Big bass await in state lakes

Fishing reports highlight Arkansas hot spots

Arkansas Wildlife Gresham Messersmith (right) caught this 5.9pound largemouth bass on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs recently. It was caught in the morning hours during a shad spawn, using a crankbait. Gresham told us, 'It would be really awesome if you could put this in the AGFC newsletter. This is my personal best largemouth bass.'

Well, we are happy to oblige, Gresham.

In fact, we're happy to run any photos from anglers out there who are willing to send them in, be it a personal best, an interesting species or just a catch that brought smiles to your face (or your young one's, if that's the case). Send us your photos to jim.harris@ agfc.ar.gov for publication in this newsletter and in the online Weekly Fishing Report.

And check out the fishing reports to find out where the other hot spots are this week where you might find that big fish, or maybe even a catch of a lifetime.

There are some great tips in the report this week for fishing high water, such as John Berry's lessons on creating a good leader-tippet combo for trout fishing on the White River. And striper fishing is hot now at both Norfork Lake, where Rum Binkley (see Page 9), caught this massive specimen) and Beaver Lake, according to our reporters.

Speaking of high water, Bull Shoals may be up there in terms of water, but that's not stopping the bass (largemouth and smallmouth) bite, if you know where to look. Guide Del Colvin will tell you where to look and what to use.