Bull for a New Guy

[Rwh46]

5 hours ago, Lvn2Fish said:

Late April you should have no problem catching fish anywhere on the the lake . The last year bull has fished amazing all year long . You should hit it when they are really on the feed . Should be a lot of fish spawning too ! There are plenty of places to dump the old boat in when the water is 20 ft+ . 

Thanks for help

I'm trying to gather enough info to pass along to the club members so they "all" have a good experience on the lake. It's our 1st venture this far out, since Ky Lake has gone dry. We have a mix of fishing styles in the group. 2 or 3 like topwater and power fishing, 5 or 6 are finesse prone with wacky, shakey and Nedrigs in their arsenal as well as jigs & carolina rigging  and 1 or 2 fish crankbaits or spinnerbaits. The biggest issue will be finding enough "Off color" water for at least half the guys. We fished Table Rock for 5 years out of Aunts Creek in late March and the clear water finally was too much for them. Our last Tournament there we had 10 boats, and 3 fish after 2 days. (I caught 2 of those 3 and had to run 25 miles up the James to get them). They won't go back, I'm hopeful that the smallmouth population down by Howard, Jimmy and Sisters Creek will work for the jig and finesse guys. Top water or jerkbaits will probably work OK. Key will be water temp I'm sure and are the fish in  prespawn, spawn or post spawn?  Only time will tell on that. Still trying to learn more about the areas down by the dam since most guys will want to fish within 5-8 miles of takeoff (Boondocks Resort in Howard Creek)

[Fish24/7]

Plenty of Smallmouth in the lake. The population has really blossomed over the years. There's a tremendous year class of 3lb fish right now.

 

[Phil Lilley]

I'm pinning this topic - great info - thank you guys for giving it up.

Buster Loving cut his teeth on upper BS.  If you want a guide to show you some of the ropes, he'd be a good investment.  Phil Stone is another one - good walleye and crappie guide.

[Lvn2Fish]

19 hours ago, Rwh46 said:

Thanks for help

I'm trying to gather enough info to pass along to the club members so they "all" have a good experience on the lake. It's our 1st venture this far out, since Ky Lake has gone dry. We have a mix of fishing styles in the group. 2 or 3 like topwater and power fishing, 5 or 6 are finesse prone with wacky, shakey and Nedrigs in their arsenal as well as jigs & carolina rigging  and 1 or 2 fish crankbaits or spinnerbaits. The biggest issue will be finding enough "Off color" water for at least half the guys. We fished Table Rock for 5 years out of Aunts Creek in late March and the clear water finally was too much for them. Our last Tournament there we had 10 boats, and 3 fish after 2 days. (I caught 2 of those 3 and had to run 25 miles up the James to get them). They won't go back, I'm hopeful that the smallmouth population down by Howard, Jimmy and Sisters Creek will work for the jig and finesse guys. Top water or jerkbaits will probably work OK. Key will be water temp I'm sure and are the fish in  prespawn, spawn or post spawn?  Only time will tell on that. Still trying to learn more about the areas down by the dam since most guys will want to fish within 5-8 miles of takeoff (Boondocks Resort in Howard Creek)

I’m no bull shoals expert but , if you throw a senko around you should have zero issues catching fish . Finding dirty water will be tough . But you really won’t need to find dirty water that time of year . If I was going to fish a derby that time of year I would have the top water on , finesse baits , and also a football jig . Those three presentations will load the boat . Last year I fished a derby close to the same date . I believe we caught 25 keepers on the football jig just fishing the old bank line since the lake was high . Also caught fish on a hollow body frog. Basically we caught fish deep shallow and everywhere in between. That same day I was looking at something on the bottom in 25 feet of water . Turned out to be the yellow lines of a parking lot . That should give you a clue of how clear the water will most likely be . The spawn will be in full swing , but bull has so many fish it will take a month to all spawn . The lake is massive and you can easily get overwhelmed. Good news is that there are about 1,000 small pockets within 8 miles of the dam area . Work then from back to front , figure out where they are wanting to be and duplicate . Writing this all has me wishing for late April on Bull now ! You guys will have a blast. And someone will come away with a big smallmouth story no doubt ! 

[Rwh46]

5 hours ago, Lvn2Fish said:

I’m no bull shoals expert but , if you throw a senko around you should have zero issues catching fish . Finding dirty water will be tough . But you really won’t need to find dirty water that time of year . If I was going to fish a derby that time of year I would have the top water on , finesse baits , and also a football jig . Those three presentations will load the boat . Last year I fished a derby close to the same date . I believe we caught 25 keepers on the football jig just fishing the old bank line since the lake was high . Also caught fish on a hollow body frog. Basically we caught fish deep shallow and everywhere in between. That same day I was looking at something on the bottom in 25 feet of water . Turned out to be the yellow lines of a parking lot . That should give you a clue of how clear the water will most likely be . The spawn will be in full swing , but bull has so many fish it will take a month to all spawn . The lake is massive and you can easily get overwhelmed. Good news is that there are about 1,000 small pockets within 8 miles of the dam area . Work then from back to front , figure out where they are wanting to be and duplicate . Writing this all has me wishing for late April on Bull now ! You guys will have a blast. And someone will come away with a big smallmouth story no doubt ! 

Hey, that's encouraging info, thanks. I have heard from other people and other reports that the fish on Bull Shoals like "small pockets" "bluff cuts" etc.. To me that means little niches or cuts in a bank that are 1 or 2 boat lengths deep rather than a pocket 50-100 yds long and they can be on either main lake or in the creek arms. Have i got that right?

[Lvn2Fish]

5 minutes ago, Rwh46 said:

Hey, that's encouraging info, thanks. I have heard from other people and other reports that the fish on Bull Shoals like "small pockets" "bluff cuts" etc.. To me that means little niches or cuts in a bank that are 1 or 2 boat lengths deep rather than a pocket 50-100 yds long and they can be on either main lake or in the creek arms. Have i got that right?

I’m calling a small pocket a few hundred yards in size . You will want something protected from the north wind usually 

[Rwh46]

22 hours ago, Lvn2Fish said:

I’m calling a small pocket a few hundred yards in size . You will want something protected from the north wind usually 

Thanks, that time of the year protection from North Wind is a good plan, even though "the wind is your friend"

[Rwh46]

On 12/31/2020 at 2:16 PM, Rwh46 said:

Thanks, that time of the year protection from North Wind is a good plan, even though "the wind is your friend"

OK,

I pulled an audible and made a major change to location for our April Tournament. We are going to launch out of Buck Creek Area and leave Howard Creek and the dam!!!!

I was always nervous about fishing so close to the dam. It limits the directions you can go and type of water to fish. After reading this Forum and Lower BS I heard about Lakewoods Resort up near Protem. After talking to the owners I felt like their place and the "mid Lake" Area fit our clubs needs better, SOOOOOOO we're off to fish a different places. I don't expect to see stained water (unless it rains alot, but from what I've read I think this is a better section of the lake for bass fishing. Now I need help again.

First was moving up the lake a good call or did I screwup?

I've heard and read some about the areas, sugarloaf, trimble, buck, big, music, elbow so I know there's fish up that way. Any HELP would be appreciated

 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I like that area, you can There are a few large creeks that arent to far. I like Big Creek and Shoal Creek a lot. And you have the option to head to the upper haunts too.  Upper section would be a long run from the dam. Also, Lakewoods is great place, ive stayed there plenty of times. 

[Rwh46]

So now a new question regarding maps. I have Humminbirds on my Cat and use both Navionics and Lakemaster maps but. I believe my Navionics South Card covers Arkansas but my Lakemaster Great Plains V 5.0 only goes to the Missouri Border. Unfortunately my boats in storage so I can't get to it to fireup the units and see if Bull Shoals is included. I saw the Lakemastewr V 6.0 Great Plains Card covers Bull Shoals or I can get a Mid-South card,  but before I spring for another $100 card can anyone tell me if my older version already does the job. Also for those in my club that have Lowrance and Garmin, what will they need?  Appreciate any help you'll might have.