Sorry I did not get a report in last week, but I was in Dallas shopping for the items for the store coming soon and enjoying that 70° weather. After the first day those longjohns had to come off.
Guess that was not the same story for 11-year-old Morgan Ivy from Pea Ridge whose father, Shannon Ivy, took out to try and catch up to her two older siblings who have already caught stripers on Beaver Lake. Well, she caught up to them and added a few more pounds to boot, catching a nice 27-pounder that will be going on their wall.
My job is providing memories, I did not provide this one, but I am proud of her father for providing this one for this young lady. It makes me smile thinking how many boys in her school might try but never outdo what she accomplished. It also makes me smile knowing Shannon’s doing as a father should, teaching his children how to fish, how to catch, and there’s a lot more to this world then a screen in your face.
Oops, I forgot my graph has a screen.
Striped bass on Beaver Lake are getting fat. We had some good warm rain that brought the water temps back up into the high 40s. Stripers want to move upriver but it’s a bit muddy, so your best water is in the Prairie Creek, Hwy. 12 bridge area.
The Rocky Branch area can also pay off. If the river clears up and we stay above 46° there will be more moving upriver towards Point 12.
Brood shiners and spoons seem to be the best baits now. If you’re not seeing any surface activity drop your bait down close to 30 ft. deep, then bring up if they come up.
Trout are being caught in the Beaver tailwaters with power bait and 1/2 oz. spoons being your best baits now. Crappie in the lake are being caught 10 – 12 ft . deep in the treetops and brush, with minnows and jigs being your best bait.
Bass are being caught on deep diving crankbaits, Alabama rigs and spoons. Walleye are moving into the tailwaters, creek arms and up our rivers now, with a jig tipped with a minnow being the best bait worked close to the bottom. Trolling crankbaits are a good way to catch all that swim right now.
Well, that’s it for this week, dress warm, stay warm and don’t forget to take a kid fishing.