Lake Dardanelle
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Lake Dardanelle Fishing Reports
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Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Texas Rigs (Worming)
Structure
Points
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
70°
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Crankbaits 0-6'
Structure
Points
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
75°
Points where grass was were key bites along with submerged brushpiles near moving water. Cranking around rock points.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Buzzbaits
Structure
Rip Rap
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
82°
Points and brush piles lots of shad in pockets look for moving water.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Crankbaits 0-6'
Structure
Points
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
84°
Fish up shallow and around grass on points buzz bait and frog in grass beds along points
Yum Dinger Worm 5" Black/Blue Swirl / 5"
Out of Stock
Seviin GF Series Casting Reel Right / 8.1:1
Out of Stock
Seviin GX Series Spinning Reel 2500 / 6.0:1
Out of Stock
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Laydowns
BFL tournament of Lake Dardanelle wasn't the best but I was able to catch plenty of fish in several places flipping. I did find a better pattern in another cove of the lake but since I was a late boat I decided to go with my second plan since I knew that area would be heavily pressured. I targeted shallow cover along the banks and in some backwaters. This ranged from submerged stumps to laydowns and bushes along the bank. Some fish were in the willow grass along the bank but I did not have any success in the area where I was flipping. The bites were distinctive and all fish had the bait deep in their mouths. Colors ranged from a black and blue to watermelon red depending on water clarity. Gear: Flipping Combo G.Loomis GLX 894JWR Shimano Chronarch 150XG Seaguar 20lb Abrazx 3/16 oz tungsten weight 4/0 Owner Beast EWG hook Strike King Rage Bug Primary pattern I should have fished: Swimming a flashy swimmer through shallow grass and vegetation in another cove. G. Loomis GLX 844MBR Shimano Bantam 150HG Seaguar 15lb Abrazx Owner Flashy Swimmer 5/0 4.8in Swimbait (shad color)
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Buzzbaits
Structure
Reeds
Dardenelle is nearing post spawn. At first light, target grass and shallow reed edges along creek channels with a white buzz bait. If water is stained, chartreuse may help. As the sun get up, switch your attention to the nearest lay downs and stumps with a zman chatterbait and Rapala Brat in the same color combos.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Bladed Jigs
Structure
Matted Grass
great reaction bite up in the backwaters in the main river channel around matted grass and sand bars
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Topwater Walking
Structure
Matted Grass
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
65°
Fish on beds, shad in coves
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Frogs/Toads
Structure
Lily Pads
Just competed in the Hobie Bass Open Series on Lake Dardanelle. The bass are starting to spawn and moving up very shallow. When prefishing, most of the temperatures were mid 60s, as high a 70 degree in some shallow, protected areas. During the tournament, a cold front lowered the temps to low to mid 50s, however bass would still hit the frog. I was fishing in a muddy, shallow flat, covered with emerging vegetation and lily pads. Water levels and temps were fluctuating quickly over several days but still was able to find bass in 9 inches to 2 feet of water. The bass would not hit on frogs that displaced a lot of water; the bite was very subtle. You can find success on this type of flat with a more quiet presentation and allowing the frog to pause for longer periods on the edges of vegetation. Bass are hitting on the long pause, on slow moving, subtle frogs.
