Just started bass fishing this year. I got myself a float tube or 4 and would really like to meet up with some others who motorless fish as well.

I've float tubed Patagonia, Parker Canyon and Arivaca. You don't have many launch point options at Arivaca as you can only drive into the lake through the main road and hiking with the float tube is tougher than just launching at the ramp (when the water is up) or at the southwest corner of the lake when the water is low (like it is now). Once you've launched just start fishing. The lake is small enough that you can cover the entire shoreline two or three times in a day from a tube. Try fishing right in the middle of the lake too. Best bait is a baby Brush Hawg, Green Pumpkin, Texas rigged. Cranks anywhere where you don't get weeds on the hooks on every cast, or frogs. A lot of skinny fish with big heads here. At Parker Canyon you can launch at the main ramp or the cove on the northeast corner of the lake. You can also launch at several places around the campsites. I've caught bass all over Parker Canyon so no one launch site is better than any other. Fish the weedline. Best baits are brown/green senkos and crawfish-colored cranks with a stiffer rod to shake weeds off the hooks. Some do well on spinnerbaits as well. You'll catch a lot of 12 in. fish here. Patagonia has a few launch sites. The Marina cove by the boat ramp. The other boat ramp nearer the camp grounds. Walk your tube over the arch bridge and launch west of Marina cove. The swim beach or the cove just east of it, both are on the eastern edge of the camp grounds. I'm not sure, but I think you may be able to launch near the dam, too. I'm not good enough at fishing Patagonia to recommend any spots. That lake is really tough for me. Feel free to PM me when you figure this lake out as I'd love to know.

Kayak Fishing, Areas At Roosevelt, Apache Lake, Saguaro Lake, and Canyon Lake.

There are plenty of great motorless areas. Just paddle across the channels and battle with the waves. There area group on Facebook with a lot of great people. You can find it by searching for AZ Motorless Anglers on Facebook.

I'll be living in Phoenix for the next year or so. I arrive in less than a week. I'm looking forward to fishing in a totally new region. I imagine there will be some adapting to do. 

& I guess I need to buy a kayak as well!

If you are on Facebook, look for "AZ Kayak & Motorless Anglers" Group. There's a handful of float tube fishermen that ocassionally get together.

Thank you!

On 8/24/2016 at 7:04 PM, JG233 said:

I'll be living in Phoenix for the next year or so. I arrive in less than a week. I'm looking forward to fishing in a totally new region. I imagine there will be some adapting to do. 

& I guess I need to buy a kayak as well!

You 'guess' you need to buy a kayak ?!?!?!  Don't forget to send us pics when you're catching bass and not bouncing lures off hard water this winter!

USNavyVet...I take it you're prior service. If you haven't already, hook up with Heroes On The Water - Arizona Chapter. They do monthly events in the Central Arizona area. Great cause, great camaraderie, and even better memories.

 

Here is the link: http://heroesonthewater.org/rhc_source/arizona-chapter/

They're also on Facebook so search that group out!