Lake Columbia

[ARMallardSlayer]

Anyone fish this lake.....I've never been there, hope to try it out next week.....

[CP]

Slayer, The three top s. AR lakes for BIG bass are Columbia, White Oak, and Monticello.

I fish Monticello and Columbia solely for the larger bass. I catch more over ten at Monticello but more over eight at Columbia and more overall at Columbia.

I am fishing the 3'-6' waters where the females are staging for spawn. It's pretty good now. Don't go with 10-15 pound line unless you feel lucky. ;)

One thing..be aware of the slot and limit, as the W. Officers will not cut any slack, and you will most likely get to meet them.

G Luck...

[ARMallardSlayer]

CP,

Thanks for the headsup......

I'll give it a try......

I don't keep any bass any longer than it takes to snap a pic.......I have a pond that I can get pan size if I get hungry for a bass dinner.

Hey, what are they biting over there?

[ARMallardSlayer]

I moved up to 17 pound test this year....is that stout enough for em?

[beltcutter]

Mallard,

Watch the wind. If it gets up that lake will take you over one million stumps before you can get off!

[beltcutter]

Originally posted by CP:
I fish Monticello and Columbia solely for the larger bass. I catch more over ten at Monticello but more over eight at Columbia and more overall at Columbia.

Funny, I don't remember you winning the Bassmaster Classic at all! If you're catching those kinds of fish that often, you need to go make some real money, CP! graemlins/thumb.gif .......and Mainbeam thought you only knew everything about deer hunting. Wait till he hears about this!

[CP]

Hey Beltcutter, Not very many sixty seven year olds can stand the strain of tournament fishing and I actually do catch a few ten plus bass every year.
Never knew one fish could win though...

Eat you heart out. tongue.gif A 12 plus from Monticello.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/121170.JPG

[beltcutter]

You be one bad 'ole man! :eek: Maybe a seniors bass circuit would be in order for you. I could use a few lessons next time you're on Columbia. Me and my son are looking for a good used bass boat right now in the 2 to 4 thousand dollar range. Something small but set up for bass. If you see one around your neck of the woods send me a PM. graemlins/thumb.gif

[cpeuban]

Nice fish.

Millwood produced a 13.8 last week.

FYI - There was a time from the early '90s - 1996 when Loch Lomond, the largest of the private lakes in Bella Vista, was the premier trophy bass lake in the state, and the region for that matter. Some people claimed that the a few locals stocked Florida bass in there along with northern largemouth, but the water is too cool most winters and the fish would die. So these fish were northern strain and several 14s and a 15 (which I think is the third largest bass in state history) were caught during that time. A boat load of fish in the 10 to 13 pound range were caught. But due to various factors, decreased vegetation, aging of the lake, etc., it's not as good as it once was. Still better than most lakes though. I started fishing it after the boom was over and never did cash in one of those double digit fish.

When the new Lake Ft. Smith Dam is completed, look for the same bass boom to happen there. It's common with new lakes that flood new ground and are full of nutrients and live vegetation. Plus the limestone which I believe is in the area should help produce a good water pH for better plant growth. I fully expect Lake Ft. Smith to produce a load of fish in the 10 to 12 pound range starting about 5 years after the dam is completed and the lake is enlarged.

[AltheimerCastaway]

Where is Lake Columbia? That's a Hawgmolly if I've ever seen one, nice fish!!!

[CP]

Slayer, I use a Zoom Brush Hog about 99% of the time. Blueberry preferred but any dark color will do. Texas rig with 1/4 oz. lead..pegged. Lizzard is always good for pre spawn and bed fish.

Take Beltcutters word..One stumpy joker.

I may go over Friday morning for a short time trip.
Normally launch at South Shore ramp.

If you are not familiar with the lake, you could launch at the Beech Creek landing which would be the first one (arriving from Texarkana). It is in shallow waters and fishing can began from the area.
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Castaway, Columbia gets its name from the county it is located in(a few miles out of Magnolia).

[lil e fan]

I used to live in lewisville and have fished that lake a lot, there are some sure enough big fish there. They did have a slot limit the last time i was there. Slayer if you are coming from texarkana get on 82east and go until you go through Buckner and its about 5 miles you will see a sign that says Lake Coulombia turn right it will take you straight to it.

[ARMallardSlayer]

Thanks guys.........we are probably gonna hit it Monday..........if the weather cooperates.

[ARMallardSlayer]

I just wanna catch one that size and take a pic.....hope the fish cooperate......

Nice fish......did you mount it or throw it back?

[CP]

Released her and had a replica made..

[ARMallardSlayer]

That's what I'll do also when I catch one over 10......I think the replica will outlast the real thing.

[ARMallardSlayer]

We have fished this lake twice now and I like it alot.

It has a lot of stumps which is a henderence sometimes but we have caught nice fish both trips out...

Oh yeah...my buddy dang near broke a blade of his prop on his brand new boat there....and we were in the marked run....so watch out!