Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications
FORT SMITH — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has partnered with PRADCO, the parent company of Booyah, YUM, Bomber and many other popular fishing tackle brands to host a special lineup of fishing seminars this spring devoted to catching more and bigger bass in The Natural State. The first of these workshops is 6-7 p.m. March 10, and is focused on the most productive techniques and lures for fishing before the spawn begins in late March.
When it comes to fishing, no family of fish captures more attention in Arkansas than largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. According to a 2019 angler survey, an average of 267,352 licensed anglers listed black bass as one of their top three species to fish for; however, only 6.7 percent of those anglers indicated belonging to a bass fishing club or organization, and only 7.5 percent indicated having fished in a bass tournament in the previous year. These webinars are an ideal way for the rest of the angling population to catch up on techniques enjoyed by those anglers who are “in the know.”
Vic DiCenzo, AGFC Black Bass Program coordinator, says the webinar series will follow fish throughout all phases of their annual spawning routine, and anglers will learn not only about products for bass fishing, but the motivations of the fish that make those products so effective. Staff from the AGFC’s Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center will moderate the sessions, which will be streamed live for an online audience, so anyone can participate.
The following subjects will be covered:
Pre-Spawn Bass
March 10 at 6 p.m.
Join PRADCO Pro Staff Manager Dustin Elder and Lake Ouachita Guide Chris Elder to learn lures, equipment and techniques to chase bass during the best time of year to break your personal best record. They’ll even offer a few lake breakdowns for some of Arkansas’s most popular fishing destinations.
Visit https://forms.gle/BhUmkR8GxFNA7a7y8 to register.
Power Fishing During the Spawn
March 17 at 6 p.m.
Sight-fishing isn’t the only way to catch bass when they’re on their spawning beds. Local tournament pro Chris Huselton and Dustin Elder will show anglers a few techniques to keep your lure moving and enticing fish to strike when you can’t see them in the shallows.
Visit https://forms.gle/RMaS9mTT6BMWX8D17 to register.
Bass Spawn Overview
March 24 at 6 p.m.
The best bass anglers know what makes their favorite species tick. Learn from Dustin Elder and AGFC staff how bass spawn and why they act like they do. Dustin also will throw in a few of his favorite lures and colors to use and some of the reason why these motivate spawning bass to strike.
Visit https://forms.gle/ech655i3a2KoMfSa6 to register.
Bass Spawn Fishing With Finesse Lures
March 31 at 6 p.m.
Slow down with the spawn and hit those fish with some finesse. Kayak angler extraordinaire Ethan Butler and Dustin Elder will break down some nearby lakes and show anglers some of the best ways to coax a bite when the fish are stuck on the bed and not actively feeding.
Visit https://forms.gle/DvqZRiysjK4RnVF59 to register.
Fishing the Post-Spawn Period for Bass
April 7 at 6 p.m.
Keep in touch with the fish once they begin to swim away from the shallows and put on the feed bag. Chad Warner, PRADCO product director, will join Dustin Elder to explain where the bass go, what to look for and how to chase them down as the water continues to warm and enjoy some of the best fishing of the year before summer kicks in.
Visit https://forms.gle/qRFghttRcUuN6ZmE9 to register.
