Hello All and Hello Springtime! April is a much anticipated month
when it comes to fishing here on Greers Ferry along with many other
Mid-South reservoirs and fisheries. Water temperatures will begin the
month in the mid to upper 50 degree range while rising throughout the
month to the lower to mid 60’s by the first of April. These rising
temps will have a very positive effect on all of our fish here on
Greers. Rain will be a factor to consider this month as typically we
receive 5”’s of rain this month. With lake levels close to normal
pool look for the reservoir to rise an additional foot with each inch
of rainfall we receive.
The walleye population here on Greers will be finishing its spawn and
beginning to feed heavily as they make their way back down stream
during April. Look at locations two thirds to halfway out of the
creeks to hold good numbers of post spawn walleyes that are willing to
eat this month. Light line and a stealthy approach will assist you in
boating some eyes, Live bait will rule, however spoons and spinners
will have their place along with jerkbaits. Concentrate on forty five
degree banks with cover and wind for the most active fish.
April means spawning time for Largemouth and Smallmouth bass here on
Greers Ferry. The majority of our bass population will be utilizing
our expansive flats, creeks and pockets spawning during the month.
Minnow imitating lures such as jerkbaits, small cranks and swim baits
will be best served this month to locate active fish searching out for
a place to deposit the eggs. Once they get on the beds a good pair of
sunglasses and some smaller finesse baits should be used to catch
bedding fish if one so desire to do so.
Another very important fish to focus on this month, regardless of your
quarry, is the almighty gizzard and threadfin shad. Our shad will be
in full spawn at 56 degrees. Look at gravel flats and up most of the
major creek arms and rivers with current to hold the highest
concentrations of fish. Every game fish in the lake will feed on
these shad at one point or another during the day. When scouting
shallow water keep an eye out for darting shad to key you in on
actively feeding game fish.
April is a fantastic month to visit Greers Ferry and enjoy an awesome
day on the water with friends and family. If you have any questions
regarding this forecast or would like to book a trip on the water give
me a call or shoot me an email at
501.691.5701 or
https://mail.google.com/mail/h/14jyzim88l0n3/?v=b&cs=wh&to=fishgreersferry@gmail.com http://www.fishgreersferry.com/
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Fishing Report 3/15/2011
A little Spring Time Update for you all, It’s getting really close! Greers Ferry is currently at 458.01 ft and rising from recent rains. While most of the state experienced minimal rain over the weekend the some parts of the Greers Ferry watershed received over 2"’s of much needed rain. With the corp. of engineers releasing water daily, we need all the rain mother nature can send us to ensure another great year of spawning for most all species. Water surface temperatures are starting the day in the mid to upper 40 degree range and over most parts of the reservoir. During peak daytime hours we are seeing surface temperatures rise to the lower to mid 50's in certain location’s lake wide. Overall the reservoir is clear to moderately stained, really perfect for this time of year.
Our walleye population is in full spawn at the time of this report as every male pulled into my boat has been milting, while most of the females we have landed are readily dropping eggs. Overall we have experienced a difficult bite to this point in this early season among the eyes. I expect nothing but great things to happen from here on out within this species specifically. With warmer nights and the spawn drawing to a close look for there to be an increase in overall bites and quality of fish. Live bait methods along with minnow imitation artificial’s all having there place. All three rivers and select feeder creeks are holding fish right now, if you can’t access the rivers or are unfamiliar with how to navigate them try your luck on windy, gravel forty five degree banks on the main lake and in the cove creek area.
White bass and hybrids have been making some appearances on recent trips out. None have been seen or caught up the rivers or creeks yet but we are not far away. Look for the next two weeks to really get hot! 58 degree surface temperatures typically mark the height of the white bass spawn here on Greers Ferry. With lower lake levels this year I look for the fish to really utilize the large flats within the creek and river arms for spawning, of course we will still see a large population push in the backs of the creeks, however don’t overlook the flats on the way back! 3" Grubs, In-line spinners (like the Cindy K www.fishdinnerlures.com Small minnow imitation crank baits and jerk baits will also work if you have good current or wind. If live bait is your deal use small to medium size minnows and present them on a dead drift with the current for best results.
Here on Greers Ferry we are lucky enough to have great bait fish that can feed all the different types of game fish the reservoir contains, of these game fish our Crappie are an angler favorite. Most all the crappies that have come on board over the last couple of weeks are staging in 22 - 30 feet of water with there nose on the bottom. I look for them to start moving shallower in the column while staying in the same overall depth zone during the rest of the month. Look at creek channels that swing in close to the shore with wood cover to hold good numbers of fish. Utilize your graph to locate schools that are mixed within large lay down tops within in the creeks and rivers. 1/8 oz. Jigs tipped with minnows or Jigs, small spoons and swim baits will all put good fish in the boat.
Spring Time is right around the corner and it’s a great time to be on Greers Ferry! As water temperatures warm and days get longer the bite will increase on all species here on the reservoir. Current weather conditions will dictate how the reservoir is fishing so keep a close eye on the weather and get on the water as much as you can over the next couple of months, Fishing is going to be FANTASTIC! www.fishgreersferry.com (501)691-5701 Cody S. Smith
Our walleye population is in full spawn at the time of this report as every male pulled into my boat has been milting, while most of the females we have landed are readily dropping eggs. Overall we have experienced a difficult bite to this point in this early season among the eyes. I expect nothing but great things to happen from here on out within this species specifically. With warmer nights and the spawn drawing to a close look for there to be an increase in overall bites and quality of fish. Live bait methods along with minnow imitation artificial’s all having there place. All three rivers and select feeder creeks are holding fish right now, if you can’t access the rivers or are unfamiliar with how to navigate them try your luck on windy, gravel forty five degree banks on the main lake and in the cove creek area.
White bass and hybrids have been making some appearances on recent trips out. None have been seen or caught up the rivers or creeks yet but we are not far away. Look for the next two weeks to really get hot! 58 degree surface temperatures typically mark the height of the white bass spawn here on Greers Ferry. With lower lake levels this year I look for the fish to really utilize the large flats within the creek and river arms for spawning, of course we will still see a large population push in the backs of the creeks, however don’t overlook the flats on the way back! 3" Grubs, In-line spinners (like the Cindy K www.fishdinnerlures.com Small minnow imitation crank baits and jerk baits will also work if you have good current or wind. If live bait is your deal use small to medium size minnows and present them on a dead drift with the current for best results.
Here on Greers Ferry we are lucky enough to have great bait fish that can feed all the different types of game fish the reservoir contains, of these game fish our Crappie are an angler favorite. Most all the crappies that have come on board over the last couple of weeks are staging in 22 - 30 feet of water with there nose on the bottom. I look for them to start moving shallower in the column while staying in the same overall depth zone during the rest of the month. Look at creek channels that swing in close to the shore with wood cover to hold good numbers of fish. Utilize your graph to locate schools that are mixed within large lay down tops within in the creeks and rivers. 1/8 oz. Jigs tipped with minnows or Jigs, small spoons and swim baits will all put good fish in the boat.
Spring Time is right around the corner and it’s a great time to be on Greers Ferry! As water temperatures warm and days get longer the bite will increase on all species here on the reservoir. Current weather conditions will dictate how the reservoir is fishing so keep a close eye on the weather and get on the water as much as you can over the next couple of months, Fishing is going to be FANTASTIC! www.fishgreersferry.com (501)691-5701 Cody S. Smith
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Greers Ferry March Forecast
Hello All and Hello Spring Time! March is always tricky to forecast from one day to the next. With cold fronts from the north still a strong possibility along with warm winds and rain pushing in from the south make for typically inconsistent fishing from one day to the next. During this month we will see water surface temperatures start off in the mid to upper 40's and escalade to the mid to upper 50's by the end of the month. One very important factor to watch this month is the inflow water temperatures that are entering the lake. Every year there is what I call the "cutoff line" that develops for our shad populations and most of our game fish species when they are pushing up the rivers and creeks that feed our reservoir. Basically we will have cooler water entering the reservoir mixing with the warmer water in the lake. Once we have warmer water entering the lake, most of our shad populations along with the game fish that are pursuing them will push up the far reaches of the creeks and rivers to spawn. This is where you need to be to intercept the game fish that are actively feeding with warmer water and longer days on the way.
Our walleye population is currently spawning up most of the rivers and creeks during this month. Fiffty-Two degrees will mark the completion of the spawn and a decent bite will set in as this fish float back down stream once fertilization and there eggs are dropped. Typically we will see a lot of males feeding aggressively with the larger females showing up towards the middle to end of the month during there post spawn period as they are feeding on their way back down stream. Large Shiners, Crawlers, Jerkbaits and three to five inch grubs should be utilized when pursuing these fish. Locations with current, both wind and inflow, will hold good numbers of these fish with early morning hours and night time being the very best time to catch good numbers of these fish while there in shallower water.
Crappies are beginning to stage in the creeks and channel swing locations this month. We have already seen fish in there pre-spawn locations, typically we don’t see this until the latter part of March. Depths of 15 to 35 feet with both pole timber and brush piles are holding good schools of fish. Towards the beginning of the month look for them to be lower in the column and really relating to the bottom and there chosen form of cover. As surface temperatures warm and the days grow longer look for our specks to start moving shallower in the water column. When I say shallower in the column I do not mean moving to shallow water, I simply mean they will stage, for example, Eight feet deep over twenty-five feet of water. Small 1.5" - 2" plastics fished on light line and 1/16 to 1/8 th ounce jigs, minnows under a slip cork, spoons and small spinners will all catch good numbers at times in these locations.
The much anticipated white bass runs will start towards the end of this month, with the Hybrids following in right behind them. Towards the end of this month I look for a very good white bass bite half way to three quarters of the way back in the creeks and rivers this month. Some early fish will be spawning, however 58 degree water temperatures with the right amount of daylight will mark the height of the spawn. There is always a sweet spot of seven to ten days where fishing is flat out, out of control! This peak stretch is almost impossible to forecast, however I look for the last week of this month to be within that window if daily average temperatures and rainfall are consistent through this month. Three inch grubs, Fish Dinner Cindy K spinners, Spoons and live Minnows should all be utilized when pursuing these fish.
March is an AWESOME time to visit the reservoir with good catch rates on most all species expected. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you on the water this spring. If you have any question’s about the reservoir or would like to book a trip please call me at 501.691.5701 or email me at fishgreersferry@gmail.com Good Fishin` Cody S. Smith www.fishgreersferry.com
Our walleye population is currently spawning up most of the rivers and creeks during this month. Fiffty-Two degrees will mark the completion of the spawn and a decent bite will set in as this fish float back down stream once fertilization and there eggs are dropped. Typically we will see a lot of males feeding aggressively with the larger females showing up towards the middle to end of the month during there post spawn period as they are feeding on their way back down stream. Large Shiners, Crawlers, Jerkbaits and three to five inch grubs should be utilized when pursuing these fish. Locations with current, both wind and inflow, will hold good numbers of these fish with early morning hours and night time being the very best time to catch good numbers of these fish while there in shallower water.
Crappies are beginning to stage in the creeks and channel swing locations this month. We have already seen fish in there pre-spawn locations, typically we don’t see this until the latter part of March. Depths of 15 to 35 feet with both pole timber and brush piles are holding good schools of fish. Towards the beginning of the month look for them to be lower in the column and really relating to the bottom and there chosen form of cover. As surface temperatures warm and the days grow longer look for our specks to start moving shallower in the water column. When I say shallower in the column I do not mean moving to shallow water, I simply mean they will stage, for example, Eight feet deep over twenty-five feet of water. Small 1.5" - 2" plastics fished on light line and 1/16 to 1/8 th ounce jigs, minnows under a slip cork, spoons and small spinners will all catch good numbers at times in these locations.
The much anticipated white bass runs will start towards the end of this month, with the Hybrids following in right behind them. Towards the end of this month I look for a very good white bass bite half way to three quarters of the way back in the creeks and rivers this month. Some early fish will be spawning, however 58 degree water temperatures with the right amount of daylight will mark the height of the spawn. There is always a sweet spot of seven to ten days where fishing is flat out, out of control! This peak stretch is almost impossible to forecast, however I look for the last week of this month to be within that window if daily average temperatures and rainfall are consistent through this month. Three inch grubs, Fish Dinner Cindy K spinners, Spoons and live Minnows should all be utilized when pursuing these fish.
March is an AWESOME time to visit the reservoir with good catch rates on most all species expected. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you on the water this spring. If you have any question’s about the reservoir or would like to book a trip please call me at 501.691.5701 or email me at fishgreersferry@gmail.com Good Fishin` Cody S. Smith www.fishgreersferry.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)