Always Catching Tree Bass

Just saw this amazing post. Great information! I'm planning to bank fish there and am wondering about Shad. Do I pretty much need to buy some on the way down if I don't have a boat? What's a good bait store to use locally (I Googled Lakeside and had no luck). Could I use night crawlers and catch enough panfish to have a decent amount of baitfish?

I've heard that the fishing is pretty good in the locks in Ozark on the Arkansas River, and some friends and I are planning to hit it up this coming Friday (my kind of birthday party). I have a few questions about it as I've never fished the Arkansas River before. First, I'm wondering about access to the bank as we'll be fishing from the bank. Anyone know of any access areas we can use? As I understand it's mostly Blue cats there, cut shad and bluegill would be bait of choice, right? Is there a special technique to it, or do you just chuck bait out and see how it goes? So, I'm basically looking for a 101 here. Thanks fellas.

I know the Little Red because I grew up there, actually. Thanks for all the replies.

I've lived in Rogers a few months but haven't gone trout fishing yet (I bought a kayak shortly after moving here and have been wearing it out). I'm looking to wade out and fly fish for trout. Anyone have a spot or two that they would suggest with wade-in access? What are the favored flies here? I know that in the Little Red around Heber Springs Sow Bugs and Wooly Buggers are the go-to flies.