04-01-2014, 06:27 PM
The water being released from Mead and Mohave is filling up in Topock Marsh.
http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/rive...m?GAGE=500
Flooding the reed beds and tules makes for some exciting heavy cover fishing for larger bass. We were catching bass in 20" or less water at times The bass on the edges were biting lightly on weightless plastic for the most part, but in the thick cover there was no doubt when you got bit. They'd smack it and run deeper into the cover. Bring braid and your flippin' stick. Males are on nesting patterns but not locked on in warmer water. Some weed-lines are beginning to form. Best spots were a channel edge within a boat length of the reed lines.
Course Topock is know for numbers and not size. I hooked the biggest bass I ever had on at Topock on Thursday...maybe 4lbs. She was off the reeds on the channel edge. We did not fish the stump flats.
It is now possible to launch from North Dike and travel all the way to Catfish Landing if you are careful and stay mostly right. Personally, if you are launching at North Dike, I'd stay off the lower marsh in strong winds as many salt cedar stumps lurk just under water and the shallow nature promotes stronger swells.
Downside is the water entering the marsh at the Topock Farm Ditch is colder and downstream of the release at the Ditch you will find colder water in the channel while up by North Dike it is about 5° warmer... 69° near North Dike and 62° in the lower marsh.
Free BLM dry camping nearby where the Reservation Lands abut the BLM and reasonable motel rates in Needles or Fort Mohave.
A 4x4 truck is nice on the small concrete ramp but not required. No dock there. There were a lot of small minnows at the North Dike ramp in the evenings.
The launch parking can accommodate about 7 trailer rigs so plan for an early start..after that you are parallel parking.
Mosquitoes were out at dusk and carry West Nile so be prepared. AZ priced fuel and ice are available the the gas station corner of US 95 and Courtwright Road. For AZ non resident license ...maybe at the Wal Mart or K Mart in Bullhead City or online.
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http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/rive...m?GAGE=500
Flooding the reed beds and tules makes for some exciting heavy cover fishing for larger bass. We were catching bass in 20" or less water at times The bass on the edges were biting lightly on weightless plastic for the most part, but in the thick cover there was no doubt when you got bit. They'd smack it and run deeper into the cover. Bring braid and your flippin' stick. Males are on nesting patterns but not locked on in warmer water. Some weed-lines are beginning to form. Best spots were a channel edge within a boat length of the reed lines.
Course Topock is know for numbers and not size. I hooked the biggest bass I ever had on at Topock on Thursday...maybe 4lbs. She was off the reeds on the channel edge. We did not fish the stump flats.
It is now possible to launch from North Dike and travel all the way to Catfish Landing if you are careful and stay mostly right. Personally, if you are launching at North Dike, I'd stay off the lower marsh in strong winds as many salt cedar stumps lurk just under water and the shallow nature promotes stronger swells.
Downside is the water entering the marsh at the Topock Farm Ditch is colder and downstream of the release at the Ditch you will find colder water in the channel while up by North Dike it is about 5° warmer... 69° near North Dike and 62° in the lower marsh.
Free BLM dry camping nearby where the Reservation Lands abut the BLM and reasonable motel rates in Needles or Fort Mohave.
A 4x4 truck is nice on the small concrete ramp but not required. No dock there. There were a lot of small minnows at the North Dike ramp in the evenings.
The launch parking can accommodate about 7 trailer rigs so plan for an early start..after that you are parallel parking.
Mosquitoes were out at dusk and carry West Nile so be prepared. AZ priced fuel and ice are available the the gas station corner of US 95 and Courtwright Road. For AZ non resident license ...maybe at the Wal Mart or K Mart in Bullhead City or online.
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