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Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter
News, Tips, Tackle and More
Fishing Reports
CJ Strike: Mixed reports this week from CJ but I think a lot of this is due to fishing in a lot of wind. Some decent days this week to fish if the weather man is on his game…Bass fishing should start picking up considerably if these temps stay where they have been. Time to start experimenting with those red craw patterned cranks and lipless. If those aren’t working, try a 3.3 Keitech, a drop shot and the Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Jigs with a Strike King Rage Ned. Reports have been OK for crappie, trout and perch. Trolling with catch the first two and a really good customer of the store reminds us to look under the crappie schools for the perch. Sturgeon fishing has been excellent with one customer reporting 3 good sized fish in the middle of the day.
Boise River: Still fishing really well. We received some Lucky Craft Pointer 65’s that I posted pictures of on Social Media…those are absolutely killing it! We just received an order of Dynamic Lures HD Trout jerkbaits. These have been very effective in the past! See pics below of the 9-Mile Goby…this thing is going to catch EVERYTHING!! (Bass guys….you’ll want to see this one)
Brownlee: Water levels are at 2058 and dropping. Bass fishing is picking up and Brownlee in the spring (I know I know - not quite spring yet but close…) can be a really fun place to fish. Water temps are warming up which means some of the fish are going to start playing in a little shallower water a little but more. What were in 30-40’ can be caught in 10-20 a little more frequently. Probably time to start experimenting with the red craw “stuff”. I’d have a Keitech with me as well.
Snake River: River is warming up and will start fishing really well as long as these temps stay where they are. This is a heavy bank fishing destination…we brought in a line of crankbaits that are LESS THAN $5 so that the bank fisherman have a crankbait to throw. It’s definitely a little risky throwing cranks from the bank and you might lose a few but it’s SO EFFECTIVE! I did it for years as a kid growing up here. Throwing a $15 Lucky Craft and losing a bunch can make for an expensive trip but with the Bombers we brought in, you won’t go home crying if you lose 1 or 2.
Wilson Springs: Lots of fish being caught here. Keep it simple…Ultralight Heavyweights Jigs and small powerbait rigs. Throw a simple split shot 12” up from a small bait holder hook and you’re fishing!
Lake Lowell: No report this week.
Lake Cascade: Sounds like there are some better ice conditions and the Tackle Toms Tournament was a huge success! For the most up to date info - call Tackle Toms.
Owyhee River: No report this week.
Owyhee Reservoir: No report this week.
Duck valley: From the Tribal Website: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK!!
February 12, 2024 – Temperatures through out the valley have dropped since last week. Mountain View is veiled in ice that is way less than three inches thick in most areas.
Sheep Creek top water is over three-quarters open. Ice is present in various areas along the shallows at a distance of fifty feet from the shoreline of the main boating dock, where ice depths registering less than four inches. Rainbow Trout activity at both reservoirs has been high in areas with safe access.
Various data samples taken suggest an average ice loss of one inch throughout the reservoir since last week due to the warmer daily highs and lows.
Four inches of ice is considered safe for one person, ice thickness measurements are currently less than three inches immediately off the shoreline at all reservoirs.
Lucky Peak Reservoir: Good steady performer right now. Still receiving reports of fish anywhere from 40’ to 5’ deep being caught. It does sound like earlier is when the fish are being caught on top. Pinks and oranges are still working but sounds like green was a top performer this past week.
Arrowrock Reservoir: Same report as Lucky Peack though it sounds like more rainbows are being caught here than Lucky Peak. Careful on the road going in!
Anderson Ranch: Confirmd that at least at Curlew, snow is still on the ramp.
Local Ponds: Lots of trout stocking last week and this week. Your favorite trout pond should be full of eager fish! Some of these local ponds have some good sized bass in them - I’d be giving those a shot - especially on warmer sunnier days. Ponds warm up before larger bodies of water so the bass in these can turn on before other places. Senkos, jigs and jerkbaits might get it done.
Shop News - Welcome Brian Purtell!, Youth Program, Spring Bass Class and Idahorodandreel.com
I would like to welcome Brian Purtell to the Idaho Rod and Reel team! He will be the new Full Time manager of the shop! Brian has an extensive knowledge of the Snake River and catching everything that lives in it. He is a well rounded fisherman, a great conversationalist and one of the best men that I know. As the shop is growing and getting busier, we are trying to make sure that the customer experience remains at the highest level possible! Brian, Levi and Michael are all 100% committed to helping you catch fish and enjoy your time in the shop. Please stop by and say hi and get to know the newest Idaho Rod and Reel team member.
Sign up for the Idaho Rod and Reel Good Fish Youth Program is LIVE!! Please visit idahorodandreel.com and select on the Youth Programs tab to sign up! This program is 100% FREE - all expenses are covered by the shop. This program focuses on leadership and self discipline skills that uses fishing and the outdoors as a conduit to deliver the message. Love to have you involved!!
Please check out the idahorodandreel.com ONLINE STORE! We are adding products daily. Local shipping is very affordable and free on orders over $75.
Over 110 people attended the Kokabow Fishing Classes!!
Signature Jerkbait Rod is Sold Out. Medium Heavy Casting are ALMOST sold out. 10 Spinning rods are available. Medium casting - perfect for cranks, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, lipless are still available.
SPRING BASS FISHING CLASS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON! This will be a new format that includes some product in your hand and a chance to win a rod…
Hey Trout Fishers!! The trout area is an area of the shop that we would really like to improve. If you have bait suggestions, I would LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! [email protected] MIGHT BE A SURPRISE GIFT CARD OR TWO HANDED OUT RANDOMLY FOR SUGGESTIONS!!
Some great new crankbaits are in the shop - getting ready for March!
ithe shop. Email me at [email protected]…one random suggestion just might end up winning you a prize
Worth Watching
Pond Fishing!
Technically Speaking...
It’s about time…
Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”
Get Involved!
Pre Spawn Crappie
Little Kokabow Fishing Highlights!
Current Trout Stocking
Early Spring Bass
Fishing with Dynamic Lures HD Trout Lures
Steelhead Update!
Bass Mafia Loaded Swimbait! (In stock now…)
New in the Shop
Dynamic Lures HD Trout 9-Mile Goby…this is gonna smash!!

Bass Mafia Loaded Daingerous Swimbaits

Catch Spotlight
Submit your own entry to be featured in Hook Points to: [email protected], Subject: Catch Spotlight
Sklyer with a good one…as per usual!

First Kokanee!!

Paul proving that Pikeminnow will eat anything! Better than getting skunked!

Khris with an awesome Cascade perch!

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