Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas

[Catfish hunter]

LaSeaCat,

Here is a picture of a large flathead I shot last year.

[jeffe]

What was the weight ?

[Wet Spot]

I would have to guess around 45lbs.

[jfg]

Hey CH,
I been reading up on Bulls Shoals Lake and Norfolk lake. Looks really nice to me. I saw some cabins at the marina that looked nice too. I'm thinking a Fri. Sat. and Sun. weekend trip is looking bright in my future. How would I go about finding the right places to dive and spearfish? Do you like keep numbers on these lakes or do you just use lake maps and go by the contours and bends and stuff? Nuther words, help a brother out:D

[E. Holland]

jfg,

Try Gastons resort just below the Bull Shoals dam on the White River. It has a great restaurant, and nice facilities. It's a 5 minute drive to the Lake View Marina or 10 minute Drive to the Bull Shoals Marina. As far as the fish finding goes, I've always done well by riding up Jimmies Creek (which the Bull Shoals Boat Dock is on), grabbing a contour map, and looking for a spot that seems fishy. You'll do ok if you head up the main part of the lake as well, which is marked by points on the bank. For some reason, the coves near point five always seems to hold walleyes pretty well.

I don't use numbers because the water level changes so much, you never seem to get back to the same spot twice. The locals are pretty good about telling you what depth the fish are in, you just have to ask.

If you ar going to hook and line fish on the river, run down to Roses Trout Dock. The water level is more consistent, as a result the fishing is better, and they won't look at you funny when you want to bring a full limit of trout home.

[salter]

Catfish hunter,

Where do you usually shoot your fish. I usually try to hit them right around the eye, so they will not pull off. I havent been doing this for many years and wanted to know how you do it.

[Catfish hunter]

Members,

Sorry I have been away for a little while and saw there were some more replies. With Snapper season open, I had to get down to the Gulf and bring in some fillets.

The Flathead in the first picture was 51 pounds, so Wet Spot your guess was pretty close.

Re places to hunt, I like to hunt the Flathead in the heavy timber. I don't know if this has anything to do with the name catfish, but they like to hang in the tree limbs like a big jungle cat like a lepard. They really seem to like cedar trees, so I have sunk many of these over the years to make a good habitat. I have often checked one of my trees to see nothing and then take a second look to see a 40 pounder lying right before my eyes. They blend in extremely well.

Re where to shoot fish, no different than shooting salt-water fish. I prefer to hit big Flathead right behind the head from the top if possible. Walleye and Stripers, right behind the gill plate.

Just got back from taking my boat down to Bull Shoals lake and it is about 22 feet high. Many green trees in the water and the Walleye are thick as flies. Can't hardly wait for the season to open!!

Good luck everybody and dive safe

Les Sage aka Catfish Hunter