Going to Hot Springs for a vacation, need some help!

Hey guys, I my anniversary is coming up and somehow I talked my wife into going fishing while in Hot Springs, so I am taking my boat. We are staying at an AirBNB right across from Cajun Broilers if you know where that is. I would love it someone could share a few places with me that would be good to fish. Not looking for your honey holes but just an idea of where to start so I am not spending my entire time searching for fish. I will only be there for 1 day of fishing, plus we are going to ride around, eat on the lake etc. I know people do not like to share spots, so if you are one of those but want to help, feel free to send me a private message. If you are really into sharing I have a humminbird, so feel free to message me with a gpx file. ha ha. I am looking forward to this as we go there every year, but this is the first time to take the boat. She actually suggested it and I kept promoting. ha ha. Thanks in advance.

Honestly, on that side of town I’d keep heading west another 20 miles to Ouachita. Hamilton a total zoo right now and can even be downright dangerous with pleasure boaters. Take in some beauty and avoid someone griping that you’re too close to their dock, barking dogs, mowers, weed eaters, and general construction.


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Only way to fish Hamilton this time of year is really early in the morning until all of the pleasure boaters get up. Very difficult due to all of the boats out there.


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I don't know anything about fishing there but Hot Springs is a great place to vacation! Me and the wife go there quite often. Good luck wherever you decide to fish.

While you’re there if the humidity drums up an urge to swim in the lake, try to fight it. I swam in there weekend before last and my hair still smells like a garbage dumpster at a frat house.


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Might want to take a short trip and go to Greeson or Degray. You can easily find brush pile coordinates for either lake.

Good choice this time of year is Ouachita Lake for big Bream . I know a guy that caught a hybrid Bluegill/Redear recently that was 1.60 lbs .

Hamilton hosted first ever Wally Marshall Crappie Expo last year and several pros mentioned they thought on such a busy lake the fish feed at night. It was a very tough tournament results wise. FYI, this years Expo to be in Branson on Table Rock.


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Originally Posted by NIMROD

Good choice this time of year is Ouachita Lake for big Bream . I know a guy that caught a hybrid Bluegill/Redear recently that was 1.60 lbs .

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Would love to know where he caught that thing. That would be some great fishing. Going for crappie, but I will take anything that is big like that.

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Originally Posted by Grizzledjig

Honestly, on that side of town I’d keep heading west another 20 miles to Ouachita. Hamilton a total zoo right now and can even be downright dangerous with pleasure boaters. Take in some beauty and avoid someone griping that you’re too close to their dock, barking dogs, mowers, weed eaters, and general construction.


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Basically that is what we are doing. From what I understand looking at the map, we are down an arm off the river on the west end. I want to keep the boat on that side of the lake so that we can just drive in through the idiots. I know a few areas to stay away from as we are there every year, but have not fished it. I just have no idea on this lake/river if there is brush, stumps or anything so any help is appreciated. Was not planning on shooting docks but if I need to I can, prefer to vertical jig if I can find a place. But if I can find those big Bluegill I am happy hammering them!!

The Game and Fish has downloadable coordinate files on a half a gazillion brushpile locations on both Ouachita and Hamilton. If you are staying at Hamilton close to Cajun Broilers it's a straight shot to the ramps on the South side of Ouachita. Bypass Brady Mountain ramp and go to Crystal or Mountain Harbor. Either will be jam freaking packed if its a weekend. Ouachita has been a madhouse since the virus started. Fish during the week if you can. If you have good electronics there are tons of brushpiles and standing timber.

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Originally Posted by Brush

The Game and Fish has downloadable coordinate files on a half a gazillion brushpile locations on both Ouachita and Hamilton. If you are staying at Hamilton close to Cajun Broilers it's a straight shot to the ramps on the South side of Ouachita. Bypass Brady Mountain ramp and go to Crystal or Mountain Harbor. Either will be jam freaking packed if its a weekend. Ouachita has been a madhouse since the virus started. Fish during the week if you can. If you have good electronics there are tons of brushpiles and standing timber.

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I will look, thank you so much. Yes will be there from the 1-3rd, so fishing only the evening of the 1st (Weds) and the 2nd. We are heading back to Texas Friday morning. I will for sure do a search on that. I appreciate the input. If you have a link and have time to find it might save me some time just in case. Thanks for the help man.

Fish Attractors for the files

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission And a map that shows them on it

Also check out youtube user name “arkansasfishing”. He’s a gifted and talented slip cork dock bandit and most of his footage is from Hamilton.


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