Hook Points

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Definitely on my list of places to target right now for a fun day of fishing - especially if you’re targeting a multi species kind of day. Lots of stuff biting right now. Trout are still being caught trolling Salmo Hornets and Flicker Shads in 15-25’. They can still be caught reasonably well from the banks but longer casts are needed as the fish have moved out and deeper as the water has warmed a bit. Heavier spinners and Carolina rigs with Nightcrawlers and powerbaits are good options for these longer casts. Crappie for the most part are shallow, 5-15’ and there are plenty of schools close to the banks. I’d have a good selection of small soft plastics. We are about to receive a huge shipment of some panfish specific product from NORTHLAND! We will be highlighting it on our social media so keep an eye out for that! Bass are also shallow and there are definitely fish on beds. For largies, I’d have a senko, spinnerbait and a flipping bait. For smallies, I like a tube, ned rig, jerkbait/crankbait and an IRR Tungsten Finesse jig! Depending on the weather…I’d probably have a topwater with me!

Boise River: Just like I mentioned in last weeks report, there are places to fish as the water has settled and cleared a bit. It’s still high - but it can be fished. Its a great time to throw Shad Raps and small jerkbaits. If you’re a fly guy - time for streamers. From the banks, a simple nightcrawler chunk bounced and drifted along the bottom can be awesome! Especially if the end of that drift is a deep pool or eddy…huge hint right there 😁 

Brownlee: Water levels are still around 2045 - and while normally higher than that by now, the fish are still chomping! Definitely worth the trip as far as bass are concerned. Crankbaits that dive to 10-12’ are a great choice right now - come and look at the new Strike King Elite 3XD’s and the many new Lucky Craft cranks - perfect for Brownlee right now! A Lucky Craft LV500 is a good choice right now as well. I’d have a jerkbait, an IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig, a dark colored Keitech on an underspin and a ned rig to round things out. Brian, a good friend of the shop, had a great day and told me that water temps where he was were 57-60 degrees and bass were in 10-15’ in some places and in other places right on the bank! The crappie have been a little more elusive but worth the hunt. Look around main lake points in 6-15’ of water and look for the warmest water you can find. Brownlee has a lot of bluff walls as well and I have found PILES of crappie around those - especially the bluff walls that transition to small pebble flats or sand. For baits, I highly recommend the 2.8 Fat Swing Impact Keitechs or 3” Easy Shiners. You can troll em, fish vertically, fish deep or shallow and catch multiple species. I like the darker colors right now…

Snake River: Fishing inconsistently at the moment…good day, bad day, good day…that sort of thing. Lots of grass can make cranking hard but it can definitely be worth the effort. I highly recommend the River2Sea Biggies Smalls square bill in the Yoda color. Come in and I’ll show you which one I’m talking about - great color for the river! You won’t ever catch me on the river without an IRR Tungsten Finesse jig so that’s definitely going in the bag! A real sleeper bait on the river this time of the year is just an old school curly tail grub - give that a try and I’d probably have a Keitech Spider on an IRR Tungsten Finesse Football Head. Catfishing reports have been very spotty. I’d love to hear from you if you’re willing to help the community by providing some reports!! I don’t want your spots! Just an update on if you’re catching or not.

Wilson Springs: No report this week but I see no reason why you shouldn’t be able to have a successful trip with small jar of Powerbait.

Lake Lowell: Fishing well - not on fire but definitely worth targeting. While there are plenty of fish up against the trees, there are fish in open water outside those weed and tree lines as well. Try orange chatterbaits, white and chartreuse spinnerbaits and small shallow diving squarebills in these open water areas adjacent to tree lines. A really great and underutilized bait at Lowell is the swim jig. I’d have one in white or a bluegill color with a River2Sea D Walker as a trailer. Can swim em, flip em, burn em, slow roll em….so versatile. For flipping up against the trees and weeds, I love the Reaction Innovations Kinky Beavers, Man Bear Pigs and just old school tubes!

Cascade Reservoir: Warming up and fish are biting! Lots of perch being caught shallow on varying soft plastics and small blade baits. Trout have been smashing Flicker Shads and Salmo Hornets. Bass have been caught by several perch anglers on small baits intended to be eaten by perch! That being said, consider a smaller 2.8 Keitech or a finesse drop shot/ned rig approach. Cascade just after ice out is a cool place for both boat and bank anglers!

Horsethief Reservoir: No report this week.

Owyhee Reservoir: Not many reports on the crappie at Owyhee but the few that have been coming in are decent. Fish are relatively shallow - less than 15’ and many schools are close to the banks. For bank anglers, play around the coves by the main boat ramps. I love cast and retrieve baits so I’m throwing Beetle Spins, small cranks and Micro Chatterbaits. I have seen some good smallmouth and largemouth in the past week here. Largies have been seen around submerged trees and bushes. Try a white Chatterbait around the outside of these trees/bushes and try a Yum Spine Craw or Scutterbug on a 3/0 EWG hook flipped with a 1/4 or 1/2 oz weight. Cranking or throwing Keitechs around main lake points has been the deal for a few anglers. Smallies are in the shallower sloping banks with rock, gravel and mud. Been some really good ones caught! Try a Ned rig, IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig, crankbait or jerkbait!

Owyhee River: With the flows tapering off and holding at 250CFS, the “O” is definitely fishable again. Great time to throw Shad Raps, small Jerkbaits and swimbaits and if you are a fly guy - streamers and big dark nymphs!

Duck valley: Really fishing well and definitely worth the look and travel time - CHECK THE WIND! Bank anglers are having success with Powerbaits and nightcrawlers as well as bubbles with leach flies and nymphs slowly towed behind them. Trollers are crushing on Shad Raps. Fly anglers are having success on leach patterns as well as small scuds tied flat.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Some kokes being caught but not on fire. Lots of conversation about the quality of the meat on the ones that have been caught - pale and not great 🙃. Some trout as well. Fish will be on top still - wish I had the line on a hot color right now - but I don’t want to lie to ya either!! I would start with white dodgers, move to oranges and finish with black. That’s just my normal Springtime routine.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Almost every report that came in last week was for trout and sounds like those that are catching Kokes are struggling to pattern it and they are few and far between.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Good reports for 10-14” Kokanee. Definitely the most consistent Kokanee producer at the moment - unless you want to travel to Dworshak - good ones being caught there this year! Keep the dodgers between 1-7’ under the surface, vary your speeds and swerve…Pink and white is a successful KNOWN dodger color with pink and orange hoochies. One customer did well with a Spin n glo slipped on just ahead of an old school green and black wedding ring - I like it!

QUICK THANK YOU TO ALAN WITH KOKABOW TACKLE FOR THE KOKANEE REPORTS TODAY!! THIS GUY JUST CONTINUES TO WORK SO HARD TO HELP THE COMMUNITY CATCH THESE FISH!

If you would like to book a trip with Alan, he is guiding through Fish and Fur Outfitters. Cost is $250 per seat - 2 person minimum and I can tell from first hand experience - if you want to learn how to get in the game - its worth every penny! He guides on Anderson and Payette Lake!

Local Ponds: You have bass on beds in many ponds! Those are the males…throw something white or pink in the bed so you can see it better! Lots of trout stocking going on - check out links below!

NEW IRR TUNGSTEN FINESSE JIGS and CONTEST!, Custom Hand Tied Baits on TUESDAY!, Tons of New Products, HIRING, Link and Imperium Rod Updates

• EXCITED to announce 3 NEW TUNGSTEN FINESSE JIG DESIGNS! We just added 3 new patterns to the most successful bait in our shop and we have decided to have a little fun with it! First person to catch a fish with one of the new patterns, post it to Instagram and tag @idrodandreel, will receive a $10 gift card! There are 3 new patterns so 3 prizes up for grabs!

• I will have a few hand tied swim jigs and chatterbaits in the shop on TUESDAY! Many of you have fished these and know that they will not last long. Premium skirts, kevlar thread and Gamakatsu Nano Hooks - these are absolutely premium. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE!

• Come check out the new stuff!! Over $10,000 of new inventory hit the shelves last week with more arriving this week! We will be highlighting the products all week on our social media! Panfish anglers! Can’t wait for you to see the new products from NORTHLAND TACKLE!

• WE ARE BUSY! And we need more help…Idaho Rod and Reel is HIRING for a PART TIME position! We are looking for someone that is interested in a flexible schedule, LOVES fishing and has a huge passion for helping people create memories and catch more fish! This position is likely to be seasonal as there are natural ebbs and flows throughout the year. If you are interested, please email resume to [email protected].

• Idaho Rod and Reel is excited to introduce you to Richelle Miller with Venturely! What an awesome woman this is and she has put together an AMAZING WOMENS ONLY BASS TOURNAMENT at a local private pond! This will be held on June 21st and is going to be such a cool event! Idaho Rod and Reel is donating prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place - rods, reels and some awesome tackle!! Contact Richelle at [email protected]. Cost is ONLY $60!!!!

• Lots of HOW TO Videos COMING!! Can’t wait to share these with you!

• The tariffs WILL HURT pricing - we are going to do everything we can to keep prices low but the fishing industry will be impacted. We are already seeing new pricing sheets from several high profile vendors like Shimano and Daiwa.

• WE ARE OUT OF STOCK ON MULTIPLE LINK AND IMPERIUM RODS!! THE FOLLWOING ARE IN STOCK:

  • Imperium Spinning, L Fast - Green Blank

  • Link ML Spinning, 7’1” Extra Fast

  • Imperium Ultra-light panfish rod - NOT MANY LEFT!!

  • 7’5” Heavy Fast Casting

  • 7’6” Link Tech Casting Rod, ML Fast

• I am EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE a new 1/4 oz size in the Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Series of jigs! If you are looking for an ultra finesse presentation and/or are fishing with a spinning rod - I think you are going to love this new bait! This jig was the #1 Selling Bait in the SHOP last year - and for good reason!

• The TVB Bass Fishing Club is holding a raffle to raise money for their club. They are raffling off a Browning X-Bolt 6.5 PRC 26” Barrel with Tri-Pod. Tickets are $20/piece or 6 for $20 and only 200 tickets will be sold! Can be seen in the shop!!

• Idaho Bass Masters Club is raffling of a Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison and 300 rounds of ammo with all of the proceeds going to fund their youth tournament prizes. Last year this tourney had over 60 kiddos!! Tickets are $20 a piece and 6 for $100.

• New and In-Stock this week: Way too many items to list!!!

• NEW HATS ON THE WAY!! 3 New Designs!

• Bait and equipment reviews coming…along with some How To’s….

• Is there something you’d like to see in the shop? Email me at [email protected]…one random suggestion just might end up winning you a prize.

Worth Watching

One of my favorite fish to catch!! You only live once…plan a trip and do it!

Technically Speaking...

Trilene Knot

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Learn to Fish!

Local Fish Stocking Reports

SPRING CHINOOK DETAILS!

Steelhead Dam Counts

Steelhead Reports

Swim Jigs!

Great video on Spring Crappies!

Secret swimbait rig…

CHECK OUT IDAHO ROD AND REEL’S NEW WEBSITE - idahotacklebox.com!!

Getting into Kayak Fishing?

Is it TIME?!

NEVER seen this before…Tube Jig Rigging

Shop is fully stocked with this bait…for good reason!

Lots of questions about the bass spawn…

Trolling depths

Pond fishing for trout!

New in the Shop

Check out the 3 NEW IRR TUNGSTEN FINESSE JIG DESIGNS!!

New Strike Kind 3XD Elite Cranks!

Northland Pan Candy Minnow and Mimic Minnow!

Catch Spotlight

Submit your own entry to be featured in Hook Points to: [email protected], Subject: Catch Spotlight

John keeps the newsletter streak alive and adds a little COLOR to the Catch Spotlight!

Nice job Hustons!!

Grady got a hold of a BIG ONE!!!

J Stew and Haiden doing what they do…catching all the big ones so I can’t!!

Mikes been CRUSHING at Lowell!

Frank caught this very interesting looking bass on his BFS set up!

Mr. Swank with a big ol Smallie!!

Nice job Brian! He reported a VERY successful day at Brownlee for us!

Dan found one on a bed! Big one!

Jeremy + Bass is like Peanut Butter and Jelly! My favorite Z Man bag in the background!!

Cody Murray and Ben Warren with a big bag on Sunday to finish 3rd in the Boeger!

Josh caught one or two…he looks miserable 😆 

Ryan Sparks caught a small fish once…that was roughly 12 years ago… 🤣 

Shop manager and birthday boy knows all the smallmouth tricks! Just didn’t use any of them on this here sucker bass!!

My man Kellen with a big ol’ smallie!! Atta boy! (Nice Hat Kid!)

Michael had a pretty darn good trip!

Tower Grill owner Nate “Scoog” found a few topwater bass!

Scott out “Crappie” fishing…

What do ya know?! I found one!!