Anyone Know About Floating/FishingThe Kings River?

[Ben Gillispie]

Does anyone on here have any experience with floating the King's River? A friend and myself are wanting to take the kayaks over and check it out. Have heard there is great smallmouth fishing. 

I've found Kings River Outfitters, which is probably my first phone call, but wanted to check with everyone on here. I was just curious if we could head South from 86 HWY and find anywhere to put in, then leave another vehicle downriver somewhere. We just aren't sure where. We don't have a boat, so we thought that by floating some of the kings, from the river then on to the bigger water there by the 86 bridge, we could cover some river smallmouth then get on down to where the river opens up some, without having to paddle our tails off or battle wind out on the big lake. Seems like it would be an enjoyable adventure. 

I am sure that Spring will bring some rains and the fishing will pick up, but we're getting anxious and were wanting to try our luck on one of these warm days coming up this weekend, possibly. 

Any insight would be great appreciated! 

Ben

[Ham]

I had some really good trips on it in the past. I feel like its getting loved to death. Last multiday trip we made, we had great conditions and only caught small fish and not a huge amount of those. The take out was a complete cluster of locals bathing , 4 wheeling, and doing goodness knows what else in the water.  I'm done with it ; Knock yourself out.

[Ben Gillispie]

2 minutes ago, Ham said:

I had some really good trips on it in the past. I feel like its getting loved to death. Last multiday trip we made, we had great conditions and only caught small fish and not a huge amount of those. The take out was a complete cluster of locals bathing , 4 wheeling, and doing goodness knows what else in the water.  I'm done with it ; Knock yourself out.

Ha. Sounds about right. Maybe we can beat the crowds before spring. Thanks for the input!

[ollie]

You beat me to it Ham.  The only 3 times I have been on the Kings I haven't done well at all.  It was not kind to me.  I think back in the days at some point it really was a great smallie fishery, but I also think it has been fished to death like Ham says.  It's not worth it to me, but I also live a couple hours from there and I have closer venues in which I can catch bass.

[Ham]

8 minutes ago, ollie said:

You beat me to it Ham.  The only 3 times I have been on the Kings I haven't done well at all.  It was not kind to me.  I think back in the days at some point it really was a great smallie fishery, but I also think it has been fished to death like Ham says.  It's not worth it to me, but I also live a couple hours from there and I have closer venues in which I can catch bass.

That is a very good point Ollie makes. It is a long haul for me and I pass lots better options. I don't mean to be a hater. I had some great trips there, but the last couple weren't near as good. It is beautiful, but some of the shuttles can be FROM HELL. Several closer options with better fishing and better shuttles.

Early trips are an option, but it takes a long time to grow a 15 incher. A lot longer to grow than to fillet.

[Ben Gillispie]

Ha, yes, much longer to grow than to fillet. Not my cup of tea, filleting a smallmouth. If I catch any I'll leave them in there to grow for ya. Thanks guys for the input. 

 

Ben

[Guest]

I've floated them all. Which rivers are closer to your area?

Elk river, the sugars, crooked creek & the buffalo have good fishing in certain places. 

[Ben Gillispie]

I am in Branson, so the Kings seemed like a fairly close/easy new adventure. I'm a huge fan of the Buffalo. Just wanting to explore some other areas. I think we'll go poke around. 

Also, I found Phil's Kings River section of the forum, which helped. Didn't know there was one or I would have posted there. This TR forum is much busier though. 

Thanks guys

[Devan S.]

I float the kings several times a year. This year my intent is to float the entire length from Kingston to Romp Hole. I haven't ever floated above the 62 bridge outside of Berryville. I know where several of the take outs are in this section and they are generally very busy. Its a close drive for me and I enjoy it. There are fish in the river although Ham and Ollie are correct some areas get beat to death. Here is a breakdown from 62 bridge down to 86 by Carr lane:

62 Bridge to 143 Bridge at Grandview: 62 bridge is a popular swimming hole. Lots of locals and crowded on the weekends. 143 Bridge at Grandview you have to cross private property for access and there is a fee box. Not sure on the price off the top of my head. There is a decent little section of rapids right before Grandview. Not dangerous but fun.I generally run into very few people at Grandview. Those I do see are launching or taking out. Parking at 62 bridge is usually a disaster on the public no fee side. I'm usually there early enough parking isn't my issue but getting out is. The road down is narrow.

143 Bridge to Stony Point: Stony point is located on county road 416 off 143. Long section of Gravel bar. Will be lots of people taking out here and camping. Road is okay to get down to.  

Stony Point to Romp Hole:Romp Hole is off county road 450 of Arkansas 221. This is what I consider to be the last take for floating. Past this your paddling and in early spring fighting the white bass boat crowd. There is a small boat ramp at Romp Hole. Road to romp hole is rough but no major hazards that I know of. Decent parking too. 

Romp Hole to 86 Bridge: I am not sure if you can still get down to the river on the east side of the bridge. I believe its been blocked. This is going to be solid paddling almost the whole way. In the spring the whites run and there will be bass boats out and about in the stretch. 

Like I said its close to me so I float the lower section pretty often. I've had times where I've floated and seen one or two people in an 8 mile stretch and I've floated and seen 50 or 60. The big holiday weekends will be busy and the public access will be full but it will be nothing like the Elk river that time of the year. 

[Guest]

If you fish the Kings, I would fish the lower section from the 62 bridge to the 86 bridge. 

The romp hole is a classic, but I like it better when table rock is below 910ft. Less water, less boat traffic. Springtime is very busy, I prefer to fish there in the fall.