Crystal Gardens is one of our favorite places to go when we only have 2 or 3 hours to fish. Click here to see the YouTube video of our latest trip. It is a rare day when we get skunked there. We can usually catch something. It can be a great place to take kids.Crystal Gardens has 21 man made ponds to fish. Crystal Gardens has largemouth bass, yellow bass, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, mirror carp, grass carp, koi, and tilapia, I've even caught one smallmouth there. In this post we will focus on the bass fishing. Check back in the future for posts about catching the other species.
Important Information
These ponds are open to the public. An Arizona state fishing license is required. There are very specific rules. Please follow them if you'd like these ponds to remain open to the public. There has been discussion by the Avondale City Council in the past of closing these ponds to fishing. Fishing is strictly catch and release. Lures and flies must have single, barbless hooks. Prepared baits are not allowed. The only live bait allowed is worms. Respect the fish. Don't drag them onto the gravel or grass. Use a net or unhook them in the water. Lip the bass while holding them vertically. Respect the residents, do not litter or leave a mess.
What Baits to Use
Lures with treble hooks are not allowed. These ponds are part of the city of Avondale's water treatment facilities. They have plastic liners that could be torn by treble hooks snagging the bottom. Lures must have single, barbless hooks. We mainly use soft plastics... senkos, texas rigged rubber worms or craws, twister tail grubs on a jig head, flukes, paddle tail swim baits, carolina rigged lizards, drop shots, etc. If you're taking a kid fishing I would recommend floating a live worm under a bobber. But since fishing is catch and release, use a circle hook to prevent the fish from swallowing the hook. Remember, when using a circle hook don't set the hook by jerking the rod tip up like you'd normally do... just start reeling when you see the bobber sink.
Where to Fish
We've caught bass all over. Some of the ponds have patches of reeds in deeper water. Pitch soft plastics to the reeds and hop or swim them back. If possible, hop, swim or drag your soft plastic along the edge of the reeds. Some of the ponds have large, shallow flats where we've caught bass that are chasing minnows. Cast flukes, paddle tail swim baits or twister tail grubs on to the flats and hop or swim them back. Many of the ponds have large flats or rock reefs adjacent to deeper channels. These are obvious on Google Earth and the water is usually clear enough you can physically see these areas. Bass often hold in the transition area between flats and deeper channels. We also regularly see bass just cruising the deeper channels. In the hotter summer months, small bass often congregate near concrete ramps that extend into the water. These could be fun for kids to catch.
Other Keys
This water is usually very clear and there is little or no structure. Fishing pressure in these ponds is also probably high. We use fluorocarbon line and never use line heavier than 8 lb test and we often use 6 lb line.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Combat Fishing for Stocked Rainbow Trout at Fain Lake, Arizona
On Wednesday, March 15th, 2017 we hit Fain Lake in Prescott Valley, Arizona. See the YouTube video at https://youtu.be/m8Kj9Uk7lwE. We fished from 3:00 until dark. We fished where Lynx Creek flows into the lake on the west end. We caught and released (mostly... we gave a couple away) over 20 Rainbow Trout. They were small, but feisty and fun to catch. We caught fish on Gulp Worms, orange and chartreuse Power Bait eggs, and 3" Berkley Natural Trout Worms. We saw other people catching trout on flies and small minnow lures. The trout would hit just about anything. One key to trout fishing the clear water in our Arizona lakes is light line. We were using 5 and 6 pound fluorocarbon line. We saw several people not catching fish... and you could see their line from 40 yards away. Also, keep your rigging simple. We were using one single split shot about 18" up from a size 8 or 10 hook. Swivels (unnecessary), snelled hooks, multiple split shot, huge bobbers, etc. can make line shy fish not bite.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
The Wrong Question vs. the Right Question - Finding Fish
After posting YouTube videos of successful fishing trips or Instagram photos of fish we've caught... the usual question we get asked by most fisherman is what bait or lure we used to catch the fish. If you're interested in catching fish, that is the wrong first question. Before worrying about what bait or lure to use, you should concern yourself with FINDING FISH. It doesn't matter what bait or lure you use if you're not fishing where the fish are! Once you've found fish, a variety of baits or lures will often work. We were fishing at a lake near Prescott a few days ago and we were catching trout regularly. So were many of the people fishing near us. And we were all using different baits. One guys was using a small minnow lure, another was getting them on flies, and still another was catching them on Power Bait. We were using Berkley 3" natural trout worms on a split shot rig. The key? We are all fishing in the right spot... where the fish were. Other anglers fishing other locations on the lake were not catching any fish.
It is impossible to cover in a short post how to find every fish species you might target in every body of water you might fish. But, do your research. Go online or talk to other fisherman. Learn about the habits and preferences of the fish species you are chasing. Learn where they might be in a lake or river during certain times of day or year. Learn how water temperature, oxygen levels, water levels and weather conditions might affect their location. Study the body of water you plan to fish. Learn where fish might hold in the lake or river. Find out if a contour map of the lake is available. Use it to search out points, creek channels, ledges, submerged humps, etc. Use Google Earth to search for deeper pools or bends in a river. If you fish from a boat invest in a fish finder.
A few brief examples: In Arizona urban ponds, stocked trout usually are found cruising nearer the shore lines. So casting to the middle of the lake will often be less effective. Or, during the winter time at Lake Pleasant, striped bass are usually found in deeper water in the northern coves and creek arms so fishing the main lake would be less successful.
Your first priority when planning a fishing trip is to find the fish. Then figure out how to catch the fish. My experience has shown that once we have found the fish, we can often catch them using a variety of lures or baits.
If you have any questions on finding fish, let us know and we'll do our best to help.
It is impossible to cover in a short post how to find every fish species you might target in every body of water you might fish. But, do your research. Go online or talk to other fisherman. Learn about the habits and preferences of the fish species you are chasing. Learn where they might be in a lake or river during certain times of day or year. Learn how water temperature, oxygen levels, water levels and weather conditions might affect their location. Study the body of water you plan to fish. Learn where fish might hold in the lake or river. Find out if a contour map of the lake is available. Use it to search out points, creek channels, ledges, submerged humps, etc. Use Google Earth to search for deeper pools or bends in a river. If you fish from a boat invest in a fish finder.
A few brief examples: In Arizona urban ponds, stocked trout usually are found cruising nearer the shore lines. So casting to the middle of the lake will often be less effective. Or, during the winter time at Lake Pleasant, striped bass are usually found in deeper water in the northern coves and creek arms so fishing the main lake would be less successful.
Your first priority when planning a fishing trip is to find the fish. Then figure out how to catch the fish. My experience has shown that once we have found the fish, we can often catch them using a variety of lures or baits.
If you have any questions on finding fish, let us know and we'll do our best to help.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Who Are We?
We are a dad and two sons enjoying fishing in Arizona and around the United States. We fish A LOT, 5 or 6 trips a month and even more during the summer when we are all off of school. We are not tournament or professional fisherman. We don't wear jerseys. We are not guides. Our gear is not the most expensive. But it catches fish. We spend a fair amount of time shore fishing or fishing urban lakes and ponds. We like variety in our fishing. We don't target just a species or two. We're happy to catch carp and suckers as well as bass and trout and whatever else we can hook. Check out our Instagram (Arizona_Anglers) and you will see a variety of species. Our boat is a 16 foot aluminum fishing boat. It only has a 50 HP Mercury and it's pretty slow. Some guys use fish finders that cost more than my boat. Not us, ours are basic and inexpensive. We fish for fun, to be outdoors, to spend time together, and for the challenge. I've been fishing around Arizona, Idaho and Utah for about 40 years. My two sons have been fishing me since they were old enough to hold a fishing rod. Why did we start a blog, get on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube? We want other people like us, who just fish for fun, to catch fish and enjoy the great outdoors. We are free with information. We'll tell you where we caught the fish, how, what lure or bait we used. If you've got a questions for us, ask. If you've got a topic you want us to cover, name it. If there's a body of water you want information on, let us know. We'll do what we can to help you catch fish because fishing, even though it is always a good time, is better when you catch fish Here's to tight lines and bent rods.
The Carolina Keeper - Keeping Your Rigging Simple
I came across this amazing product, the Carolina Keeper, by chance browsing a sporting goods/outdoors store several years ago. I've been using it regularly every since.
Carolina rigs or slider rigs, which use sliding weights (weights that can slide up and down the line), allow a fisherman to use weights (often heavy weights which increase casting distance or maintain solid bottom contact) with the benefit that the fish will not feel the weight when taking your bait or lure because the line slides through the weight. Weights such as split shot that are pinched on to the line will be felt by a fish when the fish picks up your bait or lure and swims off with it. Sensing the weight will cause some fish to quickly drop the lure or bait.
We use slider rigs for catfishing with hot dogs, worms or live sunfish, carolina rigging soft plastics for bass and bottom fishing bait for trout.
Normally when fishing using a sliding weight and a leader such as a carolina rig or slider rig a fisherman must use the sliding weight, a bead of some sort to protect the knot, a barrel swivel and a leader. This requires the fisherman to tie three knots... the main line to the barrel swivel, the leader to the barrel swivel and the leader to the hook.
This obviously increases the chances of losing fish due to knot failure. Also, every time you retie the hook/bait or replace a lost hook/bait it shortens up your leader. Eventually, a new leader is necessary.
The Carolina Keeper solves these problems. You simply slide the sliding weight on to your line, use a pair of pliers to squeeze open (instructions come with a package of Carolina Keepers) and slide the Carolina Keeper up your line so that your leader is the desired length and tie on your hook or bait. Only one knot, main line to hook, is required reducing your chances of losing fish due to knot failure. No bead is necessary to protect the main line to leader knot. Of course, a bead can still be used if desired. And, if you must retie or replace a lost hook, you simply use a pair of pliers to move the Carolina Keeper an inch or two further up your main line. Leader length becomes easily and quickly adjustable. You will tend to lose less tackle also as usually just the hook or bait is lost which makes it quicker to retie and get back to fishing.
Of course, using a Carolina Keeper is not every fisherman's preference. Some fisherman like to use a braided main line and a mono-filament or fluorocarbon leader. In that case, the barrel swivel and bead is necessary. But it can be a useful product to simplify your rigging, which I am big believer in.
Caroline Keepers are available in red or clear at some tackle shops and on Amazon. Click here for clear or here for red.
Carolina rigs or slider rigs, which use sliding weights (weights that can slide up and down the line), allow a fisherman to use weights (often heavy weights which increase casting distance or maintain solid bottom contact) with the benefit that the fish will not feel the weight when taking your bait or lure because the line slides through the weight. Weights such as split shot that are pinched on to the line will be felt by a fish when the fish picks up your bait or lure and swims off with it. Sensing the weight will cause some fish to quickly drop the lure or bait.
We use slider rigs for catfishing with hot dogs, worms or live sunfish, carolina rigging soft plastics for bass and bottom fishing bait for trout.
Normally when fishing using a sliding weight and a leader such as a carolina rig or slider rig a fisherman must use the sliding weight, a bead of some sort to protect the knot, a barrel swivel and a leader. This requires the fisherman to tie three knots... the main line to the barrel swivel, the leader to the barrel swivel and the leader to the hook.
This obviously increases the chances of losing fish due to knot failure. Also, every time you retie the hook/bait or replace a lost hook/bait it shortens up your leader. Eventually, a new leader is necessary.
The Carolina Keeper solves these problems. You simply slide the sliding weight on to your line, use a pair of pliers to squeeze open (instructions come with a package of Carolina Keepers) and slide the Carolina Keeper up your line so that your leader is the desired length and tie on your hook or bait. Only one knot, main line to hook, is required reducing your chances of losing fish due to knot failure. No bead is necessary to protect the main line to leader knot. Of course, a bead can still be used if desired. And, if you must retie or replace a lost hook, you simply use a pair of pliers to move the Carolina Keeper an inch or two further up your main line. Leader length becomes easily and quickly adjustable. You will tend to lose less tackle also as usually just the hook or bait is lost which makes it quicker to retie and get back to fishing.
Of course, using a Carolina Keeper is not every fisherman's preference. Some fisherman like to use a braided main line and a mono-filament or fluorocarbon leader. In that case, the barrel swivel and bead is necessary. But it can be a useful product to simplify your rigging, which I am big believer in.
Caroline Keepers are available in red or clear at some tackle shops and on Amazon. Click here for clear or here for red.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Weighted Bobbers - Keeping Your Rigging Simple
One of the most effective methods for catching trout, bass, panfish (and many other species) is a live worm rigged three or four feet under a bobber. I've even caught plenty of catfish in urban lakes using this method. This is a great method for kids or anglers who are not experienced fishing with lures.
One of the issues I've always had with bobbers is they are very light and sometimes I can't cast them as far as I'd like. In the past, to compensate and add a little weight to get increased casting distance I'd pinch a couple of split shot on the line between the bobber and the hook. But one possible down side to adding the split shot is increased visibility. If the water is clear or the fish are line shy, that could stop fish from biting your bait. Weighted bobbers eliminate the possibility of that problem. They have built in lead weights that increase your casting distance but allow you to keep your line free of split shot. Weighted bobbers are available on Amazon is various sizes and shapes. Click here or on the picture to take you there.
One of the issues I've always had with bobbers is they are very light and sometimes I can't cast them as far as I'd like. In the past, to compensate and add a little weight to get increased casting distance I'd pinch a couple of split shot on the line between the bobber and the hook. But one possible down side to adding the split shot is increased visibility. If the water is clear or the fish are line shy, that could stop fish from biting your bait. Weighted bobbers eliminate the possibility of that problem. They have built in lead weights that increase your casting distance but allow you to keep your line free of split shot. Weighted bobbers are available on Amazon is various sizes and shapes. Click here or on the picture to take you there.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Lake Mary Northern Pike Fishing
Now is the time of year to head up to Lake Mary for some pike fishing. The lake has filled for the first time since 2010. A full lake means fishing should be solid this summer. But the spring months, March and April, should be especially good fishing. The smaller males are already up in the shallows for the spawn. The larger females should be soon to follow.
We took a trip to Lake Mary in late February. We fished the southern end of the lake which is also the shallow end. There were plenty of fish shallow and with polarized sunglasses we were able to see many of them and sight fish them. We started out using Johnson Silver Minnow weedless spoons and chatter baits. These lures were not productive. Pike would look at them, turn their head toward them and maybe even move toward them a little... but they would not hit them. We started catching them when we switched to a Rapala X-Rap suspending jerk bait. These lures run shallow which is helpful when fishing shallow water with weeds and vegetation. They also suspend when you stop your retrieve. We would cast the lure out and begin a slow retrieve with the rod tip high to keep the lure running shallow. When a fish would turn their head or move toward the lure we would pause our retrieve. If necessary we would give the lure another small twitch (just a couple of inches) or two and then pause the retrieve again. It was on the pauses the pike would hit the lure. It's a fun and exciting way to catch pike. Rapala X-Rap suspending jerk baits are available on Amazon at prices about the same as what you'd pay at Sportsman's Warehouse or Cabelas with free Prime shipping. We are using the Silver Blue color in the 08 size but I think Clown would also be effective since the water at Lake Mary can be stained and muddy. Fire Tiger could also do well since they are visible and there are Perch in Lake Mary for the pike to feed on. So grab some and head up to Lake Mary and catch some pike.
We took a trip to Lake Mary in late February. We fished the southern end of the lake which is also the shallow end. There were plenty of fish shallow and with polarized sunglasses we were able to see many of them and sight fish them. We started out using Johnson Silver Minnow weedless spoons and chatter baits. These lures were not productive. Pike would look at them, turn their head toward them and maybe even move toward them a little... but they would not hit them. We started catching them when we switched to a Rapala X-Rap suspending jerk bait. These lures run shallow which is helpful when fishing shallow water with weeds and vegetation. They also suspend when you stop your retrieve. We would cast the lure out and begin a slow retrieve with the rod tip high to keep the lure running shallow. When a fish would turn their head or move toward the lure we would pause our retrieve. If necessary we would give the lure another small twitch (just a couple of inches) or two and then pause the retrieve again. It was on the pauses the pike would hit the lure. It's a fun and exciting way to catch pike. Rapala X-Rap suspending jerk baits are available on Amazon at prices about the same as what you'd pay at Sportsman's Warehouse or Cabelas with free Prime shipping. We are using the Silver Blue color in the 08 size but I think Clown would also be effective since the water at Lake Mary can be stained and muddy. Fire Tiger could also do well since they are visible and there are Perch in Lake Mary for the pike to feed on. So grab some and head up to Lake Mary and catch some pike.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Choose the Right Fishing Line for Trout
There has been many a day when my boys and I are trout fishing up on the Mogollon Rim, Salt River or somewhere in Arizona when we are catching trout while those around us are not. Invariably the question asked is, "what bait are you using?". While I am always happy to give that information, the wrong bait is not usually the reason people are not catching trout. These are usually hatchery trout. They are not that smart and they will take a variety of baits including Power Bait, live night crawlers, small spinners like Panther Martins or small Kast Master spoons. The problem is often the fishing line being used (and sometimes the 8 massive sinkers attached to the line). The water in Arizona lakes and streams (and many lakes and streams throughout the United States) is often crystal clear. Fish can see line that is too thick and that will often stop them from taking your bait or lure. I never use anything heavier than 6 pound test line for trout fishing and I often use 4 or 5 pound line. With the the drag set properly on your reel you can catch even large trout on 4 - 6 pound line. I also use fluorocarbon or fluorocarbon coated line. Fluorocarbon line has the same refractive index as water and it much less visible underwater. It is a little more expensive but you will catch more trout. On a trip last summer to Black Canyon Lake in Arizona, my younger son and I were fishing with 6 pound fluorocarbon coated line while my older son was fishing with 8 pound fluorocarbon coated line. My younger son and I were catching trout regularly while my older son was not catching anything. He was using the same exact rigging and the same bait. After he tied on a 6 pound fluorocarbon coated leader, he began catching trout. There are many brands of fluorocarbon or fluorocarbon coated line. One of my personal favorites is P Line Floroclear in 4, 5 or 6 pound test. It is inexpensive (far less expensive than pure fluorocarbon line), has good underwater invisibility and is very strong. P Line Floroclear is available online at Amazon. Check back soon for more information about trout fishing. If anyone has a question, comment and we'll do our best to help.
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