The wife and i are taking a trip to Arkansas for vacation, and while were are there i was going to do some fishing on the kings river for some small mouth and trout. Ive never been fishing for small mouth or trout so im seeking some advice from my fellow TFFrs that have had some experience fishing rivers for small mouth and/or trout. I hear small mouth are an absolute blast to catch and i cant wait to hook into one! -josh

The Kings is a Blueribbon Smallmouth stream. Only 18" plus for keepers. Small grubs and Rapala 5As in gold will work. Take a spinning setup and 4lb to 6lb line.

thanks for the reply snake boy, the 18" plus for keepers is fine by me i practice C&R religiously. I have plenty of grubs that i have been using on large mouths so i have that covered, ill have to pick up some of the rapalas you mentioned. Ive also been doing some searching online for small mouth baits and it seems that tubes are the preferred bait on lakes, do you think they would work in rivers as well? thanks again - josh

I've never fished it,but a friend fishes it every year in late May.

He and his brother float it for several days and fish along the way.

According to him, he has caught most of his SM bass on buzz baits the last two years.

Man that just brought back many fine memories!
I only fished a couple sections of the Kings river when I lived in Ar. , but I think there is/was a great wade spot just west
of the Hwy 23(?) bridge.
The are a few more productive/attractive blue-ribbon smallmouth streams close enough to look at, as well, and probably on your way if you go up via hwy. 71:
Cossatot, s/w below ashdown
Ouachita (my favorite!) Mena to Hot springs
Buffalo, just east of where you'll be
The Little Red is your best bet for summer trout, I'd concentrate
on the smallmouth this time of year.
Good luck & tight lines
-Brian

Yes, grubs will work this time of year and that's what I've had my best luck with. I'm sure a buzzbait would work too. I've always bought homeade grubs that are sold at the outfitter up there. They're simple curly tail grubs. Just cast them out and let the current do the work for you. Tops of pools are best.

Sorry but I can't remember the name of the store but you'll see it on the way to the Kings. It's just out of town and they're very helpful folks.

thanks everyone for you help its greatly appreciated, ill keep everyone updated with pics along the way- tight lines, josh

Floated it before it was a full day and then some trip. Small crawfish cranks. Small worms in slow moving water.