Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Reports from CJ Strike this week were spotty and mixed. Most consistent reports were from guys trolling Flicker Shads for trout. Also received a couple of OK trout reports from folks on the bank with Powerbait and nightcrawlers. I did not receive many reports related to bass but guys are asking so I will give my two sense about what I think might work right now…I’d stay in the main bowl and I’d have a Carolina rig (probably a fluke), a 3.3 Keitech, a Jackall Keeburn or Damiki Vault blade bait, deeper diving Luckycraft Staysee Jerkbait and a drop shot. They aren’t done eating!! Reports for crappie were really spotty with a few stories of guys marking fish but struggling to get them to eat. My suggestion is to DOWNSIZE significantly and add scent - crappie nibbles or Pautzke Fireballs are my go to’s.

Boise River: If you are trout fishing, let me recommend a bait you might not have fished before - the Berkley Powerbait Power Nymph. Put it on a jig head under a float and cast it in slightly broken water that is moving a bit faster than you would walk. Steelies are being caught! Baits that I know are working…Aero Jigs in Black and Peach colors, WFO egg clusters, single beads and coon shrimp, though the guys fishing the coonies have said that they are going through a lot of shrimp because the trout are nabbing ‘em! Stocking locations:

• Glenwood Bridge

• Americana Bridge

• Below the Broadway Avenue Bridge behind Boise State University

• West Parkcenter Bridge

• Barber Park

Brownlee: Harmful Algae Bloom advisory HAS BEEN LIFTED for Brownlee and Hells Canyon Reservoirs. Water levels are 2068.6. Fishing has slowed a bit but that wouldn’t stop me from going. Look a little deeper and slow down your retrieves but they are still in “get ready for the REAL cold stuff, mode. If you are not sure about how to fish cooler water - join us on December 16 as former FLW Pro Fisherman Cody Murray discusses bass fishing in colder water. FREE! Try throwing a Rainbow Shad or Dark Goby 3.3 Keitech on a ¼oz head. We just got in Idaho Rod and Reel Customs Tungsten heads SPECIFICALLY made for Keitechs. Slow down the retrieve and keep ‘em near the bottom. A jrekbait and a drop shot would be on my boat as well. Decent catfishing report from and Idaho Rod and Reel ambassador by McCormick Park on Oxbow Reservoir.

Hells Canyon Steelhead fishing has been really picking up - especially as the cold weather rolled in. Jigs, egg patterns and plugs will work. If you are new to the game or just want to increase the likelihood that you hook up - get a hold of Hells Canyon Adventures and let Cody Ard, the best Steelheader I know, help you out.

Snake River: Fishing remains consistent on stretches of the river for both bank and boat anglers for smallies. Later in the day has been better. Jerkbaits, keitech’s and Ned rigs will get ya bit. The catfishing reports have been fair with most fish being caught around Marsing with cut bait. Channel cats tend to move to deeper water as it cools but stay hungry. They can be a really good winter fishing target as you can start a fire on the bank as you wait for the bite. Ambassador Mark is reporting fair fishing for Sturgeon below Swan Falls Dam on cured cut baits. He mentioned they seemed to be positioned outside the current and not directly in it.

Wilson Springs: Decent fishing and as it gets colder the crowds are smaller. Ultralight Heavyweights jigs continue to catch like crazy here as well as powerbaits and single salmon eggs on a small hook.

Lake Lowell: No report this week.

Lake Cascade: Another week with not much to report from Cascade. Hearing that there were some sections with a thin layer of ice but still looking like we are a few weeks out from getting on the lake.

Owyhee River: You can catch em out here - especially in the afternoon if the wind will stay down. Midges for the fly guys (as you’ve heard me say before, I prefer grayish colored over black at the O) and if you have a few slow sinking or suspending jerkbaits, those big browns will eat them…try it!!

Owyhee Reservoir: Couple reports for guys out catching crappies…they were marking them in bays and off main points. Said the fish were very negative and did not like the bait just sitting on top of them. Instead, drop the bait to the bottom and move it slowly right on up through the middle of them and don’t stop it…

Duck valley: From the Tribal website:

Frigid temperatures for a second week of winter weather.  Recent snowfall accumulation at 4 to 6 inches of fluffy, light snow spread throughout the entire valley.  Dry snow yields the least moisture and is common when freezing upper atmospheric air temperatures reach way down to the ground below.  All open surface water has iced over at each reservoir and where samples of candled ice was retrieved.  Ice thickness along shorelines is reading up to 3.5 inches in varied areas and demonstrating signs of slow growth. 

Lucky Peak Reservoir: 16% Full. Good fish were caught last week and as long as ice stays away and the ramps are accessible, that will continue. Dodgers in Black/White and Watermelon colors produced several for an Idaho Rod and Reel customer. Fish are spread throughout the water column but seems like the more willing to eat fish are being caught close to the top - 5 to 10’ of water.

Arrowrock Reservoir: 50% Full. No report.

Anderson Ranch: 85% Full. No Report.

Local Ponds: Fishing should be decent in most of the designated “Family Waters” as they are being stocked heavily. Simple powerbait and nightcrawler rigs will work as will Ultralight Heavyweights jigs.

Shop News - Pre-Ordering For Rods is LIVE NOW! Deals and New Products

• SEVERAL ARE SOLD BUT The Idaho Rod and Reel LINK Rods and Signature Jerkbait are available for Pre-Order on our website NOW! The Pre-Order price is $119.99. Regular retail will be $139.99. Rods come with a custom rod sleeve as well. WE MADE 40 OF EACH ROD - WHEN THEY ARE GONE, THEY’RE GONE.

• THE WEBSITE DESIGN IS NOT COMPLETE BUT EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO CHECKOUT AND ORDER THE RODS IS THERE!!

• We still have $5 Senkos left over from our Black Friday-Ish sale!!

• The 2024 Idaho Bass Nation Banquet is right around the corner and tickets are available at Idaho Rod and Reel. Tickets are $45/ea and include a brisket buffet style dinner and the opportunity to listen to guest speaker and Professional bass angler Brandon Palaniuk! Event will be held in Caldwell at the Elks Lodge on January 20 - 6pm. More details in the shop!

• Come in and check out all of our discounts right now for Christmas…Shimano SLX reels for $45, baits for 50% off, tackle storage for CHEAP and a ton more.

• The Food Drive is going very well!! Thank you to everyone! We will continue to collect for another couple of weeks. Bring in a canned food item and I will trade you a hat!

• Idaho Rod and Reel will be taking a percentage of our sales from now until Christmas to provide families that are struggling right now with Christmas presents and other needs. IF YOU KNOW OF A FAMILY THAT COULD USE A LITTLE HELP, PLEASE COME AND TALK TO ME!! IF YOU’RE FAMILY COULD USE SOME HELP THIS YEAR, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE COME AND TALK TO ME!!

• We are taking orders for the Christmas Mystery Tackle Boxes! Tell your significant other to come and talk to me about getting what you really want for Christmas…

• Cold Weather Bass Fishing Class!! Join us December 16th starting at 10am and learn about how and where to catch bass as the temps cool. You have 3 periods of cold water…End of Fall, Winter and Early Spring - Come learn how to fish them! Class taught by former FLW Tour Professional, Cody Murray. THIS CLASS IS FREE!

• Keep an eye on our Social Media platforms. Cool stuff coming…(Selling the drama!!)

• One of the New Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Jig designs called “Vader” is here!

• Lots of Steelhead Beads showing up this week!

• I’d love to hear from you about products that you would like to see in the shop. Email me at [email protected]…one random suggestion just might end up winning you a prize

Worth Watching

You Know You Need To!

Technically Speaking...

Kokanee Cut Plug Fishing

These get bit when it’s cold!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Steelhead Stuff!

Winter Bass Movements

Current Trout Stocking

Beginning Steelheaders!!

SERIOUSLY!! TRY THIS!!

New in the Shop

Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Jigs - New Version of One of the Most Successful Baits in the Shop. Meet the “Vader” jig. These are tied on a BKK hook with one of the best bait keepers out there.

Catch Spotlight

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

My man Taber with a good one!

Scott with a ‘naner trout! (Because it’s a banana trout…get it? It’s not funny if i have to explain it dang it. That’s on you…)

And another one…that’s a CHUNK!!

Just some pretty Idaho “stuff”