Rook and McKinnis take on Maumelle

Elite Series pro Scott Rook and B.A.S.S. co-owner Jerry McKinnis recently teamed up for a fishing trip on Lake Maumelle.

What’s a Bassmaster to do when he has some time away from the Elite Series? Go fishing, of course.
What’s a Bassmaster to do when he has some time away from the Elite Series? Go fishing, of course.
Jerry McKinnis and Scott Rook recently teamed up for a fishing trip on Lake Maumelle, where both of them started their careers in the bass fishing game.
Jerry McKinnis and Scott Rook recently teamed up for a fishing trip on Lake Maumelle, where both of them started their careers in the bass fishing game.
McKinnis was a guide and dock owner in the 1960s. Rook started tournament fishing here in the 1980s.
McKinnis was a guide and dock owner in the 1960s. Rook started tournament fishing here in the 1980s.
Bass weren’t on the menu this day; it was crappie these two were after, with small jigs.
Bass weren’t on the menu this day; it was crappie these two were after, with small jigs.
When McKinnis started his career here, all of the fishing was done from a jon boat. Today, fiberglass rigs are the norm.
When McKinnis started his career here, all of the fishing was done from a jon boat. Today, fiberglass rigs are the norm.
And if you know where to find them, so are crappie.
And if you know where to find them, so are crappie.
Lake Maumelle has become one of the better crappie lakes in the state.
Lake Maumelle has become one of the better crappie lakes in the state.
But this isn’t a watching-a-bobber style of fishing.
But this isn’t a watching-a-bobber style of fishing.
Rook uses a small spinning rig, swimming a crappie jig on the edge of grass to hook up with crappie.
Rook uses a small spinning rig, swimming a crappie jig on the edge of grass to hook up with crappie.
Like a bass angler, he normally boat flips the fish.
Like a bass angler, he normally boat flips the fish.
Every once in a while a small bass hits.
Every once in a while a small bass hits.
Occasionally, a blue gill will bite.
Occasionally, a blue gill will bite.
Or a redear.
Or a redear.
Redear like this one...
Redear like this one…
 ...go in the livewell.
…go in the livewell.
At certain times of the year, redear can be as numerous as crappie.
At certain times of the year, redear can be as numerous as crappie.
Along with small bass.
Along with small bass.
After a quick re-rig,
After a quick re-rig,
crappie start coming into the boat.
crappie start coming into the boat.
This nice crappie,
This nice crappie,
 would join its redear friends.
would join its redear friends.
More would follow.
More would follow.
Rook’s approach to crappie fishing includes using his electronics.
Rook’s approach to crappie fishing includes using his electronics.
And covering a lot of water,
And covering a lot of water,
until he finds the slabs.
until he finds the slabs.
McKinnis deposits the crappie into the well.
McKinnis deposits the crappie into the well.
Then they move to the next spot,
Then they move to the next spot,
using their electronics to find a school.
using their electronics to find a school.
Once found, Rook drops a buoy.
Once found, Rook drops a buoy.
A few casts later, fish start coming into the boat.
A few casts later, fish start coming into the boat.
Mike McKinnis (left) joins them when the action heats up.
Mike McKinnis (left) joins them when the action heats up.
Rook rolls his small crappie jig.
Rook rolls his small crappie jig.
He brings in a white bass.
He brings in a white bass.
Soon after, he boats another crappie.
Soon after, he boats another crappie.
The fish gets an assessment from Rook, then goes into the well.
The fish gets an assessment from Rook, then goes into the well.
Others would follow.
Others would follow.
And in a flurry, the duo would snatch four real quick.
And in a flurry, the duo would snatch four real quick.
The short trip provided a small mess of crappie and redear for a meal Rook would put together with Riceland Fish Fry Oil.
The short trip provided a small mess of crappie and redear for a meal Rook would put together with Riceland Fish Fry Oil.
It also would provide a look into the past. Rook’s name was at the top of the list of the Team Angler of the Year race, noted on the wall of the marina.
It also would provide a look into the past. Rook’s name was at the top of the list of the Team Angler of the Year race, noted on the wall of the marina.
The marina was the same one McKinnis started four decades ago.
The marina was the same one McKinnis started four decades ago.
Rook points out some of the names on the list of former top anglers on the lake.
Rook points out some of the names on the list of former top anglers on the lake.
In the 1960s, the marina was called Maumelle Harbor. Today, it's Jolly Roger's Marina.
In the 1960s, the marina was called Maumelle Harbor. Today, it’s Jolly Roger’s Marina.
On it’s wall is the 1968 fishing license of Juanite Kyzer, who ran the marina for years. Interestingly enough, the license was sold to her by Jerry McKinnis.
On it’s wall is the 1968 fishing license of Juanite Kyzer, who ran the marina for years. Interestingly enough, the license was sold to her by Jerry McKinnis.