GREERS FERRY, Ark. — Low, clear water and loads of fish wanting to get as shallow as possible: It’s basically a perfect sight-fishing scenario.
And if it holds, that’s exactly what should happen when the Arkie Division of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine heads to Greers Ferry Lake on April 25.
What to expect
To say Northwest Arkansas has been dry this spring is quite the understatement.
“We’re something like 30 to 40 inches below where we should be in terms of rain,” says local Brian Bean. “That’s got the lake the lowest I can remember at this time of year.”
When you have conditions that extreme, weather can play a massive role in how a fishery sets up. So, Bean admits things could change ahead of this event.
But if the current conditions hold, he doesn’t mince words.
“I don’t think they could have hit it any better with the spawn,” Bean said. “It should be full blown. There are going to be a lot of fish weighed in off beds, no doubt.”
That’s going to be music to a lot of anglers’ ears.
You see, Greers Ferry is known as a numbers lake, especially for smallmouth. Problem is, Bean joked, there might be 10 million bass in the lake below 2 pounds. Yet every so often, it pumps out a a 10- or even 12-pound kicker.
“There’s just no in between,” Bean said. “I think everyone is going to catch 20 to 30 keeper smallmouth this event. You just don’t win with them.”
Considering Bean said Greers Ferry events usually come down to who catches a 6-pounder, the ability to see kickers on beds could open opportunities for more anglers to go for the win than normal.
Baits to bring
Normally, this section mentions some typical forward-facing sonar baits, but Bean truly doesn’t think pros will need them at this event. Instead, he says looking shallow versus looking at a screen will be the key, as well as having a favorite bed-fishing bait at the ready.
Aside from sight-fishing, the lake’s rocks and pea gravel banks are perfect for Carolina rigs and football jigs. And don’t rule out someone doing damage with floating or wacky worms tossed near spawning targets.
“Pretty much any way an angler wants to catch them, they can — as long as it’s shallow,” Bean said.
What will it take?
As exciting the sight-fishing opportunities may be for this event, Bean doesn’t think there will be much deviation when it comes to weights.
“I still think 13 pounds has a shot to win it,” Bean said. “Maybe the bite gets a little better and a few pros bring in kickers, but it’s hard to catch those bigger fish. Everyone is going to catch fish, but whoever catches the biggest kicker is usually the pro who wins.”