Well Guy’s What’s it going to take on Beaver.

[Quillback]

Dudley just caught a 4 lb. 2 oz. meanmouth.  Big ol stomach on that fish.

[bferg]

I hit beaver pretty hard the last couple of weeks.  Last weekend there were WAY more post spawn fish than spawn.  I don't think bedding fish on that lake at this point is gonna get it done.  Too many already did the thing.   

Gotta thing the winner does well on the FF periods and probably stays mainly on the lower end.  Doubt anyone could fish in the rivers all weekend But....  if someone make it to Sunday and goes up the river then, it could make a difference on one day.  

[Bill Babler]

Just heard one guy say if he can catch 5 more 1.8 pound fish in the next 5 hours he would be happy. 
That’s not a ringing endorsement for the lake .

 

[bferg]

18 minutes ago, Bill Babler said:

Just heard one guy say if he can catch 5 more 1.8 pound fish in the next 5 hours he would be happy. 
That’s not a ringing endorsement for the lake .

 

Welcome to Beaver lake!  

Once these guys turn off the scope they are STRUGGLIN.  Beaver is a finicky finicky place.  Obviously I am no pro but it seems like you just have to stay on the bait to stay on the fish.

[Quillback]

Yeah it has never been an easy lake.  The FLW had some tough tourneys on Beaver.  That being said, it has fished really good this spring, by Beaver standards.  I've only watched a bit of coverage today and from what I have seen, the guys doing well are catching smallmouth and they are not down by the dam.  

[razorbackfan4life]

None of these guys seem to know you can just burn bank with a swimbait from Rocky Branch on up and catch brownies.  No livescope needed.  You just have to put it on high and cast away.  When you start to get bites slow the trolling motor down.  But livescope is like a darn pacifier for these guys.  

 

I knew it would be tougher. A lot of post spawn fish.  Cold front.  

[Bill Babler]

Guy’s I’ve only fished Beaver under 50 times. I’ve heard 3 Pro’s saying it fishes really small. 

Ott De’foe and Jacob Wheeler to mention 2. They said they are all over each other. 

Iv’e pretty much fished the dam. What are they talking about?

I will say thanks to Banks Shaw I’m putting the flutter spoon in the boat for TR. 

 

[bferg]

It fishes really small.  

One issue is: if you want to catch Small Mouth and Spots you really have to be from Prairie Creek (launch point at mid-lake) to the dam.  So, that's only half the lake.  The upper end river arms can hold some quality fish but they never hold up (Hughes is slaying them up the river this AM).  

Then you get the topography.  There are a TON of really really steep banks- not nearly as many spawning areas and post spawning areas.  There are not as many of the long tapering points as you might think there would be looking at the map. Every flat spot on that lake you have seen in the last 2 days:)  

There are mile and miles of shoreline at beaver that just feel dead, really steep but not necessarily bluff walls.  Hard to explain unless you see it.  

Beaver is NOT Table Rock junior.  Especially for dudes who by nature want to fish FAST.  Oh, and you have a north east wind and its the recipe to make it small and challenging.  

[Bill Babler]

Thanks much. Really appreciate it. 

[Bill Babler]

Wanted to point out a couple of things. Even an old dog can learn a lot by listening and watching these guys. 

First off however is great sportsmanship by a local on Beaver this morning offering to vacate a location for Drew Gill. 
We have great folks here in the Ozarks. 

Depth of the spawn on both the Rock and Beaver. Drew Gill mentioned he was catching Spawners and fry guarders in 16ft. of water on beds. Not uncommon on the Rock either if locations dictate it. 

Pete Wenners mentioned on his TR report this week he was catching big K’s dragging a Hardhead /Wobblehead in 16’ to 20’ something  deep.  I had a person ask a question on TR this week about catching small K’s.  Move out is the answer. 

My two best Spotted bass days the last two weeks are out of deep trees topping at 25’ and catching them on the bottom out of shad schools in 40’. 

They also mentioned this morning that the spotted bass were very hard to catch as they had seen it all. The SM were easier to trick into biting as They were more aggressive