Full Day Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day targeting Walleye, Crappie, and Bass speciesProfessional guide service with local lake expertisePrivate charter accommodating up to two guests
Looking to spend a serious day on the water? This 8-hour private fishing trip on Bull Shoals Lake is exactly what you need. You and one buddy get the entire boat to yourselves, plus a seasoned guide who's been working these waters for years. We're talking about one of Arkansas's premier fishing destinations here – a massive 45,000-acre lake with crystal-clear water and structure that holds fish year-round. This isn't your typical half-day rushed affair. We've got time to work multiple spots, switch up techniques when needed, and really dial in on what's working. Whether you're chasing crappie around standing timber or working deep ledges for walleye, we'll put you on fish.
Your day starts early – that's when the magic happens on Bull Shoals. We'll launch from one of the better ramps and head straight to where I've been marking fish. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is we're not watching the clock. If the crappie are stacked up in 25 feet of water around submerged timber, we'll work that pattern until it dies. When the bite slows, we'll make a move to deeper structure or transition areas where walleye like to hang. The lake's got incredible clarity – you can see your bait 15 feet down in most spots – which means fish can be finicky, but it also means we can sight-fish when conditions are right. I keep the boat rigged with quality electronics, so we're not guessing where the fish are. Expect to cover some serious water and learn why Bull Shoals has such a reputation among serious anglers.
We'll be running multiple techniques depending on what we're targeting and what the fish want. For crappie, we're talking about vertical jigging with small plastics or live minnows around standing timber and brush piles. I've got spots marked in 15 to 30 feet where schools stack up, especially during their seasonal movements. When we're after walleye, expect to work deeper water with bottom bouncers, three-way rigs, and crawler harnesses along main lake points and drop-offs. The lake's structure is perfect for these fish – long tapering points that drop into 60+ feet of water. We'll also throw some reaction baits when fish are active. All rods, reels, tackle, and electronics are provided. I keep everything maintained and ready to go. Just bring your Arkansas fishing license, some snacks, and drinks for the day. The boat's equipped with a good livewell system, so anything you want to keep for dinner stays fresh.
Bull Shoals crappie are the stuff of legend, and for good reason. These fish grow fat and healthy in the lake's clean, well-oxygenated water. We're talking about slabs that regularly push 14 inches and better, with fish over 2 pounds showing up more often than you'd expect. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up heavy, but even mid-summer, we can find them in deeper timber and around creek channel drops. What makes Bull Shoals crappie special is their fight – the clear water and current keeps them strong. They don't just come up like a wet rag. The walleye fishery here is something most folks don't know about, but it's world-class. These aren't your typical northern lake walleye either. Bull Shoals walleye are aggressive and will hit reaction baits during the day. Fish in the 3 to 5-pound range are common, with bigger fish always possible. They relate to the same structure as bass – main lake points, humps, and ledges – but they're usually deeper and more predictable once you figure out the pattern.
Eight hours on Bull Shoals with a guide who knows where to find them – that's a day you'll remember. This trip gives you the time to really experience what this lake has to offer without feeling rushed. We'll work the fish, adapt to conditions, and put you on the best bite available. With just two anglers max, you get personal attention and the chance to learn techniques that'll make you a better angler long after the trip's over. Bull Shoals doesn't give up its secrets easily, but with the right guide and enough time on the water, it'll reward you with some of the best freshwater fishing in the region. Don't wait too long to book – the best dates fill up quick, especially during peak seasons when the fish are most active.
Get ready to fish Bull Shoals Lake in style with our 22-foot Phoenix Bass boat! This single console powerhouse cuts through the water smoothly while you and one other angler target walleye, crappie, and bass across the lake's prime fishing spots. We've loaded her up with top-notch gear including GPS navigation to hit those honey holes and a quality fish finder that'll show you exactly what's swimming below. The spacious layout gives you plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and move around comfortably during your 8-hour adventure. Our boat handles Bull Shoals' waters like a dream, getting you to productive areas quickly so you can spend maximum time with lines in the water. Whether we're working deep structure for walleye or hitting shallow covers for bass, this rig has everything needed for a productive day on one of Arkansas's premier fishing destinations.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusBull Shoals crappie run 10-14 inches and love hanging around brush piles, fallen timber, and creek channels in 8-20 feet of water. We've got both black and white crappie here - blacks prefer the clearer main lake areas while whites stick closer to creek arms. Spring spawn fishing is fantastic when water hits 62-68 degrees, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. These fish travel in schools, so once you find one, you'll usually find plenty more. What guests love most is the sweet, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish in the lake. My go-to trick is using small jigs tipped with minnows around standing timber during dawn and dusk when they're most active.
Sander VitreusWalleye in Bull Shoals typically run 15-20 inches with those distinctive glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light. They cruise deeper structure during the day - rock piles, ledges, and channel drops in 15-35 feet - then move shallow at dawn and dusk to feed. Best fishing happens spring through fall when water temps are 60-75 degrees. These fish put up a solid fight with their head-shaking runs, but what really gets guests excited is the dinner table - walleye have some of the finest, mildest white meat you'll find. They can be picky, so my local trick is slow-trolling live minnows or jigs just off the bottom along those main lake points where the creek channels swing close to shore.
Branson, MO, United States