How is the fishing in Phoenix?

[Peter Lloyd]

I posted this on the Northern forum, but it would probably be more appropriate here.
I have a job interview in Phoenix next week and I may consider moving. I have been looking around for info about fishing in AZ and I haven't found much. How is the fishing out there? Any Phoenix bass clubs?
Any other info would be great. I have only been to Phoenix one time, so I don't know much about it. I will only be there for the day next week, so I will have no time to look around before I make a big decision. I have heard that it isn't that great - too much traffic and way too hot. It doesn't sound much different than Dallas. I think I would just be happy to get out of all the rain down here.

Thanks,

Peter

[John Barron]

I lived in Phoenix for 3 years and was amazed at how much water is in the city. There are several communities that are built around ponds and small lakes. Some allowed boats on them. I lived in Scottsdale and the pond I lived on had some great bass. I logged over 50 fish 5# or better with the best being 8 1/2#. I don't know anything about any bass clubs but there is plenty of fishing around. The Salt River had some nice smallies, you are not that far from Havasu or Roosevelt, Apache and a couple of others that fish well. Check with Southwest Marine in Tempe and they can give you all the information you want.
jb

[Ringer]

Peter-go to azbasszone.com and there are about 4000 of us who fight, drink, fish and work on habitat together. Right now is kicking in for the best fishing in years with all of our lakes at 100% and just starting to reach 60 degrees and are starting to clear up a bit. Bunch of good clubs and tournament circuits. Winter fishing sucks and night tourneys in the summer. Traffic is bad but not California yet. Let me know if you need any specific info.

[millsryno]

Peter - I live in Phoenix and love it. I have been back here for 2 years now, from So Cal.

There is a lot of fishing. Lake Pleasant is Northwest of the valley, Barlett Lake is North of the Valley, both about 1 hour from Phoenix to boat ramp. Roosevelt, Saquaro and Canyon are North East of Phoenix about 2 hours. It all actually depends on where you live, though, for how long it takes. For example, if you live in Peoria, Lake Pleasant is less than 30 minutes away. Alamo lake is 2.5 hours West of Phoenix. You also have martinez, Havasu, Mead and Powell on the Colorado River...ranging from 3-5 hours away. Tucson has a couple lakes, too.

The fishing is different out here that what you are used to. First, no lake resttictions on speed and you can fish to whatever time you darn well please. Entrance to the lakes is cheap, like $7 for a boat and vehicle. Lakes have tons of camping. I think these lakes offer more numbers, rather than size. An 8# bass out here is probably rarer than a 10# bass in CA. Although, we had a great spawn in 2005 and will again this year...the bass are getting bigger. There are more 4-8 pound bass being caught now than since the '70s. Roosevelt will become one of the top fisheries in the West very soon. The lake is fuller than it has EVER been and is still filling.

The techniques are a little different, too. Drop shotting is king. Ricos, jerkbaits, and plastics usually do the trick. Night fishing during the summer is pretty popular because you can beat the heat and the lake is real nice. With warm weather, the pattern is usually top water in the morning and evening when the fish come up to feed and they move deep to cooler water during the heat of the day. 100 fish days are not that uncommon with a good majority of those fish coming in the morning and evening.

I think the lakes in Nor Cal are a good size, but one thing I was disapointed with in So Cal was the small size of the lakes. These lakes in AZ are big. Roosevelt was built in the 20's and at that time was the largest man made lake in the world. It has gotten bigger since then, too. Powell is so big, it has more shoreline than the Western USA.

There are a lot of bass clubs and tournament circuits. To compare, the usual tournament takes 11-15 pounds to win with a 5 bass limit.

I don't know what people have told you about Phoenix, but it is a good city. That is why they are year in and year out for the last 10 years one of the 2 or 3 fastest growing areas in the country. Traffic is relative. Compared to So Cal, the traffic is very pleasant. Rush hour is 6-9 AM and 3-7 PM. Traffic is slow to heavy during those times, but other than that, the freeways and roads are wide open. Another nice thing about Phoenix is the "grid" system the roads are set up on. We don't have a bunch of winding roads all over town. The roads are pretty much straight for 10s of miles and there is an intersection every mile.

Not going to lie, it does get hot. June is usually 110-120 for the entire month. Phoenix is a heat island and because of this the night time temps do not drop below 100. July and aUgust are muggy because of the monsoon season. It sucks. But, you get get used to it and October-March is probably the best weather in the country. Everywhere you go has Air conditioning.

This is an excellent time to move to Phoenix for housing. The market has crashed...builders are practically giving away homes and interest rates are falling. Oh another nice thing about Phoenix, most of the city has been built since the 90s s everything is new and clean.

Well, I hope that helps.

[booyaa_az]

Its not bad but look out for Ringer mooning you or give you the bird! I wonder if its just me he gives the bird to? lol

Sorry Ringer! No I am not!

[tomi]

Peter,

I see you are considering moving here from Dallas. Well, fishing in Arizona isn't like Texas. I am actually considering moving to the Dallas area in a few years for a "pre retirement" move just to be closer to more lakes. With that said, the fishing in Arizona is pretty good. You can go almost 365 days a year, weather is usually not a hinderance, (ok, maybe it was this last winter) But generally if you plan a trip, you can be sure that you won't have weather change your plans. Roosevelt is going to be unbelievable for the next few years. There is enough fishing around here that I wouldn't let that sway your decision for taking the job or not. If you do decide to move out here, let us know, we will get you up to speed on the lakes. And when you come out here, bring those BFL's with you!

Tom

[Guest]

Peter,

Give me a call on my cell phone 408-203-8000 (even though I'm out in Scottsdale now I can't give up my 408 number). The clubs and fishing is soooo different but there are definitely places to fish. Cost of living is really cheap compared to the SF Bay Area but it comes at a price.

[Peter Lloyd]

I am originally from the Bay Area. I moved to Dallas to go to SMU. If you like traffic and bad weather, Texas is the place to live. Really, it is not that bad, but I would rather live closer to home. I am not exaggerating about the weather though. It is always windy and it rains way more than I am accustom to. We had over 4 inches of rain just yesterday and it was snowing just a couple weeks ago. I am not sure if that is normal because it has been different every year I have been here.
There are a ton of lakes, but they fish way different than anything out West.
Thanks for the info. on Phoenix. I still need to get the offer, but I think I am leaning toward moving.

[Peter Lloyd]

Vince, I will give you a call if I end up moving out there. Do the AZ fish eat your jig like they did on the Delta?
My ultimate goal would be to live in Phoenix for around 3 or 4 years, then move back to the Bay. By then I should be able to afford it.
So far, I think I like what I am hearing about AZ. There are a few good ProAm circuits where I can learn what AZ fishing is all about and I will be able to buy a house. I just can't go outside in the summer. It really doesn't sound much different than Texas.
That azbasszone.com is a good resource.

Thanks

[Topwater Terry]

Peter-I lived in the Blythe area, about 150 miles west of Phoenix, for 11 years. I'm not real sure if you can ever get used to that kind of heat. Then again, if you are from Dallas, you know what heat is all about. One thing I'm not sure the other guys mentioned on this post (maybe I missed it) is the water clarity of the AZ lakes. In the Dallas area, two feet of visibility is considered as clear. In those lakes in AZ, with the exception of the lower Colorado River, 2 feet is muddy! You might want to learn to sight fish in AZ. I would be interested to hear if the Bailey's or Mr. Rooke have gotten used to that heat in Havasu. It sometimes gets so bad that you open a closet in August and laugh when you see a jacket! If you are going to be in Phoenix, try to drive up to Sedona or Prescott as often as possible to beat the heat, it will be about 20 cooler up there. If you have a good job you can afford to live in Phoenix, but as a teacher I could never afford it, the AC bill would take up my whole check Good luck in whatever you do...

[Guest]

Yep the Brown jigs work out here too but I've modified them a bit. The only problem is that about 85% is useless from the delta/clear lake. The fishing is decent but no where near that from the Delta. Think Folsom, Oroville or New Melones w/ LM and no spotted bass. 12lb test is considered heavy gear and you can basically fish a drop shot or shaky head just about anywhere and catch fish. The only thing you have to deal with is the heat and staying properly hydrated. I learned the hard way the first 6 months as I moved here in 116 degree weather and didn't quite understand the importance of electrolytes. Not something that you have to worry too much about in CA or in TX, but it's all about adapting. If you can make it past the first 3-5 months then it's not a problem.

One other thing that I should mention is that the ratio of single men/women out here is astounding. Wait maybe I shouldn't say too much on the forum.

[hippie]

I hear work is better in phoenix too its a right to work state everyone hurry move wallmart is hiring, I just love scab states

[dockboy]

I haven't been lucky enough to fish for anything but trout in northern AZ up by Powell. Scottsdale area is very nice, have a business partner of my dad who is there on one of the golf courses. If you look at a map and travel around the cities, there is a lot of water in Arizona. I just couldn't stand the heat. I recently finished all my college stuff and Arizona/ New Mexico area, as good of fishing and schools some of the places down there have, it just wasn't an option. Plus, I burn like a Nazi in a Indiana Jones movies in that type of sun. Once its past 110 highs, I'm outta there! If you can do it, you'll love it. If you can't...you'll hate it. But for housing, the other parts of the SW definitely felt the pinch before use. You can get great houses down there now for cheap compared to before. Be warned though; some of the stuff we think is expensive here is even more so over there. AC and water cost a ton, according to the few friends I have there. Power is bit cheaper, cause the dams at Powell and Havasu provide a lot, but you also use a lot to keep the house cool during the hot times. From what I know, swamp coolers usually don't work out there, because, believe it or not, Phoenix is humid compared to a lot of SoCal. But if the job is good and you like the area, do it. Now is the time, while buyer still has the advantage and the inflation is still down a bit,

[some guy]

I hear the "Syringe" bite is wide in Phoenix.. stick to the shallow flats and youll be on one in no time.

[Turtle]

Fishing is OK, you have roughly 9 fisheries within a 3 hour drive that you can fish in a bass boat, no motor restrictions etc. There are no regulated hours or days, first come first serve. The lakes range from roughly 1000 surface acres to 20,000, with Roosevelt and Havasu being the largest. Throw in Lake powell at a 5 hour drive and thats just an experience, nevermind the fishing which can be decent. Thare are plenty of circuts, TBF, BASS Nation, ABA, plenty of team T's, etc., probably another 3-4 decent ones. Most T's are won on a 12-15 lb bag, but there is the occasional 20-30 lb bag. These lakes will test you, you can dropshot in 50 ft one minute and turn around and flip the shore the next, but you had better be versatile. BTW, I lived in Waco, TX for 4 years while attending Baylor, I'll take 110-115 degrees long before those damn humid 100 degree days, yes the dry heat thing is true. Good luck in your decision.

[Ringer]

It has always been a right to work state because it is a red state where we believe government intervention should be limited. You can carry a sidearm on your hip without a permit, loaded in your glove box or under your seat and if you want you can join a quarter million other people and get your concealed carry permit. It is changing because so many liberals are moving here to escape the places they already screwed up. Fishing goes from crappy to great but a hog here is 10-12 pounds. It is hotter than hell in the summer so learn to night fish. Hunting is good here. Overall a good place to live IMO.