Greers Ferry August Forecast 2010

[Cody Smith]

Greers Ferry is currently a foot and a half below normal pool and falling slightly due to light generation and minimal rain in the forecast. August already...The best part about this month is once we get through the half way point temperature averages begin to go the other way. This is always good news for the fish and fisherman. It’s been an extremely warm summer and it doesn’t appear to be showing signs of relief.

Like the hot temperatures we have seen the bite has been just as hot or hotter on our Whites and Hybrid Stripers for the past six weeks! I look for this trend to continue throughout this month and into the fall. We saw very high catch rates all through the month of July with some days approaching the 200 fish number for my boat in as little as 3 hours of fishing. The main lake basin was and should remain to be the hot spot. Millions of shad are providing these fish with great meals each and everyday. Fish Dinner Lures In-Line spinners, flutter spoons and wiggle spoons took the largest numbers of fish last month while top water Spooks and flukes produced a fair number of bites as well. Another high note for last month was the 22.5lb 37inch monster that was boated by long time lake angler "SloPoke". The beast was caught on a large in-line spinner off of point 6.

I suspect the bite on all three species of black bass to remain slow with mornings and evenings being best. Look mid range depths with lot’s of cover to harbor the majority of these fish. The kentucky’s and a limited amount of largemouth are schooling in the mornings and evenings over the old river channel. Pop R type top waters, Sammy’s and Flukes will all take these fish that are chasing minnows. As we get closer to fall look for the stick bait bite to return as well. As for the deeper fish look to Big Plastic’s and large football jigs to produce best along ledges and longer deep water points with some type of heavy cover.

Our Walleye bite here on Greers is still a month or so away from heating back up. We have boated a few over the past month while fishing the whites and hybrids. Spoons fished in the 25 - 40 foot range are picking up a few when there actively chasing shad. We also managed a handful on a few select points that bottomed out in 38 feet of water before falling abruptly into 100 feet or more of water. Live Crawlers fished on Drop Shot rigs along with Fish Dinner Spoons should be used in these locations. During this month you will also see a few fish come in on bottom bouncers trolled on forty five degree rocky shorelines and flats in the 28 - 35 foot zone. These fish are scattered but the bite will improve significantly starting next month.

Although August is typically hot there is still great fishing to be enjoyed. Get out early or late and fish during the low light hours for the best action. Night fishing is another option to consider this month as it will limit the number of anglers on the water providing you some peace and solitude on the water. I am expecting big things for this coming fall and look forward to fishing with each and everyone of you as you make your way up to the Ozarks! If you have any question’s or would like to book a guide date on Greers please email me at fishgreersferry@gmail.com or call (501)691-5701. Please visit my web-site for current reports and booking information www.fishgreersferry.com Good Fishin` Cody Smith