"And you know they are biting a nice-size bluegill, so you are thinking that it's a pretty big fish to eat a bluegill," said the catfisherman. The word "river" has a different meaning out here. With seemingly endless miles of fishable river, there's no shortage of holes to target. One of the biggest is that they are simply intimidated. However, the Colorado River region has an exemption that enables anglers to use live baits. The river system and its sloughs and canals are loaded with flatheads. I know of a few good places to park your RV.". The channels will take it, but the flatheads haven't yet, he said. 74 lbs is the current flathead record for the area. More often, outbound optimists return as realists in the harsher light of late afternoon, eager to show off their catchhowever small it might compare to the record setters. All new fishing and combo licenses allow the angler to fish with two poles or lines simultaneously. It's incredibly dark, and the only sounds you'll hear are frogs. However, they also need a Colorado River Special Use Permit, which sells for $3 and is available wherever fishing licenses are sold. With a boat you'll allow yourself free passage up and down the river. "I'd say the baits last up to an hour. Smothers said that at night, the river is a different world. Grand Canyon Fishing Activities on the Colorado River. "It's a whole different kind of fishing," said Smothers. (June 2007). The lower section of the Colorado River provides fishing opportunities year round, with Spring through Fall being the most productive. The Colorado River is a superb catfish fishery, especially in its flows south of Austin and the Lower Colorado River Authority offers pier fishing sites that can be good this time of year. BY GUNDY GUNDERSON. I suggest that folks use submersible green lights (I use HydroGlow lights exclusively) to attract the phytoplankton and the zooplankton and the stripers and catfish will follow. "The last few times I've been here, I've had the entire river to myself," Smothers says. I knew they got big, and I wanted to go down and see if I can learn how to go after the trophies.". The river is open to fishing all year, but summer months provide the most consistent action. Anglers must fish with weights to properly approach the fishery. But however big it was, it snapped my 40-pound leader in half. Smothers has tried the Catmando bait and mackerel. Let’s tackle the most obvious Grand Junction fishing spot first. All Rights Reserved. It's also exciting to use live bait. The smallest I'd go with would be an 8/0.". No plants are necessary to maintain the catfish population. Several fish of similar size were harvested during a creel survey of the lake from July 2017 to June 2018, which means this record could be broken again. The fish was 53.5 inches long and had a 36-inch girth. While fish near 70 pounds have been caught, you are more likely to catch them between 5 and 20 pounds. Colorado River Fishing Access Downstream from Lady Bird Lake. Oddly enough, traditional catfish baits such as night crawlers, chicken and beef liver, stinkbaits, sardines and anchovies can be left at home. Willow Beach is on the Colorado River approximately 5 miles down stream from the Hoover Dam. When faced with a slow current, 2 ounces will get you by. This is important because that eliminates most of the river. Remote Tributaries including Tapeats Creek - If camping near the Colorado River, throw remains into the Colorado River. Learn more about his books at FishingCalifornia.net. The river isn't like a reservoir, where loads of thousands of fish are stocked each week, fish reports are easy to come by and hotspots are well mapped out. The smallest I'd go with would be an 8/0.". Michael Cassidy and Paul Pluff talk about their elk hunt in New Mexico using the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter. "Huge" may be an understatement. Once in a while, that dream of glory comes true. "The surprising thing is that this river doesn't receive all that much fishing pressure, except around the access areas," remarked Magnelia. Live or dead golden shiner, fathead minnow, red shiner, mosquitofish, longjaw mudsucker, threadfin shad, goldfish, sunfish, molly and dead carp may be used in the Colorado River. Crawdads, shrimp and clams can also be used. |   Hooking the fish properly is imperative. Summer months are good. The Colorado River originates in Rocky Mountain National Park. We tried the usual baits, mack, crawlers, stink, and … Therefore, most anglers arrive in the evening and catch a dozen or so bluegill on sloughs or canals that head into the Colorado River and use them for bait. There isn't much great shoreline access. Colorado River If catfish is your preference, the Colorado River offers miles of accessible shore line and many sandy beaches from which anglers can try their luck. But in a fast-moving current, you may need up to 6 ounces. When faced with a slow current, 2 ounces will get you by. Visit them at www.fishingandhuntingnews.com. "I don't know why," Smothers says. Even if more anglers came, the river would still look barren. That's what I want to find out. Sutherland, Irvine Lake, San Vicente, Casitas, Jennings lakes and most Southern California reservoirs kick out only small channel cats during the summer. Catfish bites are picking up in areas with heavy vegetation near shore. 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