Arkansas River Catfishing

[Stump Bumper]

Anybody out there fishing the Arkansas River around the Lake Dardanelle area? My good buddy Mike Fowler from Hartman is going to take me "Jugging" next Saturday while we are out that way visiting. I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it! I ain't never been jug fishing before, so I'll take alot of pictures to post later. I hope to find a decent piece of property in that area for when I retire a few years down the line. Any up-dated fishing reports for that area would be greatly appreciated....Ray

[three_rivers]

Ray, I've fished dardanelle a couple of times. Both during colder weather. We fished the inlet and outlet of the nuclear plant. The stobs sticking out of the water at the outlet holds some decent cats. Anywhere were there is some current you'll find plenty of fish. I only got to fish it twice as its a 3.5 hour drive from the house but both times we caught fish! Bait is easy to come by also. There ought to be some good fish in those waters!!!

Danny

[Catbird]

Ray, I have never fished that area but you are going to have a blast jugging. It will be in your blood after the first time so get used to it. Too bad you will not be able to do it once you get back home.

[Stump Bumper]

Thanks for the info, I'm sure Mike will know the exact spot you're refering to three rivers. As far as jug fishing goes, I saw a fishing show years ago about jugging on the Mississippi River and since then I've always wanted to try it. Dale I'll let ya'll know how we do....Ray

[Schoe]

Hey Three Rivers, how you been. I haven't heard from you in a while and was wondering if you have been fishing much lately?
I was going to get in touch before we head home from Fla. the first of April. I will be stopping in Memphis for a couple of days. Possibly if you are available then and in the area we could possibly meet up in person. Schoe

[three_rivers]

Guys at the outlet, right where it runs into the lake there is a bunch of stobs or old trees sticking up. We found some great eaters in that area rather quick. Right out from the outlet there is a big sign. Behind that sign theres a big hole if you feel like pole fishing. We found a few more right there. The inlet side we tie up right at the net and fish. Its gooooood fishin too just on the other side of the piece of land between the inlet and outlet. A short boatride will put ya there in no time. Hope this helps!

Hey Schoe!! Hows florida treatin ya? As long as you come thru mempho during the week, i'll make sure i'll be there. I'd sure like the opportunity to meet up if for nuthin but some good quality bull sharkin! Thats primetime fishin time also!!!!!!!!!! We went out twice this last month and only caught a few fish. Last time the river was UP bigtime!:rolleyes: I'm dying to go back just got to many irons in the fire this week. Next week its on though. I took off the old rodholder bar i made out of pvc and awaitin the new ones so it can be ready for this upcoming year... And i can't wait!!!!!

[Stump Bumper]

Thanks for the info Danny, we will put it to good use. One of Mike's buddies told him that they are catching alot of cats in four feet of water right now. Wonder if those Arkansas Blues are staging before the spawn or just getting warm in the shallows?....Ray

[Stump Bumper]

Well I'm back, we got to go out Saturday for a few hours. 40 degrees and windy. Only managed to catch one small channel cat but had a great time and got a real good look at the river. I can't wait to get back this summer and try for some flatheads. We saw several promising holes that deserve a second look in warmer weather. Also put in a bid on some nice property, hope that fella is willing to deal....Ray

[capt.kirk]

HEY RAY
Glad to hear you had a good trip and hope you make out on the property,
deal,i never met a man with something to sell,that was not willing to
make some kind of deal.:D
we are leaving for INDIANA,about 5:am tuesday,with no bad luck with
weather,we should be back home by sunday morning the 12th,i am not
spending any more time than it takes to say hello and see you later.we
dont have many more days till tournament time,so mind the store while
im gone,AND most of all keep an eye on SCHOE,i think he did try to slip
that birthday past old EAGLE EYE,but it didnt work.:D
KIRK

[Catbird]

Ray, glad you had a good time and good luck on your property. Be sure and PM me the address after you close the deal...lol

[gofish]

hey capt. kirk bring the cold weather gear! the honeymoons over its ccoolldd again.

[jtrew]

Stump Bumper, PM me when you're gonna get back up this way, and I'll try to put you on some fish. The only place I've jugged in cold weather is the nuclear plant, and it's especially good in the spring, but as soon as the water level gets down to where it's not over the dikes, I hit the Arkansas River. I've got some backwaters picked out to try this spring even before the water goes down.

[Stump Bumper]

Thanks for the offer jtrew, I've asked for the last week of July off. I plan to bring my grandson and haul the boat up for a visit. If things work out, 80% of that time will be spent camping on some of the islands I saw and fishing the river. I can't hardly wait to try out the flathead and blue fishing there! Ray

[capt.kirk]

HEY GO FISH
YOU ARE RIGHT,THE HONEYMOON IS OVER.
but we did have good driving weather,this trip normaly takes 17hr,but
due to my wife breaking all known speed limits,she drove 630 miles in 9 hr
that includes p stops fuel stops and construction delays,i drove the last
360 miles,and the trip totalwas 15 hours.i think we are going to hook the
boatup this evening,and head back friday morning due to snow headed this way,it is 16 degrees and snowing now.SUCKS
KIRK

[Stump Bumper]

Glad to see ya'll made it up safely Kirk, be careful coming back especially pulling a boat. Give me a yell when you get in and let us know who everything goes....Ray

[gofish]

hey capt.kirk glad to see you made it safe this far. just think at 7 this morning i was climbing scaffold 3 stories up tearing it down.lol i got my wish and got laid off but now everythings freezing up. darn darn darn.

[Stump Bumper]

Anybody doing any fishing on the Arkansas River? I would be interested to know if anyone has ever fished Lake Ludwig. I plan on retiring in that area so if there is any info out there I would sure appriciate it....Ray

[capt.kirk]

RAY
i have never fished there ,but i just spent an hour checking out where
you are going to retire,from what i saw and read about the area,you
have picked a PRIME place to do it,i would suggest that you get started
right away,as there is more great fishing and hunting than you will have
time for,the state records on fish is out standing WOW,get r done,so
that we will have another place to visit,and we can trade trips.its not
to much of a drive from kentucky.:cool: RAY type in arkansas/fishing
and you will get much information.

[Stump Bumper]

I was talking to Mike Fowler and he told me one of his buddies caught a 25 pound Flathead while jug fishing on Lake Ludwig last summer. I can't wait to get up there this summer to start working on my property and fishing a whole bunch....Ray

[capt.kirk]

HEY RAY
you have your work cut out for you when it comes to fishing,state record
flathead is 80lb even-channel cat is 38lb even and blue cat is GULP
116LB 12OZ.now that is 1 huge blue cat,better get started time aint
waiting on anyone.:cool: alligator gar 215lb
KIRK

[Stump Bumper]

Kirk, I know you mean 21.5 pound's for alligator gar right???? That fish is as big as me and I'm a fat boy! Did you read about the 139 pound flathead that these old boys snagged below a dam on the Arkansas River? Arkansas Fish & Game Officer's wouldn't reconize it as a record fish because it was caught on a snag line with mutiple hooks streached out over the river! It is the largest catfish every recorded being caught in North America!....Ray

[capt.kirk]

RAY
the alligator gar was 215lb zero onces,a man would have to shoot it
before trying to bring it in the boat,aint enough room for everyone,i printed
out the records and it is a very impressive list.
KIRK

[Stump Bumper]

Looks like I now have a lifetime goal after retirement....Ray

[Stump Bumper]

How close are you to Clarksville and the Arkansas River? I got some property out that way and plan on retiring there 6 or 7 years from now. Maybe we can hook up and do some fishing one of these days....Ray

[Arkie55]

Ray,
I'm about 4 hours east of Clarksville. However, you will find plenty of fishing in that area. Lots of opportunity. I would be willing to drive over for a trip so when you move or visit give me a shout.

[Stump Bumper]

Thanks Arkie, we'll do....Ray

[Stump Bumper]

Arkie, did you here the news yet? My buddy Mike Fowler from Hartman Arkansas, sent me an email. He's heard that a fellow from Hartman has caught a 100 pound Blue cat but hasn't heard anything else yet. As soon as I hear the details....who....what....where....when....I'll let you know....Ray

[Stump Bumper]

I'm headed back up to Arkansas from the 21st to the 27th of July. Mike Fowler said some of his buddies are fishing after work and catching 40 to 50 blues and channels drifting the drop-offs with cut shad and live bream. His buddy that commerical fishes using trotlines with live bluegills, is landing some 50+ pound blues and flatheads almost daily. Momma is going to be working me pretty hard during the day on our 10 acres of heaven near Lake Ludwig but you can bet that I'll be on the river with Mike the rest of the time....LOL....Ray

P.S.: When we get situated up there, all of ya'll have an open invite to come and fish the Arkansas River with me.

[Stump Bumper]

My wife and I are headed out to Clarksville Arkansas tomorrow to visit friend's and work on the property. My buddy Mike said to call him as soon as we pull in, he's going to pick me up so we can go run his trotlines. Looks like there might be a fish-fry this weekend? Guess we will be doing alot of night fishing as it's been hitting in the hundreds almost everyday with no relief in site. I'll take lot's of pictures and hope to learn alot about fishing the Arkansas River....Ray

[capt.kirk]

Ray,have a good trip and stay safe those temps up that way are pretty
brutal right now,its been so hot up that way that when we have to go
up to indiana for the wedding were going to fly and rent a car,already
got reservations made,the tickets and car were cheaper than i can drive
round trip counting motels and food.only problem with it is the plane
wont tow my boat. Kirk

[Stump Bumper]

I have that same problem. Initially, I wanted to drive up and tow the boat but with the way gas prices are, it is just cheaper to fly....Ray

[wewamohawk]

you are right ray the gas is out of sight and i hope you two have a good time your friend ,,maurice

[Stump Bumper]

We just got back home from our trip to Arkansas. While I was there, Mike Fowler took me out every morning and late evening to run trotlines and each day we caught fish. We only got 3 small flatheads (all under 5 pounds), the rest were whites and blues. Our biggest fish was a 15 pound blue cat taken on a live bream (black perch). Sunday morning we cleaned fish for 2 hours and thanks to Mike Wilson and his electric fillet knife we got done pretty quick. Sunday evening a big crowd of friend's and relatives gathered at Mike and Michelle's house and we had a huge fish-fry and boy was it good. Despite the 100 degree weather, it was great to get out on the Arkansas River and we actually got my wife Nancy and Mike's wife Michelle to go with us one morning to run the trotlines. Boy was she surprised when that 15 pound blue came into the boat! Anyway, we can't wait to get back up that way again....Ray

[big country]

glad to hear you all had a good time.......
and good to you ya's had a safe trip back......
by the way we got the house ray....hehehehe:D :D :D

[Stump Bumper]

Great news John! I know ya'll are excited. I'll give you a call tonight....Ray