Well just got back yesturday from my 2nd trip in 2 weeks from The Big O, man what a place to me the prettiest place I have fished and maybe been. Not a expert on the lake by any means, but have been there 10-12 times usually E of Brady Mountain all the way to the Dam. Mainly I fish Dam area which for the size of the lake is small, seems like 1/10 of the size of Tawok. Which is by the way where I start my day, this is where I get Bait. Gathering bait in Arkansas has me completely baffled, the water is so clear the bait can see you coming. NONE of the guides there get there bait there, you must find it and bring it yourself. Which is to me the hardest part of catching these fish. Tank conditioning and prep and routine maintence is a whole topic on its own. Caught bait in the AM (in Texas) then made my way to Arkansas approx 4 hrs from Fork. Got there in the evening unloaded and had about 45 mins to fish w/ my fishin partner (my 8 yr old daughter) we put in a Echo Canyon (formally Spillway) went down by the intake. So we put a few baits down and bam 8# on her line, she cranks on it for awhile still in the rod holder and she boated it. Proud of her all I did was net/lip fish for her. We stayed there 3 days a caught 4 fish to 12# but only fished approx. 4 total hours (daughter was sick). Unlike last week where I took a fishin buddy down there and caught 9 to 18# in a day and a half. My HDS gen 2 10 & 8 got a work out so many huge fish I did manage to record a screenshot from the units. Hope I can get some pics up soon. This is a tough trip if you want to catch fish, but it is worth it the World Record is in there.. I beleive artifical here is non productive. In order to catch big fish I guess you do have to suffer..on a side note I used my last Bait about 55 hrs after I caught them..w/no lost bait..used a 40 gal Grayline w/oxygen diffusor..cant wait to go again..fish will be down there (pump Station) maybe a few weeks to a month.

Excellent report. Thanks for posting.

I'm not convinced "artificials are non-productive" there. Maybe not as productive as live bait, but I know for a fact artificials will work there....and I'm going to try them again next week.

Great place, one of the best, outside of Alaska.

Stop it....I want to go sooo bad, but can't right now. just kidding thanks for the report and hope to be there soon.

congrats

Thanks for the report.

Thanks for the report, I hope your daughter is feeling better. I love Ouachita, I just haven't been able to land a big one there. If you're ever looking for someone to go with you, let me know.