The boys H.S state championship at Millwood lake

[LittleRedFisherman]

Last weekend Landen and Collin got to fish a 2 day tourney at Millwood lake in southwest AR.  Last year we missed the state championship because of my work but this year being ahead of the game and a timely rain we were able to make it!  Basically we are more Ozark fisherman so Millwood was different for sure.  Lots of grass mats, wood, anlligators  and stumps everywhere.  There are boat lanes but if you get out of them it’s bad news.  We decided to head up little river and fish the river and the many backouts with even more grass and pads and cypress trees.  Practice day was Friday and I get to fish those, there were for,sure fish on the edge of the grass mats.  We haven’t done much punching so the boys chose to,fish along the edge with spinner bait and swim baits.  The swim baits hang up a lot but the fish liked them so,that was their weapon plus spinner baits.  Day one was a grind and they  Only had 2 keepers with 45 to weigh in and a bunch of shorts till Landen got a swim bait hung in the grass.  As he was trying to pop it loose an explosion happened right beside it, all of a sudden his line took off and he set the hook.  When he got it to the boat she weighed 5.04, that fish bailed them out setting in fifth place and big bAss for day 1 in the jr division.  Senior high had a couple 8 pounders weighed in.  Day 2 they focused more on spinner baits throwing them under trees and in the shade, they caught a ton of fish but no kickers. At this point that upper river had been fished hard and the big bites were tougher.  At one point Landen who is good with the Livescope said dad let me try to video game some as he calls it.  I said go for it so he found a wad of fish in the middle of a channel, when I saw them I was like he’s into something here.  He commenced to drop spotting them and sure enough it was a fish every cast, only problem they were all white bass ha ha.   Anyhow they had a great time and finished in the top 10, didn’t make nationals but got a plaque and a check for big bass on day one.  It was a great time and learning experience. Landens buddy Collin has improved so much when he started this with us he had never thrown a bait caster, now I’m watching him skip stuff under trees.  Those boys can hang with the old man now with casting, that makes me a proud captain!   There season is over now till September lookin forward to it again!  God Bless….Bret

[Quillback]

Congrats on a good tourney!

I'd like to fish that lake one of these days.

[LittleRedFisherman]

On 5/20/2023 at 8:27 AM, Quillback said:

Congrats on a good tourney!

I'd like to fish that lake one of these days.

Thank Jeff.  Yeah it was an experience would love to go back sometime 

[BilletHead]

               I never get tired of seeing those boy's smile. Thanks Bret.

[gotmuddy]

The biggest thing that gets me about these pics of your boy fishing tourney's is that he is in high school!  Lord I am getting old

[rps]

Those are great pictures of the boys!

I fished Millwood once, in the late 70"s. Our most successful pattern was 12 inch jelly worms skipped under and among cypress knees. Not many fish, but those we caught were all 3+. We also learned NEVER to tent camp near the lake. The mosquitos made life miserable, even with the mesh closed.

Again, I like those pictures.

[Mitch f]

That’s great Bret! So proud of you guys!