Are any Arkansas members catching any fish?

[TOPS]

Post here to let us know what you catch and when. Please include the type bait used. :D

[boliver]

have been twice in last week and a half and going this evening i fish below 13. caught 3 up to 5lb nothing friday and 8 a week ago sat. i use cut shad , i usually fish a couple of hours at a time sometime between 2 and 5 in eve.tried nite fishing without much luck. i havent caught anything big yet.

[TOPS]

Boliver, Thanks for the update by the the way where is 13 located?

[boliver]

13 is at van buren about 5 miles south . i went yesterday they weren't running any water , caught 3 small ones.

[TOPS]

Boliver, Thanks again for the update, I have seen some nice blues and channels come from the dam here at Russellville. One blue looked to be bout 10 to 14 pounds that was caught. :D

[Little Mac]

Bolivar, I never seem to catch anything around that dam, LOL I used to go alot. course I was fishing from the bank, might be diff if I was in a boat and could target. Rudy Know that place for sure. LOL FISH, whats a fish???? Top there aint no fish this way thier all down your way.... later. Mac

[boliver]

lil mac i fish below the genertor. i tried nite fishing no luck at all . i go of the evening because there is no one there then and it the only time other than nite i can go. down close to the bouies is where i atch most of my fish , but nothing big.i have just started rod and reel fishing and river fishing , still have a lot to learn i have trot lined frog for years.

[TOPS]

I know there are more people from Arkansas than Boliver, Mac and I. Have the new site turned you all off? please post in the Arkansas thread and let us know what you are catching. When I go fishing I always try to post and let you all know how we did. :confused:

[Little Mac]

Bolivar, I grew up fishing the Frog boyou up in Mountainburg, Recently started fishing it where it dumps into clear creek park, and then on out to the river. Not bad at all of course depends on if the water is rising. When you say "bouys" you mean on the vanburen side over by the island channel? I usually fish on down below that Island at the first rock dike, still havent done any good there. I havent been in a while though.

[jtrew]

Top, I don't know if you can reach it casting from the bank, but there is a hole below the powerhouse at Dardanelle just about straight out from the white fence at the end of the turnaround of the lower parking lot.

[VerotiK]

We haven't been fishing in months. We got discouraged earlier this year when fishing was so bad, and now gas prices are putting us off. We plan on making a trip to dardanelle soon though. Anyone catching anything down there?

[hoglaw]

I'm in the middle of school right now, not much chance to fish. I've been out to Bob Kidd lake a couple of times this summer, we've done okay. I'm convinced there are a few monsters in there. Also, we've tried one trip to Lincoln Lake (no motors allowed). We caught a hog-largemouth, but no cats. Probably 50 bullheads, but not a single channel. Probably fishing the wrong part of the lake. Anyhow, I'm headed out to Crooked Creek this weekend to smallmouth fish. We'll be camping, so we'll be going for channels all night tomorrow. If anyone has any advice on crooked (particularly between Snow and Kelly's Slab), I'd appriciate a heads up.
On a personal note, I'm new to the site and I appriciate all the information. I wish the Arkies were a little more active, but I suppose we're doing alright. I've fished for smallmouth and trout my whole life, all over the country. Catfishing was always a bonus when we were camped on some random stream, but now it's starting to become more of a primary pursuit. I've got a boat, but no heavy cat gear, so I pretty much stick to the streams and the canoeable lakes. If anyone in Northwest Ark is planning a trip and wants some company, let me know!

Thanks guys

Kyle

[Cataholic]

Hey Kyle! Welcome aboard! I used to live in Lincoln and have hauled many a basket of Redear Bream outta there up in the headwaters where it's only waist deep. Just to show ya how long ago that's been the lake In Prairie Grove was called Budd Kidd. I now reside about a 1/4 mile from Dardenelle in Russellville. Cats get pretty big around here on the Arkansas! I LOVE IT!

[r_do]

I haven't been for over a month until this past wednesday. My brother-in-law wanted to go boat riding. I told him, if I went boat riding, I was going to take a pole and do some fishing. Other wise it is a waste of gas. lol We used some frozen kaltaba worms and caught 10 sall cats in the Big Slough Ditch just west of the St. Francis river near Cardwell Mo. I had surgery yesterday and it will be a few days before I get a chance to go again. Have fun guys and keep us posted. Good reports make the price of gas seem cheeper some how. ha ha ha :D [FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=7]

[Wiscars]

Gas seems to be the big inhibitor for me since all my spots now cost plenty to get there, and back! 20 to 30 dollars minimum with no extras. My son is in from Indy and we are headed to Morrilton Sat. Nite. We will try our best for something besides Garzillas. We have high hopes and my boy has new gear that needs trying out. Let you know what happens Monday. Wish us luck! May be better off with 30 dollars worth of Mrs. Pauls fish sticks according to my better half. :crying: They should be starting up soon with the cooler weather we hope. Later

[VerotiK]

With gas at $3.00 a gallon, it'll cost us $40-50 just in gas to get to the dam and back. its a 180 mile round trip. I do want to go again soon though.

[Cataholic]

Hey Wiscars!
Try lake Overcup it'll beat the river hands down! I've seen fish dark out depthfinders, Really! I used to live on Overcup and I've been told it's rated third best lake in the state. I've caught many 15lbs and up on a regular basis this time of year. Try the marina on the dam side around the north side of the little island, fish between there and the pier. Be vewy quiet they start prowling round eleven. Wanna know a secret? take a piece of hailscreen about 1/4 inch mesh and a coffee can. Scrape the coffee can two or three times across the hailscreen and be quiet they'll come a runnin. Trust me! A couple of old timers have fed kitties in the lake over thirty years and they call em up using a coffee can raked over hail screen, I've seen it myself. Let us know how you do!

[Cataholic]

I almost forgot! Use Shad or Chicken livers the fresher the better. Good Luck!

[Smellycat]

I`m going to Russellville soon as the flow gets right. It`s gettin time.
We have had the best luck there catching the 25 -35 pound blues drifting from the dam. Cut skipjack is best, but we are out. Hope to catch some of them boogers first.

[CNTRYBOY]

Catholic, I know what ya mean. I use to fish overcup a bit and have seen some nice fish come out of there. That lake has plenty of cover and easy acessable. Not a large lake but nice fishing hole! :0a18:

[boliver]

what is the secret to the shad the last couple of times ive been they were really hard to come by the ones i got were large are they deeper or what im a bank fisherman and the other people ive saw were having just as bad luck boliver

[Big Sam]

:) We went this last sunday over to Kerr lake and caught 30 nice fish in about 3 hours...28 on Punch Bait and 2 on shad...There were plenty of shad in big schools in the 2-3ft of water...Try getting there early right before daylight...should get plenty....

[Big Sam]

:thumbsup: Well men I went nov 10th at kerr lake again and caught 28 cats
with my ol pal Willard....Top sarge had to cancel..We will go Top before long.
I also went sunday nov 13th at scranton AR. down on the AR. river.My wife caught one that went 18 lbs.. and we had a total of 20 blues..all in the shallow water.

[TOPS]

Sam, you need to leave us some :D Was they caught on DK's again? any size? :confused:

[Big Sam]

:grin-big: I like that big grin i-con it kinda fits' top! Yes Danny King punch bait
is the only way to go top! Caught some 6,7and 8 lbers..18lbs 6oz was the biggest...I'll holler at ya soon!

[nathan king]

big sam you do good to catch a cold brother
:p

[Big Sam]

:what-big: Top...Ya see how it is now days no respect from the young ones.
Now Nathan before ya sneek in aguy's back yard to take a leak....You ought to learn how to read the sign that say's....I'm the only person who water's THIS lawn..........Come on down son and take a good ol arkansas lickinin on catching cats!

[olefin]

Big Sam,

Good to see someone on here from Booneville. I attended Booneville high school for a couple years. We lived out on Sugar Creek at Grayson.
All that was many years ago.

[Big Sam]

:glare: Olefin....hey you wasn't far from the petit jean river boat ramp down at hice landing...I go there in the spring when the water is running down the river...man there is some real nice cats in that river...Hardly know one fishes it for them either....everybody goes there for the crappie...good to hear from an ol home town member....

[nathan king]

oh sammmy oh sammmy didnt i spank you enough last year? well hope you bring your sunblock this year cause the only thing you'll be catchinh is Rays brother. :D

[jtrew]

"Hice Landing"???? I've launched at Pontoon, off the bank where hwy 7 crosses the Petit Jean, and off the bank of the Arkansas River across from where the Petit Jean enters, but I've never heard of hice landing. If it's not a secret spot, can you tell me where it's located?

[Big Sam]

:love-big: Hey nate this face here is the way you look at me every time I come for the weigh in son.... OK jtrew...see what i put up with from the young one's.../.Hice landing is just out side of Booneville ar. about 7-8miles southeast of town.It runs into Blue mountain lake on the back side above the dam...Your talking about below the dam across #7. It is a nice park{Hice} there is a launching fee unless you got golden acess pass. You can use a pontoon..I see other folks doing it....It is a spring time thing though..Late april and may when we get a lot of rain.....If ya ever want to go or need directions Tops' got my cell #.

[jtrew]

Thanks, Top. I've been up to Blue Mountain, but I've never fished there. The river is so full of stumps, trees, and logs in the hwy 7 area that you really need to carry a bowsaw along or you might not be able to get very far in a jonboat. Good fishing, though. I've been wanting to fish Smith Branch for several years now, but just haven't gotten around to it. It's supposed to be really good for catfish and crappie.

[olefin]

Big Sam,

We lived up Sugar Creek a ways before it runs into Petit Jean.... a few miles to Hise landing. Caught my first Crappie in Blue Mountain, that was just a few years after it was filled.

[nathan king]

big sam. im just curious have you been hitting the punch bait with some ritz crackers. hahahahhaha :p ;)

[Big Sam]

:conc-big: Now nate you know i take my DK straight...What's with the cracker thing :confused: Now a fishing report....Went sat dec3rd down at scranton on the AR. river and caught 21 nice blues......between 3lbs and 8lbs.. in 5- 8ft.... followed the birds today...

[TOPS]

Thanks for the update. I have not been out in a while. I guess you are the only one fishing in this area.

[jtrew]

I had planned on getting some fishing done after Thanksgiving, but have hardly been out of the house due to pneumonia. Looks like it will be after Christmas before I can try any fishing.

[Big Sam]

:eek: Went fishing sunday dec 11th....once again at scranton.....My friend Allen busted 2 in a row right off the bat. 1st one weighed 15 second 12lbs.It was very windy and the water temp was 38....We did manage a nice stringer. All were caught on punch bait.

[jtrew]

One of my fishing trips I didn't get around to this summer was a camping/fishing trip to Lake Conway, right next to the F&G Executive Retreat on hwy 89, just east of the narrows bridge. For you real old-timers, that retreat is where Little Rock AFB used to have a recreation area. When the F&G refused to maintain the trailers & cabins there, or to even give the Air Force anything but a year to year lease, the Air Force had to give up the lease. The Air Force was willing to maintain the trailers & cabins if given a long term lease, so they could be sure to get the good out of the repairs. Oddly enough, soon after the Air Force gave up its year to year lease, F&G bigwigs took over the area and made themselves a fancy retreat. Anyway, there's a little camping/picnic area just across a cove from the retreat, and I was planning on camping there for 2 or 3 days while doing some catfishing in the area. Now, that used to be my favorite bass fishing area, but I've never catfished there, or anywhere else on Lake Conway. Anybody got any comments or suggestions for catfishing there during warm weather?

[Big Sam]

:) Got to go fishing the day before x-mas...We got to scranton about 1pm and managed to catch 11 fish before it was time to go...They were biting slow and hard to find this time :glare:

[TOPS]

Sam, At least you are going. I hope to go next week. :D

[Big Sam]

:cool: Went fishing at scranton once again on Jan. 1st...caught 16 fish...15 were blues and one channel cat...They were biting pretty good. ;)

[TOPS]

Sam, Take your camera along get us some pictures we love to see the pictures of the cats. :D

[rushryder]

Sam, I hear you talking about punch bait. What is it? Where do you get it? Is that still what you are catching them on? Hearing you talking about catching all these fish is driving me crazy. Are you fishing on the river? Just a few questions. Thanks

[nathan king]

punch bait is a dip bait you can pick up in alot of stores nation wide. check out the sponcer links for all the details. excellent bait gauranteed to catch fish and if you find them youll slaughter them.

[Big Sam]

;) Yep...fishing on the ar.river...I fished a bend last time that has a drop off from 5ft of water down to 42ft..I always use punch bait...You can get it at the tackle box in FT. Smith...I get the 1 gallon size...Bills Bait and tackle in Clarksville has it also....Rig it carolina style with a #2 or #1 treble hook..Punch it in the bait and pull it out at a 45 angle...and go get e'm...Hello nate...where you been?? I was supposed to go to hte tackle show with joe this weekend...but had to cancle...Joe's nephew died and he has a funeral...so i will see ya in febuary.. :glare:

[nathan king]

sam did you find out if you were coming to lavon sat or not.

[Big Sam]

Waiting on joe ......to respond if he can go or not.....He will let me know by wensday for sure....Just finished building my new 8ft rod....Hopefully i can show it to you soon.