Record-sized largemouth caught on Lake Havasu

Fishing Report

LAKE HAVASU — The lake level is 447.32 feet. The average water temperature is between 59-63 degrees.

The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite is very good right now with lots of record-sized (9- to 10-pound) largemouth being caught. These largemouth bass are in their early stages of spawning and can be seen on, or near, their beds.

The smallmouth bass are in full spawn right now and are locked on their nests and quite aggressive. The use of soft plastics, such as 4-inch worms and senkos, will get them to bite in the calm waters. The best colors to use right now are Bed Bait II, War Mouth, Bold Bluegill or Oxblood with red flake.

When, or if, the wind picks up the use of stick/jerk baits like the Pointer 78 in Chartreuse Shad and the deep-diving cranks that hit the 10- to 12-foot range work well. Use these baits on the rocky points in the main basin of the lake when the wind kicks up to get both species of bass to bite.

Striped bass are in their pre-spawning stages and will likely start their full spawn sometime within the next month due to the steady rise in water temperature. These fish are temperature specific with an optimal water temperature of 63 degrees and will begin to migrate to their spawn areas -- which will be any waters where there is a slight current or steady movement of water.

The bigger fish are often affected by water temperatures more than the smaller fish.

Focus on optimal water temperature areas rather than structure of the environment right now. The bigger fish are often large and lazy, and can be caught on cut bait since they sometimes wait for scraps missed by the smaller, faster fish instead of using their energy to chase down their meals.

The use of anchovies, herring or squid is working well.

The topwater feeding pattern of the striper has not completely opened up but there have been reports of some bigger stripers being caught during the predawn hours, before sunrise, on baits such as Vixens and Sammys.

The stripers are up in the shallow waters during the dark hours feeding on crawdads. The use of these topwater baits during the dark predawn hours is beginning to produce hits. These fish tend to gradually move to deeper waters as the sun rises -- this is when the use of cut baits will work best.

The main basin of the lake, the island and as far down as Havasu Palms have been the target areas at this time. Again, pay attention to water temperatures for the best results.

Remember to practice catch and release during this spawning time to help preserve and allow the reproduction cycle to be completed.

This report was provided by Debbie Blanchard of Anglers Pro Shop -- Lake Havasu City.

The complete fishing report can be found in Thursday print editions of Today's News-Herald.

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