Hot Havasu Saturday: It's been a quiet week this week as I purchased a new kayak on Monday and just got it to Mesquite Bay this morning early. Got out at 6:45 as the heat is going to...

Langer Loc: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

It's been a quiet week this week as I purchased a new kayak on Monday and just got it to Mesquite Bay this morning early. Got out at 6:45 as the heat is going to be intense all weekend only 114 today. A few degrees hotter tomorrow and Monday. I paddled about a mile south and drifted a purple worm in 20 ft of water and caught this 3 lb Largemouth. I lost three more as this plastic worm fishing has been driving me crazy. Getting them halfway or three quarters of the way to the yak and then lose them. So just not getting them hooked correctly or then again it could be my rod just not built for a bass fishing I don't know. Then I finished the morning with a two and a half pound Smallmouth which I have never caught a Smallmouth on a plastic worm so that was cool. Got off the water by 12:00 noon and it was cooking!

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Langer wrote:

It's been a quiet week this week as I purchased a ... (show quote)

Yeah brother, it's WAY hotter than I can do anymore.
When it's 115* I'm not gonna be out in it doin anything. Not even fishin.
Nice lookin fish. Glad you at least caught a few . Thanks for the pics. 🤠👍

Langer Loc: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

It's a dry heat Saw!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Langer wrote:

It's been a quiet week this week as I purchased a ... (show quote)

Nice catching Langer! I use a Medium/fast tip rod for TR and Wacky rigged worms. Once and a while I'll use my Med Heavy/fast rod if I'm fishing heavy weeds Also make sure your hooks are SHARP. I like Trokar EWG regular, and for a little more weight , Trokar Magworm hooks. 3/0 +4/0 sizes. Let the fish start swimming away with the worm before settling the hook.
When you feel the weight on the line, Rip His Lips off !
If you're using mono line you will lose half your hook setting power in the stretch of the line. I run 10lb braid with 8lb fluoro on the Medium rod and 15lb braid with 12lb fluoro on the Med Heavy rod.
It definitely takes time to get used to worm fishing, but it will pay off in the end. Thanks for the pictures of those beautiful fish.

Langer Loc: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Fredfish wrote:

Nice catching Langer! I use a Medium/fast tip rod ... (show quote)

Thanks for the tips Fred, I do use a variety of hooks and they are all sharp. But thinking about my line, I use 30 lb braid and a 5' mono leader that's 12lb which has worked well as far as no breakage. But I may try no leader to see if the stretch is killing me. While our water is clear, it's very green and I don't think the green braid would be a problem. Taking tomorrow off but I may be out Monday in that 116* heat to experiment.
When fishing in weeds its a little confusing to be getting the small bumps and many times they're bass. As I reel in often I many times see the worm has been pulled down the hook which tells me a fish was biting part of it. It's somewhat weedless with a Texas rig with a split shot a ft above the hook, on a Pflueger President spinning reel.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Langer wrote:

Thanks for the tips Fred, I do use a variety of h... (show quote)

If you find that you do need a leader, try fluorocarbon, it stretches much less than mono, and it also sinks. Most of the time bass will inhale the entire worm and swim away, and the little tail bites are either juvenile Bass or Panfish. (Worm stealers)

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Beautiful pair of bass on the LM and SM category! Wow that is some heat that would melt me like a wax figurine! I'm sure you are keeping hydrated out there...enjoy the next times you are able to get out in the new rig! Did you keep your previous set up...or part company with it?

Langer Loc: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

fishyaker wrote:

Beautiful pair of bass on the LM and SM category! Wow that is some heat that would melt me like a wax figurine! I'm sure you are keeping hydrated out there...enjoy the next times you are able to get out in the new rig! Did you keep your previous set up...or part company with it?

Well Yaker, it will probably get cleaned up and go on Craigslist for maybe a hundred bucks. I'll make somebody a good deal to be able to get out and do some fishing on the lake and enjoy themselves. Heck a rental costs over $50/day and they are big business here.
Yes I drink a lot of water but it takes a lot out of you, especially paddling around at 70!

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Nice 👍

LovetofishGuy Loc: Winchester, Ca

Langer wrote:

It's been a quiet week this week as I purchased a ... (show quote)

Mr Bass Man Nice fish. I can't handle that heat tho.

Ranger188 Loc: So Cal (Orange Co)

Well done Langer! Looks like another productive outing for you. Keep up the strong work and stay hydrated.
Tight Lines!

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

Langer wrote:

It's been a quiet week this week as I purchased a ... (show quote)

Nice fish Langer! You got more cahunas than I being out in that heat!

RuffplayOR57 Loc: Klamath Falls, OR

Langer wrote:

Thanks for the tips Fred, I do use a variety of h... (show quote)

Your setup sounds fine to me Langer. Pretty much what I do. Fred has it right as well, nothing wrong with less a long as it works. What plastics are you using, some are harder than others, and it takes a “Jerk their Teeth out”! Jerk to get the hook set?

JV3 Loc: bullhead city Arizona

What setup are you using for your worm rod..? sounds like your using a med /moderate..8-17

Langer Loc: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

RuffplayOR57 wrote:

Your setup sounds fine to me Langer. Pretty much what I do. Fred has it right as well, nothing wrong with less a long as it works. What plastics are you using, some are harder than others, and it takes a “Jerk their Teeth out”! Jerk to get the hook set?

Hey Ruff, I've had good luck with Yum 5" cranberry worms. Both largemouth and smallmouth seem to be attracted but did find a 2" crawdad in the throat of the smallmouth. Brown in color.