Greers Ferry Forecast May 09

[Cody Smith]

Greers Ferry is currently at 461.35 ft above msl.. April was a month full of ups and downs here on the reservoir. We saw water surface temperatures start the month in the lower 50's after a couple of brutal cold fronts swept through the Ozarks and then rebound once again to the lower 60's. This fluctuation in water temps really seemed to put a twist on typical April fishing. Normally once things get going (the spawn) they tend to continue until completion. This was definately not the case this year. Look for May to better fishing than in years past and we should see a great bite throughout the month with things starting to simmer back down by June.

The Smallmouth bass will be completely spawned out and really starting to key in on bait towards the Main Lake. Medium running crankbaits, Jerkbaits and Grubs will be best during periods of low light and windy days when fished to schooling or active schools of fish.

Our Black Bass will be completing there spawn late this year, look towards the latter part of this month to mark true Post Spawn activity. Big females will be recooping from this event and feeding at opportune times. Secondary points and the mouths of main and minor feeder arms will be the place to score. The swim bait bite will kick into full gear during May and will fish well through the end of this month as bream are bedding and spawning. Jigs and finesse worms presented in natural colors will always produce a few hungry fish.

Walleyes will come more available to anglers this month as well. Key in on transition zones in feeder creek arms with mixed rock and wood cover. Depths of 8 - 18 feet will be best served with a 1/16 or 1/8 oz. lead head and crawler rig. Keep picking this cover to part and you will score some eyes!

The crappie population will be completing there spawn during the first week and retreating back to pre spawn staging areas to start the feed. Depths of 12 - 18 feet on main channel ledges will hold large numbers of fish. 1/8 oz. Lead heads with 2" Tube jigs in Anything with Chartreuse, small minnows with a slip bobber or 1 1/2" slider jigs are tops.

Catfish have been showing there heads lately and starting to push shallow. Live bait is a must here, although they do show up on rooster tails and small crappie gear every once in awhile. Target flats with timber and runoff areas that have the main channel near by with crawlers, stinkbait, perch or minnows and cover the area throughout the column when pursuing our whiskered friends.

We will also be seeing more of our friends the hybrids this month before they get back out to the haunts of deeper water. Find the shad and the hybrids will be close by. Jerkbaits, 3 and 4 inch Action bait grubs and large custom in-line spinners will put a bend in your rod.

If you have any question's about our area or would like to book a trip please e-mail or call me and I'll get back with you ASAP. Good fishing to you and I'll see ya on the water~