Cool fall weather didn’t keep seven-year-old Trey McClaven from Van Buren, Ark., off the water Saturday. Nor did it keep the stripers on Beaver Lake off the bait.
This one was 33 inches at 17 pounds, and of course the one that got away was bigger, but Trey got a great memory plus three nice bass for the dinner table. Have to thank Johnny Glantz of Big1s Guide Service for this one since my boat stayed in the yard this week.
The cool rain was no help for people wanting to get out but it cooled the water down to bring the fish up to the top and into the creek arms. This holds for most our species of fish now.
Bass and crappie are loving it with the bass chasing bait to the top while the crappie are moving into shallower brush. The crappie bite is good on jigs and minnows, while the bass are hitting a variety of lures from top water to spinner baits to crankbaits and jerkbaits.
Rocky ledges are working well on cold days, then on pea gravel when there’s sun. It’s time to watch the surface more for all activity from fish busting the top to birds feeding.
Well, I guess I better go for now. Enjoy the water and these great fall colors. Share with the children and dress them warm.