For those interested, Google Earth has Lake Powell imagery dated 3/17/16 so it'll give you a pretty good idea of the current lake levels. It's a good tool to use to do a little pre-trip lake scouting & to give those that are new to this side of the lake a good bird's eye view of the lake & associated side canyons.
Current lake elevation has been pretty stable lately at the current reading of 3591'. For comparison - last year's elevation was about 3590', 2014 at 3676', 2013 at 3596', 2012 at 3635' and 2011 at 3611'.
Also, if there's anybody interested in this trip I have a possible open back seat so let us know....
Can I get some info on good places to fish. I need some help. GPS cord or cove name will help.
I have a map & insight on GPS
Thanks
TIm & Jane
Timbo - download google earth & I'll show you & whomever else wants to know the areas that have worked for us/me in the past.....
More to come!
Ok Timbo and whomever else wants to play at home - Here's some Google Earth screen shots. Easiest I can make it but you'll need to go to Google Earth along with referring to your Fish-n-Maps Lake Powell North map. Tried to include quick hyperlinks but not able given time I had. And not trying to give away anybody's secret spots but in my opinion it's all about helping the group catch fish.
As I was schooled during my first time on the lake - Place to start is by fishing the rock rubble shelves wherever you find them by either using BB or cast various types of jigs. Everybody has their own favorite and style of fishing jigs so learn on the fly.
Right Across from the Hall's Crossing boat ramp troll around this island at various depths. Deep drop off about a football field length uplake of island but using BB troll both main channel side of island along with the opposite (north) side of island. The other pin drop right across from the main channel from Hall's Marina is a flat with humps & valleys. Watch your depth finder for the changes in depth and fish accordingly but sharp rocks here w/ gear loss.
(http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/cousinlll/Halls%20Ramp%20Area_zpselkhtzh7.jpg)
Traveling uplake around mile 106 is Forgotten Canyon on your right along with a rock slide cove on your left. Fish the rock rubble.
(http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/cousinlll/Mile%20106%20Area_zpsmokm5n6w.jpg)
Uplake at mile 104 is Crystal Springs on your right and Hansen on your left
(http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/cousinlll/Mile%20104%20Area_zps2akhs5lw.jpg)
Uplake at mile 107 is Knowles Canyon on your right. Lots of rock rubble to fish
(http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/cousinlll/Knowles%20Canyon_zpshmrjpimn.jpg)
Uplake at mile 110 is Warm Springs on your left and Cedar Canyon on your right. The flats & valleys outside Warm Springs on the north side of the main channel has been good also.
(http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/cousinlll/Mile%20110%20Area_zpskjqol9up.jpg)
Downlake from the ramp at approx mile 90 is Brian's Wall which is a smallish rock slide on the main channel
(http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/cousinlll/Brians%20Wall_zpsukxlhmmb.jpg)
Downlake at mile 81 is Slick Rock Canyon w/ lots of rock rubble
(http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/cousinlll/Slick%20Rock%20canyon_zpswp2y12cr.jpg)
Excellent Larry. Timbo, we have caught fish at all of these at one time or another. We mostly troll BB but you'll also see bass, bluegill and an occasional crappie at several of these sites so it's good to have a rig ready.
The first canyon down past Brian's Wall is Lake Canyon. If you follow this all the way back, there were some trees that we caught crappie on. Also in the back of Warm Springs same thing. Good alternatives to escape the wind if it gets bad out on the main channel.
All the other screen shots LLL put up is where I fish also. The key is to find the rock rubble, and drop offs as stated above. I like to troll, so most of my fish come on the BB. Jigs are very effective as well.
One thing I'd like to remind people of if you have an Ipilot, or Ilink. Be careful in the canyons with steep walls. Last year I lost GPS signal, and my trolling motor started running at 10 straight for a canyon wall. I was lucky to get it turned off in time, and sustained minimal damage. It only happened once way in the back of Forgotten Canyon, but it was scary.
That's all good stuff there. Thanks for sharing.
Great stuff guys! Can't wait!
Last package just arrived from Cabellas and I made a Bass Pro run last night. For those new, LLL mentioned sharp rocks, I can not overstate the need to ensure you have new/newer quality line. Everyone has their own favorites and/or oppinions but it will significantly decrease how many jigs or bottom bouncers you loose. I like 14# fire line for my casting jigs and 20# fire line for my bottom bouncer rods. I know many that go as high as #50 power pro and only loose 2 or 3 BB's the whole trip. I have been with some who use old line, and they loose 20-30 rigs a day, no joke. Also keep in mind, the minimal tackle sold at the marina is crazy expensive. I am so ready to set some hooks!!!!
Thanks for all the info. What kind of jigs do I need for smallies?
I'm soooo looking forward to this trip
Timbo
Timbo, sent u a text message with photos. Text me if u didn't get them. 623-687-4487. Any type of tube jig 3 to 4 inches in a crayfish looking color will work great for the smallmouth and believe it or not catfish. Hard to fish them deep so not that many walley on them, 1/4 to 1/2 oz tube jig head. Do an all around rig, love the 5 inch Yamamto Grubs in Pumkinseed with a 5/8 oz narrow head jig head for jigging for walley, Smallies, stripers. You can't go wrong with that set up, toss it to shore at a rockslide and hop it down the rocks into deeper water, just hold on for the wrist breaking hits.
Keeping this a multi topic thread. Don't forget, if u expect your worms to take care of u, u better take care of them. Frabill makes very cheep worm bedding. It comes in a dry block for like $3 and you soak just enough for the day with cold water. Don't get lazy, new bedding and a rotation of new worms every day. Keep them cold but not frozen as they will die very quickly if below 32 degrees or even kept warm for a few minutes. Also, one dead worm will quickly kill the rest so dispose of any dead or cut worms. On the boat I use a small cooler with the bedding and a frozen bottle of water to keep them cool. Just remember to wrap the frozen bottle with a paper towel or run it under warm water to melt just a little of the outside. Otherwise any worm that touches the bottle will stick and freeze to it, quickly dying. Remember, if u take care of your worms, your worms will take care of you. I leave it up to you if you choose to talk nicely to them or not, but trust me, it works.
Quote from: FishMan on April 23, 2016, 03:47 PM
Timbo, sent u a text message with photos. Text me if u didn't get them. 623-687-4487. Any type of tube jig 3 to 4 inches in a crayfish looking color will work great for the smallmouth and believe it or not catfish. Hard to fish them deep so not that many walley on them, 1/4 to 1/2 oz tube jig head. Do an all around rig, love the 5 inch Yamamto Grubs in Pumkinseed with a 5/8 oz narrow head jig head for jigging for walley, Smallies, stripers. You can't go wrong with that set up, toss it to shore at a rockslide and hop it down the rocks into deeper water, just hold on for the wrist breaking hits.
How about a 5/8 football jig? I have a bunch of them. I haven't seen any 5/8 jigs at Sporties other than football heads...i may roll with them and the 5" grubs.
5/8 was a bit much for me last year, as I let them settle to much. Tommy, and all of you used to throwing that kind of weight will be fine. I'll stick to 1/4 as I have a lot to learn in using jigs (feeling the bottom, and feeling the bite). I use football jigs for hula grubs, minnow/dart jigs for power grubs. Pumkinseed, and smoke colors. We had good success last year on tube jigs as well, although a little more time consuming to retie.
Can't reiterate Tommy's above post of line. I use 65lb braid for my BB. I think I lost two rigs last year. One was so hung up I almsot got spooled, and was getting ready to tie it to the cleat in order to save the rod and reel, but just cut it. If you get hung up, just turn the TM 90 degrees, and go backwards. 95% of the time you can get it off as soon as you go over the snag. It's a coordinated thing on the boat, but it works. If you are not getting snagged, you probably aren't deep enough IMHO
I use 14lb braid to 6lb floro leaders on my jig set ups
Another thing to consider is the time it takes to travel one way or the other. In perspective of the screen shots posted, to get to Slick Rock Canyon is give or take 1/2 an hour from the ramp. On the other side is Warm Springs and Cedar Canyon, taking about the same. For me, I'm going up lake first to cooler water, and working my way back down. If I go down lake, I'm going all the way to Slick Rock and working my way back up.
I have never traveled as far up as Good Hope Bay, but I know people that have. About an hour ride..give or take from the ramp. I read about, and see the posts about bass there, but all of the people targeting eye's seem to come back disappointed.
When targeting Smallies, Sparkchaser killed them last year on the Hulla Grubs. At one point he pulled in 5 bass in 5 casts. It was cool!!!!! I also experimented a bunch with Fluoro leader and without, and for the reaction jig bite. It made no difference with the exception that without the leader, I broke off way less, thus fished way more. I'm starting out this year direct to the jig, tub, and Senko. And only changing to leader if we find clear water in the back of coves. Also, for targeting shoreline, don't forget the Senko. Rigged weightless on a 4/0 Extra Wide Gap worm hook, it casts like a bullet and is deadly fun. Also great if u come across a boil or some shad chasing fish.
Keep in mind that Gary Yamamoto invented and perfected both the hula grub and the senko on Lake Powell. They are proven winners.
How do you work those things mister..........you don't work them............they work for you!!!!! Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats the Tap-tap of a Seno fish.
Quote from: FishMan on April 24, 2016, 06:35 PM
How do you work those things mister..........you don't work them............they work for you!!!!! Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats the Tap-tap of a Seno fish.
except the freight train hit you get on a hula
Any plan to meet in Flagstaff or otherwise and caravan up to Powell? Maybe breakfast in flagstaff and then head out? Marv and are in.
Quote from: Stevert on April 25, 2016, 08:18 PMAny plan to meet in Flagstaff or otherwise and caravan up to Powell? Maybe breakfast in flagstaff and then head out? Marv and are in.
You beat me to it Stevert - go here: http://forum.azcrappie.com/index.php/topic,3217.0.html
Quote from: Stevert on April 25, 2016, 08:18 PM
Any plan to meet in Flagstaff or otherwise and caravan up to Powell? Maybe breakfast in flagstaff and then head out? Marv and are in.
Not sure what time you plan to leave Anthem but maybe we can caravan. Ken and Suzanne came in to Mesa a week early and we have yet to determine a start time for Saturday. He's pulling a 5th wheel so we will be running around 65-70 mph max. Give me a call and we can discuss.
Quote from: sandman on April 26, 2016, 05:02 AM
Quote from: Stevert on April 25, 2016, 08:18 PM
Any plan to meet in Flagstaff or otherwise and caravan up to Powell? Maybe breakfast in flagstaff and then head out? Marv and are in.
Not sure what time you plan to leave Anthem but maybe we can caravan. Ken and Suzanne came in to Mesa a week early and we have yet to determine a start time for Saturday. He's pulling a 5th wheel so we will be running around 65-70 mph max. Give me a call and we can discuss.
OK I'll call you later today.