October 30th, 2014
With cooler temperatures, bass are chasing down crankbaits, buzzbaits and top-water lures in some of our desert impoundments. Rainbow trout stockings are coming from Phoenix to Yuma. If you didn’t know, it's absolutely one of the best times to "Fish AZ."
The Salt River chain lakes Saguaro, Apache and Canyon will be stocked with trout next week. The lower Salt River and the "core" Community Fishing Program waters in Phoenix, Tucson and Payson will get their trout loads the following week (Nov. 9-15), followed by Tempe Town Lake and Yuma waters Fortuna, Redondo, Somerton and Yuma West (Nov. 16-22).
Get out for trout. If you happen to wet a hook just after fish are stocked, try fishing near the surface (and on the surface), especially around first light.
"Bartlett bass" are on fire, as usual. Or go for some good ol' "Bartlett bass." Bartlett Lake remains a hot spot for these smaller largies. although some lately have been reported up to 2.5 pounds. Best bites are on top-water lures (such as Ricos), crankbaits, buzzbaits, and Berkley Powerworms on Texas rigs and shaky-head rigs. Many bass are in 2-10 feet of water. Shoreline anglers can go to Rattlesnake Cove and fish some of the points (tip: try casting parallel to the shore inside of just outward). Surprised we aren't getting more Angler Reports from Bartlett. Send your photos and reports to BFishing@AZGFD.gov.
Speaking of Angler Reports, follow our new Fish AZ blog for more updated information and occasional from-the-water articles and videos, such as those from a recent kayak, fly-fishing excursion for trout, bluegill and crappie at Payson's Green Valley lakes (which were recently stocked).
Or follow me on Twitter @NickFishAZ.
Get out while the bass bite is hot. With upcoming desert-region nights in the 50s, it probably won't be long until fish will be in more lethargic winter feeding patterns. In essence, their metabolism slows down and they might only have to eat a single shad every day or two to maintain their body condition.
On the other hand, during the prime fall bite, a bass might gobble up lots of shad and feed four, five or six times each day. That's why catch rates can increase in the fall, and decrease significantly in winter. Right now, we could be in that in-between stage with bass not quite in winter patterns, but not really in full autumn feeding patterns.
Go prepared to fish at 15-30 feet deep, but also be prepared with your top-water arsenal just in case you discover fishing gold -- bass chasing shad at the surface.
See our Fish&Boat Arizona map for directions to these waters and other top fisheries. back...
The Salt River chain lakes Saguaro, Apache and Canyon will be stocked with trout next week. The lower Salt River and the "core" Community Fishing Program waters in Phoenix, Tucson and Payson will get their trout loads the following week (Nov. 9-15), followed by Tempe Town Lake and Yuma waters Fortuna, Redondo, Somerton and Yuma West (Nov. 16-22).
Get out for trout. If you happen to wet a hook just after fish are stocked, try fishing near the surface (and on the surface), especially around first light.
"Bartlett bass" are on fire, as usual. Or go for some good ol' "Bartlett bass." Bartlett Lake remains a hot spot for these smaller largies. although some lately have been reported up to 2.5 pounds. Best bites are on top-water lures (such as Ricos), crankbaits, buzzbaits, and Berkley Powerworms on Texas rigs and shaky-head rigs. Many bass are in 2-10 feet of water. Shoreline anglers can go to Rattlesnake Cove and fish some of the points (tip: try casting parallel to the shore inside of just outward). Surprised we aren't getting more Angler Reports from Bartlett. Send your photos and reports to BFishing@AZGFD.gov.
Speaking of Angler Reports, follow our new Fish AZ blog for more updated information and occasional from-the-water articles and videos, such as those from a recent kayak, fly-fishing excursion for trout, bluegill and crappie at Payson's Green Valley lakes (which were recently stocked).
Or follow me on Twitter @NickFishAZ.
Get out while the bass bite is hot. With upcoming desert-region nights in the 50s, it probably won't be long until fish will be in more lethargic winter feeding patterns. In essence, their metabolism slows down and they might only have to eat a single shad every day or two to maintain their body condition.
On the other hand, during the prime fall bite, a bass might gobble up lots of shad and feed four, five or six times each day. That's why catch rates can increase in the fall, and decrease significantly in winter. Right now, we could be in that in-between stage with bass not quite in winter patterns, but not really in full autumn feeding patterns.
Go prepared to fish at 15-30 feet deep, but also be prepared with your top-water arsenal just in case you discover fishing gold -- bass chasing shad at the surface.
See our Fish&Boat Arizona map for directions to these waters and other top fisheries. back...
