Greers Ferry Fishing Forecast May 2010

[Cody Smith]

Hello Everyone! Greers Ferry is hovering around normal pool as it has done for most of this spring, which compared to the last two years is quite and achievement. Fishing right now is absolutely, no question's asked, FANTASTIC! During April we watched water surface temperatures soar into the upper 60's and even into the 70 degree range in certain locations. By the end of the month we had a small cool down and this in turn put the surface temperature back into place around the lower to mid 60's. All species made a huge surge in activity, spawning began in most all species and will continue all this month and into June for select species. One item to note this year that has been way different than any other year I have seen up here on Greers is we never had a true reversal in water temperature that was entering and resting in the reservoir. What I mean by this is at no point did we have warmer water entering the reservoir. The water entering through the tributaries and feeder creeks was always a few degrees behind the water temperature that was already holding in the reservoir. I believe this is why we have had such a late spawn on most species and our shad population just did not push up the arms as they have done in years past. Don't get me wrong we had a small migration, however I personally can not remember the last time we had so many gizzard shad spawning on wind current location's out on the main lake. What does all this mean, well I don't know, however I do know that game fish have placed themselves accordingly and are not using some of there typical seasonal locations way up the feeder arms as they have in years past.

During this month our Walleye bite is going to continue to get better and better by the day. Folks, if you want to catch walleye and good numbers of walleye, this is definitely the month to be on the water. I can not stress this month enough as being the VERY BEST MONTH FOR THE WALLEYE BITE here on Greers! Live Bait and Location on the reservoir will pay huge dividends to those that pursue these treasured fish. This Hot bite will continue into the first couple of weeks of June and then start to taper down as we get into the depths of summer. Hot Locations to seek out will be main lake points and flats with rock and wood cover adjacent to structure changes and deeper water access. Don't let the walleyes deep water reputation lull you into making the wrong decision this month, look at water from 6 to 30 feet deep to hold good numbers of these toothy fish.

Our Hybrid Stripers and White bass population will start to really get schooled up back out in the deeper reservoir and in main lake location's. Your Electronics will pay for themselves in action if you put them to use. Believe it or not they are supposed to be used for more than telling you how deep it is. If you do not understand how to use your electronics to put fish in the boat, please call or email me to set up a deep water electronics trip in your boat so that we can set them up properly and you can use them to locate and catch fish. Look at depths of 15 - 60 feet deep on main lake flats and channel swing locations that are harboring large schools of bait. Fish Dinner Lure Spoons will be a huge asset in catching great numbers of these fish this month, check them out at www.fishdinnerlures.com , Golden Outdoors in Heber Springs or Fish N` Stuff in Greers Ferry.

Our Largemouth are currently spread all over the gamete right now when looking at the spawn. We have got fish that are pre-spawn, spawn and even a few fish that are spawned out completely. However even with fish in all 3 stages of the spawn they are, for the most part, all in less than 12 foot of water. They may be spawning on ledges or out croppings in 30 - 40 feet of water but they are all high in the water column at these depths. By far the best location's to find these fish are hard bottom areas with full sun exposure. Woody cover is also a plus, be it pole timber, lay downs or old stump beds. Swim Baits, Flukes, Stick Baits and Floating worms are great tools in boating a limit while covering water. If you have a wind blown location really key in on the faster moving stuff to locate some fish, ie. swim baits, spinner baits and rattle traps will all have there own benefits when worked with current conditions.

Greers Ferry Lake Kentucky's are hard to beat when it comes to action and boating sheer numbers of good fish. They are very susceptible to a variety of offerings from live bait to artificials. During this month Kentucky's will typically relate to deeper water cover and structure along with heavier current areas than there cousin the largemouth. Look for Large Boulder rock that is broken and scattered along channel swings to be a primary location to find some willing spots, Large Boat Docks that provide lot's of shade, Bridge Pilings, Steep Bluffy Points with Wood, Rock or Gravel Humps and wind blown flats with pole timber are all #1 location's to really take advantage of these fish. I like to use smaller profile baits when pursuing these fish like small swim baits, flukes rigged on a spinner or scrounger, Bitsy Bug profiled Jigs and of course you are hard pressed to out perform live bait.

Our Bronze Backs are just now beginning to get aggressive. The last couple of weeks of April where awesome when pursuing these fish and May is going to shine. The time to catch a trophy Small mouth here on Greers Ferry is now. Forty Five Degree Banks with Deep water access will hold good fish this month. Windy Flats and Points will also produce some big schools of trophy fish when you catch them with the right condition's. Small to medium profile hard and soft plastic minnow style baits, soft plastic craws rigged Texas style and live bait will all be key during May.