Felsenthal Refuge questions

[ski trip]

This refuge is near my deer camp between El Dorado and Strong. I'm getting ready to spend a great deal of time down there and was thinking of taking my boat and doing some crappie fishing during October, November and December. I'm not familiar with this body of water but hear good things about it. Can anyone tell me the best places to put in and some good places to start? Many thanks.

[gasper_goul]

for fall fishing...try jigging in the tops of the oauchita or saline river with a motor oil/chart or black /chart tube jig...1/16 oz head...pink works good...the saline has quite a few more tops than the oauchita...you can also troll fish in the bay at moro bay or marie saline above the crossett port...sorry, not familiar with the water near huttig but i hear it's good as well

[ski trip]

Thanks for the information. I didn't want to go to all the trouble to bring a boat, in addition to a camper trailer, 4-wheeler, etc. if it wasn't worth the trouble. I am a new member, but have been reading the forum for a few weeks. Didn't I see where you had pretty good luck at Moro Bay a few days ago? That's between El Dorado and Hermitage, isn't it? I know it's close enough to run over there. Many thanks for the information.

[Porch Dog]

ST, I read this forum regularly also but hardly have anything to post worth reading. haha. From what I've seen and read, gasper goul could catch crappie about anywhere, so you are probably better off listening to him. He posts pictures of the fish and the places he caught them. Straight up guy from what I see. I fish Felsenthal some and have a camp in Moro Bay. I spend most of my time crappie fishing at D'Arbonne. It's only about 40 minutes south of where your camp is located. I just have better luck catching bigger fish there. That doesn't mean you can't catch them at Felsenthal. You might give it a try one day. The out of state license cost $60.00 for a year, but you can buy a one day for like $5.00 at Wal-mart in Farmerville. No matter what, it is worth bringing your boat. BTW, do you have your own camp or are you in Hillsboro, Briar patch or another in that area?

PD

[gasper_goul]

thanks pd for the comps and welcome to the board...lol..the only reason i know anything about the moro bay area is i grew up in hermitage and fished it since i was a kid...learned by following the old timers around and doing what they did...you are right about d'arbonne having bigger fish...luvpt...an on line friend and fellow poster fishes it quite a bit and has great success down there...it would be a good place to go as well...st...if i can ever help or if ur interested in any of the nearby lakes that are off the beaten path just pm me and i'll do my best to point you in the right direction...with the sights, sounds and and the way that old river smells, it truly is a special place to be....tj

[luvpt]

One of my favorite places to fish at Felsenthal is Jones Lake which is about 5 miles west of the bridge and north of the hiway. There is a real good sporting goods store in Crossett called Sportabout. I grew up with the owner, Jim Stephenson and he is a great guy. Go in and ask Jim for some "Felsenthal Jigs" and he will fix you up. He will probably be able to tell you just where to go in Felsenthal at any given time to catch Crappie. By the way, D'Arbonne is my number one favorite lake to Crappie fish. It is dead right now but should be turning on and getting right any time now. From Strong you are only 30 minutes from the ramp at the spillway and it is a lake well worth getting to know.

[ski trip]

Thanks PD for the information on Felsenthal and D'Arbonne. If I'm not mistaken one of the guys in our deer club actually lives on D'Arbonne. I'll check that out and see. I belong to J. T. Deer Club and we have about 2700 acres leased near Five Points, if you know where that is. Take the Hillsboro Road off 82 about 8 miles and turn left just past where Hibanks Road comes into Hillsboro Road at Tillman Deer Camp. We're on the right for the next 3 miles after you turn off. Old Place is on one side of us and Laran on the other side. Thanks GG for the offer on the lakes off the beaten path. I may take you up on that after I give Felsenthal and Moro Bay a go, and maybe D'Arbonne.

[ski trip]

Luvpt, thanks for the info on Felsenthal. Next time I'm down to camp, I may run over to Crossett for some of those "Felsenthal jigs." I'll tell Jim Stephenson you referred me. I'm guessing Jones Lake is like the rest and will get better when cooler weather gets here. I'm planning to take a day or two off from hunting and try D'Arbonne for sure.
Thanks again for your reply and the information. ST

[gasper_goul]

stopped in at the sportabout today and bought some bobby garland jigs before coming home from work...ol' jim has a little bit of everything in there and like luvpt said...he usually knows where they are bitin'...jones lake is a very good winter lake when u catch it right...good luck

[LRJoe1]

I have heard tons about Jones lake, but can't figure out where it is.