Kayak fishing Table Rock Lake in the summer: topwater plugs work VERY WELL!

In this short video, we are fishing Rebel topwater plugs early in the morning.  In the summer time, especially on Table Rock Lake in southern Missouri, early morning and evenings on topwaters with structure fish very well.  With the heat and sun, and with the water temperature higher this time of year, a lot of the big fish stay deep, and then come up on structure to forage before and after the heat of the day.

"Life is better on a kayak"

Mike

Table Rock Lake, Aunts Creek Access, Stone County, MO: Nice 5 1/2 mile paddle and fishing

Kayaking 5.5 miles on Table Rock Lake, Missouri

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This was a fun smooth lake paddle.  I wanted to get in some miles and also fish a little on the way back.  I kayak a lot of waters all around the ozarks and beyond, and I have to say the Table Rock Lake is my favorite...no matter what time of the year, the water clarity is always excellent and with the hills around it, on a calm day it is one of the best lakes around.  It did not seem to have as much boat traffic due to the higher water.  A lot of the boat ramps are still under water, so there are limitations to access points. That is why I am glad I have a kayak...no limitations!

Paddle ON!

MLT

Evening Paddle on Table Rock Lake, Stone County, Missouri May 31st, 2011

Check out how high the water is as I kayak through the Aunts Creek Corps of Engineers playground.  Sometimes the best of paddles are the ones where you do not think you have enough time to kayak that day, but you do so anyway.
I love this time of the year due to the fact the technically you can paddle well past 8:00 p.m.  Got a couple of nice shots...hope you enjoy

Paddle ON!

Mike

Creve Coeur Lake, St. Louis County, Missouri May 10th, 2011: Quick paddle/fishing trip in between rain storms and flood waters

The rain and water levels have been so incredibly bad in the Missouri/Arkansas/Ozarks area over the last couple of weeks.  Table Rock Lake hit a record high, and there has been rain more days than sun.  So, the paddling in this part of the country has been a bit "challenging".  One of the funniest post I saw on facebook was a kayak shop that sent a quick reminder out: "kayakers please note- Flood water is NOT whitewater".  I found that to be quite humorous.
I did get a chance, however, for a quick paddle and some fishing at Creve Coeur Lake in St. Louis County, Missouri in between out of town trips.  My original intention was to fish and paddle Lake Sherwood in Warren County, however, I got about 1/2 to the destination, and realized that I did not pack the paddle....hmm....  I am glad I just laughed at it, turned around,  got the paddle, and then went to Creve Coeur.  Life is too short to be angry!  Just had to laugh......

Paddle ON!

MLT

Beaver Lake, Arkansas March 23rd, 2011, Table Rock Lake, Missouri March 24th 2011: Wind and big fish the story

Beaver Lake, Blue Springs Use Area, Arkansas March 23rd, 2011

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I got chance to kayak the lower arm of Beaver Lake on March 23rd.  It really got warm which means it really got windy.  If you get a chance to click on the short video, you see what I mean.  I basically kayaked and fished the cove.  The ramp had quite the pitch and a lot of traffic, so this gave me an opportunity to give my kayak cart a try (works much better with my sea kayak then my heavier, wider fishing kayak). 

The video was shot when I attempted to get up on the main channel.  The waves were just too much for me, so I turned it around and headed back towards the bridge.  The kayak was cooking!  I swear I must have been going 5 knots by the time I got to the bridge.  After that, I decided it was time to call it a day and head back to the ramp.  I am anxious to come back to this area under some calmer conditions.

The next day I had a couple of hours to paddle Table Rock Lake in Stone County, Missouri.  Conditions the next day were much nicer.  We still had a little wind, but it was more manageable.  This paddle trip was more about the fishing.  I kayaked about 2 miles, and had a lot of time to fish some of the coves.  I caught one of the biggest Largemouth Bass I have ever caught (full story at http://www.fishmissouri.org/ )  It is truly amazing how incredibly clear the water is at Table Rock Lake.  This is one incredible lake!

Paddle ON!

MLT

Table Rock Lake, Old Hwy 86 Use Area, Stone County, MO: Incredibly peaceful paddle, great to get out on the lake!

I do not know if this video does the incredible beauty of Table Rock Lake justice....but we gave it our best effort to get some of it on film.  Always remember, Life is good....and Life is better on a kayak!

Paddle ON!

MLT

Table Rock Lake, Old Hwy 86 Use Area, Stone County, MO: Nice 3 mile paddle, Table Rock still real low

Table Rock Lake, Missouri Old Hwy 6 Use area

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This was a nice late afternoon paddle.  Table Rock Lake, Missouri can get to feeling like paddling on the sound side of the Outer Banks, NC when the wind starts to wip up.  No white caps in the main channel, but lake started to swell a bit.  Got a little weird when I got past the point into the main lake- really started to feel the effects of the wind.  This lake can get real rough in March....I have seen it get to looking like the Atlantic Ocean on days past.  Not quite at that level on this one, fortunately

Paddle ON!

MLT

Table Rock Lake, Aunts Creek, Stone County, MO.- Peaceful last days of summer