Russellville Arkansas Lake Dardanelle June 24-25. Arkansas hosted 2023 District 6 TBF National Semi Final. Dock talk among the 70 anglers during the pre-tournament meeting centered around a tough bite on the Arkansas River impoundment.

Day 1 brought clear skies and hot temperatures with a welcome breeze.
Arkansas’s Kevin Brown lead at the end of the day with a solid 15.76lb bag anchored by a 5.99lb kicker that earned big bass honors for the day on the boater side. Bradley Sullivan was the leading Oklahoma boater with 10.79lbs for second place over all. Arkansas’s Dewey Larson topped the Non-boater side with 10.46lbs. Brett Taylor was the top Oklahoma Non-boater with 7.85lbs in 4^th place. Arkansas Non-Boater Greg Dennis took the big bass honors for the day with a 3.67lb largemouth.

Day 2 weather saw temperatures reaching 100 degrees and very little breeze. Kevin Brown held on to his lead by bringing in a 9.40lb limit that brought his two day total to 25.16 lbs. Kevin will represent Arkansas boaters in the 2024 TBF National Championship. Bradley Sullivan held on to his 2^nd place spot with a 10.11lb limit. Bradley will represent Oklahoma boaters at the Championship for the 2^nd year in a row. Brett Taylor jumped into the top spot on the Non-boater side with 5.83lbs and will represent Oklahoma Non-boaters in the Championship. Dewey Larson dropped to 2^nd place over all and will represent Arkansas Non-boaters in the Championship. Arkansas boater Doug Thompson earned big bass honors for day 2 with a 4.87lb bass. Arkansas Non-boater Ray Dotson took the day 2 big bass with 4.32LB chunk.

Special shout out to Kim and Phillip Austin, Brandon Beck, Melissa Dotson and Bailey Dotson for their help running what turned out to be a very successful and smooth event. Thank you!

The anglers were met with a cool start and post frontal conditions to start the day and on Lake Ouachita or any clear water highland reservoir that can make for tough fishing.

Fish were in all 3 phases of the spawn. Some anglers reported catching fish off beds while others relied on a variety of shallow water techniques.

In the Junior Division, Grayson Redleaf and Christian Dawson took the win with 11.10 lbs and big bass 5.5 lbs. They caught most of their fish on a spinnerbait and a Carolina Rig with a Strike King Game Hawg.

In the High School Division Ramsey Gilbert and Chandler Perkins relied heavily on a frog for their 14.14 lbs of Lake Ouachita bass.

The winners punched their ticket to the TBF and SAF Nationals this summer. Others qualifying for nationals were in the Junior Division Hunter Denton and Zane Cobb for 2nd place in points with the TBF of Arkansas Youth Trail.

In the High School Division Colton Arnold and Hunter Gathwright along with Cole Martin and Josh Bowen. Both teams qualified by points from the TBF of Arkansas Youth Trail based on their 2nd and 3rd place finishes.

Congratulations to Boater Cody Davis and Co-Angler Stand Harris for their WIN at Greers Ferry on March 11. For full results CLICK HERE

Boater Winner – Cody Davis – 13.35 lbs

Boater Big Bass – Creighton Sawyer – 4.85 lbs

Co-Angler Winner – Stan Harris – 8.37 lbs

Co-Angler Big Bass – Derek Dixon – 2.10 lbs