Largemouth Bass

Fishing for largemouth bass near Gilbert, Arkansas, means embracing the Ozark landscape and its clear, rocky rivers. While Gilbert itself sits along the Buffalo National River, bass fishing here is more about smaller streams and nearby lakes. Bull Shoals Lake, a short drive away, offers a classic big-lake experience with plenty of largemouth. Spring and fall are the prime seasons, with bass staging around shallow cover during the spawn and feeding aggressively before winter. Try working spinnerbaits and crankbaits along rocky banks and around submerged timber. For a unique experience, explore the smaller creeks and rivers that feed into the Buffalo. Smallmouth are more common in the Buffalo itself, but largemouth can be found in the slower-moving sections and backwater areas. A local tip: Clear water requires a stealthy approach. Use light line and natural-colored lures. Also, be prepared to hike; access to some of the best spots requires a bit of effort. The largemouth in this region are often scrappy fighters, adapted to the riverine environment.