Bull Shoals is the larger of the two — 45,000+ surface acres straddling the Arkansas / Missouri line. It's famous for its clarity, its dramatic rock structure, and a healthy population of largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky (spotted) bass living side by side.
I work it primarily from late February through May for the pre-spawn and spawn, then again in October and November when the topwater bite turns electric. Summer means deep cranks on points and night-fishing trips when the heat is brutal.
Ramps I use most: Tucker Hollow, Theodosia, Lakeview Park.
Norfork is 22,000 acres of cleaner-than-clean water with steep gravel banks, brush piles, and the kind of points smallmouth dream about. It also holds striped bass, walleye and crappie — but bass is my focus.
Spring and fall are prime, but I run trips here all year long thanks to its consistent water levels. The lake is small enough that you can hit five or six different patterns in a single morning.
Ramps I use most: Cranfield, Robinson Point, Henderson.
Pre-spawn and spawn. Big females stack on secondary points. The most productive months of the year, hands down.
Early starts, deep structure, topwater windows at first light. Night trips on full moons are a guest favorite.
The shad migration. Bass go on a feed. Best topwater action of the year. Cool mornings, beautiful colors.
Slow but rewarding. Deep jigs and jerkbaits. Smaller crowds, bigger average fish — if you're patient.
Mornings fill up fast in spring and fall. Lock in your date — we'll handle the rest, from rods to lures to the fish-cleaning at the dock.
