I’m closing in on the finish line for the first MLF Bass Pro Tour season. With only two tournaments left, I am still in position to qualify for the REDCREST Bass Pro Tour Championship. I need to get into the Top 30 in the points race to make it to the REDCREST. A couple of good finishes in the last two events will get me there. Plus, I could also qualify for another Cup event as well.

A lot is on the line for me, and finishing the points race 30th or higher to qualify for the Championship and my season would be a success; 31st would be a failure.

But right now, I need to focus on the second go around at Table Rock Lake. I had a fun tournament the first time. Made the Knockout Round, but didn’t get to the Championship Round. This time, I need to get there.

This time, I believe the lake will fish differently, with most of the bass being in their summer locations. A lot more offshore fishing is likely, and finding key spots as opposed to running a pattern is likely going to be a major factor.

Plus, since we’re fishing in the afternoon into the evening at this event, the morning bite I relied on at the first Table Rock event is irrelevant now.

I found something at the first event that may play out at this one. I’m interested to see if it will work. I was limited to fishing one creek arm the first time since that is the only area it was working, but now, it may work. It should be interesting.

I’m approaching my fishing this time with an even more simple approach. I have three primary methods I believe will work well for me. A Carolina rig, drop-shot, and a swimbait.

The Carolina rig is a great search bait. Gets your bait down to the bottom fast and allows you to really explore what’s down there. Nothing too complicated for me, just a Yum Magnum Finesse Worm in green pumpkin or really anything natural looking.

My drop-shot bait will be a Yum Warning Shot. It’s got a great shad shape and is my go-to drop-shot bait all across the country for all species of bass. Morning Dawn is a good color, but if the bass are feeding on panfish, a bluegill color works well too.

Now, my swimbait for Table Rock is going to be the Yum Pulse in the 3.5-inch size. I’ll fish it on a ⅜ or ½-ounce jig head. It’s the perfect bait to use when the weather is cloudy, windy, or rainy. It’s a bad dude.