War Eagle Creek: Mcloud Ford (Rocky Ford) to Parker's Ford

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June 4, 2023

Start time: 9:45 am

Finish time: 4:45 pm

Water fished: War Eagle Creek Mcloud Ford to Parker’s Ford

Water level/clarity: 75 cfs/clear

Water temp (Start): 75 degrees  (Finish): ? degrees

Weather: Scattered clouds with plenty of sun

Air temp: (Start): 80 degrees (Finish): 90 degrees

Wind: 5 (or less) mph   Direction:?

Frontal Conditions: Post Frontal

Barometric Pressure: 29.95 mL

Moonphase: Full Moon

Aquatic Vegetation: Reeds in bloom

Bait Fish/Forage Base: Crawfish, shiners/other small baitfish, TOPWATER

Pre-Spawn/Post Spawn/Post-Spawn: Post Spawn(?) 

Fished with: Dad

Lures used: Shiny reddish purple Jewel finesse jig with a watermelon red rage menace grub trailer, PB&J Big TRD Ned Rig, and Strike King sexy shad topwater



Smallmouth

Largies

Spotted

Notes

Quantity

12+

Many on topwater

3+

5+


# over 14”

3+

1

2


Biggest

18.5”

(17.5” honorable mention)

14”

Biggest came on the jig

14”-15”

Both of the big smallies on came on topwater

Location

Biggest smallie came about 2 miles in





Five years ago, I was convinced that topwater was not an effective way to catch smallmouth bass, let alone big smallmouth bass. In the Ozarks, I believed that the most reliable method of smallmouth fishing was to drag a crawfish imitation along the bottom and wait for that “tick tick” before setting the hook. With each year that’s passed, I’ve discovered that smallmouths want other presentations too (depending on water temperature, time of year, etc). My most recent float on War Eagle Creek proved that topwater techniques can be even more effective compared to a slow, bottom retrieve. Specifically, this became clear when an 18.5" smallie decided to come up to the surface to smack my lure. I was stunned. Especially because it was my third fish of the day. Later, I managed to catch a 17.5" smallie on topwater again... with my GoPro recording. Needless to say, Dad made the most exciting video since the largemouth catch on the Mulberry.




17.5" Smallie


18.5" Smallie (same fish as one directly above)


Dad caught a couple good ones too!


Thanks for reading, now get to fishing!

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