JAMES WATSON: I Have Ample Reasons to Look Ahead to Table Rock

MLF pro James Watson has lots of reasons to be excited that the Bass Pro Tour is coming to his home lake. Photo by Phoenix Moore

March 8, 2019 • James Watson • Angler Columns

There are multiple reasons why my excitement is through the roof with the decision to bring Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour to Table Rock Lake. For the sake of time, I’m just going to touch on a handful:

1. My Start in the Sport: Table Rock Lake is the lake that I cut my teeth on. My dad and grandpa taught me how to fish on Table Rock and many of the surrounding lakes. I caught my first-ever bass on Table Rock and was forever hooked on this sport (no pun intended).

I remember a very cold March morning when I was 9 or 10 years old, my dad and I were going fishing up near Shell Knob, and as we pulled up to the ramp we noticed that there was a bass club having a tournament. The Aurora, Missouri bass club invited us to jump in on their tournament that day, and we blasted those guys. Walking away from my first tournament ever with that win was most definitely one of the coolest feelings in the world.

2. Home Cooking!: Another reason I’m excited for the Bass Pro Tour to come to Table Rock Lake is that I get to sleep in my own bed that week. For any traveling athlete or us professional anglers, that’s a big deal.

3. Showing Off a Little: We get to showcase the beautiful Ozarks. There’s so much to do in and around Table Rock Lake. Book your reservations now at Big Cedar Lodge, America’s premier wilderness resort. If you haven’t been to Big Cedar, it features attractions such as Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Bass Pro Shops Shooting Academy and the remarkable Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve.

And let’s not forget there’s a Bass Pro Shops within driving distance!

We’ve also got the “Las Vegas of the Midwest”, Branson, Missouri, a short 20-minute drive from Table Rock Lake: Silver Dollar City theme park, a mini Mount Rushmore and so much more. A must-visit for all families.

4. The Fishing = Phenomenal: If you’re into trout fishing you must check out Lake Taneycomo, a manmade lake on the White River. You can, and will, catch other species there, just watch Season 2, Episode 3 of “Going Ike”. But if you watch and you’re nervous about going alone, I recommend booking a guide trip with my bud Robbie Dodson, he’ll show you everything Lake Taneycomo has to offer.

Table Rock Lake is a phenomenal fishery. In May when the lake warms up, so does the bite. I reckon SCORETRACKER will be lighting up like crazy from beginning to end when we’re there May 17-22!

5. With My Family Watching: And the most important reason to me that the Bass Pro Tour is coming to Table Rock Lake is …

Because my dad will get to see his son compete in the highest level of our sport! Now, this might not sound like much to you, but it’s very important to me. My dad wanted to be a professional angler; however, he was busy putting food on the table for our family so his dream got put on the backburner.

For him and the rest of my family to witness this on his home lake is a feeling I can’t even describe.

With all that being said, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone come out to enjoy all that Table Rock Lake has to offer.