Bronzeback Madness In Crooked Creek

[KrookedKreekKing]

I've been catching a lot of quality smallmouths around the 16 to 19 inch range, but I'm still lookin for that 4 - 5 pounder. Anybody caught any giants as of this year?

[waterback]

I think we're all still looking for that fish...I stopped fishing crooked this year cause its bathwater warm and the fish are stressed enough without me yanking em around. I've been making the trip to bryant and norfork instead

[Danoinark]

Haven't fished Crooked this year, but plenty of time on the Buffalo. Most I have caught this year were 13 to 18" it seems.

[KrookedKreekKing]

Well today was close to that monster I've been looking for... He was almost 20 inches and I'm gonna have to say he was probably 3 1/2 to 4 lbs. Probably closer to the 3 1/2. Quick tip for those interested; the flood has stacked lots of debri in likely fish holding areas, and it's hard to get in the thickest part of it without hanging up or breaking off while trying to pull one out. I went out on a limb and got some pretty heavy duty braided line (60 lb) along with a spro bronzeye frog in midnight black. To say the least, it payed off, and I have to say it is some of the most exciting fishing I've ever done. I caught a lot of my fish today with it and my biggest was on the frog as well. However, you will miss some blow ups but just bend the hooks upward a little and you won't miss as many. Braided line is essential for walking the frog, setting the hook, and pulling them out with little worry, and they don't seem to mind its visibility.