Bass fishing

[CATCH AND EAT]

Try the lake before Stevenson WA. Lots of bass there. Float tubes work well.

[FallRiverGuy]

Don't forget the high lakes. For better or worse, Crane Prairie has a good populaion of Bass as does Davis. As least at these lakes you could also fish for trout.

[Grits]

John Day river is one of the best for smallies. Brown rooster tails with gold spinners produce 50-75 fish days consitentely. E-mail me and I will give you some specifics on where to go.

[Jellyhead]

Ok, here's my suggestion.

Fish smaller waters that don't get tournement traffic! I don't know how many people I hear about that go to Hagg or Tenmile or Siltcoos and cry the blues about bass. Well, these fish get PRESSURE. Bass don't like rides in livewells, and they tend to wise up real quick in pressured waters. So, try to find smaller lakes, preferably w/no boat ramps, that don't get tourney pressure. These fish will usually be very responsive to topwaters (maximum fun) and other easy to fish "bubba baits" (like spinnerbaits, buzzbaits,jig-pigs). Lakes like Hagg and the Highly pressured larger coast lakes require specialized techs (like drop-shotting, finesse baits) and local know-how to consistently produce large bass in quantities.

The first place I'd look to fish would be the Willamette valley. St. Louis ponds, or Mission Lake, Horseshoe Lake (If it's still open).

There's more to bass fishing than just glitter and speed and chewin' teebaccee. I enjoy fishing the small coastal lakes around Fort Stevens park w/my car-topper too. Any of the above suggestions should be good bets. In fact, there's one that just looks bassy in you're back yard. Smith and Bybee lakes out by T-6 have historically produced big bass. Just don't eat em.

Good Luck

Aaron

[hawgcatcher]

Hey one area that is close to Portland is the Willamette. When I had my boat, we would put in at Meldrum Bar and drift down toward Lake Oswego on the east bank. Firetail plugs, Plastic worms and spinners all took fish. Lot of big bass still are around the rocks and esp. under the many docks that line the river. Go early as the water skiers get pesky later on during the day. A heddon Vamp with three big ole treble hooks, cast over a water skier or jet skier, does attract attention, however when they are flying, they can strip a reel very quick. If you should land one, I would throw them back as you don't know what they have been eating that they could pass on. This is the skiers that I am refering to.

Good luck. Mouth of John Day is excellant at times as above have stated.

[fishwish]

I'm draging my clackacraft down the johnday this weekend . They say you cant float it belowe 1200cfs. It'l be at about 400cfs saturday . they are missing out on the best conditions for bassing images/icons/grin.gif The Umpqua river is suposed to be even beter than the Johnday. good luck. images/icons/cool.gif

[fishwish]

I'm draging my clackacraft down the johnday this weekend . They say you cant float it belowe 1200cfs. It'l be at about 400cfs saturday . they are missing out on the best conditions for bassing images/icons/grin.gif The Umpqua river is suposed to be even beter than the Johnday. good luck. images/icons/cool.gif

[FishinJeff]

My kids have been watching too many ESPN and TNN bass fishing tournaments and are bugging me to take them bass fishing (now that the Shad are winding down). Used to love fishing for them myself as a kid (along with other warmwater fish) but have no idea where to go locally. Any suggestions? I'll post my results.... We have a boat and don't mind driving a few+ hours, if necessary.

[fish forever]

state recornd smallmouth came out of Hagg lake last year. I also hear the John Day is pretty Hot.

Coast has literally hundreds of bass lakes. Best bet is to get the 'Fishing in Oregon Book' - has some good leads depending on what part of the state your in.

[O'City Fisherman]

Jeff,
Horseshoe lake up in Woodland WA is not to bad for bass, Silver lake in Castle Rock is real good for bass, or the St.Paul resivour. St.Paul does not have a boat launch but if you have a small boat then you can launch off the bank.

[Bait O' Eggs]

Jeff I am not a basser, but have seen people catch the snot out them on the lower John Day. I was chasing a mythical channel cat from a tip from a deceased buddy (god rest Lyman Smiths soul) when I saw guys catching 5 pound small mouths every cast.

I launched into the John Day near HWY 84 and had ran up to the river as far as you can go (about 10 miles) when I observed this. They were tossing rubber jigs and it was quite a show. It was about a month earlier than this in the year.

Jellyhead would be a good source of info for bass fishing. He has glitter on his boat, so you know he can catch them. images/icons/wink.gif

[Jennie@ifish]

When I get back, I am going to start a bass and panfish board. I have tons of bass stuff to give away. GOod stuff, too!
I love to bass fish and will enjoy being a part of the board!
Jen

[Grits]

Jeff,

Just answered your e-mail sorry it took me so long.

[Krome Brite]

Good tactic to catch them pesky waterskiers hawgcatcher!! images/icons/grin.gif

[FishinJeff]

Grits: Got the email -- THANKS. Going to the John Day tomorrow (Monday) to give it a try. Taking the kids along -- pretty good fisherman for relative beginners. I've got a box full of rooster tails -- will report how we do. images/icons/smile.gif