Arkansas Pan fishing

[Devan S.]

One of my fishing goals is to catch an Arkansas Master Angler fish in each category. Frankly I've got a good idea of locations to catch a fish in every category but the Bream and Crappie. Crappie I have some ideas but nothing that is going to be simple or without ALOT of trial and error(crappie need to be 2.5lbs). Bream I am all but lost on. I have good ideas in Missouri but just don't have the same knowledge base in Arkansas.

I'm not asking for a honey holes but general directions would be appreciated. For example, if I was going to do this in Missouri. I would start in May on Table Rock and fish long runout points dropshotting crawlers. I've thought about doing it on Beaver but I am not sure if the Gills setup like they do there with the striper. 

Here is the list and size required for Bream

I realize none of this is going to be simple or easy. Its going to take time and multiple attempts probably over years but I for the most part have all the other categories nailed down to what I think the best method is. I'm not afraid to drive if there is something that gives me a good chance but I don't want to be driving to chase 1 fish in southern Arkansas on a 10,000 acre lake. However the closer to SWMO the better.

The good news is once I catch them you will probably never see me there again. I can go fill the boat with Gills on Table Rock in May through June with little competition in a much shorter drive. 

Right now here is my low confidence plan for Bream: The little nook outlet on blue springs appears to have quiet the population of what looks to be gills so try there or just float lower Kings river(warmouth) or the Beaver Town to Holiday island section and hope for the best.

Outside that maybe stumble into something at either Big bass lake in Eureka or Lake Leatherwood.  

[Quillback]

Once things warm up, I like to do some bream fishing here in BV, a 1.5 lb. redear is possible, 1 lb. bluegill is tough but there might be a few.  I'd be happy to take you on one of the BV lakes to do some bream fishing.

AGFC had been stocking redears in Swepco for years, mainly for bass forage, but I got an email from them and they are saying their net surveys have shown quite a few redear in Swepco in the 9-12 inch range, but I doubt a 12" redear would make that 1.5 mark.  Might be some bigger ones in there of course.  

Bob Kidd lake is reputed to have a good population of redear, I'm sure there are gills in there too, but again the big question is whether there are any big enough to meet those Master Angler marks.

[Devan S.]

Quillback I may take you up on the BV lakes. 

Swepco is one I had not thought of. Right now I am trying to focus my efforts on locations where I could theoretically stumble into multiple species and Swepco certainly seems to fit the bill. There used to be some good bass fishing and catfishing to be had. Maybe I can turn it into a 3 species trip with a tub of worms and dropshot. I don't know how likely 8lb bass and 12lb cats are considering the pressure it gets but it might be worth trying a couple times and see what happens. 
 

Bob Kidd has come up in my Crappie search a couple times. My biggest problem is prime crappie falls right into all my other fish I like better so I just am not willing to give up ones for another....yet. 

[tjm]

1 hour ago, Devan S. said:

For example, if I was going to do this in Missouri. I would start in May on Table Rock and fish long runout points dropshotting crawlers.

Isn't TR a border lake? Put in on the Ar side and fish it like you know it?

[Devan S.]

It is a border lake and I will likely catch several of my fish in other categories in the Arkansas portion just purely based on hours spent there. 

 

With the Bream though I have never targeted them that direction....I always go the other direction toward the main lake. I'm sure they are there but never have heard about people targeting them specifically in the river sections on TR. I'm gonna try because its quicker and easier but like to explore and have a place with a higher probability of success as a backup. 

[fshndoug]

I would like to catch some big gills out of the Rock in May or June.

 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I have seen giant Red Ear in Norfork lake while diving in the dam area.  They were well over 1.5 lbs.   

Not sure how long a 2.5lb crappie is but i have been seeing some 16" ones come out of Bull  Shoals from a facebook crappie group im in.  This winter has been good for Crappie on Bull

[Quillback]

10 hours ago, Devan S. said:

Quillback I may take you up on the BV lakes. 

Swepco is one I had not thought of. Right now I am trying to focus my efforts on locations where I could theoretically stumble into multiple species and Swepco certainly seems to fit the bill. There used to be some good bass fishing and catfishing to be had. Maybe I can turn it into a 3 species trip with a tub of worms and dropshot. I don't know how likely 8lb bass and 12lb cats are considering the pressure it gets but it might be worth trying a couple times and see what happens. 
 

Bob Kidd has come up in my Crappie search a couple times. My biggest problem is prime crappie falls right into all my other fish I like better so I just am not willing to give up ones for another....yet. 

OK, give me a holler when you want to go.  

I haven't fished Swepco in a couple of years, and it does get heavy pressure for bass, but it holds up well.  Haven't seen any 8 lbers myself, but netted a 7.5 my buddy Jeb caught.  We had a great day that day, our best 5 would've been in the 30 lb. neighborhood.  

[FishnDave]

15 hours ago, Quillback said:

AGFC had been stocking redears in Swepco for years, mainly for bass forage, but I got an email from them and they are saying their net surveys have shown quite a few redear in Swepco in the 9-12 inch range, but I doubt a 12" redear would make that 1.5 mark.  Might be some bigger ones in there of course.  

12" Redear should be right around 1.5lbs.  This one was at or just under 12", and weighed 1.45 lbs.

[Quillback]

1 hour ago, FishnDave said:

12" Redear should be right around 1.5lbs.  This one was at or just under 12", and weighed 1.45 lbs.

Cool, Devan might have a shot at one over at Swepco.