Arizona Crappie Association

Lake Reports => Pleasant => Topic started by: cousinlll on July 20, 2011, 04:45 AM

Title: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: cousinlll on July 20, 2011, 04:45 AM
Buddy from work & I are planning on hitting Pleasant this Friday - late afternoon until possibly Saturday morning.  Anybody else want to join us for some Striper chasing?

Same deal - Wild Horse West for a burger & brew first then hit the lake.

LLL
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: Fishless on July 20, 2011, 03:58 PM
good luck, been doing good with the early morning surface bite there early and off by 9:30am have fun be safe
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: timbo on July 21, 2011, 07:45 PM
I think the wife & I are going saterday nite.
Please post up report.
Thanks
Timbo
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: spike on July 22, 2011, 06:19 AM
The wife and i went last saturday night only to be discouraged. i think it had to do with the full moon :bootyshake: We fished the 1270.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: eo3510 on July 22, 2011, 03:36 PM
I've been out there almost every weekend the last 10-12 weeks, sometimes twice. I'll be out with an AZBZ guy tonight and an AHT guy tomorrow. The last 4-5 weeks the bite has been the best from 4-7am.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: cousinlll on July 22, 2011, 04:10 PM
Thanks for the words Fishless....

eo - I'll be on da water around 7pm ish or so.  Silver & dark purple Ranger - say hey if you see us! 

Hopefully I'll have something to report.... :dance:

LLL
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: PhishingPhreek on July 22, 2011, 05:51 PM
The last 4-5 weeks the bite has been the best from 4-7am.
Last two times I went out there I had the same luck. Just before the sun was coming up was when the bit took off. Made me just want to go to bed early and wake up early rather than hang out there all night!

Good luck everyone. I need to get the e-brakes on my trailer disengaged before I go fishing again. :-/
Title: Our Report
Post by: cousinlll on July 23, 2011, 09:07 AM
So after another great burger at Wild Horse West, we hit the water as planned around 7pm.  Not much boat traffic but seemed as though the wind picked up a bit just as we put in - just enough though to make our search for Striper boils/slurps difficult to impossible.  Searched a few coves with no activity. Ran out of sunlight so decided to anchor up in Scorpion Bay Marina.

Spent the entire night within the breakwater of the marina - wind did pick up a little more so we just stayed put.  Wind was out of the west so even within the breakwater there was a slight chop.  Again, nothing real bad.  It just would of made anchoring someplace else a bit of a chore.

Fishing was slow but steady, if that makes any sense.  We put 11 Stripers in our blue cooler ranging from 2 lbs to maybe 3 1/2 lbs.  Nothing big but half way decent size filets for my Iowegian friend to make a meal out of.  All were caught, of course, on anchovies fished between 3 to 5 cranks off the bottom in 71' of water.  Great night on da water even with a little wind.

Just before sunrise, we headed out once again to search out boils & slurps.  The breeze again made it difficult to impossible to find them.  So we called it a day before the lake got too busy.  Off da water around 0630.

Da pics below show our very first catch of the evening (of course it was a double hookup!) & then the evening's other catch.....

LLL
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: wadefisherman on July 23, 2011, 12:18 PM
ice report :)
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: Stevert on July 23, 2011, 02:42 PM
The blue cooler rules  Nice catch. 
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: eo3510 on July 25, 2011, 10:11 AM
We did great on Friday night. I brought a nice kid from AZBZ named "Toasty". The stiff breeze kept the boat bobbing and swaying just enough to keep the bait moving. We were anchored just inside the "new" no wake bouy line inside Coles on the west side just east of the main channel. The water depth was 65-70' depending on which way we were drifting. Our most productive depth was right about 40' give or take 5'. There is lots of 10-12' high trees in the area so it's nearly impossible to drop to the bottom without getting snagged. We topped off the 100 qt blue cooler and put the over flow in Toasty's 48qt. Right around 60 or so. We had 4 over 20" with his largest jsut over 22". Not my best night, but definitely in the top 10.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: cousinlll on July 25, 2011, 10:32 AM
Nice job eo - we even cruised around the Coles buoy line just before dark!  Guess I need some lessons....   Although I think I need to put more fishing time into Pleasant.  Just don't like going there on weekends during the summer.  But of the 3 times I have been there this summer, Pleasant has actually been Pleasant! 

Next weekend might be good - no moon.  Thinking of another friday night trip.  Will see how the week goes.

LLL
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: eo3510 on July 25, 2011, 11:27 AM
I hear lots of people say they don't like Pleasant on the weekend nights. I've been fishing at night there for years and have had very few incidents. My biggest problem has been pleasure boaters not staying a "courteous" distance away while I'm fishing, but nothing truly unsafe. I have seen a few folks doing some really stupid stuff out there but always out in the main lake. We'll see if I have figured out this attachment thing.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: cousinlll on July 25, 2011, 01:35 PM
What a great pic!!  Is that recent?  Thought I remember that pic posted on Da Zone awhile back.

LLL
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: eo3510 on July 25, 2011, 04:03 PM
It was on AZBZ a little less than a year ago, but I didn't post them, somebody beat me to it. I was anchored in Jackass fishing and I can hear this guy race up lake and at the end of the run I hear WOOHOO!!! He races back down lake and WOOHOO!!!!! Once more up, same thing, once more back and CRUNCH!!! You can't really tell from that angle but he almost made it all the way over. I snapped a couple of phone pics of his Scarab in the AM as I was leaving.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: Fishless on July 25, 2011, 04:37 PM
almost every year I see several boats up on top of rock piles or sunk, called in a boat couple weeks ago, was over near barker island was up on  a flat entire transom tore off the boat and the outboard engine sitting in 2' of water with lawn chairs etc. still in the boat and no one around, sheriff checked the boat and then it was left there for weeks and with the lake dropping was on dry land.

also see 1 or 2 sunken vehicles at the launch ramp (already seen one this year)
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: cousinlll on August 03, 2011, 03:44 PM
I'm heading back out this Friday evening to chase Stripers again.  Anybody else going out??

Hey eo3510 - I was wondering if you are willing to share how you have been rigging with anchovies.  I have been using a heavy drop-shot type rig using either Gamakatsu shiner hooks or have now been using, by suggestion of Halibut Warrior, Owner Down-Shot hooks.  I've also heard that fluorocarbon is a must have?

LLL
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: wadefisherman on August 03, 2011, 04:50 PM
I really like the Gamakatsu finesse hooks for stripers when using chovies . I have had much better luck since switching over.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: eo3510 on August 03, 2011, 06:02 PM
I like the Gamakatsu octopus (not circle) or dropshot hooks in #2 to #2/0. The BPS versions are good as well. But my favorite is a Gamakatsu #1 wide gap finesse. I need to get back to the hook-up to get some more.

I use a spinning reel so I splitshot. I use just enough weight to keep my line from bowing too much in the wind. A #7 to #5 if it's just breezy, a #3 if it's windy and a #1 if it's howling. I leave the shot pretty loose so I can slide it. If the boat is bouncing from swells I slide it as close as 6" to the hook to keep the bait from wrapping up. If it's calm 12"-18".

I try to talk everyone that comes out with me to use 100% floro. Those that don't, are borrowing some for a leader in a couple of hours. I know it's stiff, kinky and prone to twist but it catches fish. Toasty was dead set to make his green mono & green braid work. After I caught 15-20 fish to his 0, he switched too.

I take an anchovy and cut off the head, cut 1" to 1.5" chunk out of the body and that's two pieces of bait. If the dinks are hammering me I'll switch to a whole anchovy hooked through the hard part of the head. They'll still pick it apart but I've got more of a chance of a lazy keeper swiping it away from the little guys. If I happen to see a dink pecking at a whole anchovy, I'll drop it 2-5 feet and often a keeper will pick it up. Shhh, don't tell anybody that one.

Erik
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: eo3510 on August 03, 2011, 06:08 PM
And, yes I will be out there again Fri & Sat chasing those "carp with tuxedos".
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: wadefisherman on August 04, 2011, 07:57 AM
I agree, with the flouro leader, I use a 1/2 to 3/4 oz weight (depending how deep I'm fishing) to get the bait down fast to pass the dinks.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: eo3510 on August 04, 2011, 09:51 AM
I agree, with the flouro leader, I use a 1/2 to 3/4 oz weight (depending how deep I'm fishing) to get the bait down fast to pass the dinks.
That's the one area I seem to be different from most. With my lighter weight, I just cast out over the cone of light to the depth I want to end up at and let it fall slowly. I rarely just drop it straight down. I find that I'll catch a few on the drop, and if not, I catch more fish with the least amount of weight needed. With the lighter weight I seem to have more fish pick it up and run with it than just peck at it. In the mornings and evenings I take my weight off and let it drop real slow.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: cousinlll on August 04, 2011, 03:38 PM
WOW - Really good info from everybody!!  Thanks Erik & Brian for sharing your techniques.  Looks like I'm pulling out the spinning gear Friday evening.

One additional question: Usually I use two poles in pole holders.  But found that I really could only use one pole & no pole holder due to the light bite.  The other pole in a holder seemed to do nothing but donate a chovie to a light biting striper.  Your experience on this?

I'm still working on a backseater but after a stop at Wild Horse West I plan on being on da water around 7pm.  

LLL
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: AZfisherdude on August 05, 2011, 09:39 AM
I use a pole in the holder everytime and have no problems getting them to hang themselves or continue to bite long enough to hook them. Maybe readjust how you put your hook in the chovie? Try different hook size? I typically use a 2/O circle hook by gamakatsu. Miss a few but not many.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: timbo on August 05, 2011, 09:46 AM
I'll be fishing Saturday nite & have a question.
If you are anchored & have your lites on is it OK to have a beer?
Really don't want any trouble. Don't want to visit uncle Joe.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: eo3510 on August 05, 2011, 05:34 PM


One additional question: Usually I use two poles in pole holders.  But found that I really could only use one pole & no pole holder due to the light bite.  The other pole in a holder seemed to do nothing but donate a chovie to a light biting striper.  Your experience on this?


That's the reason for the light weight. With just a little resistance they seem to grab and hold on rather than just peck.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: AZfisherdude on August 06, 2011, 03:37 PM
Sorry, I use an Octopus hook not a circle.
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: wadefisherman on August 06, 2011, 06:39 PM
When they are hitting real lite I'll hold a pole and stick one in a holder. Another good trick seems to be to use a piece of a cut dink. It stays on allot better than a chovie and the bigger fish seem to really go after it.
Title: Friday Night 8/5 Report
Post by: cousinlll on August 06, 2011, 09:45 PM
Thanks everybody for your info.... Great stuff!

As mentioned, few work buddies (4 of us & couple kids in two boats) & I hit Pleasant again friday night. This time we set up shop in the mouth of Coles.  Threw out the lights and had fish on in a few minutes.  Caught a ton of rat stripers early in the evening.  Bite seemed to slow for us around 11pm.  Thought about pulling up anchor & finding a new spot but with all the coolers/gear in my boat, would of been too much work so decided to just stay put.  Size was getting a bit better as the night went on.  My friend Todd & his crew seemed to be on the bite most of the night - and they were only anchored up a few boat lengths away from us.  What the heck were we doing wrong... :dontknow:  Both boats were fishing the same way.  It's all good though as we got to see & hear Uncle Todd coach the kids on the art of Striper fishing.  Oh by the way, if anybody catches a Striper with a rod & reel following close behind it - Todd would like to have it back please!!

Not too sure how many Todd & his crew caught but we only ended up with 11 keepers that my Kentucky co-worker happily took home.  We did catch quite a few very nice cats that we gladly let go.  We figured we caught around 40 or so total for the night.  All fish were caught with chovies in 54 ft of water at various depths with most coming a few cranks off the bottom.

LLL

Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: timbo on August 08, 2011, 07:57 AM
My son, his girlfriend & I went out Saturday night.
Hit the water at 8pm 4 ramp.
The big motor wouldn't start so wwe just trolled out to 60ft of water & drop anchor.
We just used 1ea green light.
We ended the night with 19 keeper all 3lb+ . 1ea 4.5lbs.
We didn't catch many dinks. maybe 12.
All were about 5ft off bottom.
Off the lake by 1am.
You must use floro line.
Timbo
Title: Re: Pleasant Road Trip on Friday Night?
Post by: eo3510 on August 08, 2011, 09:50 AM
I was out there Friday. I spent from 8:30 till 2am in the river trying my darnedest to get a crappie or two. No luck on the crappie. Put six gut hooked 12-13", two 18" stripers and three 8-10" whites in the cooler. I caught and released dozens of 10-11" stripers and 5-6" white bass all night. I moved over to Coles after finding the limit to my patience. I saw the flotilla anchored just inside the no wake so I stayed about 50 yds ouside of it over the channel. Put another 20 in the cooler by 7:30.
Still better than watching re-runs on TV.
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