Hook Points

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Steady all around right now. Crappie fishing has probably been the star, though there are some good trout and bass being caught. For the crappie, trolling still seems to be the winning method although I heard from plenty of customers that had success jigging with plastics in schools of fish in 30-40’ of water. For those trolling, try setting back 80-100’ and moving the boat between 1.2 and 1.5mph with a couple of Flicker Shads or Shad Raps. Likely going to catch a mixed bag. For the bass, spend some time running banks with 8-12’ diving crankbaits, a shallow jerkbait and a lipless. As the water warms - I’m expecting to start hearing about a few chatterbait fish. Trout fishing from the bank around Black Sands and off the north-ish side of the Air Force ramps has been pretty good! Simple nightcrawler and powerbait rigs from what I am hearing. Sturgeon fishing has been excellent! We have squid and Sturgeon Candy in the shop right now and the Sturgeon love ‘em!

Boise River: Water is up and off color. The great fishing was fun while it lasted…we will keep our eyes on it to see when it clears up and settles. Gonna be a minute…

Brownlee: Water levels have been holding now for a few days around 2045 and the fishing has improved - its not great - but improved. Keep your eyes on this one as it is about to get really good. If you are going to give it a go, I’d have a healthy selection of Red, and Green/Chartreuse, Green/Orange Spro Rk Crawlers that dive to 12-14’, couple of jerkbaits, and a few Lucky Craft LV500 lipless baits with me. You’ll find plenty of fish between 10-15’ and as things continue to climb towards 50deg water, get shallow. A jig can do a good job if you are wanting to drag the bottom and a dark colored drop shot bait is a decent idea if you are seeing fish but having a hard time getting them to eat.

Snake River: Water is still off color and there is a fair amount of grass - fishing decent overall. Cranks, jerkbaits and the IRR Tungsten Finesse jigs will get you pictures with our little brown friends! Starting to see a few catfish pics as well. Couple good catches reported down by Farewell Bend as well as around Steck Park. Baits were not reported.

Wilson Springs: No report this week.

Lake Lowell: bank anglers are starting to report catches! I’d have a chatterbait, 3.3 or 3.8 Keitech on an underspin and a Senko!

Motorized and Non-motorized boating are allowed April 15 to September 30. Human-powered boats are allowed 200 yards in front of the Upper and Lower Dams between October 1 and April 14. The rest of the lake is set aside for migrating and wintering wildlife.

Cascade Reservoir: We just had a customer get back from Cascade after an amazing trip and his report was a bit different than some of the others I am finding and hearing about. They fished quite a bit deeper than the 5-20’ they were hearing about and caught jumbo, after jumbo after jumbo - bait and lure was irrelevant! They said there was plenty of ice, and it sounds like some slush as the weather has been warming. Never hurts when you’re not catching to try new things or do the opposite of what others are doing. Might just figure something out!

Horsethief Reservoir: No report this week.

Owyhee Reservoir: We had a couple anglers give this a go last week with not much to report. Definitely full and plenty of water! Have to believe, like Brownlee, this is fixing to get going - I just personally think we are still not quite there yet. With warmer weather on the way - worth keeping an eye on.

Owyhee River: NOPE! Go somewhere else!

Duck valley: New Report from the Tribal Website!! Just a personal anecdote - I have had SOME MAJOR SUCCESS here right after ice out. Especially with the fly rod and leech patterns. My gut says trolling a Flicker Shad or Salmo would be absolute fire right now. Keep an eye on weather reports and wind!

March 3, 2025 – All reservoirs are clear of ice.  Open water at both the Mountain View and Sheep Creek Reservoirs.

Currently closed, the Billy Shaw Reservoir will open April 1, 2025.

Trout activity is high around mid-morning at Mountain View, and Sheep Creek has been doing well in the mid-afternoon. 

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Special “THANK YOU” to Alan with Kokabow Tackle for providing some excellent reports this week for LP, AR and Anderson! A few kokanee have been caught at Lucky Peak - still a bit early for amazing days but they are being caught. Mud from mores creek is running and as such, the water around Spring Shores is pretty off color - Kokes hate that…fishing by the dam is a better option. Fish are on top - long line ‘em.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Lots of trout being caught right now! Ice is just off - water is cold, 37-38 degrees. Ice out Trout is a REAL THING! Alan just spent the day on Arrowrock and didn’t touch a koke but had an amazing time catching some really good trout on the Mardi Gras purple didger and a Night Fever Kokabug tipped with tuna blood corn. Fish are on top! He strongly recommends leaving the ones you mark at 30-40’ alone as they aren’t eating…

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Not yet…

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: Ponds warm up before most of the reservoirs. That’s great for bass, trout and bluegills! On the hunt for pond bass - I would have a chatterbait or spinnerbait, Senko and I wouldn’t count out the ol’ Ned rig. For trout, small spinners and jerkbaits as well as nightcrawlers

Classes are filling up, rods are selling out and you should try to win $50!

• SIGN UP FOR OUR MARCH MADNESS AND WIN $50! LAST DAY IS LIKE RIGHT NOW!!! 😃 See the QR code below - password is Ryanbrian

• CLASS IS ALMOST FULL!! Join us on Thursday March 20th from 6:30 to 8:30pm for a FREE CLASS on TOURNAMENT BASS FISHING taught by former FLW pro, Cody Murray. Come and learn about the mindset, techniques, tricks, baits, rigs and philosophies of high level tournament pros. Open to all and highly recommended for those fishing tournaments this year! Sign up will be live on Tuesday.

• We have sold out of a few models of Link and Imperium rods are about out of a couple more models. The Link medium spinning and medium heavy casting are SOLD OUT. We are down to just a few of the following: Link Jerkbait and Imperium Blue spinning. If you are throwing small minnow baits on Livescope - the blue Imperium is an absolute small bait rocket launcher…and it throws small crankbaits like a Zip Midget like a dream.

• NEW WOMENS ONLY CLASS IS ON THE CALENDAR!! Join our instructor Ashley as she teaches a “How to Rig it” class!! As per usual, horsey derves (I don’t know how to spell that fancy word that just means “snacks” so leave me alone 😆 ), drinks and tons of great information in a LADIES ONLY ATMOSHPERE! Sign ups will go live on our website on Tuesday, 3/4. Class will be held at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center on March 27th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm!

• 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: Lucky Craft LV500’s, Seaguar Tatsu, Daiwa Tatula baitcasters, EGO Kokanee Nets, Picasso Underspins, Kokabow Tackle Dodgers and Lures on Wednesday,

• 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 FAVES!

Technically Speaking...

Time to get things ready for an AWESOME SEASON!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

I agree!!

Current Trout Stocking

Steelhead Dam Counts

Steelhead Reports - Introducing a new Podcast!

Don’t forget about these guys!! Spring is the time…

It’s Time!

Love this type of fishing!

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

Agree?

Deeper trolling set up.

Another trolling set up…not Idaho but still some good info.

Deep pre-spawn bass and minnow baits

Really enjoyed this one!

Spring Run-off Bass Fishing!

Spring Kokes!

New in the Shop

Lucky Craft LV500 - Loving this color!

NISHINE Erie 95 Jerkbaits! POSTING AGAIN BECAUSE THEY ARE AWESOME!!

Picasso Single Barrel Underspins

Catch Spotlight

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

John keeps the streak alive and has not stopped catching!

Taylor and his buddy had a great day chasing smallies!

Your “Tournament Bass Fishing” instructor with a good one on a GP Smallie Jig!

Ira, Matt and John found a couple nice Steelies!

Teilyr and his son found a couple!

Lance reeled one in! All by himself… 😁 

Congrats Shane!! Awesome catch!

Joey found himself one of Idaho’s prettiest fish…nice catch brother!

Jeremy with a couple of awesome Green ones!

Look what Kyle found?!