White Bass

MILLWOOD MAYHEM (cont.)

incoming warm fronts, ranging from the mid-50's to low 60-degrees.

Although the surfacebreaking bass have subsided over the past week, the Millwood Mayhem continues with the largemouth

and white bass feeding

and schooling up on shad at random in many locations near or over vertical structure. The highest activity period has been found midday and the afternoon for the past several weeks. Numerous schools and pods of bass continue chasing shad in Horseshoe, McGuire and Mud oxbows up Little River. Heavy 3/4-ounce 1knocker Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, Transparent Holographic Shad and Splatterback Shad continue working subsurface on large schools of shad near standing timber in 10-20 feet of depth with 6-8 foot deep flats nearby. Bomber Fat Free Shad or custom shad-painted Little John Crankbaits and Bomber Flat A's in Tennessee Shad patterns continue working for solid bass from 2-4 pounds, suspended over 15-20 feet of depth. Schools of shad have moved into the creek mouths at many locations, and the bass are following these schools into the creek channels.| Shallow square-bill cranks like the Bill Lewis Echo 1.75 or SB-57 in Millwood Magic and Splatterback, and Fat Free Shads in Tennessee Shad, continue drawing reactions as a few bass are beginning to follow the shad near creek channels. Shad schools are beginning to move toward the creek channels much of the day, suspending near several creek mouths, in back of McGuire Lake. The MR-6 Crankbaits in Millwood Magic, Splatterback or Louisiana Shad colors continue getting good responses in creek mouths where you find large pods of shad on your electronics. Best locations are near intersecting creek channels dumping into McGuire. The creek channel points, which dump into Little River, have been holding small schools of juvenile largemouths from 2-3 pounds, where large stumps and pads nearby have been holding good schools of bass for several weeks, and where the largemouth and whites have been staging up and along Little River, waiting for the shad to commit to moving back in the creeks.

They continue striking Chrome Cordell 3/4-to-1ounce hammered spoons by vertical-jigging in and near flooded timber in 15-20 feet of depth in several oxbows and along Little River primary and secondary points. Several large schools of whites have been roaming the oxbow lakes up Little River and are following the same large schools of threadfin shad as the largemouths are, although surfacebreaking on shad has diminished. Whites are willing to bite crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps, Little John Crankbaits and Bomber Fat Free Shad Cranks over the mid-channel depths, and near tributary points with stumps and grass. Trolling McGuire Oxbow upriver with mid-

Continued on Page 14 STATE NEWS (cont.)

depth Bomber Fat Free Shad and Little John Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad and Splatterback Shad over the past couple weeks have connected with a good schools of 2-to-3pound white bass. Vertical jigging 1/2-ounce Cordell Hammered Spoons connected with the whites once the schools were located by trolling and by watching the schools follow the shad on electronics. Fat Free Guppy Crankbaits in citrus shad color were catching shallow-feeding whites in 5-8 feet near vertical structure and standing timber in McGuire.

Responded to the most recent muddy inflow and lake pool rise along Little and Saline rivers by scattering from planted brush piles along the river.

Nothing consistent to report.

Blues were fair to good this week, with Little River s increased current, on trotlines and yo-yos set 10 to 16 feet deep using cut shad, buffalo or chicken livers and gizzards.

Elsewhere in the Area:

• DeGray Lake — Local angler Charles Abernathy reported that water temperature is around 55 degrees and water level is still low, at 398.60 feet msl (9.40 feet below full pool). Water clarity mid-lake is good. It s slightly more stained toward Point Cedar.

Crappie fishing has been good and is steadily picking up. Fish can be caught from the spillway area to Cox Creek. Good schools of fish are collected on deep timber reaching 20 feet or shallower from the surface. Side scan is very helpful in finding which stick of timber they are on.

If you find out which stick they are on, take note.

They will most likely be there tomorrow. Timber located near deep channels are best. If you find the bait, the crappie are nearby. Also look for open water schools in these areas.

Finding an active school can make real quick work of a good mess of fish. Don t be afraid to spend the first hour scanning around for schools. It can be a real time-saver. You can also find fish on brush/structure near channels, although the fish on brush seem to go quiet quicker. Most of the brush on this lake has some pressure. Your odds are better if you stay off the brush to prevent spooking them. Use a slow presentation. Baby shad style 2inch bait profiles, Mr.

Crappie Slab Slangers in monkey milk/natural colors will work. White/chartreuse work well, too. Two-inch or smaller mariabou jigs work very well. Sometimes the smaller the better. If you find the fish and they quit biting, change colors, change profiles. If that doesn’t work, move. Don’t waste time on fish that won’t bite unless you are enjoying the view of some eagles. Charles can be contacted at c.abernathy32@gmail.com for more up-to-date info.

Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service (501-844-5418) reported that crappie are still biting but moving deeper. Fish brushpiles 1416 feet deep in 24-plus feet of water where deep water channels are nearby. Water temp is in the mid-50s.

• White Oak Lake — Curtis Willingham of River Rat Bait (870-231-3831) said crappie are good on minnows and jigs and shiners at White Oak Lake and the old river. Clarity is clear and the water level is normal.

• Lake Chicot — Brian Whitson, park interpreter at Lake Chicot State Park (870-265-5480), said it appears the fish were biting, but may have stopped due to some recent storms that moved in. More storms are expected later on during the week, although there are a few sunny patches expected as well.

The lake does appear to be a bit lower for this time of year. Recent storms have stirred up the lake, making the water very muddy.