Quillback

Seems like the worst thing you can do is jerk it when they blow up on it, it's almost a reflex action for me, I try and tell myself to not jerk if I don't feel a fish and just keep retrieving it because they will usually come back for it if they miss it. There can also be several fish at once trying to grab it, the second hit you get after missing that first one could likely be a different fish. This spring when I'm in clear water whenever I get a fish on on the topwater it's not unusual to have 4 or 5 of his buddies follow him to the boat and try and grab the lure out of his mouth. If I could just keep my arm from yanking that pole on a blowup I could catch more fish. Just can't keep from giving it the yank.

Cabelas has a sale on Wiggle Warts right now, $3.19-3.99.

I am wondering the same thing, it's been raining like crazy all morning here in Bella Vista.

Yeah Z, the weather has been terrible this week, I like fishing out of Lost Bridge myself and just could not get a day this week where it was worth driving up there and launching. That storm caused some damage here in Bella Vista, big limbs and a few trees came down. Hopefully the weather will be better on your next trip.

Clarity is limited in the Hickory creek area, water is green but only about 2 feet of viz.

Thanks for the info RPS, it's always hard to make a decision on boats, so many variables to consider.

Nice ride! I'm looking a something similar myself, but a little longer, 17 foot and with a console instead of a tiller. I'm looking at Lund, G3 and Alumacraft and possibly a couple of others. Who was the dealer you used for Alumacraft? Did you look at Lund or G3?

I like #4 for the 5 inch Refins, white/chartreuse or white/white. Jann's Netcraft carries Owner's, BPS has Gammies, both are pretty sharp in my opinion, but you can also sharpen them up with a hook file if you think it's necessary. I replace the front hook also with a #4 treble also. You can do a search on Ebay for feathered trebles and get more choices. I replace the split rings with a smaller size on the fins also, the rings that are stock are a little too big and can sometimes bind in the metal loop on the lure.

Gotta love those big fish caught on topwater!

Here's a link to the AGFC latest regional newsletter, in it they attribute faster growth rates for LM bass to the high water. Of course the Corps is going to change the water levels when they want to control possible flooding, so what we think doesn't really matter, but it's fun to talk about it http://www.agfc.com/!userfiles/pdfs/fisheries/Newsletters/D1.pdf

The bios that do the annual fish survey on Beaver credit the significantly higher numbers of fish they have seen the last couple of years to the high water in the spring. Basically there's more cover for the young fish, thus higher survival. One thing I've noticed is the high water killed a lot of the trees that were flooded and some of them are falling into the lake adding more cover, so if the lake drops we should still have a net gain in cover which is good IMO. I think that because of the increased fish populations that Beaver is probably fishing as good as it ever will right now. This is probably as good as it well ever be. Crappie fishing this spring, from what I can tell has been pretty good compared to what it usually is. Seem to be more walleye around also.

Wow, 8# bass on a surface bait! Congrats to you and your clients.

Nice fish, I have some steelhead rods myself, I used to live near Seattle and fished steelhead all the time. How long does this striper run last, are they there all summer? Any idea what's the water temp, I'm trying to avoid wearing waders, would rather do the shorts and sneakers thing.

Geez, sorry I said "Golden" instead of Palomino - I do know the difference.

That's a great pic. nice healthy fish. Is the river fishable pretty much all day now, or do they run water during certain periods and make it unwadeable?

I was hoping they would wait until the spawn was done and the eggs hatched before dropping it.

Never caught a Drum on Beaver myself. Heard some folks say they are good eating, others say not so good.

Today was the practice round of the White truck tournament to be held on Beaver this weekend. You have to own a white truck to partcipate, here's some of the contestants parked at Horseshoe Bend. I pulled some crawler harnesses this morning for Walleye, not a bite (anybody need some crawlers, I have extras). After wasting a couple of hours doing that, I started fishing grubs in the bushes, and believe it or not, caught 2 short walleyes. Also picked up a few spots, nothing decent sized. Lots of boats out there this AM.

The Golden is pretty cool, must be a survivor from last fall's stocking (I think that's when they stocked them).

Went out briefly this morning, fished for about 3 hours, picked up a few spots and one small hybrid on the wake bait. This spot almost was 17". I think I might buy some crawlers and see if I can catch a walleye tomorrow. John, once your scuba qualified, I have a whole list of places underwater I'd like you to check out Are you going to get an underwater camera?

Yes congrats to Champ and Donna!

$10 a piece would be good, I'd pick some up at that price too.

Spots won today, it has me mystified, biting like crazy yesterday, but today was a struggle. I did catch some in a cove mouth on the main lake near the dam, they were out in 50 ft of water chasing shad on top, if I could get to them while they were on top, they were al over the wake bait, but if I got there too late, nothing. Caught about 6 or so chasing them around, best one about 15". I also caught this nice 19' smallmouth working the banks and picked up a couple of his smaller brethren on a wake bait. This dude really smashed it and fought the good fight I used a Lucky Craft wake bait today, the Rick Clunn variety that is a BP exclusive. Nice wake bait, casts better that a Redfin, runs true out of the box and comes with good hooks, and a feathered tail. Only drawback is price - $15.99 Yowch!

J-Doc, I have that same problem with the wind, I have an aluminum boat and the wind can move it around pretty easily. It's nice to have these calm mornings like today.

BTW, tomorrow morning's forecast is for light winds - I think I'll be fishing again tomorrow with the Redfin.