Quillback

I'm assuming you mean split ring pliers? Texas Tackle has an excellent set of pliers that works well with small split rings. You can do a search on Texas Tackle pliers and find a list of retailers.

Thnaks for the update, I don't have any of those KVD's but may have to give them a look. I'm hoping later this week I can get out and give the Rock a shot.

No RPS, I don't know where the money is coming from, would have been a good question to ask the construction workers I talked to, but did not think of it. I'm hoping the Bassmaster folks are part of the funding.

Yeah it's a good ramp to use if you're going to fish Clifty. If the lake level keeps falling it's probably going to become a popular ramp also. I haven't been over to LB North in a while, should've stopped by and checked it out while I was in the area the other day.

I'm thinking t-rigged or c-rigged the tail should not get hung up.

Thanks Thumbs for the tip, I haven't been fishing docks much lately, but probably should at least try the ones on Bluff ends or channel swings as you said.

Keitech swimbaits have been popular the last couple of years and they do work. Check out this new bait - it's 7" long so fairly big, looks like a bass catcher to me. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Keitech_Mad_Wag/descpage-KEIMDWG.html

Today's AR Dem Gazette has an article on this, but in a nuthsell, Swepco is required by the EPA (as part of the EPA's war on coal) to install scrubbers to meet the latest EPA emissions requirements. The Arkansas utilities bureau is at this point saying that the installation of scrubbers is insufficient and is asking Swepco to convert the plant to natural gas. Swepco is stating that it would be more effecient to build a new Gas facility rather than convert Swepco. This issue hasn't been decided yet, but final hearings are soon. Swepco is threatening that if they can't install scrubbers they will shut down the Flint Creek plant in 2015. Flint Creek supplies NW Arkansas with 50% of its power. If the option is to build a new gas plant it could be located anywhere in the region, potentially costing local jobs. No matter what option is chosen, if you live in NW AR your electricity rates are going up, just a question of how much.

Thanks for the report, those Swepco fish should be getting close to spawning.

I forgot to add that the Lost Bridge South COE ramp is in good shape with plenty of ramp left in the water.

Didn't Richard Pryor set himself on fire trying to smoke some Kraken?

Fished with Jeb in his boat today, had to go fishing on a warm day like today! We started off fairly well, I picked up a couple of 1 lb. bass on a spinnerbait, and then Jeb started catching fish on the Wiggle Wart, he caught a 3.75 lb. LM, a 3.25 smallie -pic below, and check out the tail on that smallie - and then he picked up a 2 lb. spot. Windy points with a gradual slope were the best spots. We ended up with only 5 bass, but good quality. We got our fish from about 0800 to 1100, and then they flat out stopped, the wind was really blowing and that may have put them off. Water temp was around 45.

Sorry to hear that, it's been tough.

I plan on going to the expo for a day, just not sure what day yet. I'm hoping there's lots of gear and lures to check out. Probably a good idea for me to leave the wallet at home.

On a positive note, Mizzou will now get to beat up Arkansas. Hogs aren't looking too good right now.

Well it's my first year fishing the Big M area, and I agree with Bill that the fish this summer and early fall were off the bank in water 20-30 feet. Had many a good day fishing DS, spoons and jigs. I also agree that it's tough to get a fish over 3 Lbs. But I get a kick out of catching spots on light tackle, and when you get them in the 2-3 lb. range it's a lot of fun. There are a lot of spotted bass in the Big M area. Watching tournament shows and other competitions there seems to be a trend for the winning bags to come off of offshore structure, doesn't happen all the time, sometimes the bank bangers do well and of course it depends on the lake, but I do know that this coming summer I'm going to be doing a lot of graphing, looking for off shore structure to fish.

Hey now, this is a family friendly bass fishing thread, none of that trashy walleye chatter is allowed.

We launched at the Lost Bridge South COE ramp a couple of weeks ago and it was fine, got plans to launch out of there Friday, I'll let you know if there are problems but I anticipate it should be fine. It's about a 10 minute drive from the dam site launches so it's a good backup if those ramps are troublesome.

Thanks for the info F&F, and thanks Wormer for the Hickory info. Anyone know if the Horseshoe Bend COE launch is still usable?

Pretty slow for me, ended up with 2 keeper LM's and one 12" spot. All caught on a Pointer XD. They came from 45 degree chunk rock banks FWIW. Fished some bluff areas that were producing a couple of weeks ago and could not get bit on the bluffs, tried tubes. senkos, spoons and various jerkbaits, just no bites at all on that stuff, the Pointer XD saved me from a skunk. Water temps were 44-47. Big M ramp is still good for launching, saw a couple of rigs parked at Viney so I assume it's still good also.

I was over in the area today, scouting some launches, stopped by the Grove boat launch that will be used for the Classic and took a few pics. New launch lanes (I counted 4) Reminder: You can click on pics to enlarge. Old Ramp with dock: Looking east towards the new lot under construction. I talked to one of the workers, he told me that the blueprint calls for around 800-900 boat parking spaces. I can believe it, looks to be the size of a Wal-Mart parking lot. Looking over the lot towards the inlet where the ramps are (they may need a shuttle bus to get you to the ramp if you park your rig back here. Looking at the lot towards the west:

Spro McRip is a nice deep diver.

Thanks for the report! That's a great day on the Beav, I'm surprised to hear the WW is getting them good in this cold water, but that shows what I know.

Well they canned Pioli, and I read that Reid will have "final say" on personnel decisions. So the next GM will have limited powers when it comes to personnel, which makes you wonder if that may lead some good candidates to stay away from the Chefs. I wonder if Reid will also get involved in contract negotiations, I hope not, I was living in Seattle when Holmgren was coach and GM, it didn't work out, he didn't do either job well, but when he went back to just solely coaching he got the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.

Gotmuddy, were you wade fishing or from a boat? Always wanted to go down there and try it, but don't want to haul my boat down or rent one for that matter.