Hi Guys,

I'll be going out Table Rock Lake with my one buddy the first weekend in May and I'm absolutely stoked! We're trying to figure out logistics and are thinking about staying at BIG CEDAR LODGE the night before and the day of and then fish that day. The rental boat is $190 for 8 hours (60 HP 17 foot alum. bass boat) or a guide is $350 for 8 hours, so I'm figuring it makes way more sense since this is a one time deal to get hooked up with a guide and do it the right way, especially since TR is huge, and we'd have no clue where to go on the lake.

I've done the guide route a few times in the past at various lakes across the country and it has been very hit or miss and more times miss with guides. So hoping to get some recommendations from guys on here that know what they're doing and/or maybe have experienced said guide before at Table Rock. Also, what do ya'll think of Big Cedar Lodge?

Thanks for helping me out! PS, I'll be at Fork April 26 and very excited, I think it's the last 2 days of the 2013 Share Lunker program, (crossing my fingers) lol.

John Sappington is a professional Table Rock Lake fishing guide ...
www.johnsappington.com

Super nice guy, too!

This^^^ and... check out his website, you like to catch GIANT rainbows by any chance? Lake Taneycomo below the dam is where Sappington can put on you on huge rainbows.

You're hitting it a great time!

Doc Seger 417-230-2334
You won't be disappointed.

Forgot to answer your question regarding Big Cedar Lodge. Nicest place up there. Treat yourselves and stay there. You'll love it. +1 on the giant rainbows. You can bass fish down here but either way, ya'll should have a blast. Beautiful area of the country.

That place is loaded with huge spots in big schools should be fun. You want to hit the trout for sure as well there are trout mesured in pounds not inches there.

I am STOKED now! I just booked Big Cedar Lodge for two nights! We will go the guide route. I left John a VM. Anyone else have any other picks for guides in case he is booked up? That is great news about the rainbow trout! My one assistant coach loves to fish for trout so he'll dig that.... me personally, I'm excited to catch some LM and SM. Sounds like it's the right time of the year to go too. Out here in California it has been LIGHTS OUT for big bass so no shortage over here, I just will happen to be in Kansas City in a month for a football camp so splicing in some fishing/adventure time while I'm out there! Thanks for the advice guys.

If you happen to look at trout guides chartered waters is top notch. The trophy zone right below the dam will make you friend not want to chase bass lol. Good luck!

Hey kicka, John has a neat backstory, forgive the unintended pun.

He broke his back the year before the first Toyota Texas Bass Classic. Some doctors said he'd never walk again. The man fought and fought and, less than a year later, was standing on stage at Lake Fork.

John had just won BB of the tournament with an 11 something, I think. He told a very moving story about his Dad, a crankbait and his faith all being pivotal in his return. I don't think there was a dry eye among the 10,000 fans that evening.

Sappington won a pair of custom Lucchese Boots, a Stetson and a "Lucchese Edition" Toyota Tundra. And he did so with the crankbait his Dad had given him! John gave the truck to his Father.

I can see it like yesterday in my mind's eye.

p.s., several other guide names mentioned by a couple folks up the page a bit

I am originally from this area of Gods country. You will love Big Cedar. We had a timeshare there for many years and I miss that place all the time. Be sure and visit the Buzzard bar in the basement of the restaurant. They always have live entertainment, great food and awesome service. It's a great place to take the family as well. My personal favorite is the water slide and lazy river during the heat of the summer, but anyways... lol

The first weekend of May, will be on like donkey kong. There will be a spinnerbait bite like you've always dreamed of and most likely a topwater bite all day long for all three species. That end of the lake is chalked full of 3-5 pound spots and most of the spots will be stack up around the break walls going into the marinas for some reason. There are lots of 10+lb LM caught out of long Creek a little further south going into Arkansas waters. There was an 11.07 caught on the small island in long creek two days ago.

As far as guides go, me personally I would just go on my own. Table Rock is usually pretty easy to figure out. But, if I had to hire a guy it would be Mike Webb or Rick LaPoint.

http://www.webbsguideservice.com/
http://strikebass.com/

I went out with Elite Series Pro Brian Snowden on Table Rock several years ago and had a great time. He guides there during the off season and when he's home.

Bill Beck is an awesome guide on Table Rock, I used him last year and we killed them. very reasonable aw well.

Hey Guys, thanks for all the insight. I left a voicemail with 2 of the above recommendations and no calls back yet ; ( I saw someone mention Bryan Snowden above so I e-mailed him and he got back to me right away and said he was not available as he's on a tourney that weekend but recommended to me Pete Wenners: www.hookedonbass.com I called Pete and he happened to be free that day but booked the entire rest of that week, so I booked the day he was free and that's who I'm going with. Thanks for all the tips/ideas guys. I'll make a post if we slay 'em or get any bigguns!