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We are thinking about going to Lake Mohave and staying at Cottonwood Cove the first part of April or so.
Does anyone have any input to share about the area?
We are thinking of staying at the rv park or motel and would have kayaks.
Some of my questions would be: Is the area sheltered somewhat from the wind if it picks up and are there bays or coves to get into in that area to hide from the wind? What fish should we target in that area that time of year? Any other hints or input would be appreciated.
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[cool]I haven't stayed at the motel at Cottonwood but have camped many times. I camp at the campground that is closer to the lake, kinda behind the swim beach. It tends to be more sheltered from wind.
There are all kinds of coves and small bays to hide in from the wind in you yaks. As for target species go for largemouth and smallmouth bass getting ready for the spawn. You may get into some stripers as well. Good luck out there.
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Thanks for the hints BigE. I will report if we make the trip.
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When you guys go for large/small mouth do you guys usually head north or south toward the main body of Mojave? The map looks like there is more coves north of cottonwood, but I never been there before. Planning on heading over this sunday if its not too windy.
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I wouldn't cross my fingers on the weather... I'd go north. South into the main lake is no good if the winds come up and you are in anything smaller than a BIG boat.
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Weather report is for wind Saturday ...maybe slacking off on Sunday. When it's nukin' a kayak might feel a bit unstable. I don't know anything about them but I know I wouldn't go out in a canoe in a high wind on Mojave. For blowing conditions the coves just north of Cottonwood on the west bank offer some shelter and I'd throw surface baits like spooks on points.
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As of now the weather NWS site says 2mph winds sunday afternoon on Mojave. If that holds we'll head down there otherwise I guess its vegas wash or echo.
So there are fish north of cottonwood? Is that generally better than the main lake area or is it kinda all the same? Want to make it a point to try and fish that lake when possible this year, at least until striper seasons starts up again.
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Greg,
There are places both above and below Cottonwood which are good. The installed habitat draws fish. Where you'd go depends on your ride...bass boat, canoe, kayak, tin boat.
April...start seeing more recreational traffic, water fleas and more drunk boaters. Good for bass all the way up to Aztec Cove. Personally I think the west side has a better selection of coves, channel edges and points. You might start there. The bass do not seems to travel as much as they do on Mead.
I'm thinking to visit on Monday through Thursday.
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Thanks dude, we got a bass boat. I'll post how we do.
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Is there a ''toll'' booth at cottonwood? I havnt been down there in a few years.
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Same as Lake Mead. So if you have your Lake Mead stickers you are good down there.
Personally... I have never seen the gate manned myself. But I always get to the lake/ramp just before sunrise.
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Ya I will never buy those stickers. I've lived here my whole life and that lake has done nothing but go down hill. I refuse to pay to get into that park unless they start using the money to improve or heaven forbid clean the sh*thole up. The south end of the lake is disgusting. They have bulldozed almost all the roads at govt wash so they can keep you where they want. I have a boat so that don't effect me as much but its still gross. Where is all that money going? Probably to raise those damn suckers and frogs in our "trout" hatchery.
So I will just keep my normal routine and get there before daybreak.
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Got a bunch of bites on a drop shot rig, but they kept spitting it out when I try to set the hook... The one that did stick fell off the hook as I lifted it into the boat. doh! Almost a good first attempt on that rig. My friend claims he got a hit that didn't stick on a top water spook type bait, but I didn't see it. So zero fish that day, but at least it was a nice day of exploring.
FYI, the guard shack is manned. We went over around 2 pm for the afternoon bite. Also, I have been in the area to attempt to go hunting around there (no luck on birds, but we did surprisingly see a mule deer doe), and the shack was manned at first light as well.
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They may not of been spitting it out. Betting they were hitting the weight on your dropshot rig. Seen that a ton of times. Especially if they are more suspended. They hit the weight on the way down before you hit bottom. If you want to confirm next time out, just change out your dropshot weight for a jig of equal weight. You will get hung up typically a ton more though. Why I don't do that. Still legal. 2 hooks on the line.
I've never been down there later in the day. I always hit the ramp around the 30 minutes before posted sunrise time so that puts me by the shack around 40-45 minutes before posted sunrise. Same on Mead time wise but earlier yet on the gate time since I usually cruise all the way north to Echo. The only time I have ever encountered the shack manned is in the first few weeks of January when they are there early to catch the fishermans for the year... The last several years they have got me for a annual pass in early January then I don't see them again for the rest of the year. This year so far my boat and truck are stickerless.
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In this case, I could see them gulp the lure and it would come flying out when I set the hook. I thought the same hooks I used for bait fishing would work, I was wrong. I'll be getting some drop shot hooks for next time. I'll try the jig on the bottom as well. Thanks for the tip!
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Very nice bucketmouth there... very nice!!!
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