The Kings River is more famous as a float-fishing river, especially in its upper reaches where both largemouth and smallmouth may be taken. The James, on the other hand, offers several excellent tributaries of its own, including Aunts, Bearden, and Piney Creeks. Fishing any of these areas can be difficult unless local expertise is available, for the simple reason that every tributary offers dozens and dozens of rocky points and coves, and there truly isn't any way to determine which might be better than another on any particular day. The mid-section of the lake, extending roughly between the Missouri Highway 13 bridge in Kimberling City down to Indian Creek, is perhaps the best place to start fishing Table Rock. In this area, Schooner, North Indian, Little Indian, and Cow Creeks are certainly top fishing spots to consider.
Lure choice depends largely on the season of the year.
In early spring, many bass will suspend in the deeper coves as they wait for the water to warm. They will sometimes hit a big, slow, wobbling jerkbait fished on the surface and simply reeled across the open water or across deep points. This technique was developed by local guides here on Table Rock and nearby Bull Shoals Reservoir years ago, and has become a standard bass fishing tactic. If baitfish are observed in these coves, try shad-colored jerkbaits. A third choice might be to fish small plastic worms rigged Texas-style with a sliding sinker along the edges of the bluff banks around standing timber.