Fall Fishing at Table Rock Lake: A Guide to October, November and December Bass Fishing
Fall is one of my favorite times to fish Table Rock Lake. As the days get shorter and the water begins to cool, bass start changing their patterns, creating new opportunities for anglers throughout October, November and into December.
The key to successful fall fishing at Table Rock Lake is paying attention to water temperature, baitfish and the structure beneath the surface. The fish will continue to move as conditions change, so anglers who are willing to adjust their location and presentation can find some excellent fishing.
October Fishing at Table Rock Lake: Follow the Cooling Water
Water temperature is a major factor when it comes to the fall fishing pattern on Table Rock Lake.
During October, shorter days help cool the lake, and bass begin transitioning toward points and bluff ends. These areas give fish access to different depths of water and can be productive places to start searching.
This is a great time to throw crankbaits in crawfish patterns. Plastic worms can also be very productive.
And don't overlook the Ned rig.
A Ned bait can be extremely effective this time of year, especially when fish aren't aggressively chasing a moving bait. I like to stay with crawfish-inspired colors, including PB&J.
When fishing in October, don't get locked into one bait or one depth. Work the points and bluff ends and let the fish tell you what they want that day.
October baits to try:
- Crawfish-pattern crankbaits
- Plastic worms
- Ned rigs
- PB&J and other crawfish colors
November Fishing: Find the Shad and Break Out the Spoons
As we move into November, water temperatures continue to drop and another productive Table Rock Lake fishing pattern begins to develop.
This is when it's time to get out the spoons.
Spotted bass, largemouth bass and white bass can be found around humps and long points. Table Rock Lake has this type of structure throughout the lake, which gives anglers plenty of water to explore.
If you aren't familiar with Table Rock Lake, a good topographical map can be extremely helpful. Take your time when searching these areas and use your electronics to locate concentrations of shad.
Finding bait is important.
You may find a great-looking hump or point, but if your electronics aren't showing shad or fish, don't be afraid to keep moving. Once you locate the baitfish, your chances of finding feeding bass improve considerably.
The spoon pattern can continue throughout November and into December, and when you find fish grouped around the right structure, the action can be fast.
This can be some of the most fun fishing of the year.
November fishing strategy:
- Search humps and long points
- Use electronics to locate shad
- Look for spotted bass, largemouth bass and white bass
- Keep a spoon ready
- Use a topographical map to identify productive structure
December Fishing: Follow the Shad Migration
By around the second week of December, anglers should begin watching for a major movement of shad.
The shad will start migrating into coves with creeks running into them.
The bass may not immediately follow the shad all the way into those coves, but they are often nearby. When conditions are right and the bass move in, they can begin gorging on shad.
That's when the fishing can get exciting.
When bass are actively feeding on shad, I like to throw shad-colored crankbaits, underspins and weighted Flukes.
There may be so many shad in the area that you can actually feel your bait bumping into them. When a bass grabs the bait, you will definitely know the difference.
Don't Leave When the Feeding Frenzy Stops
One of the most important things to remember during a December shad bite is that the biggest fish may not be the ones you see feeding at the surface.
If you see bass feeding heavily on shad and the frenzy suddenly starts slowing down, don't assume the bite is over.
Try throwing a weighted Fluke and allowing it to sink all the way to the bottom. Then slowly pull or work it along the bottom.
Larger bass may be sitting underneath the activity eating injured shad that have fallen through the water column.
Sometimes changing from chasing the visible fish to targeting what's happening underneath them can make a big difference.
Electronics and Lake Maps Matter in the Fall
Table Rock Lake has an incredible amount of structure, and fall fishing often requires anglers to search until they find the right combination of structure, bait and fish.
That's why electronics and a good topographical map are so valuable.
Look for:
- Long points
- Bluff ends
- Humps
- Creek channels
- Coves with creek inflows
- Concentrations of shad
Don't rush through an area just because you don't immediately catch a fish. Spend some time looking at your electronics and understanding what is happening beneath the boat.
At the same time, don't spend all day fishing a spot simply because it looks good on the map. If the baitfish aren't there, keep searching.
Fall Bass Fishing on Table Rock Lake Is All About Adjusting
One of the things that makes Table Rock Lake fall fishing so interesting is how much the lake can change between October and December.
In October, I may be concentrating on points and bluff ends with crawfish-pattern crankbaits, plastic worms and Ned rigs.
By November, I'm paying much more attention to humps, long points and schools of shad while fishing spoons.
Then December brings the shad migration into creek-fed coves and opportunities to fish shad-colored crankbaits, underspins and weighted Flukes.
There isn't one bait or one location that's going to be the answer throughout the entire fall season.
Watch the water temperature. Watch the shad. Use your electronics. Pay attention to what the fish are telling you.
That's how you put together a successful day of bass fishing on Table Rock Lake in the fall.
Plan a Fall Fishing Trip to Table Rock Lake
October, November and December can offer some outstanding opportunities for anglers on Table Rock Lake. The summer crowds have faded, the scenery is beautiful and the changing water temperatures create a variety of ways to catch fish.
Whether you're targeting largemouth bass, spotted bass or white bass, fall is a great time to get on the water.
And if you're unfamiliar with the lake, spending time with a local fishing guide can help you better understand Table Rock Lake's structure, seasonal patterns and how to locate fish as conditions change.