What about crappie in San Carlos, any info?
Very nice. Appreciate picts.
Just a thought… Not a good idea to use Washington regs for Arizona lakes.
The river Between Eleven Mile Res and Spinney is tops.
Try smoking. That helps with bones and flavor. Still a touch muddy taste but in cold water and spring runoff they’re better.
Cats start at the Arkansas River at its exit from the Rockies, at the inlet to Pueblo Res. They are plentiful in the reservoir, the outlet and below. As it nears Pueblo it gets harder to get to the water due to private property. There are good spots exerting Pueblo with access. Further downstream it becomes harder to find access. You will recognize holding pools all up and down.
Good fishing
Structure is the most important study in finding fish. Buy a Topo map of the lake. Figure the footage from the High Water mark to actual current water level and subtract from the Elevation shown on Topo Map. Look for points, ledges, slopes, sunken islands, rapid elevation changes, holes, old roadbeds, underwater bridges, etc.. These locations provide places to hide, to attack prey and to eat. Anything that may offer your target THE place they searched for. sun block, current changes, all manner of locations that offer some fish just the spot of their choosing. Then boat to a spot and analyze the existing structure for shade, logs, boulders, trees, weeds, predator attack spots, any structure that provides protection or food.
To sum up: Fish Structure!
I use snap swivels most of the time. Until I know exactly what works best, and that may take a while. I’m sure it has some negative effect on presentation but I’m sure that having my bait in the water longer because I don’t have to keep re-tying proves out more productive. I’m not hesitant to change when I see or feel some reason to change. My fingers sometimes turn into thumbs anymore so this helps.
In regards to a lead sinker putting a ding in your fly rod: I have used the tiny strips of lead (comes in a pack that looks like a matchbook) pull off a strip, break it to the size you need and wind around your line. Used them for years when nymph fishing and never a ding. Available in any fly shop.
Very nice linkers. Don’t even need to gut them just filet and skin or just take the shoulders for fish tacos. There are plenty in the lake and they multiply rapidly and by removing them you allow them to get bigger and have more.. Also something I like is they can active ALL day so you don’t have to be there at sunrise.
Mark Nelson wrote:
The little I have recently heard about San Carlos is, it has been almost empty the last few years. The recent storms has brought the level up but there isn't much in the way of fish being caught.
RatherB.Fishn: San Carlos used to be a world class crappie fisherie. Average take home 20+lbs. usually a 3 pounder every 20 fish kept (limit). That was 10 years ago. They have drained it several times since. If the water level stays or rises it still has the potential to produce. I’m waitin’.
Metro parks close at 9 pm. If you get there with time to get all set up before dark you can have a beautiful evening fish.
You might try the metro ponds. Red Mountain is closest to you in Gold Canyon, (I’m in Gold Canyon also). They stock good sized channel cats regularly in season. Fish from bank. Everything works: Hot dogs, chicken liver, beef liver, night crawlers, stink bait, etc. I quit stink bait because, well it is stinky. I try to stay with bait that stays on the hook best rather than having to rebait all the time. Best place to set up? Closest to the car is good. I made a tackle cart from an old manual golf cart that I can put everything in that helps a lot. Some places have benches which can be a boon if you’re old like me. Use a line that casts easily, strength is not a dominate factor. Treble barbs cause problems, especially if you’re out in evenings, (love late evening fishing there).
They stock trout in winters and cats in the warmer months. They run 1-2-3 pounds, are excellent farm raised channels and delicious. You can be there in 20 minutes from here. You can also pick up nice sized bluegill next to the west Island.
Maybe run into you sometime.
Tight Lines.