I've been asked to start a "Sticky" Thread for folks to post details on where they've been having success lately so others can join in their success.
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I've been asked to start a "Sticky" Thread for folks to post details on where they've been having success lately so others can join in their success.
awesome idea. thanks
tom
O.K. guys i asked jerry to start this sticky. Let's not let this go to waste. I posted some very detail information on a trip last Sunday to the Chain lakes with directions to get there, how we caught the fish, what colors, how deep and a lot of other information.
Please follow suit and let's make this the most informative sticky as we can. I will post every trip I take with the same information as last week's.
I will throw another tip out I use quite often. I call it "Matching the Hatch". What I mean by this is if you can find the size of shad, minnow, crawdads, etc. that are present in the lake, it has always paid off for me to match the baitfish size with the jig/tube I am using.
Last week at the chain lakes, I noticed a lot of 2-2 1/2 shad throughout the lake and fish feeding on them. Needless to say, I swapped jig and tube size from 1/32 oz to 1/4 oz and started using a 2" tube. It made all the difference in the world. I probably could have had the same success on a wooly beaver tail but didn't try it.
I have found that when crappie are on minnows and small shad, black and white works very well for a color to use, especially in the fall/winter months probably due to the water clarity during this time of year.
I plan on being back at the chain lakes this Sunday morning and will report Monday on how well/not so well we do.
I live right down the road from White Cliff on Little River.---2-3 weeks, I been catching bream and cats--but no crappie as of yet. I am not a bass fisherman, may have to change. The river is swift and muddy, plus a lot of lily pads and logs in the river.
As I did when I returned home after retirement, I took some very good advise from a buddy of mine that runs a bait shop at Cottonshed on Millwood- Use a alum. boat and by all means watch your speed on Millwood and learn the lake and the fishing spots, there is places you would not believe, you must explore the oxbows, creeks and coves to find your spot.--it is very very dangerous even in the boat runs you will hit stumps anywhere.
The river is about the only half safe place to run a boat at moderate speed, but it needs to be watched. The river is pretty deep.--Getting in and out of Millwood to include the Oxbows is a challenge missing or hitting stumps. Never assume it is safe anywhere on this lake--it is not---Sinking a boat in Millwood hold on to your paddle to use on the gators.
Again, the fish at Chain Lakes was on for the ones who fished Straight and Rainbow. Like usual I went out on a limb and fished Miller Lake. Had my nine year old with me and we did fairly well, ended up with 12 Crappie, 3 big bream. More of a teaching trip than anything.
Loaded up by noon to check on the guys that went to the other lakes and they were biting extremely well! My dad and friend ended up with 34 Crappie, 13 Big Bream and a few smaller ones.
Bite of choice was a 2 " purple and white jig fished around the cypress about 2 1/2 foot deep. Best bite was between daylight and 9:00 a.m.
I also seen "CrappieBoy"? there as well. Heard they caught some NICE crappie further down on rainbow!
Dafshklr you have a pm
Got it. Sent one back!
I Guess You Couldn't Call This A Hot Spot But I Went To The Saline River Last Saturday And Caught 2 Crappie On Jigs And 9 Kentucky Bass On Watermelon Seed Worms.
Where did you put in at? Farindale?
You guys across the border need to practice how you post one of your spots. Let me give you an example.... On Lake Hamilton, Once, I followed Jerry and Darryl around and they told me, try here, try there, etc. It was a tough day and no fish were cooperating. Now the example, put in at so and so ramp on lake gonnagetcha, take the first cove on the left, then work that left bank at around 18' of water, 'bout 10' down. Keep your eyes open for a brush pile about 6' tall. That's it! You're there. Now, save a few for the rest of us and have fun!
Don't act like that one guy that you see that always fishes by himself, and everytime he hooks a fish, looks over at you to see if you're looking. Then turns his back to you and tries to hide the fact that he is catching some. In all my years of Crappie fishing, you can dang near clean a hole out, and an hour later, it's got a new crop that's moved in. Don't be skeered to share those spots. Jerry and Darryl make their living on the water, spend time dropping homes for them and have always been gracious enough to share a couple of them. I'll never forget that. If you're ever around Oologah, give me a buzz, I'd be more than happy to send you out so you can find some filets.
I have seen alot of attention focused on Millwood recently. It is an awesome lake that I hope everybody who loves to fish in general tries at least once. Trying to tell someone where to catch crappie on Millwood is like trying tell how much felt is on a pool table.
I may step on toes, but I have no problem sharing information regardless of the situation. The Little River is chalk full of crappie holding areas. The individual trees and stumps just outside of Jack's Isle is a good place to start. If you leave Jack's Isle and head back toward's the lake there is a big brushpile in the first big left hand turn just before you get to the lake. It is kind of like a chute to the lake. There are 4 in this area that I know of. You will not be alone here. Depth 23 feet. Fish 14 to 16 feet deep. There are two trees in the mouth of a creek to your right. Good area. This bend will produce fish. The okay landing area is awesome in the spring. Find the individual cypress trees (there are hundreds here). The bigger fish spawn here. There are several humps around the dam in 25 feet of water. The area is called the school bus on a map. Good winter area. About 75 yards from the dam to the northwest. The oxbows (horseshoe, mud , and mcquire) are really productive. From Horseshoe on the opposite side of the river, there are 3 brushpiles in 25 feet of water. The biggest one is about 40 feet from the bouy. The is a laydown from this brushpile. I will be here all night talking about mcquire.
i love to share info period. We all share the same passion. I will continue to plant condos on Millwood. I bet there are 100 areas on this lake that Jerry or CEB could catch a solid limit on any day of the week. It is worth the trip.
Michael
Yes Boberwatcher I Put In At Farindale
Quote:
Originally Posted by spikles2
Good post Michael!
Again, the fishing on the Chain lakes was awesome! My dad and brother went yesterday, launched at 6:45 and went to rainbow. Fished the banks about 2' deep with a purple/chartreuse jig mounted on a 1/4 oz. head.
Wound up with both limits, smallest crappie was 11". Largest was 16 1/2 inches and had several.
Tightlined the jigs around the brush and the crappie were very aggresive. Fished in 6-8 FOW.
I, myself didn't get to play this weekend as the oldest son had to hunt in the Arkansas State Coonhunting Championship. The report is from my dad who has been chasing slabs for over 50 years.
After some good reports on the Chain lakes saturday, I went to try them out on Sunday. I must need some new fishing lessons, didn't do well at all!
Tried everything to no avail. Bite must be off temporarily. No pattern whatsoever, shallow/deep, brush/big structure, color combos, natta.........
Dennis it was nice to meet you Sunday maybe we can talk longer next time.I ended up with 7 and 2 bass.Left at 1:30
Well, here's the next report. Tried somewhere new this morning. I went to harris Brake and fished the boat docks. Caught several good fish around most docks in 8 ft. of water fishing about 5 foot deep. Siver bass assasin head with white/chart. body. 2 " skirt.
Caught limit in about three hours of fishing before the wind got up. Biggest fish 16 1/2 long with average 13" on the rest. Rolled some real good ones.
The lake is definetely a nice one if you have never fished it. Hope the report helps!
Locals say after the lake is dropped in a few weeks is when the hawgs start their bite!:eek:
I love Harris Brake. I have a buddy who has a place over there and I fish it a few times a year. Thanks for the heads up. Need to get back over there.
Well I tried my luck back at the Chain Lakes. I fished Miller Lake from around 10 to 2 yesterday and done fairly well. Ended up with 24 NICE fish, largest around 16 1/2 inches long.
Fish staged around the stickups in the middle of the lake in 7 FOW. Fished about 48-52" deep with White/Chart. jig on bass assassin head with red eyes.
Females were full of eggs? Not quite ready to lay but were yellow with small red veins in them.
Wish I knew how to post pics better, I would post them.
Hope this helps!!!!!
gold creek fished from 1100 till 230 caught 20 white chart 1/8oz head some tipped with minnow didnt seem to matter.Go join the crowdif you like alot of people watchin not for me wont be back.I would rather fish with no one around and not catch anything than have to put up with that
They are biting well on the Arkansas river near Pine Bluff in about 8 foot of water around cover
Degray...this past week before the front came through...25-35' of water...16-22' fishing depth...right in the top of the brush...using minnows...find structure on that lake...you find fish...there isn't ANYTHING on the graph until you get to your pile you put in... :D we were up brushy creek area.
I fish Millwood area, but mostly I fish the river launching at White Cliff Camp Site as a lot of guys do. Hiway 71 to the right of ramp is about 4-5 miles by river. To the left is the lake about the same distance. In the spring and spawning season you can go to the ramps that have cypress trees, like Jacks Isle. Last spring it flooded and the cow pastures all around Millwood were flooded and boats were up in the woods fishing and catching nice crappie in about 1-2 foot of water. Some guys may have condo,s or baited sites they keep to themselves, myself I fish where I find them and revisit those same sites. In the winter those spawning areas in the big cypress are not good places to fish like Jacks Isle or Okay Landing / Mine Creek area. If spawning they are killer sites. I caught my limit and most were over a pound or 1 1/2
Right now the guys are fishing the river in the main channel and the shelves or sides. Some are fishing the river channel by the dam out from the buoys maybe 1/8 to 1/4 mile out. I try all of the brush piles or deep bank sides. There is a few small lakes within the big lake and a map will show you where they are. Two rivers run through and join in the lake above the dam. Depth finders will help you find the channels.
Guys that have boated in Millwood will verify what I say---Boat runs are shallow usually about 5 ft deep in most places or lower. River channels are deeper 10-20 ft in the lake. Little River 20-30 ft or deeper. Stumps in the boat runs are cut at 3 feet according to the Corps.--do not count on it.
Windy days about 20-25 mph, I stay off the big lake it gets rough out there and some of them small lakes are in the middle, maybe 2-3 miles out from shore.
Cottonshed / Saline River area is crappie heaven during spawning. This part of the lake many are scared of it due to the Saline river channel winding across the lake and stumps line both banks underwater. Guys who want to fish the Saline, I can show you or tell you a different place to launch down from Cottonshed.
Boat Lanes are lined with white striped telephone poles on each side. There is maybe two-- (somewhat)-- clear areas to run outside the boat lanes but you need to know where, otherwise stay in the boat runs--Do not take short cuts even if lake is up--follow someone who knows the lake and how to run it at high water. Little River follow the buoys to the T--If you venture out of the channel slow down completely--I use trolling motor--trees underwater in 15-20 feet of water on the shelves
You could explore Millwood for a week and not see all of the fishing spots. Sorry for the long post, but if you are going to fish Millwood you need to know this information or you will be in big trouble. Do not be wading in the water anywhere, especially in the oxbow lakes, creeks or back water. This place has plenty of Gators--Just watch for them and do not bother them--I had them to swim up to the boat. Fish hanging over the side--WATCH OUT.
Anyone I can help out just holler. Speed and aggressive boaters will get killed in this area. The bass boats run the river wide open a lot of times. Watch out about trying to avoid them by moving over to the sides--remember the under waters trees---Millwood is not one of the deep canyon lakes like Degray--Greeson or others---Average depth about 5 feet.:)
Fished Millwood yesterday for about 3-4 hours--small nibbles-1 small crappie. The water is high, muddy and still emptying into the lake from the rivers and creeks. Seems the Corps is allowing the lake to take on water. If last season is a gauge for water level than for spawning season we need a lot more water, to fill the grassy area,s and backwater areas. Lot of underwater roots from the lilly pads, need a couple feet of water for spawning. The cypress tree areas around Okay, water is very shallow less than 2 ft. I will keep an eye on the areas, my boat will run in these area,s. The tramway at Okay to Mine creek area is still less than 2 ft. in depth and a lot of logs in the boat run. Today I am going to try Horseshoe and McQuire oxbows on the river. Will let you know how it turned out. Right now real bad--big time fog-can not see the river.
Fished Millwood again----sand bass or striped bass biting. Caught a few and 1 catfish--no crappie
I recon I might be a dunce, 'cause I can't figure out where'd be the right place to ask this question on here. So, for lack of my knowin' any better, here goes... Has anybody ever tried fishing for crappie with leeches? Did they have any luck that you've heard about?
Thanks for any response, ... and if I'm way out in left field just give me the boot in the general direction of where I should be askin....
I have used the small ones and had good luck for both Crappie and Brim in the spring time up in North Dakota.Quote:
Originally Posted by petpi_puppy
I was wondering what is the Crappie fishing like in March on Millwood? Do they typically spawn in April? Can you catch them on the flats in March or are they still relating to the channels and ledges?Quote:
Originally Posted by crappierookie
ive had good luck latley at faulkner lake ive caught alot of crappie and some bass. One of the hot spots are when you put your boat in go towards the houses and keep going for a while then suddenly the houses will stop. But keep going. Then you will see 4 or 5 wooden post sticking out of the water. tie up to those and catch catch catch!!!- i know i did
Lets see if I can get an answer about Lake Greeson. I have never fished Greeson for Crappie just Bream. Get me started right. Is it best to fish the upper lake toward Self creek in the middle or lower towards the dam. I will find the crappie just want to shorten my traveling time on the water. I will gradually explore the lake on my own.----Thanks Jim
The northern third of the lake, which comprises all of Bear Creek, Rock Creek and Self Creek areas. Jerry and I have put in over 550 crappie condos and megamats in these three areas in the past two years. We do not normally fish further south than this, but that doesn't mean there isn't any good crappie fishing further south on the lake. I'm just not as familiar with it and we haven't done any habitat work there yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by crappierookie
Planning a trip to Millwood this spring during the last week of March. Have been reading the all the great posting about Millwood and was wondering if any locals could give me some information and tips on spring fishing at Millwood. I'm seeing alot of posting about Cottonshed but I'm not able to locate it on the my map. Is it near Yarborough landing? Thanks
Liptwister cottonshed is located out of the little town of Mineral Springs, It has the saline river running thru it and is a great area during the spawn most years lots of stumps like the rest of the lake.Jig colors to look at are black/chart, electric chicken,blue/white are among my top for them there as well as soakin a minnow.I think you will find your trip to be in great action as they are starting into the shallows now but all the fronts are keeping them from getting going good.
fishhunter775, thanks for the reply. Can't wait till march 26th to rip some lips on those big 2lb to 3 lb. Arkansas crappie. If you get any reports on the fishing later on sent me a message at [email protected]. Thanks again an good luck fishing...
Cottonshed is located on the north bank, directly opposed to Yarborough. But it's not a bad drive to just drive around. You'll be there before you know it.
Stop by the Corps office (southeast of Yarborough at the dam) and get a map of the lake if you don't already have one. It will get you around the area. :)
aj
Liptwister here is a link for weekly reports by AGFC Weekly Fishing Report I will also drop you a PM if I hear of any good ones.
Report on Greers Ferry, Bite has slowed due to cool front and wind. Fished about 6 hrs. Friday 3rd and put 12 in chest. Wont lie, lost 4 good ones in tree tops. Caught most of them in standing timber in 20ft. water fishing approx 8' with jigs.
Crappie are biting good at Okay Landing around the cypress trees, shallow water 1-3 ft. deep.
Crappie biting well--guys were killing them around the Cypress trees and in the shallows. The green and live cypress trees that the guys fish are to the left front of the tramway once you reach the end of it, about 1 mile of shallow water 1-2 feet deep--boat needs to be rigged for shallow running at Okay Landing in the Cypress--many stumps in the area under water. I fished 2 days this week and caught 33 nice crappie over 1 lb. :)
Tramway is the canal in front of the boat ramp that runs thru the tall grass.