Lake Havasu, not yak... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

JeffB · 11-24-2016, 09:47 PM

The little one is getting to big to get out on the yak with me, so we have been doing a lot more fishing out of the boat this year. I haven't really had a chance to do much the last 3-4months due to work. Those 65-70hr weeks have been killing. I have been feeling really bad lately bc I have been neglecting David of dad and son time, so I decided just the two of us would get away.

I've been dying to get out to Havasu for quite some time now. I've been itching to catch a Cali Smallie. So I planned out a trip to get in a couple good days of fishing in right before spending Thanksgiving with family from OK visiting Laughlin. I only managed one day due to weather, but was able to make it count. My son and I grabbed a pack of night crawlers on the way out in the morning. I knew the lake had some big gills in it, so I needed a back up plan just in case fishing was slow. I gotta keep the little guy entertained.
I started off fishing points wit a lot of follow ups on small schools of smallies. Every time I would get hit, they would just mouth it. They were not quite committed to it. I still managed to catch a handful of smallies, but nothing big. I used so many techniques that kill it up in the northern states for me and back home, but it had no effect on these fish. Drop shot seemed to be key as well as topwater and jerk baits. I did catch a few on shad raps as well. After a tough bite and a good half day of smallmouth fishing I switched gears. I hit a spot I knew was going to hold good fish and it paid off.

I set up shop on our new spot and fished the wall. Caught a few smallmouth and a couple tiny stripper. I switched up a little bit after marking bait and a couple schools of fish and scored a couple of nice red ears. Light bulb went off in my head and set up a heavy drop shot and threw on a big night crawler. As fast as it hit the bottom my son was on. Big 2lb 14oz red ear!!! After that I sat down and held the boat in place with the trolling motor and watched him catch fish after fish for an hour and a half straight. I enjoyed every second of it. After a bit I asked him if I could catch one. I couldn't take it anymore. It was such a blast. The sun started to lay and I started throwing a top water again.

The striper came out and made it a fun night. They were not busting up top, but I could see them cruising all over underneath me. I had a bunch of fish exploding on the top water. All the striper were from 1.5# up to 5#. Nothing huge, but it was a blast. I managed about a 5.5# large mouth as well. After about an hour into the darkness, we called it quits. We managed about 12 bass, 20 striper, and probably 50+ gills. It was fun. I can not wait to go back. Next time I may try and find someone interested in tagging along.

I hope you all enjoy the pix! Happy Thanksgiving!

JeffB · 11-24-2016, 09:50 PM

red ear

kirkdavis · 11-25-2016, 05:39 AM

That is what memories are made of. Your son will tell his grandkids about fishing with Dad!

Southman · 11-25-2016, 06:15 AM

Jeff,
Always enjoy reading your posts. I know the spot your were fishing well and had no idea the bluegill could get that big. The striper bite there can be awesome when they're running and chasing down shad. This time of year there's little boat traffic which makes it even more doable.

After seeing Iceman's post on his river trip and reading yours, it's definitely something I'm going to put on my agenda and take the yak up there. Cruising in and out of the coves fishing the shelves for LMB and smallies is so relaxing and fun.

Watching your son catch a bunch of fish had to be rewarding. So many of us have memories of doing the same thing when we were young. For me it was with my grandpa fishing local lakes and the the Socal coastline.

Great job getting out on the water with your son. If you have any desire to adopt another kid, say a crusty 64 year old one, let me know!

Southman

Fishin Phil · 11-25-2016, 06:48 AM

father son time..... Priceless!

MITCHELL · 11-25-2016, 03:16 PM

Reminds me of a time my dad took me to the river as a lad.

Iceman · 11-25-2016, 03:28 PM

very cool, smiles for miles!

david886720 · 11-26-2016, 01:31 PM

Great post! Love taking my son out to fish as well. Your son must've been stoked on that WO bite. Those are huge panfish!

2-Stix · 11-28-2016, 07:15 AM

the kid has the pro pose down with the fish!

ultimatejay · 11-28-2016, 11:28 AM

Those red ears are huge! They fight really hard too, fun to catch on light tackle

Geno Machino · 11-28-2016, 02:25 PM

Thank for sharing such a cool time with your boy. I believe that's the biggest bluegill I've ever seen. Sounded like a lot of fun. Memories for sure!

11-24-2016, 09:47 PM	#1
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: La Jolla Posts: 1,216	Lake Havasu, not yak... The little one is getting to big to get out on the yak with me, so we have been doing a lot more fishing out of the boat this year. I haven't really had a chance to do much the last 3-4months due to work. Those 65-70hr weeks have been killing. I have been feeling really bad lately bc I have been neglecting David of dad and son time, so I decided just the two of us would get away. I've been dying to get out to Havasu for quite some time now. I've been itching to catch a Cali Smallie. So I planned out a trip to get in a couple good days of fishing in right before spending Thanksgiving with family from OK visiting Laughlin. I only managed one day due to weather, but was able to make it count. My son and I grabbed a pack of night crawlers on the way out in the morning. I knew the lake had some big gills in it, so I needed a back up plan just in case fishing was slow. I gotta keep the little guy entertained. I started off fishing points wit a lot of follow ups on small schools of smallies. Every time I would get hit, they would just mouth it. They were not quite committed to it. I still managed to catch a handful of smallies, but nothing big. I used so many techniques that kill it up in the northern states for me and back home, but it had no effect on these fish. Drop shot seemed to be key as well as topwater and jerk baits. I did catch a few on shad raps as well. After a tough bite and a good half day of smallmouth fishing I switched gears. I hit a spot I knew was going to hold good fish and it paid off. I set up shop on our new spot and fished the wall. Caught a few smallmouth and a couple tiny stripper. I switched up a little bit after marking bait and a couple schools of fish and scored a couple of nice red ears. Light bulb went off in my head and set up a heavy drop shot and threw on a big night crawler. As fast as it hit the bottom my son was on. Big 2lb 14oz red ear!!! After that I sat down and held the boat in place with the trolling motor and watched him catch fish after fish for an hour and a half straight. I enjoyed every second of it. After a bit I asked him if I could catch one. I couldn't take it anymore. It was such a blast. The sun started to lay and I started throwing a top water again. The striper came out and made it a fun night. They were not busting up top, but I could see them cruising all over underneath me. I had a bunch of fish exploding on the top water. All the striper were from 1.5# up to 5#. Nothing huge, but it was a blast. I managed about a 5.5# large mouth as well. After about an hour into the darkness, we called it quits. We managed about 12 bass, 20 striper, and probably 50+ gills. It was fun. I can not wait to go back. Next time I may try and find someone interested in tagging along. I hope you all enjoy the pix! Happy Thanksgiving! Attached Images __________________ If you're looking for me I'm Last edited by JeffB; 11-24-2016 at 09:55 PM.

11-24-2016, 09:50 PM	#2
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: La Jolla Posts: 1,216	red ear red ear Attached Images __________________ If you're looking for me I'm Last edited by JeffB; 11-24-2016 at 10:01 PM.

11-25-2016, 05:39 AM	#3
kirkdavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: SD County Posts: 360	Awesome! That is what memories are made of. Your son will tell his grandkids about fishing with Dad!

11-25-2016, 06:48 AM	#5
Fishin Phil Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 288	father son time..... Priceless! __________________ God, Family, Your Health, You're Fishing.

11-25-2016, 03:16 PM	#6
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,269	Nice.... Reminds me of a time my dad took me to the river as a lad. __________________ Duke Mitchell

11-25-2016, 06:15 AM	#4
Southman Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Laguna Niguel Posts: 89	Jeff, Always enjoy reading your posts. I know the spot your were fishing well and had no idea the bluegill could get that big. The striper bite there can be awesome when they're running and chasing down shad. This time of year there's little boat traffic which makes it even more doable. After seeing Iceman's post on his river trip and reading yours, it's definitely something I'm going to put on my agenda and take the yak up there. Cruising in and out of the coves fishing the shelves for LMB and smallies is so relaxing and fun. Watching your son catch a bunch of fish had to be rewarding. So many of us have memories of doing the same thing when we were young. For me it was with my grandpa fishing local lakes and the the Socal coastline. Great job getting out on the water with your son. If you have any desire to adopt another kid, say a crusty 64 year old one, let me know! Southman

11-25-2016, 03:28 PM	#7
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	very cool, smiles for miles! __________________

11-26-2016, 01:31 PM	#8
david886720 Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 36	Great post! Love taking my son out to fish as well. Your son must've been stoked on that WO bite. Those are huge panfish!

11-28-2016, 07:15 AM	#9
2-Stix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 376	the kid has the pro pose down with the fish!

11-28-2016, 11:28 AM	#10
ultimatejay Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 96	Those red ears are huge! They fight really hard too, fun to catch on light tackle

11-28-2016, 02:25 PM	#11
Geno Machino "Relax" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: O'side Posts: 553	Priceless! Thank for sharing such a cool time with your boy. I believe that's the biggest bluegill I've ever seen. Sounded like a lot of fun. Memories for sure! __________________