09-05-2007, 03:10 PM
Rory's Tip
Striper fishing is HOT, HOT, HOT at Lake Pleasant. The reports keep rolling in from angler after angler catching dozens of hard-fishing striped bass at night using frozen anchovies, especially in the northern coves over submerged creek channels (fish freeways at night). Hot nights, hot fishing and frozen anchovies - what a combination.
By the way, a new state record 27-pound striper was caught at Pleasant a couple of weeks ago. Judging by the level of striper activity at this lake, the record may not stand for years like the last one.
Even with the full moon, the striper bite at Pleasant might not slacken much at all - your lights just won't work as well. But try chumming small pieces of anchovies instead when your fish finder shows fish (and sometimes even when it doesn't).
The full moon is heading our way on Aug. 28, which means you can probably put away your submersible crappie lights. But don't despair, just get out your black baits for big bass.
It is tough for crappie lights to outshine a full moon high in the sky (check times for moon sets) to attract plankton, shad and ultimately sport fish. But it is still a superb time to target largemouth bass using dark or black baits, or even black topwater poppers. Bass will be cruising the shallows off-and-on through the night looking for shad and crayfish. Having a big bass explode in two feet of moon-reflecting water will get your heart pumping fast.
If you are looking for a true fishing adventure, try the Willow Beach area below Hoover Dam - the desert bighorn sheep are still in the rut, trout are stocked from the federal fish hatchery there, and huge stripers come in to find on the stocker trout. It's a superb recipe for a fun summer adventure on the water.
Another fantastic fishing hole for late summer is Lake Powell where strategic chumming with frozen anchovies can get you all the striped bass action you can handle, day or night. Plus, you can fish for hungry largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, or try for some delectable walleye (see Wayne's Words below).
Want to stay close to home and fish? Check out the urban fishing report below to see who is catching what where.
Great news - the drought starved fisheries in the Williams area have received lots of runoff thanks to torrential rainstorms in that are the past couple of weeks. What a relief. With just a little time to settle down, those lakes should be worth a visit.
The bad news is runoff wiped out the road into Rose Canyon Lake on Mt. Lemon, so it's walk-in fishing only.
The high country lakes are still producing lots of action, especially those along the Mogollon Rim. Remember, those Rim lakes have benefited from bonus stockings of more than 20,000 trout, including some larger "incentive" ones throughout the summer. They are jam-packed with hungry trout. You just have to discover their culinary desires.
One angler, Mike Cuevas, landed an 8-pound 8-ounce rainbow trout at Willow Springs by slow trolling Nitro bait in the middle of the lake, adding, "One of the incentive trout? If so, thanks AZGF. You made all those hours of fishing worth it. I am a firm believer of catch-and-release, but this one is going on the wall."
Another angler who didn't give his name caught a 6-pound walleye just after sunset at Show Low Lake (a new walleye record this fall wouldn't surprise me).
For those of you who thought it would take years for Long Lake to come back after almost drying up, you can now gracefully eat your words. It's back. We are getting good reports of anglers catching 12- to 14-inch rainbows there, along with some nice northern pike as well.
Now if you really want some fishing fun, the frog bite for largemouth bass is on fire at Lake Havasu. Just prior to daybreak and again at sunset, throw artificial frogs to the shad pockets along the base of the tulles. Then get ready for a blow up. If none occurs, twitch the frog slowly back across the weed mat with a pause of a few seconds and slowly work the frog back to the boat. Here's why: Largemouth sit under the base of these mats and ambush the bait when it falls off the weed break line.
Get out and catch some memories. Maybe I'll see you out there.
Fishing News
Urban catfish stockings resume Sept. 17-22<br />
The Urban Fishing Program catfish stockings are scheduled to resume on the week of Sept. 17-22, but that doesn't mean you can't catch fish right now if you choose even though the catching is a little slow at times.
This fall, a total of four catfish stockings are planned at two-week intervals before fish stockings switch over to rainbow trout in mid November.
Fishing at Urban Program waters will remain slow throughout the summer. Catfish can still be caught, especially from the larger lakes, with bluegill, bass and carp still providing some fun for persistent anglers.
Want input on the Table Mesa Road?<br />
On July 1, the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department and Bureau of Reclamation "began enforcing" the restriction on motorized vehicle use in the Agua Fria conservation area at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. They said that the decision to enforce Park Rule R-107 was made to ensure public safety and to protect the conservation area.
Currently, the agencies are preparing a long-term plan for the area and would like to hear from community members who recreate there. If you would like to be a part of this effort, please plan on attending one of the upcoming public meetings listed below: meetings listed below:
Thursday, Sept. 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.<br />
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department<br />
Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/doc/Directions.aspx<br />
41402 N. 87th Avenue<br />
Peoria, AZ 85383<br />
(602) 372-7470<br />
Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.<br />
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department<br />
Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/doc/Directions.aspx<br />
41402 N. 87th Avenue<br />
Peoria, AZ 85383<br />
(602) 372-7470<br />
Monday, Sept. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.<br />
Albins Civic Center http://www.blackcanyoncity.org/map.htm<br />
19005 E. K-Mine Road Center<br />
Black Canyon City, AZ 85324<br />
(623) 374-5234
Central Arizona
URBAN LAKES - Scheduled to resume catfish stockings the week of Sept. 17-22.
Edward McCartney said he had his best day ever on Alvord Lake using King Kat chicken blood stink bait and caught two 2-pound catfish and one 4.5-pound catfish. "I also caught a few good size carp on the same bait, so I had one of the best times fishing there in a long while. Just wish my dad could of been there with me."
Brett Garon caught a 6-pound catfish at Red Mountain Lake using hot dogs soaked in vanilla extract, adding, "Whoever said the catfishing was poor is crazy. I am catching my limit daily with some fish in the 4-pound range and a 7 pounder caught last night."
Rob Gresser took his two girls, ages 6 and 8, and they both caught three catfish each at Desert Breeze. "I caught my limit of four with one that was 28 inches long. The line would barely hit the water and they were biting."
Michael Tracy caught channel catfish at Papago Park using dough bait under a bobber, adding that catfish seem to like shad-flavored dough baits. "However, so do the turtles."
TEMPE TOWN LAKE - Bass fishing is poor to fair for largemouth bass, catfish, bluegills and yellow bass. Plastics and crankbaits worked around the ledges and docks can work well during the early morning and right before dark. Channel catfish averaging 1 to 2 pounds will bite stink baits, hot dogs and shrimp. Carp fishing is excellent using corn and dough bait. Remember no gas motors are allowed (trolling motors are) and you must have a boating permit, which can be obtained at the Town Lake operations center.
LAKE PLEASANT - Striper fishing is HOT, HOT, HOT.
The reports keep rolling in from angler after angler catching dozens of hard-fishing striped bass at night using frozen anchovies. A new state record striper was caught here recently. This is a fishing hot spot for both striped bass and largemouth bass, and there are plenty of white bass to catch as well.
Chris Burton caught 12 stripers while fishing between 6:30 and 8 p.m. using clear topwater walkers over the boils.
Another angler who gave his name as Jim used frozen anchovies in 40 to 100 feet of water near the 1702 marker about 10 p.m. at night and caught 40 to 50 stripers in about three hours including several in the 5-pound range.
Jeff Harrington used anchovies under lights in 40 to 45 feet of water and caught more than 80 stripers from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., with most in the 1- to 4-pound category and four tipping the scales at 10-plus pounds. "Yet another astounding night of fishing. My thumb was bloody from lipping so many fish. I will have to wear gloves next time. Fishing is still RED HOT!"
Erick Johnson caught a 5-pound largemouth bass using a Texas-rigged 7-inch black with blue stripe Robo worm while fishing cove walls at sunset a Agua Fria arm of the lake.
Margie and John Anderson fished Pleasant a few weeks ago and although the whites and stripers were wandering as usual, they caught a few on spoons when there were boils. "We caught LOTS of largemouth on steep rocky banks in the Humbug, though. We fished Texas rigs (they wouldn't touch a split-shot rig!) with 4-inch Aaron's Magic Robo Worms and just dragged them down the banks. The storm moved them out just a bit deeper, because the first day they were right on the bank, but the second day (Monday) they were about 8-10 feet from shore and we also caught bigger ones that day. Biggest was only about 3 pounds, but we caught two dozen or more smaller ones during the morning. Lots of fun!"
Dale White caught a 24-inch striper using a popper on the outside of boils.
Don Padilla caught 40 fish in three hours including largemouth bass, white bass and striped bass using 1/8-ounce KastMasters in the morning.
Another angler reports using anchovies to catch 30 3- to 4-pound stripers, one 10 pounder, and a few 3- to 4-pound channel catfish in the Castle Creek area of the lake.
Scott Webster used KastMasters cast past the boils to catch white bass and striped bass, adding that there were boils in pretty shallow water. He also caught a couple of nice largemouth bass using Carolina rigs. He measured the surface water temperature at 84 degrees.
James and Rebecca Silva "ripped up the stripers" using frozen anchovies while fishing from shore near the marina. They landed 25 fish averaging 2 pounds and the largest was 5 pounds. The bite stated mid morning and last several hours.
An angler named Bev used a Lucky Craft Sammy to catch a 7-pound, 14-ounce largemouth bass at 5:30 a.m., adding, "He did not explode onto the lure, just sucked it down. I thought I was hung up for a moment. Then he pulled straight down."
Bruce Chandler said a 4.2-pound largemouth bass using a drop-shot rig in 8 to 10 feet of water with a dark red Power Worm.
Striper fishing is great at night near the marina tires, the intakes, or in the northern coves at night under lights, especially over submerged creek channels (bass super highways at night). If you can, catch live shad and use for bait. Frozen anchovies, minnows and ¼-ounce jigs with a 2-inch pearl white curly tail grub will also work.
There is a good topwater bite at first light for stripers, whites and largemouths, but sometimes the best bite occurs in the late morning. The bite at first light is often inside the coves. The late-morning bite is typically along the major points, islands and reefs of the main lake.
Channel catfishing should be good as well, day or night using stink baits.
ROOSEVELT LAKE - There have been some decent inflows lately, which infused the lake with some added nutrients at the end of the growing season.
Mike, Tom and 7-year-old Devin (the real pro) used crankbaits fished in 4 to 12 feet of water along rocky shorelines using a slow to medium retrieve while fishing from daylight to 2 p.m. and caught almost 40 fish. Most were slot fish, but the trio also caught three 3-pound largemouth bass, one 4-pound largemouth and one "feisty" 4-pound smallmouth, adding that live worms and plastics provided nothing.
This is still a good time to fish at light using submersible lights. There are few reports from crappie anglers, but bass anglers have been doing well, including for some lunkers.
Also expect some good topwater action at first and last light. On some days, especially on cloudy ones, there might be topwater action off-and-on throughout the day. This action typically increases in late summer and on into September, then hits a crescendo in October. This is a good time to start figuring out the pattern.
Larry Mills caught 10 largemouth bass with five keepers, with one at 3.5 pounds caught by Pam Mills, while trolling a Rapala d16 crankbait in 20 to 30 feet of water, adding that his 11-year-old Justin Williford caught two short keepers and two slots, which he let go.
Jim Smith caught 10 largemouth bass, three channel catfish, and one 20-inch carp. He caught the bass on Shad Raps and Countdown Rapalas in 15 to 20 feet of water and the catfish on hot dogs and the fat from leftover steak fished in three feet of water at night from shore.
Storms ripping through have made night fishing a little challenging at times, but the daytime bite has picked up with the more moderate daytime temperatures. Some anglers report catching bigger bass off points, ledges and Islands around 15 feet to 30 feet. Best time is three hours before dark or at first light using watermelon or pumpkin colored jigs. There is also a morning topwater bite.
There is a quarter moon this weekend, which means floating and submersible lights should be effective. We have no reports from night crappie anglers here lately. On
Striper fishing is HOT, HOT, HOT at Lake Pleasant. The reports keep rolling in from angler after angler catching dozens of hard-fishing striped bass at night using frozen anchovies, especially in the northern coves over submerged creek channels (fish freeways at night). Hot nights, hot fishing and frozen anchovies - what a combination.
By the way, a new state record 27-pound striper was caught at Pleasant a couple of weeks ago. Judging by the level of striper activity at this lake, the record may not stand for years like the last one.
Even with the full moon, the striper bite at Pleasant might not slacken much at all - your lights just won't work as well. But try chumming small pieces of anchovies instead when your fish finder shows fish (and sometimes even when it doesn't).
The full moon is heading our way on Aug. 28, which means you can probably put away your submersible crappie lights. But don't despair, just get out your black baits for big bass.
It is tough for crappie lights to outshine a full moon high in the sky (check times for moon sets) to attract plankton, shad and ultimately sport fish. But it is still a superb time to target largemouth bass using dark or black baits, or even black topwater poppers. Bass will be cruising the shallows off-and-on through the night looking for shad and crayfish. Having a big bass explode in two feet of moon-reflecting water will get your heart pumping fast.
If you are looking for a true fishing adventure, try the Willow Beach area below Hoover Dam - the desert bighorn sheep are still in the rut, trout are stocked from the federal fish hatchery there, and huge stripers come in to find on the stocker trout. It's a superb recipe for a fun summer adventure on the water.
Another fantastic fishing hole for late summer is Lake Powell where strategic chumming with frozen anchovies can get you all the striped bass action you can handle, day or night. Plus, you can fish for hungry largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, or try for some delectable walleye (see Wayne's Words below).
Want to stay close to home and fish? Check out the urban fishing report below to see who is catching what where.
Great news - the drought starved fisheries in the Williams area have received lots of runoff thanks to torrential rainstorms in that are the past couple of weeks. What a relief. With just a little time to settle down, those lakes should be worth a visit.
The bad news is runoff wiped out the road into Rose Canyon Lake on Mt. Lemon, so it's walk-in fishing only.
The high country lakes are still producing lots of action, especially those along the Mogollon Rim. Remember, those Rim lakes have benefited from bonus stockings of more than 20,000 trout, including some larger "incentive" ones throughout the summer. They are jam-packed with hungry trout. You just have to discover their culinary desires.
One angler, Mike Cuevas, landed an 8-pound 8-ounce rainbow trout at Willow Springs by slow trolling Nitro bait in the middle of the lake, adding, "One of the incentive trout? If so, thanks AZGF. You made all those hours of fishing worth it. I am a firm believer of catch-and-release, but this one is going on the wall."
Another angler who didn't give his name caught a 6-pound walleye just after sunset at Show Low Lake (a new walleye record this fall wouldn't surprise me).
For those of you who thought it would take years for Long Lake to come back after almost drying up, you can now gracefully eat your words. It's back. We are getting good reports of anglers catching 12- to 14-inch rainbows there, along with some nice northern pike as well.
Now if you really want some fishing fun, the frog bite for largemouth bass is on fire at Lake Havasu. Just prior to daybreak and again at sunset, throw artificial frogs to the shad pockets along the base of the tulles. Then get ready for a blow up. If none occurs, twitch the frog slowly back across the weed mat with a pause of a few seconds and slowly work the frog back to the boat. Here's why: Largemouth sit under the base of these mats and ambush the bait when it falls off the weed break line.
Get out and catch some memories. Maybe I'll see you out there.
Fishing News
Urban catfish stockings resume Sept. 17-22<br />
The Urban Fishing Program catfish stockings are scheduled to resume on the week of Sept. 17-22, but that doesn't mean you can't catch fish right now if you choose even though the catching is a little slow at times.
This fall, a total of four catfish stockings are planned at two-week intervals before fish stockings switch over to rainbow trout in mid November.
Fishing at Urban Program waters will remain slow throughout the summer. Catfish can still be caught, especially from the larger lakes, with bluegill, bass and carp still providing some fun for persistent anglers.
Want input on the Table Mesa Road?<br />
On July 1, the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department and Bureau of Reclamation "began enforcing" the restriction on motorized vehicle use in the Agua Fria conservation area at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. They said that the decision to enforce Park Rule R-107 was made to ensure public safety and to protect the conservation area.
Currently, the agencies are preparing a long-term plan for the area and would like to hear from community members who recreate there. If you would like to be a part of this effort, please plan on attending one of the upcoming public meetings listed below: meetings listed below:
Thursday, Sept. 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.<br />
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department<br />
Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/doc/Directions.aspx<br />
41402 N. 87th Avenue<br />
Peoria, AZ 85383<br />
(602) 372-7470<br />
Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.<br />
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department<br />
Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/doc/Directions.aspx<br />
41402 N. 87th Avenue<br />
Peoria, AZ 85383<br />
(602) 372-7470<br />
Monday, Sept. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.<br />
Albins Civic Center http://www.blackcanyoncity.org/map.htm<br />
19005 E. K-Mine Road Center<br />
Black Canyon City, AZ 85324<br />
(623) 374-5234
Central Arizona
URBAN LAKES - Scheduled to resume catfish stockings the week of Sept. 17-22.
Edward McCartney said he had his best day ever on Alvord Lake using King Kat chicken blood stink bait and caught two 2-pound catfish and one 4.5-pound catfish. "I also caught a few good size carp on the same bait, so I had one of the best times fishing there in a long while. Just wish my dad could of been there with me."
Brett Garon caught a 6-pound catfish at Red Mountain Lake using hot dogs soaked in vanilla extract, adding, "Whoever said the catfishing was poor is crazy. I am catching my limit daily with some fish in the 4-pound range and a 7 pounder caught last night."
Rob Gresser took his two girls, ages 6 and 8, and they both caught three catfish each at Desert Breeze. "I caught my limit of four with one that was 28 inches long. The line would barely hit the water and they were biting."
Michael Tracy caught channel catfish at Papago Park using dough bait under a bobber, adding that catfish seem to like shad-flavored dough baits. "However, so do the turtles."
TEMPE TOWN LAKE - Bass fishing is poor to fair for largemouth bass, catfish, bluegills and yellow bass. Plastics and crankbaits worked around the ledges and docks can work well during the early morning and right before dark. Channel catfish averaging 1 to 2 pounds will bite stink baits, hot dogs and shrimp. Carp fishing is excellent using corn and dough bait. Remember no gas motors are allowed (trolling motors are) and you must have a boating permit, which can be obtained at the Town Lake operations center.
LAKE PLEASANT - Striper fishing is HOT, HOT, HOT.
The reports keep rolling in from angler after angler catching dozens of hard-fishing striped bass at night using frozen anchovies. A new state record striper was caught here recently. This is a fishing hot spot for both striped bass and largemouth bass, and there are plenty of white bass to catch as well.
Chris Burton caught 12 stripers while fishing between 6:30 and 8 p.m. using clear topwater walkers over the boils.
Another angler who gave his name as Jim used frozen anchovies in 40 to 100 feet of water near the 1702 marker about 10 p.m. at night and caught 40 to 50 stripers in about three hours including several in the 5-pound range.
Jeff Harrington used anchovies under lights in 40 to 45 feet of water and caught more than 80 stripers from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., with most in the 1- to 4-pound category and four tipping the scales at 10-plus pounds. "Yet another astounding night of fishing. My thumb was bloody from lipping so many fish. I will have to wear gloves next time. Fishing is still RED HOT!"
Erick Johnson caught a 5-pound largemouth bass using a Texas-rigged 7-inch black with blue stripe Robo worm while fishing cove walls at sunset a Agua Fria arm of the lake.
Margie and John Anderson fished Pleasant a few weeks ago and although the whites and stripers were wandering as usual, they caught a few on spoons when there were boils. "We caught LOTS of largemouth on steep rocky banks in the Humbug, though. We fished Texas rigs (they wouldn't touch a split-shot rig!) with 4-inch Aaron's Magic Robo Worms and just dragged them down the banks. The storm moved them out just a bit deeper, because the first day they were right on the bank, but the second day (Monday) they were about 8-10 feet from shore and we also caught bigger ones that day. Biggest was only about 3 pounds, but we caught two dozen or more smaller ones during the morning. Lots of fun!"
Dale White caught a 24-inch striper using a popper on the outside of boils.
Don Padilla caught 40 fish in three hours including largemouth bass, white bass and striped bass using 1/8-ounce KastMasters in the morning.
Another angler reports using anchovies to catch 30 3- to 4-pound stripers, one 10 pounder, and a few 3- to 4-pound channel catfish in the Castle Creek area of the lake.
Scott Webster used KastMasters cast past the boils to catch white bass and striped bass, adding that there were boils in pretty shallow water. He also caught a couple of nice largemouth bass using Carolina rigs. He measured the surface water temperature at 84 degrees.
James and Rebecca Silva "ripped up the stripers" using frozen anchovies while fishing from shore near the marina. They landed 25 fish averaging 2 pounds and the largest was 5 pounds. The bite stated mid morning and last several hours.
An angler named Bev used a Lucky Craft Sammy to catch a 7-pound, 14-ounce largemouth bass at 5:30 a.m., adding, "He did not explode onto the lure, just sucked it down. I thought I was hung up for a moment. Then he pulled straight down."
Bruce Chandler said a 4.2-pound largemouth bass using a drop-shot rig in 8 to 10 feet of water with a dark red Power Worm.
Striper fishing is great at night near the marina tires, the intakes, or in the northern coves at night under lights, especially over submerged creek channels (bass super highways at night). If you can, catch live shad and use for bait. Frozen anchovies, minnows and ¼-ounce jigs with a 2-inch pearl white curly tail grub will also work.
There is a good topwater bite at first light for stripers, whites and largemouths, but sometimes the best bite occurs in the late morning. The bite at first light is often inside the coves. The late-morning bite is typically along the major points, islands and reefs of the main lake.
Channel catfishing should be good as well, day or night using stink baits.
ROOSEVELT LAKE - There have been some decent inflows lately, which infused the lake with some added nutrients at the end of the growing season.
Mike, Tom and 7-year-old Devin (the real pro) used crankbaits fished in 4 to 12 feet of water along rocky shorelines using a slow to medium retrieve while fishing from daylight to 2 p.m. and caught almost 40 fish. Most were slot fish, but the trio also caught three 3-pound largemouth bass, one 4-pound largemouth and one "feisty" 4-pound smallmouth, adding that live worms and plastics provided nothing.
This is still a good time to fish at light using submersible lights. There are few reports from crappie anglers, but bass anglers have been doing well, including for some lunkers.
Also expect some good topwater action at first and last light. On some days, especially on cloudy ones, there might be topwater action off-and-on throughout the day. This action typically increases in late summer and on into September, then hits a crescendo in October. This is a good time to start figuring out the pattern.
Larry Mills caught 10 largemouth bass with five keepers, with one at 3.5 pounds caught by Pam Mills, while trolling a Rapala d16 crankbait in 20 to 30 feet of water, adding that his 11-year-old Justin Williford caught two short keepers and two slots, which he let go.
Jim Smith caught 10 largemouth bass, three channel catfish, and one 20-inch carp. He caught the bass on Shad Raps and Countdown Rapalas in 15 to 20 feet of water and the catfish on hot dogs and the fat from leftover steak fished in three feet of water at night from shore.
Storms ripping through have made night fishing a little challenging at times, but the daytime bite has picked up with the more moderate daytime temperatures. Some anglers report catching bigger bass off points, ledges and Islands around 15 feet to 30 feet. Best time is three hours before dark or at first light using watermelon or pumpkin colored jigs. There is also a morning topwater bite.
There is a quarter moon this weekend, which means floating and submersible lights should be effective. We have no reports from night crappie anglers here lately. On