LittleRedFisherman

I fished near Van Buren this winter on the Current, and that was the clearest water I had ever fished, but i havn't fished in the northern stretch of the Ozarks much yet. I was fishing a pool that was at least 10 feet, and could see everything down there. At least for "Big Water" that would have to be up there.

Great report, I can almost visualize what you guys where doing in the canoe with that good description. I was in Little Rock earlier in the week, and stopped by a sporting good store there and stocked up, I bought several different crankbaits from 2 to 4 ft dive, up to 7 to 10, as well as some spinnerbait, and Rons trusty roadrunners..lol Thanks for the report, when I go again, I'll have to change my pattern from the winter pattern i've been used to.

What a dandy Smallmouth!! Hard to tell, but from the looks of the water and riverbank, it looks to me like that could be on the lower Current River closer to the state line. Don't blame him for wanting to keep that a secret...lol

Wow, that is an impressive fish!

Yes, we had alot of fun for sure. Not sure why I got two different topic post on this, but apologize for that. Yeah, I get a kick out of Roland and how he weighes the fish as he's reeling it in..

After watching the smallmouth video on here, i thought I'd try to put one together as well. I fished different parts of the ozarks this winter, and didn't always have the camera, but I did take it a few times. The first part is a couple of my buddies, that also work with me here on the farm, but the best part is taping Dad catching his first smallmouths, after predicting earlier that day he wouldn't catch anything. One thing i need to learn on taping fishing footage, is I always forget to tape the release of the fish, I assure you all these fish were released. Anyhow, hope you enjoy this 3 minute video, of some winter ozark fishing. One thing I get from rewatching this, is how much fun we had, and bad I sound on camera...lol

After watching the smallmouth video on here, i thought I'd try to put one together as well. I fished different parts of the ozarks this winter, and didn't always have the camera, but I did take it a few times. The first part is a couple of my buddies, that also work with me here on the farm, but the best part is taping Dad catching his first smallmouths, after predicting earlier that day he wouldn't catch anything. One thing i need to learn on taping fishing footage, is I always forget to tape the release of the fish, I assure you all these fish were released. Anyhow, hope you enjoy this 3 minute video, of some winter ozark fishing. One thing I get from rewatching this, is how much fun we had, and bad I sound on camera...lol

Chief, hoping to head that direction maybe later in the week, it's been harder to get away with the work season on me now. Next winter I plan on devoting mostly all my extra time to fishing, basically gonna hang up the duck waders. Got to fish and meet up with GotMuddy one day this winter on the Eleven Point, next winter may expand my horizons on some different waters and meet some more ozarkanglers!! We may have to give it a try sometime..

Great catch, that is a dandy!!

I agree with Mitch, these videos are really cool to see, nice river smallie. I've got some video I've taken over the winter, and may get on the computer tonight and try to put a video together. Really though, seeing that just makes me want to head to the Ozarks asap...

I've caught pickeral from Greer on down to the state line. I like using a crankbait, or a suspending jerkbait in the slack water area's, or around some vegetation. They will absolutely attack the bait. I've caught them by accident flyfishing for smallmouth as well, there pretty aggressive.

Looks like alot of fun, makes me wanna head up there again soon. That's one fine river in my book, second to none!

I was looking at the records when I got my MDC fishing book where I got my licence. Isn't the record smalllie from Stockton Lake, between 6 and 7 pounds I think. Would be a dandy, although I saw a video from Onterio Canada the other day, and they claim those are average up there.

It would be a long drive for you, but probably one of the best smallmouth rivers in Arkansas would have to be the Eleven Point in Randolph county. It's in the Ozark foothill in Northeast arkansas, and not talked about near as much as the river is up in Missouri, but the AGFC have ran shock test, and determined that per square mile of water, there are more smallmouth in there than any body of water in the state. I fish it there, and in Missouri, and it's a great river. I've never tried Crooked Creek, but plan on trying it sometime this year. Like you, it's a long drive for me, and the Eleven point and Current are much closer. I flyfish for smallies as well, it's very addictive once you find the pattern that works. Good luck, Bret.

Great fish guys, that's really makes me want to go fishing bad. Been to busy as work to go lately, may have to sneak off next week. . Dandy Fish!! Might could of done without the last pic however...lol. I'll remember that if I ever have to work on my Merc...

Brian, I have faith in ya. I've seen this guy at work, when it comes to the Eleven Point, he's the man!! If we get all this rain there talking about, maybe next week I may have to make one more trip up there Brian, I've been wanting pull in a few rainbows.

Talking about small creeks in Arkansas, one that I think is a sleeper is Martins Creek between Ravenden and Hardy. I waded about a half mile of it several years ago with a good friend, and was amazed with the bass we caught, smallmouth and largemouth. I'd love to float it someday in a canoe and fish my way down.

I personally like a Maribou Jig under an indicator on my flyrod, my flyfising experience is limited compared to most of you on here probably, I've just got into it the past few years, but I've tried different things, and I can take my TFO to a river rigged with that and catch some fish.

I am a catch and release guy, but my brother in law kept these fish. Middle pic is my father in law, guess not the best technique didn't even notice that. They probably hit the water twice a year and that's about it. I don't fret to much about catching these stocker rainbows anyway.

Took my father in law and his son and granfson fishing today on the Little Red. Didn't catch any monsters today but did pretty good! I managed to catch a few on a micro jig on my TFO. Beautiful day!!

That is terrible, I think it's clear that is from a gig. The one that was gigged behind the head was obviously released because the barbs had to penetrate, i doubt that fish could of came off before it got to the boat. If that is the case, that fish was possibly gigged thinking it was something else like a sucker. That alone to me would be a good argument to have it stopped. When the water is cloudy, it is probably more difficult to tell what your gigging, that fish could have possibly been mistaken for a sucker, then released in fear of getting caught. ( I may be saying stuff that elementary to you guys on here, but I'm not familar with gigging around here, just thinking out loud).

Wow, I think I'd have a Heart Attack if I caught one like that, that thing is Huge. If memory Serves that one is larger than the Missouri state record? I saw one when the Eleven Point was really clear last month I swear would go 5 pounds, that got my heart a pumping for sure. Basically I've hung up my duck wader for winter fishing.

I think I've logged almost 2000 miles on that boat this winter, between the Eleven Point and Current, and the White and Little Red Rivers in Arkansas. Sad thing is, one my work season starts, it may set up for months without use, so made hay while the sun was shining.... This last trip was by far the favorite of the winter!!!

Thanks Guys, we had a great time. Our fishing time is gonna get harder to come by soon, I hope we can do this again in the next couple of weeks. Next time I'm thinking of heading to Dalton, haven't fished there in awhile. Last time I fished there I watched a friend of mine pull out an 18 incher near Woody's camp. The crappie have been biting pretty good on the "Bottomland version of the Black River" here at home, been wanting to do some more of that to. Today was strange, in a good way, slow bite but big fish.

My friend Chad and I took my Dad with us today fishing on the Eleven Point. My dad self proclaims himself as the worlds worst fisherman, even though he's not that bad. He taught me to catfish, and catch small bass out the Mayo Ditch that runs through the farm years ago. We work together all year on the family farm, and make a great team, but since we are fixing to start another crop for the year, thought it would be a good time to go fishing. Today I talked him into going with us on a Beautiful day, so we headed to the Ozarks. The fishing was as slow as it's been, but when we hooked up, the fish were quality, very quality, all 3 of us caught our PB's today. Dads first smallmouth ever was a solid 15 incher. His second one was just shy of 19 inches, it put up a good fight on a trout rod i let him borrow with 4 pound line. My dad caught and released 3 dandy smallmouths. I was tickled to death that he hooked into something like this. I don't think I will have to twist his arm to go fishing with me again... What a day to be living, breathing, and fishing in the Ozarks with my Dad!