Arizona Fishing

Well I figured since we have a AZ Hunting thread, maybe we could get a fishing thread going as well.

Post here about your fishing spots, your setup, bait you use, and of course pictures.

I am a little "newer" to fishing here in Arizona. I grew up fly fishing up in Montana, so I am always open to tips and techniques for catching fish here in AZ.

 

I'm headed up to lees ferry tomorrow morning. Probably using 9' 5 weight double nymphs and an indicator (zebras) or scuds. Maybe some dries . I'll try and put up some pics when I get back.

 

Right on man, let me know how you do.

If you can when you get back, post pics of your setup!

Have fun, and a bad day fishin' beats a good day not fishing.

 

coltstrd is a huge fishermen I'm sure he will come posting in here soon

 

OP--methinks you will be disappointed with Arizona fishing after Montana. I grew up in Colorado an eon or so ago when the fishing was fantastic. Now I find that fishing here is just an excuse to get out of the house.

 

Where in Montana Brody? I've spent a ton of time up there.

I'll second this. Lees Ferry is really the only area I have fished that remotely compares to anything I've fished in Montana Colorado or Idaho. Ive had some really good days up there. Theres some spots along the rim that you can fish but you're chasing really small browns mostly or stocked young rainbows. I'm usually throwing a 6' 2 weight up there to get around all the low hanging trees.

 

Yeah I mean as far fly fishing goes, I have never done it here in Arizona. The fishing up North is far better I would imagine.

My moms side of the family is all from Western Montana. Helena all the way to Butte and Deer Lodge and Beaverhead Nat'l Forest.

 

The best fly fishing , other than the ferry is in the white mountains.
Lots of big brownies up there , including the state record. Tons of small stream fishing too.

http://www.wmatoutdoors.org/

Az

 

Once the ice comes OFF ... I'm there. Great escape from the summer swelter!

 

Nice! I spent a bunch of time in Bozeman when I was younger (almost went to MSU) and my girlfriends family is from Missoula and White Fish. I'll be up there for a couple weeks this summer. Her family owns the Depot in Missoula if you're familiar with any of the Missoula bar scene.

 

I've been to Missoula a few times, but not since I have been of age to drink. I will have to check it out.

I go up there for the 4th of July every year if I can.

So much fun in Montana.

 

That is awesome. Sounds like I need to make a trip up North to do some fishing.

Nothing like trout either. Yum.

 

Agreed. It's a nice diversion, just don't plan on catching a ton or many lunkers.

I'll chase largemouth here and there for the challenge. Right now until late April you can try and sight fish for them in the shallows, bothering them enough on their spawning nests until they strike. I like to use a small jig for that.

I have a secret smallmouth spot, but enough about that.

I don't fly fish but if you hit the right places at the right times you can limit on stockable trout in a couple hours. Artificial I prefer z-rays, spoons, and panther martins, otherwise I'll use worm or powerbait and just kick it. You can go after big browns (3-5lb+) but it's hard and they're few and far between. Love ice fishing, but it's tough getting to the better lakes with the roads closed.

I do catfish/carp hunting at night July-Sept to catch some 10-15lb+ fish. Usually don't keep any. Fairly easy... any desert lake will do.

By far my favorite fishing is night fishing from a boat with a light with minnows. Anchor up in a spot, drop the light and listen to a game with a cold one. Once the action starts it can be hectic. There have been times at Bartlett when two of us caught 50+ crappie and stopped because we didn't want to clean more, and two of us have caught 45+ white bass/stripers in one trip at Pleasant although 20-30 is more common.

 

Getting a Bass Boat in a month or 2. Gonna get the Bass Tracker Pro170 at Bass Pro.

I use Fenwick & St. Croix Bass rods and have 1 G-Loomis Drop Shot rod.

I use Shimano reels as well. Currently using the Shimano C4s...great reels.

I'm a spinner and worm kinda guy, they've never let me down. I prefer the KVD Tandum Spinners and Robo worms! The GULP! Series from Berkley work amazing too. Was out at Bartlett last week and caught a few nice bass out of the cove next to the boat launch area. The water is down (53%) so the bushes and trees are making for excellent cover...the fish seem to be in about 6-8 foot of water near the drop offs from the bushes.

 

We need to get a group together and go fish for some flatheads soon!!!!

 

sub'd

 

They have a place on Flathead that they go to every summer so I think the lady and I will be going up the 6th of July for a week or so.

 

I'd be down for a TW fishing meet. Headed up to Roosevelt next weekend to slay some large mouth

 

I heard Rosey is doing pretty good. I went to a seminar at bass pro last week and the guys said it was a little slow but Texas rig and drop shots with robos were the ticket. They said pleasant sucks which I already knew that LOL!