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So I decided to take the new pole and rod rigs out to Willow Beach and fish the sunset bite. Only problem, there was no bite!
We got there about 2pm and decided to shack up by the fishing pier, out by the hatchery. Here were about 10 other fisherman throughout the second half of the day. No one even got a nibble. I waded in the shallow waters and it was freezing cold. It may have been part of the issue.
Also, there was a ton of moss on the bottom. Is this normal for this area?
Anyways, I wasn't so impressed with the area. If you fish on the beach, it is very shallow for quite a distance. I guess it is about 4-5 feet deep for a good 75 yards or so. Not sure what the bathymetry is of the area, but it is obvious why people from a boat do so much better.
The water is super clear in this area and I glanced down at the water off of the pier quite a bit. Never saw one fish - not even a carp.
Hopefully this area picks up once water warms up? Any advice for shore fishing from this area would be appreciated. Thanks!
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People do good shore fishing on Fridays when they stock the trout... Normally around 9 am... You can catch trout right after the plants when they hang out around Marina but after that it's really tough... Stripers roll in eat half of them and the rest swim off and get ate eventually lol... My exp from shore down there has been pittifull.... My last outing like 2 months ago the water was way down ad the moss was so thick it was damn near impossible to fish.... It's like a love/ hate thing man...: you will hate that place and just when you give up, nail a healthy striper and your hooked!!! Haha... I agree thou you need a boat down there so you can go to the fish and not waste a day waiting for them to come to you....
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The best advice I can give you is to get at Willow Beach around 7 am on fridays just before the hatchery truck releases the trout. The truck will release on the south side of the ramada/picnic table area where there is a large locked gate to access the shore line. The trout will usually hang out along the shoreline for about 4 hours then they take off to parts unknown. Also the hatchery truck is the dinner bell for striper and throwing trout plugs may hook you up with one.
If you go friday am, the trout will be on the surface for the most part and casting panther martins or rooster tails in a yellow/orange cominbation with a gold leaf will usually produce fish. I have good results using the black body Panther Martin with the three yellow spots and gold leaf. Also red/white colors will produce like the classic Dardevle.
A casting bubble with a 12-18 in. leader and a 3" power worm attached to the hook at the head giving it a tail works will. Again the yellow/orange combination does the job. Don't make the common mistake and thread the power worms like you would a live worm. Either hook it at the head or in the middle wacky worm style.
Once the fish settle in then its time to switch to power balls using a dropper loop about 12"-24" above the sinker to keep the bait out of the weeds. Since you have a two rod stamp, use this set up while casting lures on another rod.
The trout will follow the shoreline from the hatchery to the rocks with the large sign and you may have to try to find them. Sometimes they will hang out by the fishing pier on the sides and you may be able to sight fish from there. Sometimes the trout will actually swim around the inside between the pier and the shoreline but are hard to catch if they do this. They will see you and either not bite or bite and immediately spit out the hook before you can set the hook.
By noon the trout will disappear to parts unknown and by then the bite is over.
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From what i have seen the trout head down river not too long after the stocking. For a while there where quite a few holding at the boat ramp, several that were good size. The last few trips i have taken down going after the stripers i havent seen that many trout, even in the areas where we normally graph them down river. May have soemthing to do with temps and the water levels fluctuating.
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Good info.
Gvec any chance you got a reading on the temp of the water trout typically like cooler water. As far as lower numbers of trout being seen I would have to wonder if they are still planting the same amount of fish.
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It was my understanding that the water temperature is a between 50-52 degrees Fahrenheit all year long because that's the temperature of the water they let out of Lake Mead, also it is the right temperature needed for the trout hatchery.
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I had almost sworn off Willow Beach forever until I landed a fatty striper. Unless you're just chasing the bows right after the stock, the access from shore is pretty poor. Most guys that target striper are using boats to get around.
Even though the water is really clear, it can still be difficult to spot fish. Trust me, they are around. It took quite a few trips before I actually saw fish and was convinced.
I affectionately call the place Willow Beeyotch! It will grow on you if you put in some time.
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Erawk, what were you using when you caught your striper? Were you fishing from the pier?
It would be great to catch a big ol fatty, but landing it while on the pier would be a challenge in itself!
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The best time to land striper from the pier is at night during the summer months. The stripers will come close to the shoreline at the time.
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