Northwest Fishing Reports

I went to Phantom Lake yesterday to fish for some perch with a bobber and worm. To my surpise, I ended up catching more LMB dinks. As I was fishing, these baby bass were jumping like crazy within the lily pads too (I'm guessing to eat flies/insects that were flying over). Many times they would jump and land on a lily pad, then flop like crazy to get back in the water. It was all pretty entertaining. I think I saw this happen like 30 times. And sometimes two would jump and land simultaneously on a pad. The dinks I caught ranged from 3" - 8" and I probably caught like 10-15. I threw them all back.

Anyways, I'm not sure how fast bass grow, but if they grow fast, expect this lake to produce some hogs maybe even as early as next year.

Also, it makes sense that if there were dinks, the hogs must be around too. However, I tried using rapalas, spinners, and senkos and got no bites.

bass in wa state only grow at a rate of 1/2 / yr - if you are lucky

phantom - its a no motor lake, even electrics arent allowed. plus you have to have a permit to launch.

How fast they grow depends on how much food and what type of food is available,..I'm sure there are some bigger Bass present!

BB

T Dot wrote:bass in wa state only grow at a rate of 1/2 / yr - if you are lucky

phantom - its a no motor lake, even electrics arent allowed. plus you have to have a permit to launch.

Last time I was there (about 1-2 years ago), the ticket stand and sign that said permit required, were gone.

thanks for the info fishinduden last time I went to phantom I didn't even see a bass but the lake looks productive

My advise is to review that fishing reports on tht lake .. There are a handful of Bass that carry some size .. IMO it's another stunted bass lake simular to beaver and lost lake .. JT26 fished this lake a few times but no mention of any hogs ... Keep in mind on lakes like this if you get into any bass over 3lbs you have had a great day ..

thanks for the info BBD

fishndude wrote:I went to Phantom Lake yesterday to fish for some perch with a bobber and worm. To my surpise, I ended up catching more LMB dinks. As I was fishing, these baby bass were jumping like crazy within the lily pads too (I'm guessing to eat flies/insects that were flying over). Many times they would jump and land on a lily pad, then flop like crazy to get back in the water. It was all pretty entertaining. I think I saw this happen like 30 times. And sometimes two would jump and land simultaneously on a pad. The dinks I caught ranged from 3" - 8" and I probably caught like 10-15. I threw them all back.

Anyways, I'm not sure how fast bass grow, but if they grow fast, expect this lake to produce some hogs maybe even as early as next year.

Also, it makes sense that if there were dinks, the hogs must be around too. However, I tried using rapalas, spinners, and senkos and got no bites.

Hey fishndude

I saw you out there

I was standing on the dock with my mother when you walked up. She lives in Bellevue and we were out for an evening walk after dinner. I fished Phantom once a couple years ago from my float tube. Caught a bass of about three pounds. I had to work real hard for it though. I think Dez has that lake pegged right. There are some big ones, but good luck finding them, especially without a boat.

Suzanne

I went out there yesterday and fished from the dock. I first tried a few new cranks, then a white spinner bait with no luck. Switched over to bobber and worm and caught a few little perch and some tiny bass. I still havent caught a nice bass out of there. I have seen one about 2lbs swimming around near the pads though. That guy was probably the lakes monster bass.
Im with BBD about the bass being stunted.

remind me not to go back out there guys....LOL thanks again for all the good info

hookemdanno wrote:

fishndude wrote:I went to Phantom Lake yesterday to fish for some perch with a bobber and worm. To my surpise, I ended up catching more LMB dinks. As I was fishing, these baby bass were jumping like crazy within the lily pads too (I'm guessing to eat flies/insects that were flying over). Many times they would jump and land on a lily pad, then flop like crazy to get back in the water. It was all pretty entertaining. I think I saw this happen like 30 times. And sometimes two would jump and land simultaneously on a pad. The dinks I caught ranged from 3" - 8" and I probably caught like 10-15. I threw them all back.

Anyways, I'm not sure how fast bass grow, but if they grow fast, expect this lake to produce some hogs maybe even as early as next year.

Also, it makes sense that if there were dinks, the hogs must be around too. However, I tried using rapalas, spinners, and senkos and got no bites.

Hey fishndude

I saw you out there

I was standing on the dock with my mother when you walked up. She lives in Bellevue and we were out for an evening walk after dinner. I fished Phantom once a couple years ago from my float tube. Caught a bass of about three pounds. I had to work real hard for it though. I think Dez has that lake pegged right. There are some big ones, but good luck finding them, especially without a boat.

Suzanne

Haha, yeah I remember you. Its cool seeing a WL.comer and not even knowing it.

I don't have a boat, but I have been in Phantom with a raft. Same results though - only perch, bluegill, and dink bass. But the action I saw last week was exciting. I'll keep trying...

fishndude wrote:

hookemdanno wrote:

fishndude wrote:I went to Phantom Lake yesterday to fish for some perch with a bobber and worm. To my surpise, I ended up catching more LMB dinks. As I was fishing, these baby bass were jumping like crazy within the lily pads too (I'm guessing to eat flies/insects that were flying over). Many times they would jump and land on a lily pad, then flop like crazy to get back in the water. It was all pretty entertaining. I think I saw this happen like 30 times. And sometimes two would jump and land simultaneously on a pad. The dinks I caught ranged from 3" - 8" and I probably caught like 10-15. I threw them all back.

Anyways, I'm not sure how fast bass grow, but if they grow fast, expect this lake to produce some hogs maybe even as early as next year.

Also, it makes sense that if there were dinks, the hogs must be around too. However, I tried using rapalas, spinners, and senkos and got no bites.

Hey fishndude

I saw you out there

I was standing on the dock with my mother when you walked up. She lives in Bellevue and we were out for an evening walk after dinner. I fished Phantom once a couple years ago from my float tube. Caught a bass of about three pounds. I had to work real hard for it though. I think Dez has that lake pegged right. There are some big ones, but good luck finding them, especially without a boat.

Suzanne

Haha, yeah I remember you. Its cool seeing a WL.comer and not even knowing it.

I don't have a boat, but I have been in Phantom with a raft. Same results though - only perch, bluegill, and dink bass. But the action I saw last week was exciting. I'll keep trying...

Yes. Maybe we should wear Washington Lakes.com t-shirts at all times. And do keep trying for those bass. They are there. Probably like any lake, it's best during the spring. I think that's especially true for smaller park-type lakes.

Suzanne