is located in the southwest corner of Missouri, near the Arkansas boarder.  For travel information or lodging contact the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce, Kimberling City Area Chamber of Commerce, or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.