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Warming is now more
gradual and timely than the warm spell encountered in March. Each morning the
temperature climbs another notch toward the magical 60 degree mark that
ushers in the glory of spring fishing at Lake Powell. If the thermometer reads 58 in
the morning bass will be biting by afternoon. If the morning reading is 64
then bass will spawn. As I write this the temperature reading is 57. I am
going fishing anyway.
While waiting for bass to start the spring feeding frenzy, fish can be
readily caught with soft plastic tubes and grubs fished slowly along the
bottom. Largemouth from 3-7 pounds are still active
and waiting. Fishing for big green bass during March was more productive than
during any similar period during this decade. That great fishing will be
supplemented by a similar occurrence of big bronze smallmouth later this
month. This peak in big bass production results from the big forage years
from 2002 to 2005. Enjoy the reward of that production by spending some time
on each fishing trip pursuing bass.
While bass fishing is better in the afternoon and evening when water reaches
its warmest point, stripers are hitting in fits and spurts all day long.
There is consistent catching at the historic spots along the main channel. At
any time of day there will be active stripers biting in one of the following
locations.
The dam has striper schools moving in and out and along both canyon walls.
Patience will be rewarded with a school of moving fish coming under your
boat. They are not bashful about eating once they get in range.
If your arrival at the dam is in between schools then try Buoy 1 at the
intersection of Wahweap Creek and Main channel. From there the next stop is
the mouth of Antelope canyon and the first corner inside the canyon. From
there, move uplake past Antelope marina to the Power Plant Intake area where
moving current attracts stripers. The intake is under the chain link fence on
the canyon rim on the right hand side of the channel when headed upstream.
Buoy 9, a bit further upstream marks a good rockslide and a cove that are
very good striper holding spots. At any location lots of chumming with finely
cut anchovies followed by a chunk of bait on a jig head, Carolina rig, or with no weight at all will
entice hungry stripers into your boat.
My favorite fishing strategy this week is to fish the backs of the canyons
for whatever I can catch. Use a tube, grub or jerk bait to fish the shore and
rock structure for whatever bites. Bass, stripers, walleye, crappie and
sunfish will be encountered along the way. I have small baits for panfish and
big baits for stripers and bass all hooked up and ready on a variety of rods.
When a pod of active fish is detected just pick up the correct rod and catch
fish. It is exciting fishing.
I prefer Rock Creek and Last Chance for fast fishing in the spring.
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