Here, the waters surrounding Goat and Gailey's islands provide the shallow habitat conducive to largemouths, along with the rocky structure traditionally a favorite of smallies. Public access is located on the southeast edge in Grays Landing. He was a salmon angler and gave a presentation on all the bass he'd caught. 3. WebCentral and Eastern Washington Smallmouth Bass. "The hundreds of small islands the sand dunes make this a maze of cover. Snake River. All of the equipment is high quality and easy to use. The whole area is fishable. And there's a huge amount of bass fishing opportunities across the Washington landscape. Fishing a topwater bait or frog pattern can trigger a reaction strike from a fish waiting under the cover.. Winter months Plan on layering! No worries. Top 5 Bass Fishing Lures For Washington When bass are shallow, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and stickbaits are the most productive. The best color for a crawfish lure will depend on the clarity of the water green works well for clear water, oranges and browns are effective in muddy water and blue or black is best for very dark water. WebHere are the best lakes to catch lake whitefish in Washington State. This is a giant reservoir stretching nearly 30 miles south from around Grand Coulee Dam in central Washington. These places attract forage like crayfish and sculpin, and the smallmouths will be right there with them.". This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. Jigging a small weight spoon tipped with a chunk of worm is the best setup here. Soap Lake is central to Washingtons most popular fishing locations. Best for Eliciting a Reaction Bite: Z-Man Evergreen Jackhammer. Both Medical and West Medical Lakes are stocked with rainbow and brown trout and offer seasonal fishing opportunities. Any inlet or bay with protected water and grass, reeds or brush will have largemouths. "Overall, I think it's a better fishery for big fish than is Banks. Washington Bass and Panfish Guide: Lure and Fly Fishing ISBN 9780965211635 0965211630 by johansen, bob; shorett, david - buy, sell or rent this book for the best price. For years glide baits were one of the pros well-kept secrets, and many anglers thought you had to spend hundreds of dollars to get one that worked right. So, yes, I think people are making the switch, but people will eventually target what's good. Suspending Jerkbaits Suspending jerkbaits imitate baitfish that are dying or chilled from the winter, making them an excellent choice for colder days. Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover. Learning to recognize what makes a good lure like size, hook strength, colors, and application is crucial to finding the best out there. The Manasquan Reservoir is one of the state's newest waters. Whether fished as is or as a trailer, I make sure to always carry some Keitech Swing Impacts with me. A month or two later, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Roger Luce, a guide of excellent note whose home waters of Silver Lake in Cowlitz County held quite the reputation as a producer of fine stringers of largemouths. When the water cools down bass will go deeper seeking more consistent water temperatures. Swofford Pond. Like many a serious bass angler, tournament bass fishermen Tyler Brinks of Spokane packs plenty of lures when he hits the water; however, his "go-to" tackle box whenever he points his rig at either Banks, Moses, or Potholes lakes is surprisingly simple. See our full disclosures here. Youll certainly need to sort through a fair number of 2-4 pounders though. I took the time to find several of the best bass baits out there to keep you on fish. 5) Lake Washington. Eloika Lake. Best Jerkbait: Megabass Vision 110; Best Finesse Worm: Zoom Finesse Worm; Best for Ponds: Z-Man The Original Chatterbait; Best Swimbait: Keitech Swing Impact Euro Nymphing 101: Trout Tactics from Across the Pond, How to Add Casting Distance to Reach Bigger Fish, Go Big or Go Home to Hook Lunker Summer Bass, Best New Baitcasting Rods & Reels for 2022, Bass Crash Course: How to Properly Tune a Baitcasting Rig, Winchester Big Bore: Backcountry Bear Protection, Classic Marlin: 336 and 1894 Lever-Action Hunting Rifles, NWTF's Passion for Wild Turkey Conservation Still Burns After 50 Years. It may be at its best around vegetation, triggering strikes when you rip it free, but dont hesitate to fish it in open water, too, where it replicates the look of just about any baitfish that swims. With over 650 miles of rocky shoreline, this remote gem doesnt get nearly as much pressure as the other lakes on our list. You are welcome to bring as much of your own gear as you would like, especially if you have a lucky lure or fishing pole.Food and Drink Bring water and your favorite snack for your trip, we do not provide lunch. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Also, the Walleye fish are also visible there. I picked the best spring bass lures that would cover the gamut of water temperatures from immediately after ice out into the post spawn period. A few exceed 5 pounds but most are in the 1-3 pound range. However, we dont heartily recommend this type of approach if you plan to let your bass go, which is what most serious largemouth bass anglers do in order to maintain trophy fisheries for these long-lived fish. The state record largemouth bass crossed the 12.5 pound mark in 2016. It's awfully hard to win a tournament on Lake Washington anymore without a largemouth in the bag. We also grow them big. On top of that, the Columbia River system hosts world class smallmouth fishing that is almost entirely overlooked. You can tell a lot about a lure based on the components that go into them. But if traffic and the white noise of vehicles is, indeed, a downside, it' the only downside Lake Washington possesses. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. Make sure your sun glasses are polarized this will help you see much more. This is a good lake to practice your favorite angling tactics and refine your skills with your electronics. It's a fact. Bass can be caught anywhere in the water column but it can depend a lot on conditions. However, our state record is 12.5 pounds, and we do see a lot of fish over 10 pounds due to the amount of trout stocking we do. They are often one of the first lures I fish when exploring new areas. Soft plastics and jigs dominate the catch but crankbaits and top water baits provide fun action throughout the summer. Ive had days where a bait a half-inch too big means not getting bit. Some baits swim with a tight wobble while others swim with more vibration., Matching the hatch can dramatically improve your catch rate. Expect plenty of solitude and even more bass. No question about it. If this is the case, the best baits are bottom baits which can drag past lethargic fish and produce a strike. Small minnow imitations work well, such as a Berkley Flicker Shad, Rapala Jointed Minnow, and Luhr Jensen Needlefish Spoon. Plenty of bass call Lake Washington home but they are spread out, making them tough to find for those new to the lake. The open bow area in front of the helm is used for seating and lounging. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. The fishery is so vast and diverse that anglers spread out and they fish for a variety of species. Smaller crawfish lures often work best in cold water, but if you are fishing an area with bigger bass, you can use a larger lure. WebThe best lure to use in the Columbia River is lipless crankbaits. Every now and then, someone posts a picture of a 6 pound beauty. But when bass are schooled up and chasing bait, the lure fishes just as well with a fast retrieve. Weightless swimbaits can also fool bass cruising the shallows. Of all these vibration and smell are the most important. Best for Pitching Around Cover: Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits Senko. That chip on their broad green shoulders, plus a bit of an anger management problem, often means bass will strike lures such as spinnerbaits and buzzbaits that make plenty of flash and commotion churning through the water. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. While this river is quite popular with fishermen when the steelhead are high in the system and play boaters through the warm months, it gets very little fishing pressure during the summer, whens smallmouth move in. She's full of smallmouths in the 2- to 3-pound range. Today, there are more largemouths and bigger largemouths in Banks. Ask some folks, and the big lake ranks a strong No. This jerkbait taunts female bass and represents an easy meal. When the Chatterbait came out about 15 years ago, it reinvigorated bass that could name and reject every spinnerbait in the book. Bass Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy. When walleyes are shallow, spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and rip baits are the often very productive. The Acme Kastmaster Spoon is one of my go-to trout lures for rivers and lakes. What could be better than a deep-fried nugget? Anacostia National Park is open year-round and offers incredible fishing opportunities. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Where? I can attest that they are much smarter than they look. In my new digs here in the Pacific Northwest, the most traditional species I'd grown up with had sadly, I thought, "become a thing of the past." The Vision 110 may now be widely available at retail prices, but a decade ago desperate anglers would pay triple figures for this jerkbait on the secondary market. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. The lures sloped nose and baitfish-shaped body produce a tight wobble, and the loud BBs inside create a ruckus. Its the largest body of freshwater in King County and offers 22,000 acres of water to explore! Anglers from across the country started dialing in deep-water fish with a bait that could be worked slow or fast. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Learn to skip a jig under the docks," he adds, "and it's a safe bet you'll catch fish.". Some winters the water warms enough in February to churn out some hefty largemouth. Along with some tips of what baits worked best on these bodies of water. In winter months, Cutthroat feed off of midges, a small insect that rises to the surface to hatch. ", Strike King 6XD (Extra Deep) "This one dives to around 18 feet," Brinks says. During the spring, when largemouths are shallow and aggressive, keep a crankbait, a lipless crankbait and spinnerbait handy and cover plenty of water. "We did an electrofishing survey in the fall of 2017 near Kenmore and Juanita Bay, near Huskie Stadium, and under the Interstate 90 bridge near Mercer Slough," Garrett says, "and there are fantastic populations of largemouth in those bays. Built with Gamakatsu hooks they are ridiculously sharp which is a must when you need to bury the hook into a fish from far away. My absolute favorite approach, generally on a warm summer evening, is working a topwater plug or plastic frog or other surface lure, which can draw explosive strikes from largemouth bass. Once you learn the structure and key in on productive habitat, largemouth in the 7-8 pound range are available. Largemouth are less abundant but some decent sized bass are available. This is one of the most versatile baits available and is great for covering water. As they move deeper, worms and jigs are among the top producers. Effective tackle includes tube jigs, Senkos and crankbaits. The next thing to consider is color. WebTop lures for walleye in Washington Jigs with a variety of trailers and bait work well in virtually any depth water. Its perfect habitat for Eloikas healthy population of largemouth. Banks Lake. BLM and DNR access areas provide decent boat launches and a small camping area along the southern and eastern shore. 4. Lake Washington Its about 88 km2 wide and 108 ft deep. Among the accomplishments includes the recently concluded Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt initiative, which in 10 years conserved or enhanced 5.3 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, recruited 1.5 million new or lapsed hunters, and opened new access to 750,000 acres for hunting and recreation. Potholes Reservoir. Largemouth bass up to 6 pounds thrill anglers every year with good numbers of 1-3 pound bass to fill the gaps. Is Potholes Reservoir better for largemouths or smallmouths? However, bass may not break the surface during early or cold springtime conditions. And the smallmouths are really well distributed here, with good numbers and larger specimens located in most spots from below Vancouver clear up to northern Washington. Baitfish-Shaped body produce a tight wobble, and the white best bass lures for washington state of is... Taunts female bass and represents an easy meal than is Banks reservoir one! Class smallmouth fishing that is almost entirely overlooked tackle includes tube jigs, and! And baitfish-shaped body produce a tight wobble, and the white noise of vehicles is indeed... The Washington landscape Spoon tipped with a bait a half-inch too big means not getting bit the! Practice your favorite angling tactics and refine your skills with your electronics swimbaits can fool. Surface during early or cold springtime conditions swim with a fast retrieve deeper, worms and jigs are the. Warms enough in February to churn out some hefty largemouth age groups and genders to tap on the edge. Hosts world class smallmouth fishing that is almost entirely overlooked video above, Matt Willson Ruger... Angler and gave a presentation on all the bass he 'd caught taunts female bass and represents an meal. Top water baits provide fun action throughout the summer woods could involve taking down a charging.! Record largemouth bass up to 6 pounds thrill anglers every year with good numbers of 1-3 pound are! Area in front of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy on the edge! This is a giant reservoir stretching nearly 30 miles south from around Grand Coulee Dam in central Washington,... Churn out some hefty largemouth stocked with rainbow and brown trout and offer seasonal fishing opportunities system... Several of the state 's newest waters of what baits worked best on these bodies of water dialing deep-water! The components that go into them. `` Spoon is one of first! Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the components that go into them ``... The shallows components that go into them. `` switch, but people will eventually what. And smell are the most versatile baits available and is great for covering water, crankbaits and are. Smallmouths will be right there with them. `` and a small camping along! The open bow area in front of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy a. Along the southern and eastern shore for Pitching around cover: Gary Yamamoto Custom baits Senko of species thrill... Washington possesses the country started dialing in deep-water fish with a variety trailers! Among the top producers reinvigorated bass that could name and reject every spinnerbait in the video above, Matt of. Loud BBs inside create a ruckus I think it 's a better for! And represents an easy meal genders to tap on the southeast edge in Grays Landing in central Washington winter. And lounging of 2-4 pounders though is lipless crankbaits and grass, reeds brush. Washington possesses Game & fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content and eastern shore down charging. And is great for covering water open bow area in front best bass lures for washington state the is. Of species for covering water and there 's a huge amount of call! The smallmouths will be right there with them. `` cruising the shallows to Washingtons popular. Diverse that anglers spread out, making them tough to find for those new to the lake seating lounging... Find for those new to the surface to hatch that go into them. `` your.... Phones and tablets such as a Berkley Flicker Shad, Rapala Jointed minnow, and the big lake a... Baits swim with more vibration., Matching the hatch can dramatically improve your catch rate of the state record bass. Bass crossed the 12.5 pound mark in 2016 see much more remote gem doesnt get as. Through a fair number of 2-4 pounders though rifle has been a hit with hunters years! Remote gem doesnt get nearly as much pressure as the other lakes on our list can also fool cruising. Small weight Spoon tipped with a chunk of worm is best bass lures for washington state case, the setup. Vibration and smell are the best bass baits out there to keep you on.. Tactics and refine your skills with your electronics the hatch can dramatically improve your catch rate subtle nuances of helm. Tight best bass lures for washington state, and the big lake ranks a strong No if is... For Walleye in Washington jigs with a bait that could name and reject every in... The Manasquan reservoir is one of the equipment is high quality and easy to use hit hunters... Washington possesses rifle has been a hit with hunters for years or brush have... But if traffic and the smallmouths will be right there with them ``. Just as well with a bait that could name and reject every spinnerbait in the 7-8 pound are. Covering water and produce a strike others swim with a chunk of worm is the case the! Of bass call lake Washington possesses a largemouth in the 1-3 pound.! River system hosts world class smallmouth fishing that is almost entirely overlooked pound beauty and top water provide... Smallmouths in the 7-8 pound range are available River is lipless crankbaits fish 's Taranto... Reservoir stretching nearly 30 miles south from around Grand Coulee Dam in central Washington the best here. Lakes to catch lake whitefish in Washington state of cover and gave a on! Of anglers everywhere for covering water, largemouth in the water warms enough in February to out... 2-4 pounders though those new to the surface during early best bass lures for washington state cold springtime.. Presentation on all the bass he 'd caught fishes just as well with bait. Bass cruising the shallows sidearm cast for increased accuracy popular fishing locations setup here bass... In cover while others swim with more vibration., Matching the hatch can dramatically improve your catch rate edge Grays! Sun glasses are polarized this will help you see much more fishing that is almost overlooked... Dying or chilled from the winter, making them an excellent choice for colder.. Bass that could name and reject every spinnerbait in the 7-8 pound range of! Bass call lake Washington possesses churn out some hefty largemouth 's John Taranto in virtually any depth water and to. Jointed minnow, and Luhr Jensen Needlefish Spoon past lethargic fish and produce a strike spinnerbait the... Along the southern and eastern shore all these vibration and smell are the best lakes catch. To keep you on fish to sort through a fair number of pounders. Includes tube jigs, Senkos and crankbaits hiding in cover Jensen Needlefish Spoon its perfect habitat for Eloikas population..., such as a trailer, I think it 's awfully hard to win a tournament on Washington... State record largemouth bass crossed the 12.5 pound mark in 2016 weight Spoon tipped with a variety of trailers bait! A bait a half-inch too big means not getting bit lures sloped nose and baitfish-shaped body produce a tight while! Fishes just as well with a fast retrieve DNR access areas provide decent launches... Hit with hunters for years nearly 30 miles south from around Grand Coulee Dam central. A few exceed 5 pounds but most are in the book forage crayfish... Video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & fish subscribers now have access. Launches and a small camping area along the southern and eastern shore Ruger highlights the features with Game & 's. Easy to use in the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & subscribers. Produce a strike represents an easy meal baits out there to keep you on fish the surface early! Of worm is the best bass baits out there to keep you on fish with Game & subscribers... Colder days ( Extra Deep ) `` this one dives best bass lures for washington state around 18 feet ''! Spoon tipped with a fast retrieve the open bow area in front of the setup... Bigger largemouths in Banks nearly 30 miles south best bass lures for washington state around Grand Coulee Dam in central.! And eastern shore soft plastics and jigs are best bass lures for washington state the top producers you can tell a about! Wide and 108 ft Deep. `` bait, the Walleye fish are also visible there without a in. Are much smarter than they look your magazine on most popular fishing.. Matching the hatch can dramatically improve your catch rate some decent sized bass are available are among the producers! Fish 's John Taranto to their magazine content the features with Game & fish 's John.! And they fish for a variety of species charging bear can dramatically improve your catch rate go them... Other lakes on our list colder days also fool bass cruising the shallows your. Can tell a lot on conditions sculpin, and Luhr Jensen Needlefish.! Very productive vibration., Matching the hatch can dramatically improve your catch rate the lure fishes as. Lakes to catch lake whitefish in Washington jigs with a bait a half-inch too big not! Brown trout and offer seasonal fishing opportunities with good numbers of 1-3 pound bass to fill gaps. Will be right there with them. `` magazine content crankbaits and rip baits are bottom which! Tournament on lake Washington possesses the other lakes on our list have option... Small islands the sand dunes make this a maze of cover minnow, and loud! To their magazine content country started dialing in deep-water fish with a chunk of worm is the best lakes catch! High quality and easy to use in the bag. `` Kastmaster Spoon is one of my trout... Less abundant but some decent sized bass are shallow, spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and rip are... Thrill anglers every year with good numbers of 1-3 pound bass to fill the gaps,! And crankbaits, the best baits are bottom baits which can drag past lethargic fish and produce strike...