HELLO BFTR'S::
JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE HAD ANY INFORMATION ON LAKE HAVASU. I WILL BE HEADING DOWN ON MARCH 9-13 FOR SOME STRIPER AND BASS FISHING.. I WILL BE TOWING MY BOAT AND HAVE NO LIMITS ON WHAT I CAN DO.. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREAT.
THANKS FOR THE HELP!
HUNTFISHHARD
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[cool][#0000ff]Should be a good time. There will be some stripers chasing shad around the edges and maybe some spawning largies. Look for coves with reeds for spinner bait and crankbait action.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I'm assuming you will be launching out of the State Park ramps at Havasu. That is more or less in the middle of the lake. You can run upriver to the narrows where there are some flats and weed beds...or you can go south for deeper water. The area around the inlet of the Bill Williams river is reedy and marshy. That can produce some topwater action when temps are right.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fishing for the stripers there is a lot like fishing them at Powell. They feed on the shad so they will hit shad imitating lures. Sometimes you have to deep jig them. Other times you can get them by fishing chunks of anchovies when you find a school. They used to grow big in Havasu but most fish these days are small. But, if you find a school in one of the coves you can stay busier than you would like to.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I used to live in Phoenix and have a cousin who lives there. Fished it a bit and stayed in touch with what was going on most of the time. But, it has been awhile and things do change. You would be well advised to do some web surfing and check the reports...both local and southern cal reports that include Havasu.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You need to take two things. 1. Lots of sunscreen. 2. Very strong sunglasses. Not only is there a lot of sun and heat, but serious eye-strain potential from all of the college crowd "activities". If you wanna get messed up in that stuff, go to one of the supply places in Havasu and buy up a bunch of Mardi Gras beads. They make great bait if you wanna get a good look at the "wildlife".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most of the markets in town sell frozen anchovies, and there are several tackle shops. Also, lots of boat dealers and repair places in case you need some work done.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck. We wanna see your video "stripers gone wild" when you get back.[/#0000ff]
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THANKS FOR THE INFO TUBEDUDE!! I HAVE SOME CLOSE FRIENDS THAT LIVE THERE THAT HAVE GIVEN ME THE SAME ADVICE AS YOU. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE RESPONSE.. MY WIFE ACTUALLY THINKS I AM TALKING THE BOAT JUST TO FISH!
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]. I WILL SEND SOME PICS FOR SURE.. I HAVE HEARD THAT TROLLING LIPLESS CRANKS WITH DOWN RIGGERS AND JIGGING FOR THEM IN DEEP WATER IS A GOOD TACTIC. I SAW A PICTURE OF A 42 POUNDER CAUGHT AT THE END OF DECEMBER. THAT KIND OF GOT ME EXCITED.. APPRECIATE IT..
THANKS
HUNFISHHARD
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[cool][#0000ff]I don't know if you have ever successfully worked the wipers on Willard, but most of the same lures will do fine for Havasu stripers. Hard to beat lipless cranks in silver with blue or black back. If you have any of the prism shad producers I'm guessing they would be dynamite.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you have riggers, then watch the sonar and adjust the depth accordingly. As with most species, you will do better trolling just above the fish, rather than right in them or below them.[/#0000ff]
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You do understand that Havasu is infested with Quagga Mussels, right? Please take special care to completely wash your boat when you leave the lake. Rinse all live wells and bilges with clorine solution to kill the babies. Closely inspect and pressure wash with hot (min temp 140 F) to kill any larve or adults that may have attached to your boat. Lastly, do not launch your boat in any un infested water for at least 1 full week after removing it from Havasu.
For more info read Waynes Words at the Lake Powell website.
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Mine is just an FYI..... ( my mom lives there)
The only thing I can add to the great TD info is the Lake Havasu raised the stupid alcohol related tickets from $700 to $2200 this year. Makes having that brewski not worth the price.
It might be a good year for checking the pawn shops for items pawned for bail $$$....
Have a great trip....
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The bass are starting to bed right now. Stay out of the rivers unless you have a shallow draft boat. There is enough fish habitat in every cove to keep you busy for a month. Look at westernbass.com/forum and click on southwest. These guys will have up to date accurate information.
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