It’s time to get on top of the hot angling action

This is the time of year to get on top of the hot angling action in the warmwater lakes as predatory sport-fish chase bait fish at the surface.

“Right now anglers can find lots of surface action, especially what we call boiling fish, as large schools of striped bass ambush huge schools of threadfin shad, often with dramatic results,” said Rory Aikens, an ardent angler who edits the Weekly Fishing Report for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Topwater surface action is terrific right now on striped bass at lakes Pleasant, Mead, Mohave, Havasu and Powell. The surface action for largemouth bass is starting to pick up. By mid September, expect all the topwater action to reach a fun-filled crescendo.

Aikens suggests using finesse-type topwater lures called stick baits, such as Heddon’s Zara Spook, that can be worked in a walk-the-dog fashion to resemble struggling shad on the water’s surface. “Once you master the simple walk-the-dog technique, an exciting new angling experience will entice you back for more time and again.”

An easy-to-use lure to learn on is a popper. “The simple-to-use surface poppers are a hoot to work – the whole idea is to make them splash and jiggle like a wounded baitfish. Kids love them – poppers are a ball,” Aikens said.

Also, try soft plastic jerkbaits to run just below the water’s surface, and flutter-down baits such as curly tails or Senkos that resemble dying shad falling in the water column. Small spoons, such as KastMasters or Hopkins, can also work well at times. Keeping a shad-like crankbait handy also makes sense for working through boiling fish in a feeding frenzy. Aikens suggests a tight wiggling, fast-moving crankbait, especially lipless ones.

“I like to set up five or six poles with different rigs – the bass can get used to one type of presentation and quit biting as aggressively, so it helps to give them something new to play with,” Aikens said. “Also, sometimes one rig will get fouled up from repeated hits by bass, so you’ll always want to have another rig ready so you don’t miss the action.”

Aikens said anglers can find out where to fish and a little on how to fish, along with the fishing hot spots, on the department’s new Fishing Blog at www.azgfd.gov. There is even a new online interactive fishing map.

By the way, be sure you “DON’T MOVE A MUSSEL” or any other aquatic hitchhiker. “Every time you visit a lake, river or stream, carefully drain, clean and dry your boat and other fishing equipment. Please don’t give an unintentional ride to an unwanted invader,” Aikens pleaded.