Bull Shoals Crappi ?

[barn dog]

Heading down next week how are the crappi doing and any area I should checkout first. First time fishing it for crappi. Will be launching at Bull Shoals marina area. Fished it before trolling for Walleye didnt do any good figured I try my luck at crappi.

[minnowman]

Heading down next week how are the crappi doing and any area I should checkout first. First time fishing it for crappi. Will be launching at Bull Shoals marina area. Fished it before trolling for Walleye didnt do any good figured I try my luck at crappi.

Hey Barn Dog...when you exit the Marina (before you go anywhere else) take some minnows and really clear line (with only small sinker and hook) and head over to the BIG floating dock, my step-brother's dad worked at the marina for a few years....he told me that dock is always loaded with fish....you can actually get to it BEFORE going to marina (unless you need minnows of course) there is a square cut-out in the center of the dock that you can tightline from or bobber fish....try this out, you should find some fish about 10-12 foot deep this time year on Bull Shoals, remember the water is VERY VERY crystal clear so the less visible your line and "dressing" for your rig is the better the odds you'll get more bites. Hope this helps, I'm no professional just not many of us on the Arkansas board are familiar with that area up there. Thanks. Come back talk to us anytime though!!!

CAleb

[barn dog]

Minnowman, Thanks for the info I'll try that. I'll be fishing with a freind of mine that moved there from Wi. He wants me to help him learn about crappi fishing but the jokes on him because I'm learning that these lakes with the clear water are alot diffrent than the one's I fished when I was in Wi. I been here on Table rock (james river area) for two years and every time I go the fishing bite changes. I do alot of trolling with cranks using planer boards and snap weights to control my spread and depth. This fall I plan on practicing more vertical jigging and do some spider rigging Thanks again and I'll post a report when I get back

[ceb]

Good Luck!!! I'm in the same boat as you. The water that I grew up fishing would look like chocolate milk compared to a lake like Bull Shoals. The only additional comment that I could make would be to try a nightstalk. Here is a little reading material for night fishing. Make sure that you read this and are prepared if you do try it. http://www.crappie.com/rango/index.htm

[minnowman]

Minnowman, Thanks for the info I'll try that. I'll be fishing with a freind of mine that moved there from Wi. He wants me to help him learn about crappi fishing but the jokes on him because I'm learning that these lakes with the clear water are alot diffrent than the one's I fished when I was in Wi. I been here on Table rock (james river area) for two years and every time I go the fishing bite changes. I do alot of trolling with cranks using planer boards and snap weights to control my spread and depth. This fall I plan on practicing more vertical jigging and do some spider rigging Thanks again and I'll post a report when I get back

You betcha Barndog, best of luck man, keep those minnows alive, if the sun comes out, that silver will reflect sunlight really well, WARNING....might hook into a big ole walleye or even a gar so be careful what lb. test you use, I would suggest a REALLY transparent (clear) 6-8 lb. test would be the biggest you'd need. there are a few smallmouth and largemouth around that dock too, live bait should be your best bet when fishing there, be sure and bring some red & chartreuse or white and chartreuse jigs too, if you have a boat you can find them in sharp bends or cuts in about 30 foot of water, no telling with weather change they could be anywhere -- my advice: sink a few diff. depths until you find them, stay on them as long as they bite, I've never been able to catch them all over on Bull Shoals some spots seem hot and others are not, you will see some more then likely while fishing, I LOVE that water there......! Good luck, be sure and let me know how it goes....guys at Marina should be able to put you in the right direction if you have no luck at dock. Caleb