How to catch largemouth bass on Table Rock Lake this week

Fishing Table Rock Lake this week comes down to a few decisions. Here they are in order. Late fall at this latitude is a season of short, strong feeding windows. Fish fatten up for winter, and they key on schools of baitfish that keep moving as the water cools.

1. Pick the window

   Go Friday, 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm: it rates good for the bite. Low light is when fish move up onto the edges to feed.

2. Find the wind-blown bank

   Start at the wind-blown bank marked on the map, in 4 to 16 ft of water. Today's northwest wind pushes bait into this bank across open water.

3. Set your depth for 62°F water

   The surface is 62°F (a few days ago). Work the middle of the range early, then follow the fish shallower as the sun warms the water.

4. Tie on the right bait

   At this spot, try small swimbait or spinner, follow the birds. Largemouth bass: they chase baitfish into creeks and coves.

5. Work the edge, not the middle

   Cover water with a moving bait first, then slow down with a jig or plastic where you get a bite. Position the boat in deep water and cast up onto the shallow side, so your bait falls down the slope the way fish face.

6. Use the wind, carefully

   Thursday brings wind from the northwest with gusts near 14 mph: bait stacks up on the northwest side, and fish follow. A light chop is a good thing: it breaks up the light and makes fish bolder.