Northwest Fishing Reports

I just took up bass fishing and I`m not having much luck. Can any of you pros give me some advice on what to use maybe. I`m heading out to lake kapowsin on Saturday. The kids are gonna catch some trout while I throw some spinners.My dad grew up bass fishing in Louisianna but his tips just are not doing it. Thanks

Pick up some strike king 3/4 oz jigs I like the BOOYAH green pumpkin but the other works fine. Look for some split tail tralors the bigger the better. Fish around the shore, docks, wood cover.

This is a post from another site I made awhile back.
Hope it helps a little,when I first wrote it,I was half asleep and at this moment,I'm limited on time
as I'm setting up the new house. I will be at Kapow tomorrow and working there this weekend...I'll
try to provide better info,again,I'm certainly no expert on bass'n....just sharing what has produced for me.

fish many Pierce County lakes and feel fairly confident in giving tips for Lake Kapowsin.
However,that being said....I'm certainly not a bass pro and I think most of the wafish members could easily jump in here and provide better info than myself. This is my experience with Kapowsin and is subject to scrutiny and anyone can chime in and call BS. Again,this is my experience.

I feel Kapowsin is a little gem of a lmb fishery but often over looked due to pain in the ass stumps,location and a few bad apples(Meth Heads) that ruin it for everyone else.
I have fished here for over 25 years and summer months its not uncommon for me to fish here a few times a week.
Winter fishing is really hit and miss. I really don't have much luck with lmb this time of year on any lake but if you put the time in,I'm certain you can catch a few.
As the waters warm,the lmb are still all over,in terms of depths...some make their usual hiding grounds in the downed timber,while others are still holding in deeper water. During this time,I like to toss a Texas Rigged Senko. I'm sure other lures will produce...this is just me. Depending on how the bite is that day,I may switch up to a crank and toss it eratically. I really like the Rapala X-Rap in blue/silver. I suppose this would be my confident bait. Don't be afraid of snags,infact...I like to deflect it off many stumps. I can't say for sure but it would seem that it gets the lmb's attention/interest a little better.
Summer time seems more like a free for all. I won't guarantee you will catch the biggest fish but this time of year,everything is biting and very close to shore. The evening's topwater bite is excellent. Try using a frog either around the endless collection of logs and stumps or motor down the very south end where theirs an abundance of lillypads.
During this time,I fall back to my beloved white spinnerbait and work it similar to the crank,tossing it through branches,stumps and pads.Making as much noise as possible....within reason anyway. The lake is typically murky,which seems to make the bass harder to spook. Again,I have no real proof of that...just my own observation. It would seem you can almost get right over the top of them.
If your stuck on the shore. Try hopping the logs a bit. Don't get yourself into trouble,but you can get yourself right over them,just slow and quiet...I swear those bass will know your there as soon as you start walking down the trail.

Take your time out here,their are plenty of stumps that like to kiss boats and if you see any police cars at the launch, give these guys a "Thank you" The Pierce County Sheriffs Office has been working hard to get rid of the tweekers and keep an eye on our vehicles but sadly with such a huge area to cover,they are overwhelmed.

I probably left out a ton of info but hope this helps. Again,this is what has worked for me and subject to scrutiny.

Trent Hale wrote: Pick up some strike king 3/4 oz jigs I like the BOOYAH green pumpkin but the other works fine. Look for some split tail tralors the bigger the better. Fish around the shore, docks, wood cover.

no matter what time of the year I always have a jig on a rod or two.

All of the lakes around here are different. Most of them have clear or tea colored water. Tea water fishes a lot like muddy water.

Get a 7 ft rod mh to h with a fast action tip. A quality baitcaster. 12-15 mono or flouro for clear water 30 pound plus braid for muddy water. 3/8 ounce skinny bear jig in black and blue or green pumpkin. Reaction inovation sweet beaver the big ones in same colors. Toss that jig next to and under all cover and structure possible. when you cast the jig let it sink to the bottom on a slack line. Jig it a couple times reel in and repeat. Set hook when you feel a thump, when your jig stops sinking when not at bottom, when it feels "mushy", when your line moves (be a line watcher), or if you notice anything weird lift up lightly to feel the fish.

Do this for about 30 to 50 more years and enjoy.

tnj8222 wrote:Do this for about 30 to 50 more years and enjoy.

LOL

I agree with the jigs, but i would also use a senko, texas rigged !!!:cheers:

skimpy wrote:

tnj8222 wrote:Do this for about 30 to 50 more years and enjoy.

LOL

For me it's more like 10 years, or less.

And spinnerbaits, cranks, worms both weighted lightly and weightless, top water sooner or later. Fishing slow until the water gets warmer, like in the 50s to 65, then fish faster. Yes you can catch a fish by fishing 'faster' in cold water, but not usually all that many fish are awake yet so slow is better just now.

Junbug or Rootbeer Baby brush hog with 1/8 oz bulletweight pegged. That and the jig will be a win-win.

Amx wrote:

skimpy wrote:

tnj8222 wrote:Do this for about 30 to 50 more years and enjoy.

LOL

For me it's more like 10 years, or less.

you just keep on whacking them pigs Tom!

Thanks guys that`s all great info. I`ll try all of it and see what`s working. Anybody know of a good rod and reel to buy. Descent but cheap. Just till I get my hands in the water. Hear the bait casters are great. Thanks This site is great can`t get enough of it.

rjn cajun wrote:Thanks guys that`s all great info. I`ll try all of it and see what`s working. Anybody know of a good rod and reel to buy. Descent but cheap. Just till I get my hands in the water. Hear the bait casters are great. Thanks This site is great can`t get enough of it.

I have 5 Bass baitcaster rods for sale. Listed by brand, type, lure and line weight, ect. in the classified. All at $20 each. Reels have been sold.

tnj8222 wrote:

Amx wrote:

skimpy wrote:
LOL

For me it's more like 10 years, or less.

you just keep on whacking them pigs Tom!

Fishing will get better soon, we need to get on the lake as I mentioned would be good to do back in Oct. But the fishing season was winding down quick for me at that time.

I love Kapowsin but not because of my success. It's one of the first lakes I remember my dad taking me and my brothers too, it's a lake he grew up duck hunting on, and one of the first lakes my brother and I duck hunted on together. Lots of species of fish in that lake too.

Until you get the feel for what the bass are doing your go to lure should be a weightless senko pencil worm. You can't fish them wrong, it is easy to see bites, and they catch fish everywhere. I like all the Yamamoto products but my favorite is the 3" curly tailed hula grubs. I fish them with 1/8 oz. weight either on a jig head or mostly I texas rig it. When choosing colors natural colors are good choices.

fishaholictaz wrote:Until you get the feel for what the bass are doing your go to lure should be a weightless senko pencil worm. You can't fish them wrong, it is easy to see bites, and they catch fish everywhere. I like all the Yamamoto products but my favorite is the 3" curly tailed hula grubs. I fish them with 1/8 oz. weight either on a jig head or mostly I texas rig it. When choosing colors natural colors are good choices.

I honestly wish the senko was never recommended to me. Although a good bait it has been a hard crutch to get over.

tnj8222 wrote:I honestly wish the senko was never recommended to me. Although a good bait it has been a hard crutch to get over.

+1 - I want to get out of the "when all else fails, throw a senko" mentality.

I've thrown a senko maybe 15 times last year, caught the most senko fish last year, around 5. Started back about '02. Same with dropshotting. Bought my dropshot rod and stuff in '02 and thrown it maybe 10 times. Still catch MUCH more fish crankbaiting. Give me crankbaits, spinnerbaits, top water, worms/lizards anyday. Give me Carolina rigging over dropshot anyday.

great thread, Im new to bass fishing as well. thanks guys for sharing all the info. Im use to the hunting world...ask for help and get nothing.

bcalvert wrote:

tnj8222 wrote:I honestly wish the senko was never recommended to me. Although a good bait it has been a hard crutch to get over.

+1 - I want to get out of the "when all else fails, throw a senko" mentality.

-1 You guys are crazy! :jocolor: There is a reason that when all else fails you throw a senko......it catches fish when all else fails!

I'm just yanking your chain, but seriously, I throw a ton of stuff, and prefer to fish fast reaction baits, but trust me when all else fails, I'm throwing a senko! If you are new to bass fishing and trying to gain some confidence in general, you should be doing the same thing! Just my opinion. Have fun out there, and don't be hatin' on the senko, it's one of the most versatile baits ever made. fish it weightless, texas rigged with a bullet weight, drop shot it, carolina rig it, wacky rig it or use it as jig trailer, it can do it all!

Best,
Dave