Greers Fishing Report 5/22/10

[Cody Smith]

We have received copious amounts of rain over the last couple of weeks yet our lake levels have remained lower in comparison to the last couple of Springs. Fishing has been going extremely well with only a handful of days over the previous two weeks that I would consider slow fishing. On the slower trips we have still been boating 15 - 25 fish and 5 - 9 different species. Overall if we are looking at it like a fishing thermometer I would say fishing is at a 7 on a scale of 1 - 10. The changing weather patterns we are experiencing are definitely something we all have to deal with and cannot change. However, we can control many factors that weigh into making a successful trip while on the water. One factor to look at is slowing down and covering an area thoroughly. When I say slow down, I mean spending up to an hour or two within a very small area (ie. 100 yard section of water) making sure you have had an opportunity to let the fish decide to eat before moving on. This is something you will want to keep in mind while your on the water this late spring and summer.

The walleye bite is as consistent as it's going to be at anytime during the year. We have boated decent to good numbers of walleyes on every trip out with the exception of one trip over the last couple of weeks. Changing weather, no wind and slick condition's can make it tuff on you when pursuing these fish. However, it's Arkansas and the old saying goes "If you don't like the weather just wait a little while and it will change". This adage is very true and can make or break a day on the water. Wind, Clouds and even a little warm rain will definitely put these fish on a feeding surge. We have been the most successful under these condition's while dragging crawlers in depths of 6 - 18 feet just off of main lake points, flats and ledges. Crawlers are out producing all other forms of bait, although Berkley Gulp products (3" Smelt) have picked up a few good fish when presented on an 1/8 oz. lead head fished along the bottom.

It's spawning time for our friend the catfish. Channels, Flatheads and even a handful of Blues have been boated in very high numbers over the last week. Next Thursday's full moon will signify the first peek of this summers catfish spawn. Main lake flats, humps and forty-five degree gravel/sand banks adjacent to deeper water are holding really strong numbers of fish right now. If you want to catch a mess of our whiskered friends now is definitely the time. Whole Night Crawlers, Liver, and Prepared baits fished in the previously mentioned location's will all produce really good numbers of eating sized fish now through the end of the month.

Our Hybrids and whites are beginning to get organized and are schooling/surfacing at very select times and locations throughout the morning and late evening hours. We still have a lot of bait fish and shad forage up shallow using shoreline brush as cover. As water surface temperatures warm our shad population's will begin to really start schooling up and moving out of the shallows and into the depths of our reservoir where our temperate bass species will be waiting to start the heavy feeding before the depths of summer sets in. Over the last week the mouth of Higdon Bay has had some decent activity along with the hatchery outlet pipe at Mill Creek. The Mill Creek out flow pipe is holding decent numbers of quality hybrids as well as decent numbers of fisherman, get there early and you can definitely pick up a few good fish. Soft plastic jerk baits, Fish Dinner Spoons and Spinners, Live minnows and basically anything that resembles a small bait fish will get you some bites. As for the schooling and surfacing fish, The Glitter Spinner and The Super Fluke Jr. will produce the most bites.

When It comes to our bass population they are spread all over the gamete. We currently still have pres pawn, spawning and post spawn fish amongst all three species. I would say 80% of the Largemouth, Small mouth and Kentucky's have spawned however there is that 20% that has not. I have not cut into any small mouth or largemouth however, I have cleaned some Kentucky's still presently holding eggs. According to averages they should have dropped these eggs over a month ago. These goes to show Mother Nature knows what she is doing and will not put all her eggs in one basket. With this being said you can catch these fish basically however you like right now in depths of 6"'s to 30 feet deep. I have found the best bite to be at the greater depths of 12 to 22 feet deep on main lake points and secondary points just inside the mouth of major and minor feeding arms and creeks. Carolina rigged plastics, Flukes and the drop shot are all catching some decent fish.

With Spring coming to an end and Summer about to bust wide open over the next two weeks look for the bite to stay good and fishing success to follow. Although we will see more boat and recreational traffic on the water the weekdays will still be relatively quite and by far the best days to be on the water. If you have no other choice than to fish on the weekends do not let the recreators hamper your fishing as they are there to enjoy the great outdoors as you are! Good Luck and I look forward to seeing you on the water, Good Fishin`