Norfork or Bullshoals

Hi everyone,

I am new to the Forum and want to say hi. My 15 year old son and I are coming down to the Mountain Home area March 24-31. We have come down the last two years the same time and I have to admit it has been tough!! Gin clear water and low water last year. Great cover in some spots but ten feet out of the water. Hit all the spots my dad and I used to fish 20 years ago in the Howard creek area but all we have been able to hit are a few white bass. We used to troll and we could catch as many as we wanted, bass, whites, and even crappies. We would hit a couple crappies and switch to shiners and do real well. We went to 4 lb test but even that didn't seeem to help. The White River saved the trip both years with 20 - 30 fish days. My son caught a monster in Dry run creek at the hatchery.
I am looking for what you guys think between the two lakes at that time of year. I was wondering about breaking down and hiring a guide. We are flexible either lake is fine, I know Norfork has stripers but I don't know much about that type of fishing. Any guide suggestions on either lake? I still have my dad's 16 ' bass tracker I have refurbished, we bought it in Springfield and drove down to Forsythe for White bass over 20 years ago.
I hired a guide a few years ago on Bull Shoals and we must have run 20 miles up river. We caught fish up in creek arms but there was no way I could run that far in my little boat.
I always loved the Mountain home area and I hate to get beat by a lake but my son looked at me sideways when I told him we needed to give it one more try.
Thanks in advance for any help.

Dave,

Look at my post to Got Lift on Lake Norfolk. Mountain Home is a great area. Although I live in Springfield, MO, that is why I purchased a secondary home in Mountain Home. Fishing is great. Caught a 35 lb striper last summer out of Norfolk, Lake at night. Crappie fishing is tough in this lake due to the clear water. Find a brush pile, mark with a buoy, back your boat off about 10 yards, and use a slip cork with minnows. Only way I have found to catch those papermouths. Good Luck.

Howard creek area is still a good place to fish. Water temp is every thing! You should find some whit bass roaming around the upper creek area. I am including a link to a good striper guide service. Ask for Tom Reynolds he is a good guide. http://www.stroutfitters.com/index.htm The White river is always a good thing to do. Catch a few trout and brown bass is always fun. Try all the boat docks for crappie. Hope this helps.

Dave if you see a blue and white ranger 681 from Indiana stop and say hi .I will be on the lake also that week . Thomas

Thanks Guys, for your help. I 'll let you know how we do.

Thomas where are you fishing down there, Bull Shoals or Norfork?

I am going to give both lakes a try this year. I will pm you my phone # if you want it . Thomas

Hi Thomas,

Yes, send me your telephone # and I will send mine. Maybe we can compare notes.

Dave

Yall Lookout For My Nephew He Just Moved To The Bullshoals Aera, I Think He's
Having A Time Getting Away From The Waleye,he Will Be In A Lowes Boat With A Va.
Sticker On It Won't Be Hard To Find.yall Help Him Out And Make Him Feel At Home.
He Goes By Wirenut And He Will Have 16 Rods Out.

Dave you have a pm !!!

Hey, Tom you have a Pm with my info. I had a little heart problem last week, the medicine is a week of fishing in God's country.

My son and I just got back just got back tonight, The weather was in the 70's every day and the creek arms were getting close to sixty degrees. We got into the stripers so we didn't fish much for crappies. Caught a 22 lb 37 in for my biggest. Caught some real nice 3 lb white bass in the creek arms on top waters. Rained and the water got muddy but that only heated it up quicker. We can catch crappies at home but when you can catch three or 4 Stripers in the evening it is hard to turn down. My son wants to drop out of school and have me quit my job so we can fish all the time down there.
Thanks for all the advice and thanks to Shawn at Cranfield junction Bait shop for his advice, very nice guy and very helpful.