Quillback

Beaver was on fire today, if I caught every bite I had, I would've had over a hundred. I boated a little over 50 bass, mostly smallmouth. Not getting the average size on the smallies Bill has been getting, but had 15 keepers `15-`17 inches and one smallie that was `18.5". Had a largemouth that was a hair short of 4 lbs. Keitechs were good, but the ned bite was really good. The fish were really shallow in some cases, even though the water is clear enough you can see bottom in 10-15 FOW. Clouds and wind had them up in 4 feet or so and they were eating. Look to be done spawning for the most part, but I think the largemouth are now spawning. Tried green pumpkin magic Keitech today. Only had three of them glued up, and they got torn up pretty quick. The smalls seem to like that color.

I have had an Ultrex Quest for a year and a half now. Been a great TM. Very quiet and more powerful than the Fortrex. Fortrex was a great TM, but had to have that Spot lock.

Personally, I don't care if it is 1.5 or 2. Maybe they have another copy of the rules somewhere that has it right? Either way, they ought to whack them.

Interesting - the rules page specifies 1.5 lbs.

I might go, but unlikely.

Another one this weekend. FFS is on.

When I read the first part of your story, I was thinking there had to be something in those leaves to cause that cough. There have been a lot of prescribed burns in Arkansas the last couple of weeks. Last week they did a big burn in the Devil's Eyebrow natural area which is right by the Indian Creek arm on Beaver Lake. I went fishing there the day after the burn and the Indian Creek cove was full of smoke, like a thick fog. Decided then and there that I did not need to go back there and fish.

What do you folks think a typical 1.5 lb. fat spot will measure in length? 13-14 inches?

Some walleye info from AGFC. Some interesting stuff in the read, for example, walleye eggs stick to rocks. Arkansas hatcheries help walleye angling action • Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

Here's a link to rules, schedule, events and locations. Minimum size on bass 1.5 lbs. REDCREST-SOE-Table-Rock-Lake-2026-ANGLERS.pdf

They have 3 practice days, Mon-Wed. So it is not like they are walking into it Friday blind. However, the weather may present some challenges.

Hope you get it!

I don't follow MLF enough to make any predictions but I do believe I will watch some of the live coverage. Then they go to Beaver the week after? Smallmouth were eating today on Beaver. I was on banks where it was literally a bite per cast. Some are spawning and some look to be done. I look forward to watching the MLF coverage on Beaver too. The only thing about watching the show is that the fishing is so good right now, I'd rather be out there fishing. The tough choices you have to make in life...😃

Having nothing better to do, I did some searching on chicken feet. In the chicken industry they are called "paws" BTW. The Chinese love them. It seems incredible, but we export several hundred thousand TONS of chicken paws to China every year.

Had to get out with the nice weather and the smallmouth biting. In general the days have been relatively calm early with the wind getting feisty later in the morning and blowing all afternoon. High temps in the 70's, it is a good time to get out and fish. Today's sunrise: The bite has been good when you find the banks they are on. The smallmouth are spawning and some I have been catching look to be spawned out. I have caught very few green bass, but catch anywhere from 20-30+ smallmouth a day. No big fish, I have caught a few 17 inchers, but none bigger. Lots and lots of 14-15 inch smallies. Bodes well for next year as those that survive should be in the 16-17 inch range. Fished yesterday in my buddy Jeb's boat. He had the spotted bass mojo going and caught 4 of them that I would give an eyeball estimation of 2 and a quarter to 2 1/2 lb. each. Long and super fat. There is always an early top water bite, a few stripers, some smallies, and some green bass. It ends early. I have not caught any big stripers but have caught a couple of 3 lbers. Had one on briefly this morning that was a good fish. Caught 2 keeper walleye this morning on a Keitech. Ned rigs and the Keitechs are working for smallmouth. Surface water temps are now 62-63.

Congrats Les, nice bunch of fish!

That's some great fishing! I've been fishing the lower end of Beaver, the smallmouth fishing has been great. They are spawning and some of them look like they are spawned out already. I've been fishing the ned mainly, lots of fun on the light spinning rod.

Nice ones!

On my list once I get some time.

You'd think MDC would come out and get that bear. I thought they lived for that kind of stuff.

Have not listened to either yet, but they sound interesting: Arkansas Smallmouth Bass Featured on Two Episodes of The Ozark Podcast Arkansas boasts one of the most diverse Smallmouth Bass species complex genetics worldwide. The AGFC has partnered with the University of Arkansas and The Ozark Podcast to release two episodes that explore this genetic diversity and its implications for managing the state's Smallmouth Bass and Neosho Bass populations. First Episode: Smallmouth Bass Species Complex Genetics In Episode 207, Dr. Chris Middaugh (AGFC Conservation Support Division) and Dr. Tyler Chafin (University of Arkansas) discussed the results of the statewide Smallmouth Bass Genetics Diversity project. This research analyzed the genetics of 1,500 fish collected from 113 sites across Arkansas. Following Episode: Smallmouth Bass Management Plans In Episode 208, Eric Naas and Jeremy Risley from the AGFC Black Bass Program elaborated on how the AGFC plans to use the project's findings, along with other information, to guide Smallmouth Bass management efforts statewide. Listen Now You can access both episodes by clicking here and here, or by searching for the Ozark Podcast on your preferred podcast platform. Special Thanks We extend a special thank you to the hosts of the Ozark Podcast, Kyle Viet and Kyle Plunkett, for bringing Arkansas outdoors to the listeners. We also recommend checking out their five-part series on Neosho Bass, with the first episode available here: Episode 126: Living in the Shadows.