Long Creek 5/18-5/21

[Bassin' fool]

The wife and I will be staying at big cedar this weekend and she agreed to take the boat (wife of the year, I know). Only problem is, this will be my first time on Tablerock and we’ll be on an arm of the lake that I never hear much about. Does anyone have any reports or tips for The Long Creek area? Also how is the big boat traffic around there? I can’t imagine it being any worse than LOZ but I could be wrong... any help is greatly appreciated! 

[IL Fisherman]

Welcome Bassin fool.   Watch for reports on here.  Go back thru the last few weeks reports, lots of info in there.  Eric Prey and Pete Wenners have video reports on You Tube that have good info in them.  Another way to learn the area is to hire a guide for a half day.   Lots of good ones on here and in the area.  Good luck boat traffic can be quite hairy on the weekends.  Try and get out early before they wake up. 

[Mr. Smallfish]

Don't forget to have your border lakes permit for the Arkansas portion.

[rps]

Good advice above! If you cannot hire a half day guide, fish a Ned on points for fun. Enjoy!

I first stayed at Big Cedar before there was a lake, when it was called Devils's Pool Guest Ranch, and the mothers put their daughters in petticoats.  I hope you love it!

[Bassin' fool]

Well we gave it our all anyways... caught a few small largemouth Friday evening just running the banks close to the resort with a spinner bait, but were mostly just sight seeing. We didn’t get a chance to get on the water again till this morning (Sunday). Couldn’t get the skunk out till close to noon when the wife landed a nice 14” spot. About 5 this evening we finally got on a decent pattern throwing a Texas rigged green pumpkin trick worm on secondary points in the 5-12’ range. Caught 25 spots and largemouth in a little over an hour with  11 being (barely) keeper size. Not quite as much action as we hoped for but we saw some beautiful scenery and will definitely be back. The views alone are worth the trip! 

Tight lines! 

[dan hufferd]

6 hours ago, rps said:

Good advice above! If you cannot hire a half day guide, fish a Ned on points for fun. Enjoy!

I first stayed at Big Cedar before there was a lake, when it was called Devils's Pool Guest Ranch, and the mothers put their daughters in petticoats.  I hope you love it!

Wow, sounds like there is a story there somewhere.

[snagged in outlet 3]

That’s a good trip for a first timer. 

Nice 

[Champ188]

16 hours ago, Bassin' fool said:

 Caught 25 spots and largemouth in a little over an hour with  11 being (barely) keeper size. Not quite as much action as we hoped for ...

 Many people would kill for that kind of action in post-spawn conditions. Not sure what you were expecting but that is some very good action in late May. 

[Bassin' fool]

4 hours ago, Champ188 said:

 Many people would kill for that kind of action in post-spawn conditions. Not sure what you were expecting but that is some very good action in late May. 

Yes it was great for that short amount of time, I think it was a combination of the wind finally picking up and the storms starting to roll through the area. Just wish it wouldn’t have taken 3 days for the stars to align and the fish to finally cooperate! Ha 

[Champ188]

I see what you’re saying. Clear water, bright skies and no wind are the toughest of conditions on highland reservoirs like Table Rock. 

Glad you got to see the good side of our lake, too. Come back.