FLW SERIES-WEST MAY 5 - 8, 2010 LAKE MEAD

[derrek stewart]

FLW SERIES-WEST MAY 5 - 8, 2010 LAKE MEAD

This event is being held at the home of the prestigious U.S. Open. Lake Mead is positioned on the Colorado River approximately 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas along the Nevada and Arizona border. Formed by the Hoover Dam it is the largest reservoir in the United States. As with all western impoundments Mead has been impacted by drought conditions. It is down from full pool and is currently at about 43% percent of its capacity. In many of the following images you will see the 'bath tub ring'. The lake water level is down 120 feet from full pool.


The route Los Angeles to Las Vegas

ON THE MAP


If you split the Hoover Dam and Boulder Basin through Boulder Canyon continuing the split along to Virgin Basin, Temple Basin, Temple Canyon and Greg Basin, Nevada is on the north side of the split with Arizona on the south. The Overton Arm is completely within Nevada. The Colorado River as it flows through the Grand Canyon is entirely within the borders of Arizona. Passing under the dam the west bank of the Colorado River is in Nevada. Conversely you will find yourself in Arizona when on the east bank.

STARTING THINGS OFF


Troy hooks up. Seems to be a big fish, light line 8lb. test so he will have to be careful. It turns out to be taking way too much time for me, fortunately I was able to flag down a ride. Sorry Troy I have more to do than this. I'll catch up with you later, good luck.

FROM THE AIR


While Troy is fighting his fish I have an opportunity to jump in a helicopter and take a look around this place.

The Lake From Above


Bonelli Bay Virgin Basin


Temple Basin



Colorado River and its muddy sediment entering Lake Mead. The water at Mead can take on a greenish tint from the high copper content in the rock.


The Temple and Burro Bay Temple Basin, you can see the wind blowing across the lake surface


The Campanile Temple Basin


Temple Basin


The Colorado River below Hoover Dam and the Boulder Basin

Dam! That Is A Lot Of Concrete


New bridge construction spanning the Colorado River below the Hoover Dam on Highway U.S. 93, Black Canyon Lake Mead above the dam.


Completed in 1936 the concrete which forms Hoover Dam would be enough to create a 4 foot wide sidewalk that would span the Earth's equator.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona





Portions of Grand Canyon west end near Lake Mead

DOWN FROM THE SKY, BACK ON MY FEET

The sky ride is over let's see how Troy is doing.

Catching another ride and checking back he is still playing this fish. Wow, okay good luck but again I have other things I want to do so back on the water taxis and a ride to my truck at the Echo Bay Marina. Let's get around to more of the local sites.



Looking north from the Hoover Dam into Black Canyon



Iconic Las Vegas Blvd.


The Las Vegas Wash heading towards the Las Vegas Bay

Done with my road tour let's pay another visit and see if Troy is finished with the battle.

Nope Santiago Lindner is still on and still at it, latest report almost spooled several times and he can see the fish on his sonar unit at a depth of 100' . Wow hang in there you have come this far so don't give up now.

FROM THE WATER

Overton Arm


Flooded Grass in Overton Arm Muddy Mountains in distance


Steep point on Big Horn Island in the Overton Arm


Azure Cove and the Black Mountains Overton Arm


Ramshead Island middle of Overton Arm. Which side would you fish, calm or windy?


Windy side of course


Temple Basin


Temple Basin The Campanile Area


Boulders in clear water


Tight squeeze


The Campanile


This guy can read a map, he is located on the shore of Wild Burro Bay in Temple Basin


Different angle


Back of Temple Bay Temple Basin

Virgin Basin


The Stewart Cliffs looking across the Virgin Basin towards the Boulder Point area


Panorama north shore Virgin Basin

Boulder Basin


Flipping the Las Vegas Bay area


Clay Pots Boulder Basin with Fortification Hill in background. A fort was built by white settlers atop Fortification Hill. The settlers choose the site based on a defensive position from Indians. The fort was soon scrapped. Not only could the Indians not scale the cliffs but it proved to be impossible to resupply the fort.


Entering Castle Cove Boulder Basin


Boat providing scale Castle Cove


I call this Elephant Point Painter's Cove. Do you see the head, trunk and ears?


Painters Cove below Fortification Hill


Swallow Bay Boulder Basin


Hamblin Bay north shore Boulder Basin just before entering Boulder Canyon


Callville Bay Boulder Basin


Callville Bay looking towards Callville Point


Callville Marina Callville Bay


Almost forgot about Santiago, let's check in. Yep sure enough he is still at it. You have come this far, stay with it.


GETTING HOOKED


Mead Features a mix of largemouth and smallmouth...


... these two fish represent excellent catches that would not be culled out from any bag in this event.

A review of what the tournament leaders had to say.


After 4 days of fishing the pro winner of this event attributes his winning 49 pounds 9 ounce catch mainly to the drop shot and 4" worms. Other baits mentioned by the top five on the final day, without reference to techniques, Zoom Speed Craws, Senko's by two anglers, spinner baits, crank baits, and again the drop shot.

Looking back to day one the pro leader reported catching exclusively largemouth using reaction baits and covering water.

The day one co-angler leader mentioned the drop shot, Senkos and jigs. Providing more detail than most of the pros it was stated that he targeted the shady side of boulders in 4 to 18 feet of water.

Day two pro leader made a move into the lead by fishing points and the back of pockets with the drop shot, jigs and crank baits. More mention of drop shotting by other day two pro contenders.

The leading day two pro held onto to the lead at the end of day three. Reporting the same baits as the previous day but with a preference for the drop shot as the conditions became tougher. Other mentions by the top day three pros included sight-fishing and spinner baits. Some targeted shady points and submerged sticks using Senkos, chatter baits and yes again the drop shot. Swimming a jig around shallow grass also gained mention.

Day three is the final day for the Cos. The Co-angler champion gave credit to a relaxed attitude, a darter head dressed with a grub and plastic worms fished on steep walls and isolated rock at depths of 25 to 35 feet for taking over the lead and the title. For the Cos a three total of 23 pounds 9 ounces was what it took to secure the win. That is less than an 8 pound average for three days. Only 8 pounds a day, how hard can that be? Ha Ha Ha, wind, a tough bite and behind a National Guard pro it is very tough. Tubes, jigs with a hula grub trailer and again drop shotting made it into the top Co reports. Many of the top Cos recounted a strong preference for targeting shade pockets.


This bass broke someone off on a jig, short time later jig still in its throat the fish hits a swimbait

Back to the pros and a couple of things I found interesting. One, I have never heard so much mention of drop shotting on the Pro side before. Two, concerns over the wind was highly mentioned by the pros. I found many comments to be very remarkable. Most of the talk would acknowledge the wind and its commonplace here at Mead. It would then be followed by hopes that it would not blow too hard and how if it did it would most likely ruin their game plan. At the risk of sounding critical and a Monday morning quarterback let's examine that mental aspect. Mead equals wind, strong frequent wind so do you think one should have a plan or a part of a plan that is excepting of the wind? What is that saying? Make the wind your ...

Pre-spawn, spawn and post-spawn conditions were all in play during this event. As you can see from the many baits and depths mentioned a wide range of fishing methods can be used to entice these Lake Mead bass. These fish can also be found on a broad spectrum of water types. Sounds like there is something for everyone here.

Back to Santiago and another boat ride to look in on the progress.

Wow he boated the fish. A 25lb striper on 8lb test and spinning gear.


Hooked into her with a small jerk bait. Amazing fish, fight and catch.


Nursing this bruiser


She swims off strong. Nice work Troy and way to stick with it.

HEADING HOME

The Lake Mead bass have a great attitude. If you find them put your offerings nearby and they will bite and bite quickly. This was my first visit to what most would consider to be big water and yet it really did not feel big to me at all. This sense of scale and comfort in breaking down a new lake was a first for me. The sites and activities on and around Mead are spectacular. I have enjoyed this trip and I hope you have too!
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Wet Lines

[Yoz]

Once again...great Job....feels as if I went. Nice fish to Mr. Linder as well. The smallie was very nice Bro. I really like the shots from the air. Once again you have the eye for the story....

Thanks Derrek
Yoz
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I came, I saw, I fished

[mofish]

Eye Candy! Very well paced and produced. Fished Lake Mead years ago in a Western Bass tournament and met Mike Folkstead and Gary Garland. Im' sure techniques have changed but the lake still appears super clear and deep. Impressive work!

[Randy]

awesome pics derrek

[propgun]

Nice job Derrek !
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Ron Licari
Team Liftoff

[Stick~em]

Derreck,

Wow, I feel like I want to fish Mead with all of you, plus stripers are one of my favorites...

Nice Nice Pictures!

Thank you.

Mike

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www.ProSoftBaitGlue.com
"Once you've used it, you'll wonder how you ever fished without it"

[troylindner]

Yes, that was another excellent story. The shots from the heli were really interesting, having fished through those areas. The striper was the biggest battle I have ever had with a fish, fresh or salt water. Probably would have been different with 20 pound flouro instead of 8. It was quite a workout. This was the best fishing I have seen on Mead. Not that I have been there that much. I got my 5 bass each day with an 8 and a half pound average limit, but needed a 9 pound average to get a check. On well, on to the Delta next. Glad Derek made it back in time to help land the big fish.
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www.anglingedge.com
www.fit4fishing.com

[Foo_G]

Derrek, this installment is one is my favorites . . . . at least until the next one.
SanTroyago, thanks for playing that fish out as long as you did.
I loved the "time stamp" that you provided!
I can't wait to see what you've got lined up for Derrek's next adventure.
(BTW, nice catch!)

[szuloaga]

That was another awesome trip to be apart of. That was a HUGE striper! Good work out there.

Steve
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S...

[Sinjin Kim]

Wow! Incredible pics and story! Thanks for taking the time to put this all together.