Arizona Fishing

[Dinger2410]

I'm stationed out in Yuma, AZ been here for about 4 years just really started fishing out here more this year but I'm having a really tough time trying to figure out what these fish like.  Im originally from GA and I really had no problem there drop shotting, jiging or cranking in deep water but out here just cant get in my groove.  Any pointers guys??

[Darren.]

Have you tried wacky rigging various sizes of worms?

Eg., standard colors with varying flakes like the Zoom Finesse worms in watermelon, green pumpkin (and try variations within those colors)

Next go up to the Yamamoto Senko, thinking along the same color scheme and variations.

And check local tackle shops for suggestions on what works in local lakes.

[Dinger2410]

I have tried a few types of worms I have had a little luck with the Yamamoto senko watermelon  but usually right around dusk  nothing mid day with that.  Tried pumpkin zoom as well, But i haven't tried wacky rigging

[Darren.]

I have tried a few types of worms I have had a little luck with the Yamamoto senko watermelon  but usually right around dusk  nothing mid day with that.  Tried pumpkin zoom as well, But i haven't tried wacky rigging

What kind of areas are you fishing? Laydowns?

If drop shotting, see if you can find Yamaminnows. They're pretty deadly on the drop.

[haydenf96]

Just fished the WON bass High School tournament. I am in the same situation, coming from MA it is a lot different. Drop shot is the main key I have found. If you fish Roboworms in Morning Dawn and Aaron's Magic those are good basic colors. Also where do you fish?

[Dinger2410]

What kind of areas are you fishing? Laydowns? If drop shotting, see if you can find Yamaminnows. They're pretty deadly on the drop.

Most fish around down trees couple of stumps   no laydowns though.

[Dinger2410]

Just fished the WON bass High School tournament. I am in the same situation, coming from MA it is a lot different. Drop shot is the main key I have found. If you fish Roboworms in Morning Dawn and Aaron's Magic those are good basic colors. Also where do you fish?

I fish Lake Mittry and Lake Martinez 

[sarcazmo]

AZ fishing is TOUGH.

 

If you can get to sag right now though a lot of good fish being caught out of it.  Probably the best bass fishery in the state atm.  Apache isnt bad either, just such a pain to get to.

[PESCAHOLIC]

While it's been years since I've fished down there, I'm fortunate enough to have spent a few hundred days on the lower river from Walter's Camp to Martinez and can say that for me, I throw a lot of reaction baits and cover a lot of water, but also won't hesitate to throw a split shot worm or lizard in to a back eddy.

 

I prefer to fish the main river more than the backwaters and a few things I key in are this:

 

1) Back eddy's, you will find them anywhere the river bends a little, a tule clump or rock in the river, sand bars, back water entrances, wing dams, etc)

2) Deep water nearby (deep is relative in that part of the river...it could mean as little as 6', but the change in depth is what I key in on)

3) Edges where the main river meet back eddy's, the edge of the eddy will often be deeper than the main current and you will often work these areas with your bait working itself back up river in the eddy)

4) Combinations of rock, tules, current, deep water, and back eddy's (if you find a spot where they all converge you will get bit...maybe not today, but that's the stuff you're looking for)

5) Pockets along the main river in tules or bamboo (I'm talking about pitching in to ANY pocket that could be as small as throw cushion, but that has slower water moving through it)

6) I find a spot I like and work up river as much as my trolling motor will permit, and throw up-current dragging the baits downhill

7) I don't often find several fish in the same areas and don't often catch several fish in the same exact spot

8) Jigs flipped into a pocket in the main river have accounted for my biggest fish, cranks and blades are right behind that

9) As for colors and baits, I prefer 3/8 oz jigs in brown/purple, brown brown, and black/purple. Cranks in chartreuse, fire tiger, and craw (regular sized fat-rap has always worked well to get just deep enough and have enough lip to bounce over a snag...sometimes). Plastics with modified Carolina rig (worm wight with small split shot stopper) and short leader (16" -20") and 3/16 oz almost exclusively, in purple with blue fleck, witches ***, and pearl with chartreuse. Blades tandem willow 2/4 or Colorado main blade combo in 3/8 or 1/2 oz with white and/or chartreuse skirt, with white/chrome/chartreuse/copper blades. Topwater I use very aggressive baits like buzz baits and spooks in any color, but will certainly throw frogs and Senko's in the pockets.

 

Obviously topwater is good in the warmer months (deadly on the main river near back eddy's). Plan on losing tackle because you gear will get dragged in to the junk by the current. If you keep a lure knocker/pole handy it will help...but the current drags you away pretty quickly. I din't mention trees because while there are plenty of trees, for some reason I have not found that isolated trees on the main river are better than the the tule clumps. I suppose the tules allow more of a 'break' in the current that tree branches, but trees in the back eddy's are as good as any other piece of cover. I also don't fish many backwaters because the area I launch from at Walter's does not have many, and I have not fared well on the days i spent closer to Martinez in the lakes and large backwaters. Not saying there's not fish there because there must be, but I found more success and fun fishing the main river. Your mileage may vary!

 

Anyways, I could go on and on and I'm having fond memories of fishing that water as I write this. Hopefully this helps a little and please say hello to the river for me!!!

 

Rob