Largemouth Bass

If you're chasing largemouth in southern Arkansas, Chidester offers some under-the-radar opportunities. The Ouachita River and its backwaters are prime habitat, as are several smaller lakes and ponds scattered around the area. What makes this area unique is the mix of cypress swamps, flooded timber, and lily pads, which create fantastic structure for bass to ambush prey. Spring is undoubtedly the best time, with the pre-spawn and spawn periods bringing bass shallow and aggressive. Fall can also be productive as fish feed up before winter. For bank access, try the areas around bridge crossings on the Ouachita River; be mindful of private property. A local tip: Carolina-rigged plastics or spinnerbaits worked around the edges of submerged timber can be deadly. The bass here tend to be a mix of sizes, but there's always a chance for a true lunker lurking in the depths.