Hi all,
My friends and I will be at Mead (Callville Bay) during Memorial Day weekend later this month. This is the first time we will be fishing the Boulder Basin. I usually fish the Temple Basin (Temple Bar) during the fall and winter months. I also fished Overton Arm last year around this same time.
Does anyone have any hot spots for stripers in the Boulder Basin (preferrably near Callville Bay)? Any particular coves? I have heard that Hole 33 and Saddle Clove are great for stripers. Is this true? If we're using anchovies, how deep should we go? My preference would be to catch either the small ones (1 lb or less) or the monsters. The mid-range stripers (4-6 lbs) tend to have the "fattier" meat that doesn't taste as good.
We will be staying in a houseboat but we will also have a separate fishing boat. Given that we will be there in late-May, it's going to be extremely hot during the day, so trying to go for stripers off the fishing boat won't be likely. However, I wouldn't mind trying from the houseboat where there is some shade.
MY BIGGEST QUESTION is where's the best location to put a houseboat ashore? I want to be able to fish off the houseboat at night so a good cove is extremely important. I would also like to have our backs facing East-Southeast since most of the wind comes from that direction.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
Paul
[signature]
Launching from Callville, I'd be tempted to go towards Crawdad Cove. That should be protected in places from the prevailing S or SW winds this time of year by the peninsula of Black Island. It's shallow sloping bottom back there in places. Downside is emergent willows and weed growth. The water has been dropped about 5 ' over last 6 weeks and that could present problems for clean shore access in Crawdad. Just have to check it out...I know there is one sandy spot.
You could also maybe anchor in the NW side of Gov't Wash and that is good striper fishing and a very short run to the Vegas Wash, Gypsum Wash and 33 Hole. Beaching the houseboat there you could have access to your vehicle easily by driving in the Vegas Wash road. Not as protected from wind.
Saddle I would not bother with this time of year – more a winter place when trout are being planted.
Of course bait for striper's - some locals buy cans of cat food and chum with that. Also with a cast net you may be able to get live shad – preferred this time of the year. Maybe there will even be a surface bite or you can spoon for them. Shade is just non-existent – unless you bring your own.
Last place close (about 7 miles from Callville) for houseboat anchoring is back inside 3 Finger Cove. That might shade up in very late afternoon. You find these places on Lake Mead fishing map. First day on the water if you go to Vegas Wash near the old Vegas launch ramp, you will see the guide boats. Please respect their areas – it's their living, but they know where the fish are.
[signature]
Hello Thomas,
Wow, thank you for that detailed response. I am very grateful for your advice. Anytime you need good fishing spots in the Temple Basin or Overton Arm, just let me know.
Anyway, I had a couple follow up questions, and I would appreciate a little more info if you could please.
1. You recommended Crawdad Cove because it [size 1]should be protected in places from the prevailing S or SW winds this time of year by the peninsula of Black Island. I looked at a map of Boulder Basin, and can see where Crawdad Cove is in relation to Black Island. Has the water level dropped so much that Black Island has turned into a peninsula by connecting to Roadrunner Cove? Or is the peninsula you're referring to the peninsula that is directly adjacent to Crawdad Cove? I have also heard good things about Boxcar Cove. Do you have any insight as to Boxcar?[/size]
[size 1][/size]
[size 1]2. Is Hideaway Cove out of the picture? From the map's perspective, Hideaway Cove looks pretty good. However, it doesn't take into account the significant water level drops nor does it obviously show whether there are any stripers there.[/size]
[size 1][/size]
[size 1]3. When you refer to Gov't Wash, are you talking about the Lower Gov't Wash or Upper Gov't Wash? In studying the map, I believe you are suggesting that we anchor in the Lower Gov't Wash. Are there a lot of sandy beaches in Lower Gov't Wash? What's the water quality like in Lower Gov't Wash, i.e., clear blue, muddy or green? [/size]
[size 1][/size]
[size 1]4. Cat food? I would have never thought of that. My cousin actually built a metal screen box (about the size of 2 baseballs)...and the idea was to smash a bunch of anchovies into it in order to attract the stripers.[/size]
[size 1][/size]
[size 1]5. Bottom line - We're looking for the 1 lb stripers. Yeah, they're small but they taste much better than the larger ones. I don't know why that is. Where would you recommend we go to catch the 1lb stripers? Crawdad, Boxcar, Lower Gov't Wash or Hole 33? [/size]
[size 1][/size]
[size 1]Again, thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate the great advice, and we will most definitely be mindful of the guides. They won't have to worry about us too much since we're only going for the smaller stripers.[/size]
[size 1][/size]
[size 1]Best regards,[/size]
[size 1][/size]
[size 1]Paul[/size]
[signature]
Paul,
I'm going off memeory here - the map is in the Skeeter. Boxcar is OK If memory serves - lies behind and NW of Black Island. Black Island is a peninsula. see this link:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n=3...atum=nad83
Map is centered on what I think is an OK location. See the road into Crawdad. Some launch waterfleas there off gravel shoreline. Water is green to clear going towards green if enough vegetation present...
Gov't Wash - see this link:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n=4...ayer=DRG25
In upper Gov't Wash.
Good anchoring and good for netting shad. Good striper fishing in that bay and the surrounding reefs and points. Water is green to clear
Hideaway Cove I don't know about. Water level is at 1132 and dropping....
Definitely cat Food! the cheap stuff. about 2 to 3 cans a morning...
All through these areas you'll find smaller stripers cause they can tolerate the warmer water temps which the bigger stripers can't. So no worries...fish to 5 lbs., but most around 1 or 2 pounds. I'd take my aux. boat and go chase the guides on the first day. Before sunrise you will find them down by Gypsum Wash or in the shallow backs of Vegas Wash netting shad. see this link:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n=3...ayer=DRG25
map is centered on where most guides start the day..
Guides are also going for the small stripers and numbers for their clients. Just don't crowd them...Then they might even give you some tips.
Thanks for the offers on Overton and Temple. I've fished Temple a few times, also Overton areas and Echo but don't know it as well as Boulder Basin cause the travelling time. There's probbaly a good bass bite going on in these areas about Memorial Day if you're so inclined.
Now knowledge about Mojave water - I'd be interested in...
[signature]
Hey Thomas,
Again, thanks for all that useful information. I think we'll start off at Crawdad Cove and see how it goes from there. My only concern is that half of the people aboard the houseboat will be spending a lot of time in the water. I am hoping that the water is not too green (meaning the water is more green than blue). I'm used to the clear blue water in the Temple Basin. They may not like the "greener" waters, which may result in us having to head east toward the Narrows.
I will definitely give the catfood a try. Is there any particular brand that works better than others? Also, if we can wake up early in the morning, we will definitely give Upper Gov't Wash a try. Most of the people aboard are going to be staying up late so I have a feeling that the "fishermen" of the houseboat will be fishing through the late night hours. However, I'm sure we could head to the Gov't Wash around 5 p.m., and try to take advantage of the early evening bite before it gets too dark.
Well, thanks again Thomas. Sorry, I can't give you any info on Mojave. I've never fished there but I do hear that they have some monster stripers down there.
Best regards,
Paul
[signature]
Seeing as how you are gonna be on a "Party Barge", I'd give my preference to Gov't Wash. the water will be clearer and if you want you can have a vehicle adjacent the houseboat on shore for those "essential runs" to the store.
Just get some fish based cat food. Bait doesn't come on the Skeeter cause I'm a bit of a purist about using lures, but I know it works. Laker Plaza on Lake Mead highway will have lures - shad swimbaits. Food4Less at Lake Mead and Boulder Highway has anchovies inexpensive and dry ice and of course beer! there is a Wal Mart in same shopping area.
If you park at Gov't wash then you can fish night from shore or from the house boat and there are several good places right there - 150 yds of hiking.
Sometime I'll tell you about catching large dropshot bass while listening to classic rock and country western - actually OK - despite my prejudices for jazz - depending on who's the disk jockey and these people had a talented one IMO.
it's more vital you get to your moorage early - I realize how difficult this will be - but that part of the lake there are fewer really good spots. Being on the water when the sun comes over the horizon is best for a striper surface bite. or netting shad.
Here is exactly where I'd aim for. This bay can maybe fit 2 or 3 houseboats before you feel like your in a housing project. So get there early. Remember the Topozone needs to adjusted for water level so the red cursor is about water's edge. The small cove SW of that is dry or muddy land.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n=4...ayer=DRG25
[signature]
Thanks Thomas. I definitely want to avoid the large crowds. As you know, jet skis and fishing don't mix. The Food4Less is an excellent suggestion since dry ice is a much better source to chill our "essential" supplies. Anchovies at the dock will likely be expensive as well so I wouldn't mind stocking up at the Food4Less.
Well, I'll let you know how everything goes, and thanks again for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.
Best regards,
Paul
[signature]
Hey Reellittlephish,
Thanks again for all your advice. Please see my posting re Memorial Day Trip.
Best regards,
Paul
[signature]
I saw. Sounds like a good trip for you.
[signature]
Yeah, it was a good trip but I can't wait for my 8 day trip in October to Temple Bar. Depending on the number of friends I can convince to join me, I'll likely stay in a tent or cabin for the first few days, and then get a houseboat for the last four days. God, I can't wait. The water and the fishing just seem so much better at Temple Bar. There, the water is pretty clear and blue. Boulder wasn't bad but it's not as clear. I don't know if that's because it's closer to the Grand Canyon.
Anyway, thanks again. Hope you make the most of your fishing trips at Mead. Man, I tell you...if I lived in Boulder or Henderson or even Vegas for that matter, I would hit up Mead every weekend. There simply are no lakes in Southern California that even comes close to Mead.
Best regards,
Paul
[signature]