Besides Sweet Beavers, Dustin Perkins and Trapper Munn recommend a variety of baits for Ouachita River bass.
When some blades are needed, their choices include spinnerbaits like the War Eagle in blue herring or sexy shad. That bait is among the most verstaile on the river because you can slow roll it through currents or over points, and you can fish it easily around timber and brush in the backwater lakes.
The 3/8- or ½-ounce lures are the most versatile, and the double blade really looks like shad or baitfish in the river water.
A lot of people don’t like to fish frogs, but the Spro popping frog in green or green/yellow has proved to be a good bait for this duo. You can fish it on heavy line, and toss in into heavy cover and run it across mats of heavy vegetation or trash that big bass might be laying under.
Topwaters are also key items in the arsenal. When the water is still, try a Heddon Super Spook Jr. in bleeding shad or Lake Fork shad colors.
The duo also uses a variety of types of jigs — mostly rattling jigs or football jigs. The Sweet Beaver is frequently used as a trailer, but smaller trailers work in clearer water during summer.
Crankbaits like the Strike King KVD series or Bandits in shad colors are favorites. The type and style of crankbait is determined by the depth you’ll be fishing.