Why Beaver Lake in Arkansas is an awesome bass lake with LUNKERHUNT pro Matt Arey

Every year the FLW Tour makes a stop on Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas. Today is Day 1 of the 2017 FLW Tour stop on Beaver Lake. Being in the Ozarks, it is a very beautiful lake but it can be a challenge to fish. One guy who always does well on Beaver Lake is Lunkerhunt pro Matt Arey. With back-to-back wins on Beaver, Matt is the guy to talk to about why Beaver Lake in an awesome lake to fish.

2013 BASSMASTER CLASSIC: Late Winter on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees

Skeet Reese enjoying the spoils of victory.
(Photo: BASS)

A lot is unknown about this Classic lake. Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, situated in northeast Oklahoma lies in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. A typical highland reservoir with several large rivers, it has a surface area of 46 500 acre and 1300 miles (2100km) of deep, rocky shoreline. Much has been written of the famed willow tree fishing but that is after the warm spring rains elevate the lake above its normal pool of 742 feet. Lake levels will remain slightly below normal pool but the forecast does indicate rain or snow.

B.A.S.S. has held events at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, the sight on the 2013 World Championship, but usually during the summer or late fall. This year, winter has been true to form. Cold, windy and snowy lake conditions are what the 53 competitors faced during recent days. This has been the first real winter we have had in three years, so comparisons to the last few Classics are mere educated guesses. 

In recent years, the lake has undergone a residential boom. Numerous luxury homes now dot most shorelines. Several areas have adopted special by-laws restricting boat speeds and limiting fishing access. How much will these by-laws come into play during the tournament? This can only be determined once competition starts.

Stay tuned for daily BASSMASTER CLASSIC COVERAGE

FLW Beaver Lake: Why Wasn't I a Jerk?



Megabass Vsion 110

Learn how to catch them like the FLW pros.
Story and photos by Luigi De Rose

Contestants at the FLW Tour stop at Beaver Lake were met with challenging conditions. Casting a jerk bait became the technique of choice. Jerk baits, a long, slender minnow plug, have universal appeal to all game fish. Originating with the Rapala, it is one of the most familiar lure profiles on the planet. This week on Beaver Lake in Arkansas, jerk baits ruled.
The Ozarks are the home town of many fishing super stars but it is also the birth place of weighted jerk baits. For decades, anglers have tinkered with their neutral buoyancy. When modified correctly, these baits will hover horizontally in the water column exactly like a stunned minnow.  The best time to cast a weighted jerk bait is now. Especially anywhere along the Missouri and Arkansas boarder. Early pre-spawn, when the water temp is climbing out of the 40 degree F range. Cold nights and warming days will keep the shad kill high and bass capitalize on the free meal.

With long casts, the bait is worked in a series of downward jerks or in last week’s case sharp pulls and very long pauses to create an illusion of a crippled minnow. Minnow baits sports sets of treble hooks help pin light biters. It’s not an easy technique to master. It requires smooth execution especially for four continuous tournament days. Without the correct equipment, wrists, elbows and arms turn to mush.

Gravel points, bluff banks, secondary points in large bays are all home to bass. Mix in standing timber for added security and you’ll find bass. During this past weekend, the water temp was rising trying to shake the shackles of a long winter. Anglers were faced with changing weather conditions and reluctant bass. Trying to temp more bites, anglers dropped down to thin Fluorocarbon or mono lines to ensure the bait stayed deeper in the strike zone throughout the entire cast.

Megabass, Lucky Craft and Live Target (L to R)

Over the last 15 years, the Japanese lure companies have raised the bar on quality to near perfection. This week, most of the top ten anglers credit the Megabass Vision 110 even though many are sponsored by other lure companies.

Looking to stock your tackle bag with a few new baits? Consider the following: Bomber Long A, Daimki Slim Jack, Team Diawa minnow, Ima Flirt, Jackall Squirrel, Live Target Smelt, Lucky Craft pointer, Megabass Vision 110, O.S.P., Rapala, Spro McRip, Storm Thunderstick, Strike King Minnow, Swithwick Rouge, Xcalibur Twitch bait and Yo-Zuri minnow.