November 2008:

Arizona Fishing Report

Bass Fishing:
Lake Pleasant is starting to fill with water. The change in flows has stalled the bite, but brings with it one of the most anticipated bites of the year once the water stabilizes. During the stall, spoons, dropshot, and some topwater are the best bets. Once things kick in to gear the shallow bite should just explode. Fly fishermen are still catching them on various baitfish streamers. There have been so.

Bartlett Lake has been HOT! Lots of action on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwater. There are a lot of solid 2-3 pound fish coming out right now, pretty much all over the lake. Probably the best bite in the state.
Saguaro Lake continues to put out good numbers of little largemouth. This is the place to fish with kids or beginners, as the action is very good. There are not a lot of fish over a pound, but it’s a lot of fun.

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.

Lake fishing is starting to come back around with the onset of the cooler weather, and the brown’s starting to anticipate their spawn. The next 6 weeks will kick out the biggest trout of the year.

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. The fish are staging deeper in the kelp, but are showing up in large numbers. We are seeing a lot of calico’s and still an occasional yellow. Fly fishermen are doing best with fast stripped clousers and deceivers through the boils.

Offshore & Coronado Islands:
Hit and miss. The cooler water temps have pushed most of the pelagic out and down south. There is still a great shark bite, with good numbers of blues and makos around the nine mile bank.