no bull shoals is not that far away less than 30 minutes. and I see that as a viable option. we drive that far to fish we might as well experience everything in the area that we can. and who is to say that the OI will never be on bull shoals…would be nice at least to take a look at it…IF ITS NOT A CAT ITS A DOG BASSCAT BOATS 2001 COUGAR 225 YAMAHA….www.dropshotdennys.com