August 2008:

Arizona Fishing Report

Bass Fishing:
Lake Pleasant continues to lead the way for topwater action. The striper boils are still going strong. Good numbers of fish are being caught on a variety of topwater baits and swimbaits, and fly fishermen are still catching them on various baitfish streamers. There have been some big largemouth showing up in the boils as well, so no telling what could happen on any given cast.

Roosevelt Lake has been kicking out some great largemouth bass over structure. Lots of solid fish showing up in 20-40 feet of water. Big worms and jigs are the name of the game here. The late summer - fall outlook is very exciting!

Trout Fishing:
Oak Creek Canyon is still fishing well, with lots of rainbows still aggressive. Some browns are mixed in here and there. There is still an occasional hatch, so some dry fly action, but most action is coming on the droppers. If you’re new to fly fishing get out while the fishing is good as this is an awesome place to learn.

Rim streams have been hit and miss. There are a couple places where some difficult hiking can get you in to some big browns. One of our clients last week caught 18 fish over 20 inches out of one stream, including a 25 incher. This is serious backcountry, but a lot of work can pay big dividends.

Lake fishing is starting to come back around with the onset of the monsoons. Trout around the Flagstaff area and in the White Mountains are starting to eat again. This bite should just get better as the fall gets closer and closer.

Pike Fishing:
Lake Mary has slowed a bit, with tough days still the norm. The monsoons and cooler temperatures should bring the water temps back down and the fishing should pick up any day. Usually late summer and early fall is the best time of the year for aggressive topwater action for pike.




San Diego Fishing Report

San Diego Bay:
Great fishing continues in the bay! Good numbers of bay bass, sand bass, and calico bass are still showing up. The halibut have also been showing up in good numbers, as well as an occasional corvina, bonefish, barracuda, and shark. Small jigs, swimbaits, and live anchovies have been the best bet. Fly anglers are having good success with small clousers and crab pattern flies on sinking lines.

Coastal Kelp:
The kelp bite remains good and is picking up. Calico bass are starting to crash bait on the surface. Topwater baits, irons, and swimbaits are catching good numbers of bass and barracuda. There is also a good bite on live anchovies lower in the kelp, with some white sea bass and halibut also showing up in the mix. Fly fishermen are doing best with fast stripped clousers and deceivers through the boils.

Offshore & Coronado Islands:
The albacore have arrived!!! We’re still not seeing the wide open bite, but Captain Barry says good albacore boils are showing up about 40 miles out. Jigs and feathers trolled in between boils are also picking up fish. Get out while the fish are here! It shouldn’t be long before the yellowtail start to show on the islands. The bait is thick around the north island and pukey point, so when they arrive it should be wide open fishing for a while.