1/18 Spring Creek To Theodosia

[Ham]

Ahhhhh yes, but what about the Smallmouth takeover of BSL? I remember you telling me that smallies don't smaple as well, but I wonder about the reasons for the dramatic increase in numbers of smallmouth bass. I'd love to think its just that I've learned how to catch them better, but there's a lot more to it than that.

[dtrs5kprs]

Ahhhhh yes, but what about the Smallmouth takeover of BSL? I remember you telling me that smallies don't smaple as well, but I wonder about the reasons for the dramatic increase in numbers of smallmouth bass. I'd love to think its just that I've learned how to catch them better, but there's a lot more to it than that.

I know what it is...

[mojorig]

I definitely think the anglers are catching a lot of smallmouths. I don't really have an answer why besides they seem to have had several good spawns in the past few years. We saw age-1 smallmouth bass everywhere diving last summer.

Sorry, I don't always have good answers, lol!!

[Ham]

what are good conditions for a smallie spawn? same as LMB?

[mojorig]

Typically, smallmouth do better in stable to low water conditions. That doesn't mean they can have a good spawn during high water years.

This is how I look at the spawns and water level on Bull Shoals and Norfork:

High water is better for largemouth bass

Normal or low water is better for smallmouth bass

Spotted bass like any water level, lol!!

[Ron Burgundy]

I caught LOTS of 8-10" smallmouth this year while trolling for walleyes.....I was fishing from Diamond City to Music Creeks.....I sure hope the walleyes make a come back.

[mojorig]

Yes we have had reports that the walleye fishing in Bull was down in 2015. We are continuing to stock walleye into the lake. The walleye fishing was great for several years. The walleye fishing is starting to get good at Lake Norfork with a lot of fish close to the 18 inch mark.

[Jeff Olson]

Any thoughts on why the walleye fishing was down last year? I am still learning the lake as I have only been down here and fishing B-S for 2 years now. But last year was quite a bit tougher than 2013! My biggest concern was the amount of fish I did not mark compared to the previous year. I troll quite a bit and usually cover a lot of water. But just did not see the #"s! And very rarely would I catch more than 1 fish at a certain spot! they were really scattered out last year. Hopefully this year will be better!

[Ham]

Ant thoughts on why the walleye fishing was down last year?

They all went to the upper lake where Buster Loving is wearing them out.

Seriously though, I did not catch them like I had in years past. I remain hopeful that 2015 will be better

[Fish24/7]

Ant thoughts on why the walleye fishing was down last year? I am still learning the lake as I have only been down here and fishing B-S for 2 years now. But last year was quite a bit tougher than 2013! My biggest concern was the amount of fish I did not mark compared to the previous year. I troll quite a bit and usually cover a lot of water. But just did not see the #"s! And very rarely would I catch more than 1 fish at a certain spot! they were really scattered out last year. Hopefully this year will be better!

Ant thoughts on why the walleye fishing was down last year? I am still learning the lake as I have only been down here and fishing B-S for 2 years now. But last year was quite a bit tougher than 2013! My biggest concern was the amount of fish I did not mark compared to the previous year. I troll quite a bit and usually cover a lot of water. But just did not see the #"s! And very rarely would I catch more than 1 fish at a certain spot! they were really scattered out last year. Hopefully this year will be better!

last year we found them in areas of the lake we had never caught any before, had to adapt to new water

size was a suprise, lots of 5-7 lb fish

most were caught a lot shallower than "normal" too after the spawn, fish were being caught less than 25' most of the summer

good luck this year!