BY MIKE STEVENS
Both species also on tap on Lake Mohave, but the fishing is slower there
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. – Striped bass on the lower extreme of “school size” have been biting well for anglers working the shorelines near the parks below Davis Dam, but bigger linesides are starting to get picked up in the area by boaters.
“On the river this past week, there have been a lot of big fish in the 10- to 30-pound range on jerkbaits, swim baits and live black salties,” said Mike Huseman (LaughlinFishingGuide.com). “During the River King Striper Tournament, the top fish was 33.27 pounds followed by a 26.32 and many more in the 20-pound range.”
Huseman runs a very unique guide operation that puts clients in a drift-style boat more commonly associated with big rivers in say, Montana. He’ll then cover over 12 miles of the river in stealth mode and put anglers all the watershed has to offer.
Huseman went on to tell Western Outdoor News he also had 25.87 caught by Rod Albers who was throwing an RK Jerkbait on 8-pound fluorocarbon, and he said the smallmouth bass bite has also kicked off.
“Plenty of fish (smallmouth) are being caught in the early morning before the jet skis arrive, and Ned rigs in natural colors are the top baits,” he said. “Up on Lake Mohave, the smallmouth bite has been hit or miss out in deeper water on jigs dragged uphill and deep-diving crankbaits. Striped bass actoin has been on the slow side, but there are a few being picked up by trolling wide areas of the lake.”
Rusty Braun of Rusty Riviera Marina said local angler Jennifer Gonzalez was working a white jig up around the Power Lines on Lake Mohave when she connected to a 7.3-pound striper which is about the upper end of the size range that have started to perk up over recent weeks. He also said anglers using anchovies are “loading up on channel catfish” in Topock Marsh, and that trout stocking has already kicked off below Davis Dam which is great news for trout anglers and trophy striper hunters alike.