Arkansas Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Bull Shoals 02/25/07

Dam area to Lead Hill: The bite has been very tough on Bull Shoals over the past couple of weeks; small limits are winning tournaments and reports of two and three bites all day are common. The best patterns have been jerkbaits, jigs or tubes. Most of the fish being caught on jerkbaits have been coming off of secondary points in the major creeks arms, the backs of the creeks all have good water color and it seems these areas are producing the best bite. Work either Smithwick Rogues or Lucky Craft Pointers over steep mixed rock points from 5’ – 35’ deep; allow the bait to pause from 5 – 15 seconds between jerks to draw strikes. The jig and tube bite seems to be strongest on channel swing banks on both the main lake and in the bigger creek arms, throw the bait up toward the bank and work it slowly along the bottom. Most of the bites have been extremely light so you will need to pay close attention to both your bait and line.

Lead Hill to Power site: Above Lead Hill the bite has not been a lot better, most of the better catches of fish seem to be coming from the area above K-Dock where the current from Taneycomo gets fairly strong. Smithwick Rogues and Lucky Craft Pointers have been effective choices in chrome / black, American shad and Nishiki, look for areas where there is a break in the current to be holding most of the fish, points, rock piles and laydowns are all top areas. Don’t be surprised if you catch a mixed bag of fish right now; bass, walleye, white bass and crappie are all sharing these spots and ambushing shad as they come by. Storm Wiggle Warts are another effective presentation; look for chunk rock and mixed rock, sand and ledge banks to be holding fish from 6’ – 10’ deep. Make parallel casts on these banks and work the bait slowly on the bottom running it into any cover that may be present. An Eakins’ jig is another good option on channel swing and bluff banks on the main lake and in the major creek arms. PB&J or Missouri craw with a green pumpkin Eakins’ craw will produce fish on these steeper banks through out the area.