Spring River Walleyes?

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08-06-2012, 10:12 PM
smalljaw 1

Spring River Walleyes?

Going to be coming to the great state of Arkansas this weekend for camping/fishing. I've been going to the Spring River every year since 1982 (camping, canoeing, fishing) and enjoy it as much as any outdoor experience. I have caught my fair share of trout over the years and have tried to figure out the smallmouth and walleye. We catch a few smallies each trip, but the walleye have eluded us. Just wondering if you all had any tips, techniques, baits, etc. to catch a couple of walleye. We will be wade fishing (and possible canoe finishing) near the Many Islands area of the river and upstream. Thanks, Smalljaw
08-06-2012, 11:34 PM
NEAfishin

Don't know about walleyes but you can't beat a rebel craw dad crank for smallies.
08-07-2012, 02:24 AM
olduckhunter

i know a guy that has been killin' the walleye. he uses hellgramites (sp) that he catches in the river. he says he finds hem under big rocks. had a picture of one the other day that was laying on top of a 24 qt igloo cooler and the head and tail hanging off each end. that's all i know. don't know what part of the river he fishes. just the bait.
08-07-2012, 06:34 AM
jackie53

A 2 1/2 in greenpunkin tube 1/8 oz head,fish just at the edge of where the current slows into the deep holes also fish around the deep logs close to current.You want to swim the bait through these holes good luck hope this helps.A number 11 rapala gold minnow will work early and late. Fish it real slow when you think you are fishing slow enough slow down some more!!!!
08-07-2012, 08:35 AM
NIMROD

I used to Trout fish there. Hear canoers and partiers have taken it over. I think Walleyes feed more in low light. I would like to catch some one day also. Good luck on the trip.
08-07-2012, 08:54 AM
jackie53

The upper part is but when you get down on the lower springriver where it runs into the current river, black river is outstanding fishing not many places to get to the river and take out. your not going to catch a limit every time but one or two a trip with a 3 or 4 lber and maybe a 5 or 6 you never know. The Eyes are like hunting a big Buck their not everywhere not everyone can catch them unless you go to Canada they have lakes that have nothing but Walleye in them.Been their,Done that.Walleye for breakfest,lunch and supper what a life!!!!!!
08-07-2012, 09:08 AM
BigRiverMarine

Quote:

Originally Posted by olduckhunter

i know a guy that has been killin' the walleye. he uses hellgramites (sp) that he catches in the river. he says he finds hem under big rocks. had a picture of one the other day that was laying on top of a 24 qt igloo cooler and the head and tail hanging off each end. that's all i know. don't know what part of the river he fishes. just the bait.

How does he fish the hellgrammites, and how big or small are they?

Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
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08-07-2012, 10:05 AM
Mojorig

1 Attachment(s)

Here are a couple of walleye we sampled just below Dam 3 last year. We see most of the walleye in deep holes that have alot of woody debris in it. Attachment 97909
08-07-2012, 10:32 AM
DRPEPPER

:yikes
Mojorig
You ain't even holding your arms straight for those pics. Them are some good uns.
DP
08-07-2012, 10:34 AM
jackie53

Thats what I am talking About "WOW"
08-07-2012, 10:49 AM
Mojorig

These fish were released and swimming in the river now!!
08-07-2012, 02:53 PM
cheflent

1 Attachment(s)

We caught these eyes up in lake Erie last month on 24 inch leaders with a spinning blade and half a night crawler.Attachment 97929
08-07-2012, 04:35 PM
Gomer Snerd

Shocking turned up more walleyes than trout above dam 3 a few years ago. Anchor up river from the dam and catch sem i've heard. Also from hardy down to williford was at one time one of the best smallie streams in the country. Saw homer circle fish it once. Down where it runs into black river has some nice ones. I was happy with my 11.75 til i ran into a guy about a mile up that said the week before he had a 19-4 there. Thought he was hung and was breaking off when he felt it surge.
08-07-2012, 08:35 PM
BigRiverMarine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

I was happy with my 11.75 til i ran into a guy about a mile up that said the week before he had a 19-4 there. Thought he was hung and was breaking off when he felt it surge.

You talkin bout Eyes?

Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers
08-07-2012, 08:37 PM
BigRiverMarine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojorig

Here are a couple of walleye we sampled just below Dam 3 last year. We see most of the walleye in deep holes that have alot of woody debris in it. Attachment 97909

Those are pigs!!!

Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers
08-07-2012, 09:29 PM
Gomer Snerd

Yep. Walleyes. A friend from hardy had a 7-8 pounder on the wall. One day he walked across to the river and he said there was a dead one washed up and partly decayed that he said would eat the one on the wall. First time i hit the spring river- black river confluence we caught a mice stringer full with 5 over 5 pounds up to 7.5. Boy this was gonna be easy! Never got in to them again. We would catch 3-4 with biggest around 3 pounds and a few sauger. Locals from pokey use big minnows and big mr. Twisters. That's what the 19-4 came on.
08-07-2012, 09:30 PM
Gomer Snerd

Yep. Walleyes. A friend from hardy had a 7-8 pounder on the wall. One day he walked across to the river and he said there was a dead one washed up and partly decayed that he said would eat the one on the wall. First time i hit the spring river- black river confluence we caught a nice stringer full with 5 over 5 pounds up to 7.5. Boy this was gonna be easy! Never got in to them again. We would catch 3-4 with biggest around 3 pounds and a few sauger. Locals from pokey use big minnows and big mr. Twisters. That's what the 19-4 came on.
08-08-2012, 02:05 AM
olduckhunter

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

How does he fish the hellgrammites, and how big or small are they?

Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers

i have no idea bm. i just heard him talking and saw the pictures. i've never seen a helgramite.
08-08-2012, 08:02 AM
BigRiverMarine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

Yep. Walleyes. A friend from hardy had a 7-8 pounder on the wall. One day he walked across to the river and he said there was a dead one washed up and partly decayed that he said would eat the one on the wall. First time i hit the spring river- black river confluence we caught a mice stringer full with 5 over 5 pounds up to 7.5. Boy this was gonna be easy! Never got in to them again. We would catch 3-4 with biggest around 3 pounds and a few sauger. Locals from pokey use big minnows and big mr. Twisters. That's what the 19-4 came on.

WOW, that's great!!! Any part of the river more consistent than the rest?

Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers
08-08-2012, 08:04 AM
BigRiverMarine

Quote:

Originally Posted by olduckhunter

i have no idea bm. i just heard him talking and saw the pictures. i've never seen a helgramite.

I googled it, and there is some good info on hellgrammites on You Tube!!!!

BTW, that's bRm. I had a bm last night!!!! Lmao

Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers
08-08-2012, 06:25 PM
Heber_Springs_Slab_Seeker

Where is dam 3 located? Is that near Hardy?
08-08-2012, 08:21 PM
Gomer Snerd

north of hardy. Spring River lake has access at the cold springs ramp just south of mammothj springs ab out a mile or two. leave ramp and head down stream. can't miss the dam. bottomside of ramp has road about 2-3 miles s of cold springs.
08-09-2012, 07:05 PM
L.A. stumpjumper

Some really nice walleye.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
08-09-2012, 08:15 PM
olduckhunter

bm, did you learn ho to catch the heligramites? he said you have to be fast.
08-09-2012, 10:28 PM
BigRiverMarine

Quote:

Originally Posted by olduckhunter

bm, did you learn ho to catch the heligramites? he said you have to be fast.

I watched a few videos on You Tube. The ones in the streams looked like they scooped em pretty fast, but a seine to catch em seemed to be a better idea. One guy caught his on the bank, and that looked easy enough!!!

Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers