Many anglers used to the fish in large impoundments such as Beaver, Ouachita or Greers Ferry go to Dardanelle expecting the bass to behave identically and insisting on using the "big-lake" tactics appropriate to more stable waters. Unfortunately, many such fishermen go home skunked, because they never realize that bass in the continually changing environment of the river behave differently from their big-water brethren.

One example of such a behavior difference is the fact that Dardanelle bass rarely venture out of crankbait range. Even in fall, when a cold front passes through, they'll go on a feeding spree right before a front, and then settle down a bit and move into cover. And most cover in Dardanelle is in shallow, not deep, water.

This is one reason so many anglers who fish Dardanelle rely on crankbaits to catch their bass. Worms, jigs and other such lures work fine at times, but a slow-moving crankbait often proves more effective than these because of the lure's greater versatility. With the other lures, you basically just hit the bottom and hop the lure. But Dardanelle fish aren't always on bottom. They may be lying near a log or suspended in a brush top. If you parallel these areas with a crankbait and use a slow retrieve, you can catch a lot of really good fish.

A crawfish-imitation crankbait is just the ticket for big Dardanelle bass, especially where there are lots of rocks in the water. Riprap areas are especially good, such as those found in the Piney Creek area. The Flat Rock area before you get to the Piney bay has a lot of big boulders and rockslides in the channel, and has a very good population of spotted bass. In these places, bass are looking for their natural prey, the crawfish, which makes its home among the rocks. And most of the fish caught this time of year have crawfish in them.

Many Dardanelle bass fishing enthusiasts fish with colors that imitate small baitfish. Small crappie and sunfish are favored foods this time of year. Many anglers also prefer smaller crankbaits that don't dive very deep. At other lakes, bass may go deep, and anglers must fish deep to catch them, but Dardanelle bassers quickly learn that you don't think deep here. Local anglers often say: "If you can't touch the bottom with your rod, you're too deep." You should be able to run a medium-sized shallow-running crankbait and bump the bottom with it for best results.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Arkansas River is without doubt one of the best bass-fishing hotspots in Arkansas. There's not a 100-yard stretch of river that doesn't produce good numbers of big bass at one time or another, and they're caught using every fishing tactic and lure in the book.

The river can be fickle at times. During some weeks anglers find it clear and stable; at other times, it's high and muddy. And sometimes it's somewhere in between these extremes. But anglers prepared to deal with whatever conditions the capricious river throws their way will find it much to their liking.

For Arkansas River access information, purchase a copy of the Arkansas Outdoor Atlas, available by phoning 1-800-364-GAME or by logging on to the AGFC's Web site, www.agfc.com. The atlas has detailed access information on 75 county maps. Additional information on the various Arkansas River pools is available by contacting the Little Rock District Corps of Engineers at (501) 324-5551. For information on fishing licenses and current fishing conditions, visit the AGFC Web site. Regulations are explained in detail in the 2005 edition of the Arkansas Fishing Guidebook, which is available at sporting goods retailers statewide.

(Editor's Note: Keith Sutton is the author of Fishing Arkansas: A Year-round Guide to Angling Adventures in the Natural State. To order an autographed copy, send a check or money order for $28.25 -- Arkansas residents should add sales tax -- to C&C Outdoors, 15601 Mountain Dr., Alexander, AR 72002.)