JimAZ

I too am frustrated by "the weary fall bass" and I'd love some input. I'm in AZ, so clear water is my norm, but not so clear that I can see the fish. I was catching fine two weeks ago in water 68-70deg, but my last two trips was skunked, with water 65deg. Well, the shallow water is clear, but there aren't any fish. And no shad boils either. My electronics show piles of fish in the 20-50ft depth range... baitfish schools I assume? ... but I don't know how to fish these. (I should volunteer here, I am guilty of being a "pound the bank" fisherman. I don't know what else to do.) I was on Apache Lake on Sunday, and I met Bassmaster Elite Josh Bertrand at the launch. I take off, hit my normally productive areas - coves, riprap banks, points and ledges - using TX rigs and drop shot finesse, occasional crank baits. Zip, nada. I'm looking around and notice Josh is fishing in the middle of the lake... it's over 100ft deep. I would presume he's a pro and knows what he's doing, but I don't have the gall to pull up and ask him. But maybe one of you guys know? I don't think this is western lake phenom either; I went to Louisiana for a 3 day trip last month, we killed 'em on Thursday, then a front blew in and the water temp hit 65, very slow Fri/Sat, and electronics showed fish suspended 25+ feet down. How do I catch these fall finicky bass?

I got some tips from this thread... I'd love to hear more. I grew up in TX, fished as much as possible. I moved to Phoenix in 2001, and I've tried golf, it's not for me. So I bought a new bass boat this year, and I fish as much as possible. I read BASS, watch the shows, and buy all the same stuff the Elites use... And I don't catch much. I finally got a drop shot rig, and throw roboworms in morning dawn, because that's what everyone says to do.. And I catch 1 or 2 short fish per trip now. I towed my boat to Toledo Bend in east Tx for Labor Day weekend trip, caught 50 fish per day, biggest 6.0lb. I know how to fish, but I gotta be honest, it frustrates me in AZ. I live NE side of town, so mostly go to Bartlett. I've tried Roosevelt, Apache and Saguaro too. Any tips would be welcome -- baits, right lakes, recommended fishing clubs -- I'm not ashamed to admit that I need help. My 9yr old son is my die-hard fishing buddy, and I feel awful that I can't seem to put him on fish. Thanks in advance for any help!

I grew up in TX, married a gal from Louisiana, but I got transferred to AZ and I've lived there the last 20yrs. Most of my buddies play golf... I bass fish. Phoenix area actually has some decent lakes, and my 9yr old son and me are on them most weekends. (He's not a typical 9yr old, he will fish all day with me, hot bite or no bite, he's got the bug too!) AZ is mostly clear, deep, ledge fishing, with little vegetation. So finesse fishing - drop shot, tiny swim baits, 3-4" tx rigged hand poured worms - all on 8-10lb FC is the norm for us. We catch lots of small bass, never any lunkers. I added a few days to my Labor Day vaca, and I'm bringing my boat to TX this week. My in-laws live in Trinity on Lake Livingston, so that's our base, but I plan to fish all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and I'm striking distance of Sam Rayburn and the TX side of Toledo Bend each day. I've been reading your posts, you're clearly experts on your local waters -- what advice can I get from you guys to get best results from my vacation? I'd love to get my 9yr old fishing buddy on his first 5 pounder. i would appreciate any and all advice - where to launch, where to fish, what baits, line, colors are best. I'll hit the Academy on Wednesday (I love that store, we don't have them in AZ) and stock up on anything you suggest. Thanks in advance!