April 23, 2008
By Wayne Gustaveson
Lake Elevation: 3591
Water Temp: 53-64
F
The grand predictions of our last fish report were blown away by a week of windy weather. All the positive variables remain firmly in place awaiting a warm day. Water temperature this morning was still in the low 50's. All the fish are poised for the early morning temperature to reach 57-60 F. When that happens, which may be as soon as this weekend, the fun begins.
A few largemouth bass have spawned. Usually the largest fish are the first to make beds in prime spots. The majority of the population will be moving shallow this weekend and next week, weather permitting. Even those that spawned previously will come back to the nest they abandoned and spawn again with the next warm spell.
Jacob Berry with prespawn bass from Wetherill Canyon.
If a nest is found, cast slowly descending plastic baits (senkos, flukes)
right on to the nest ring and watch the male bass rush over to grab the lure
and haul it away from the nest. Some just grab the tail and never get the
hook in the mouth but it is sure fun to watch them work. Return males caught
on the nest so they can protect the young from predators.
If no nests are seen in clear water, go to the back of the canyon where the
green and brown water meet. This zone warms up sooner and provides bass and
crappie a warm spot to live while waiting for real warming. Brush piles will
hold largemouth and crappie, while smallmouth bass will be on rock ridges,
terraces and points. Use your favorite technique in these conditions. The
fish won't care and will take all incoming lures and offerings.
Stripers remain in the channel where they can be caught by the tubful with
anchovy bait and copious chumming. There is not a lot of forage this time of
year. Most of the stripers are small enough that they can eat plankton to
maintain their body while waiting for a fish dinner. The plankton supply is
most abundant in the upper 20 feet of the water column so many stripers are
in the upper zone. That makes them prime targets for shallow trolling lures
as well as bait. I have effectively used Wally Divers, various rattletrap
types, and bevy shad to consistently catch mature male stripers. The trick
is to find them.
Wally Diver lure in black and silver
My search pattern has consistently led to striper schools holding on the
breaking edge of a long point. By long, I mean at least 100 yards or more.
Follow the shallow point (5-12 feet) out until it breaks from 20-25 feet and
goes quickly to a depth of 40 feet or more. Follow that 25 foot sharp
breaking contour to find stripers holding right on the edge at 25 feet. When
a school is located, troll back and forth over the spot or mark the school
and hold with the trolling motor while chumming to keep them in place. This
allows you to find your own private fishing spot and not have to share it
with others in the popular (dam, Moki Wall) or well known striper fishing
spots. If it's your first time, go fish with the anglers at the Dam or Moki,
to see their techniques, get a few tips and measure success.