Are we going to make it through the winter with no deep bite on Pines? I was hoping the lake would be settled down by now, but the lake level still shows to be 11.29 feet high.

I've spent a lot of time winter fishing on Pines the last 5 or 6 years for Crappie. With no one catching many fish this year, it may be lights out this spring.

Can they let water out any faster or are the maxed out with those two gates open?

Fish are still deep, just not at the dam. Look in other areas.

Fish where you would fish in the fall. The fish are still there. Downsize your jig and rod.

I may go down in the next week or two and give it a try if I can find a day that's not too windy. Down sizing the jig takes a lot of patience.

We got a ton of rain in Texarkana yesterday/last night. I'm sure they got a bunch there as well.

Going in the morning to the spillway. Heard they've been slaying them over there.

Found about a dozen on the bridge at Ally creek.

How did you do below the spillway? I went over there a couple of times while we were camping over the Christmas break. If I had a smaller boat, I would have put it in and fished the brush downstream from the crowd.

There were a bunch of people fishing from the rocks and I saw a few fish caught.

Can you get your boat under the Alley bridge? I tried the Johnson bridge last trip, but it was too windy to fish it correctly.

Not much extra room but you can get under.

Went below the spillway yesterday and didn't get a bump. I fished the brush, different humps, holes etc... lots of baitfish so they've got to be around there somewhere.. I heard through the grapevine that people have been catching good numbers behind the patman dam.

Behind or below the dam? Behind is about 20' above normal.

I assume he's talking about below the spillway on the river. I've driven across 59 a few times recently and noticed several folks fishing out there. I guess I'm gonna have to break down and put my boat in there.

It's probably been 30+ years since I fished below the spillway with my grandparents in their flat bottom.

It has slowed down dramatically.Only had 5 a few days ago after 7 hours .Wondering about Millwood or Little River?? If you go to Sulphur Be ready for the turmoil!!

Only folks I hear catching crappie in Texarkana are fishing behind patman or driving to Sandlin

OK, you have my curiosity up. What kind of turmoil are you referring to? Also, do you see people with 21 foot bass boats in the river or is it mainly smaller boats? I certainly don't want to tear anything up.