Thread: info about ouachita

Right now the lake is 6' low...it's been at 572 for the past ten days or so and that's a good thang.

I fish mainly the West end of the lake. It has a bit of a stain where all other waters are gin clear. Currently the water temperature at Twin Creeks is a chilly 44 degrees and the crappie are frozen, I guess. I haven't caught one in that area in a few weeks.

Around Mountain Harbour, the water is a bit warmer by a degree or two and the benefit of moss is a definite plus. Moss can be found all over the Mountain Harbour area, especially north of the main point and and west of the bridge across the channel on the west bank. I hear the crappie were doing good a week ago in the stick-ups on the west side of the point and across the channel on the west bank. I have not fished the marina in quite a while. Sounds like I need to. Hmmmmm.

Last week, when I went over, it was windy and I could not have felt a strike if Jaws himself had hit my tandum drop-shot minnow rig.

In the Spring, there is MUCH good fishing on this 40,000 acre impoundment. If you put in at Crystal, go out the main chute and head toward Pollard creek when the water gets in the low 50's. It is a major magnet on the South bank in the Spring for crappie.

Also, Muddy Creek, near the Highway 27 bridge is a good producer over in the West end. But beware. I suspect that the locals will be fishing closer to home with the recession and all.

Many years ago, Dad and I had mega-success fishing the Blakeys, both Big and Little, Cedar Fourche and Irons Fork area. I have not found occasion to fish those areas because I live near the South bank and see no reason to motor up there and fish when crappie are everywhere in the creeks that sport gravel bottoms. But I must admit, I have been toying with the idea just to fish some new water and take in some more beautiful scenery.

There are dozens and dozens of tree tops in Twin Creeks area and in the Spring the boats are thick with crappie fishermen. Those old timers are there for a reason--and it's because the fishing is top notch...in the Spring.

Right now, the only thing happening is that (1) the black bass are fair, hitting on (for myself) 300 bandits in Tennessee Shad, cranked along the sheer cliffs West of Shangri-la. Last week I was blessed with a 4.5, a 3.5 and several 2.5s and 3's. (2) The stripers are doing pretty well but although they are thick as fleas in the channel at Twin Creeks and at Shangri-la, it is hard to get them to bite unless you are using large gizzard shad. They must be part crappie because they be finikie with a capital "F." lol

I have found crappie lately, in the belly of the river channel two coves West of Denby Point (along the South Bank). They are there consistently--not jam-packed --, but nevertheless, right now, I cannot buy a strike. Maybe I need Darryl or Jerry to show me how it's done. I also located crappie in the little breaks in and around (within a couple hundred yards South and West of) Striper Point. That's the main point just North of Denby Point. Can't miss it.

SO....I hope this helps you. I will be out there Sunday afternoon in "Gigi's Fancy" my pontoon rig. If you happen to come out and see me, pull alongside and let's swap a few stories. It will be too windy for me and the pontoon on Saturday fer sur. <><

aj