Dropping a Line

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Juan Granados from Johnson, Ark., with a nice 33-lb. Beaver Lake striped bass he caught out of his boat last week. Looks like getting out on a cool morning paid off for him. Also looks like he was dressed for it.                       

The water has cooled down a bit since last week and is running closer to 50° now. This week a lot that are going out are reporting a good bite in the afternoons to sunset. I myself like afternoons in the winter. Go out during the warmest part of the day and put on the trailer when that sun goes. That heater in the truck is very welcome then as you smile with memories on how your day went.

Look for fish rolling on top when the waters calm. A lot of big fish are being caught now in water less than 40 ft. deep, it is the time of year when no weights are needed so that makes it a great time to fish. You just need one of these big boys on the end of your line to warm that blood up real fast.               

As for our other warm water fish, the crappie and walleye both like the cooler water that winter brings. I’m getting reports of crappie being caught as shallow as 5 – 10 ft. deep in the back of creek arms on sunny days, along with the bass. Other days they might be as deep as 20 feet.

Either way, they are both being caught relating to sunken brush now. Let the air and water temps help you on which to try first. Walleye love the cold. Check out the edge of the flats and on the humps. Trolling crankbaits can help you find them then switch to a jig and minnow to hit them in the head. They bite best when mad.

Remember the trout in the Beaver tailwaters are cold water fish that go all year if you have no boat they are pretty easy to catch off the shoreline along the river. Worms and power work best off the bottom for children and adults for both the Browns and rainbows.

Well, that’s it for this week. Looks like we have some nice days ahead so enjoy. We’re still selling our Christmas gift certificates at a discount if you or one you love prefer to fish when the weather warms next year.