There are many differences in Lake Dardanelle from the last time the Elite Series was here in May 2014. Most of them aren’t conducive to bass fishing success, like the high, muddy water. But there’s one important inch of change that could have a big impact: the minimum length limit for largemouth bass is now 14 inches instead of 15 inches.
There seemed to be a constant chorus of groans three years ago from anglers catching bass measuring from 14 1/2 to 14 7/8ths inches.
“That’s going to help a lot,” said Mike Iaconelli, who finished sixth here in 2014. “A lot of fish here are 14 1/2 to 14 3/4. I weighed some in practice that are honest to goodness two-pounders.”