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Fishing Reports
CJ Strike: It’s been toasty no doubt about it but the fishing has been steady for those making the right adjustments. For the bass, being on the bottom will catch you the most - I am aware that there is a window for topwater success - but for the most action all day, get on the bottom in 15-25’ and use your electronics to find anything…bowls, stumps, treasure chests, boulders, off shore weeds, submarines, gravel…if you don’t have that available to you - use a heavy Carolina rig (3/4 to 1oz) and start feeling around. I’d have a tungsten finesse jig - Brian had a very successful day with those recently - a drop shot and/or ned rig. For the drop shot I’m going to go with the Roboworm Hologram Shad and for the ned I’m running the Crush City Ned’s. Crappie fishing has been ok from what I am hearing - but they’ve been a bit small. Better fish are being caught on the troll with a mixed bag of crappie, trout and bass very likely. Flicker shads are doing the heavy lifting for the trollers. I have not heard anything about Sturgeon but with the warm water, seems like quite a few guys are giving them a rest on the main reservoir.
Boise River: Some great reports from the river! Try an Ultralight Heavyweight jig under a float or nightcrawler on a simple split shot rig (see video below). We just completely restocked our Dynamic Lures HD Trout section and now carry 13 options - it is a VERY successful bait! Its a great time to grab a light rod and some water shoes and go walking around - will keep you cool and you’re gonna get bit.
Brownlee: 15’ from full at 2062’ and dropping. The long and the short of it: 10-12” bass are easy to catch right now, larger ones have been a bit tricky to say the least. Drop shots, Neds, Carolina rigs are going to produce very consistent action but you might try a topwater (Whopper Plopper, Rio Rico or ARK Popper/Vixen walking bait) early and late…might be your biggest bites. I have had great success at Brownlee with a simple Texas rigged Smallie Beaver on a 3/8oz worm weight - just inched along the bottom. We just received a bait from Lunker City called “Ozmo”. I have a very strong feeling that bait is going to do very well on some smallies. It is a 5” creature bait that can be modified many different ways and can be fished on anything from a Carolina rig to a Ned. Crappie are spread out - they’ll be in 15-25’ around main lake points and at tucked just inside bends and coves. Catfishing has been excellent - especially around Farewell Bend. It has been smoky so plan accordingly.
Snake River: Dealing with shallow grass but bass are still chomping. A great place to get some work in with a popper or other topwater bait. Tough not to throw a Ned rigged TRD Craw on the Tungsten EWG hooks or a Tungsten Finesse jig with the “Brian Special” trailer on it. If you don’t know what that is…come ask him and he’ll show you how to rig it!! Catfishing has been decent. The trick right now is to start finding current breaks. They want to be near the current because of the oxygen that is available but they don’t want to be fighting it.
Wilson Springs: No report this week - that’s two weeks in a row! If anyone has been, I’d love to know what’s going on over there!!
Lake Lowell: Really good reports of a few great frog days! Pay attention to those little blue damsels…they can get keyed in on ‘em and that’ll bring them to the top. Couple customers have been surprised by a decent mid day flipping bite. On a sunny day - I believe it. The light only helps them see the baits better. Pay attention to where your bait is getting bit…is it on the shady side of things or was it on the sunny side…Pick your favorite frog, a chatterbait and a Reaction Innovations Man Bear Pig - then go get bit!
Cascade Reservoir: Perch are around rock piles and not necessarily crazy deep. A simple nightcrawler rig is never a bad option for these guys! Bass fishing is not easy right now but guys are still catching them. I’d say fishing for smallies deeper is the high percentage play. Carolina rigged craws, drop shots, neds and tubes - always good deeper water options. If you haven’t thrown a Big Bite Baits tube with a Bite Me tube jig head - you should - dangerous combo.
Horsethief Reservoir: Fishing has been fair - those doing the best have beenout on the water - kayak or other vessel. Trolling a green wedding ring is a really good option here and has been since I was a kiddo. If you’re struggling here, go take a look at where the creek runs in.
Owyhee Reservoir: Crappie have been in 15-25’ and have been biting ok. Look around the mouths of coves and pay particular attention to areas that have some current. The Big Bite Baits Swimon has been doing really well here and as an added bonus - the bass like ‘em too! Bass fishing has been decent - though I’ve been hearing mostly about smaller largemouth and smallies being caught. I’d probably have a topwater early, a senko and a deeper diving crank with me.
Owyhee River: Fishing is good at the O right now. Fish areas with a little more current around them if you are struggling. There are certainly fish in the deep slow pools but a lot of those fish are essentially “staging” and can be a little hesitant to move. Fish that are positioned in and around current are “feeders”. We like that…
Duck valley: No report this week. I would suspect lots of shallow vegetation…As with Wilson Springs, if you have a report, I’d love to hear it! Major point of concern would be the vegetation…it can get thick in there.
Lucky Peak Reservoir: Alan with Kokabow reports decent fish being caught in LP and has had a lot of success with pink, some with orange and a few with green. He also mentioned the Glow White dodgers have been VERY GOOD! Fish are deep and doing everything that they can to find some relief from the warm water. Shade is key! If you’re not on ‘em - 60 feet is not to deep. Fish ARE changing colors. REMINDER! They will start to draw the water down at LP in about a week. See the report below.
Arrowrock Reservoir: As with LP, some decent fish being reported. Alan gave me the same report for AR that he did with LP. Bass fishing for smaller fish has been REALLY GOOD. Great for the kids - if it wasn’t 1,000,000 degrees outside…go early, catch a bunch, be done in four hours, get ice cream, take nap…you’re welcome!
Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Some good fish still being caught at Anderson but have been a little tricky to find. Alan with Kokabow has had success but mentioned that you’re probably going to put in a good days work. As with the other Kokanee ponds - get deep - like 60’. Bass fishing here has been ok for smaller fish. Still struggling to find the bigger fish of a few years ago but smaller pound to 2 pound fish are plentiful. Drop shots and ned rigs!!
Local Ponds: Couple decent reports from a few buddies that caught some pond bass from their kayaks fishing long 8-10” worms slowly!
Shop News - Ladies ONLY Class, iCast Notes, TONS of New Product, Memorial Tournament and Rest In Peace My Friend
iCast was a blast and I learned quite a bit about the industry outlook and changes. Loved seeing the new baits and meeting some amazing anglers like Mike Iaconelli and Jordan Lee. Keep an eye on our Social Media for pics of the new products coming out!
We picked up several new product lines!! I am excited to share with you what I have found for all of us - from Bass anglers, to Trout anglers, Sturgeon anglers and everything in between! You’ll see…
WE STILL HAVE ROOM!! But only a couple spots…LADIES!!! THIS ONE IS JUST FOR YOU! Fundamentals of Fishing Class will be held on Wednesday, July 24th at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center from 6:30pm to 8:30pm! We will cover essential rigs for catching trout, bass, crappie, catfish and sturgeon and we will discuss the fundamentals of catching the different types of fish. THIS IS A LADIES ONLY CLASS!! No Fellers Allowed! (Except for me…I’m going to be teaching 😄) Sign up will be live at idahorodandreel.com under the “Classes” tab. Delicious SNACKS AND DRINKS PROVIDED! And we might just give away some cool stuff 😉 THIS WILL BE A CATERED EVENT AND SHOULD BE A GREAT NIGHT!!
BRING THE KIDDOS!! Join us for an in-store, all-day event for the kids! On Wednesday July 31st, we will have an area set up for the kids to make their own baits!! They will be able to enjoy some snacks, tie jigs, make trout spinners and more! We’d love it if you can RSVP on our website but it is not a requirement to attend!! Any kiddo (age 17 or younger) will enjoy 10% off any rod, reel or baits all day long! Let’s get those kiddos excited about fishing and show them another great way to enjoy it!
We lost a great angler and friend this last week. John Jenkins passed away and man, it hit hard. He had a wife and 6 kids and just a ton of friends. The Idaho Bass Masters has donated $500 to the family and will also be holding a memorial tournament to help raise money for John’s family. Idaho Rod and Reel has matched that donation and I am grateful to this community for supporting this shop so that we can do things like this!! All tournament dues will be given to the family. For every entry, you will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win the LAST Idaho Rod and Reel Signature JERKBAIT rod. Lets go catch some fish for a good cause and take a second to be grateful for what we have. There is a gofundme campaign for John - if you find yourself in a position to be able to donate, please do. I loved this man - let’s take care of his family.
TONS of new baits in the shop…Lunker City, Ultralight Heavyweights, Dynamic Lures HD Trout, Keitech Pro Packs, ARK Rods and Baits, Zoom Baits, Blue Fox, Meps and Panther Martin TO NAME ONLY A FEW!
CUSTOM COLOR SOFTBAITS ONLY AVAILABLE AT IDAHO ROD AND REEL FROM MAJOR MANUFACTURERS COMING SOON!
MASSIVE Trout Lure Restocking!
CRAPPIE and TROUT fishers…custom rods built just for you coming SOOONN!!!
New Daiwa Kage Rods are FLYING out of the shop! These things are absolutely on fire! Just beautiful rods! Come take a look for yourself.
Custom Rods…something very cool is coming 😉
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
If you throw SPINNING REELS and have EVER HAD A TANGLE…WATCH THIS!!
Technically Speaking...
Livescope…
Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”
Even the Salmon think its HOT!
Make it a career
Lucky Peak Boat Ramp Repair Coming Soon!
Let’s Keep it Local!
Current Trout Stocking
One of my favorite new baits seen at iCast - THESE ARE ON ORDER
Salmon Reports
Salmon Fishing - What’s Open, What’s Closed?
Good to know for ALL anglers
Just in case it gets hot around here…
Summer Trout!
These might get bit 🤣 (Split shot rig in this video)
Enjoyed this one!
New in the Shop
LIMITED EDITION HD Trout - BA Special + 13 Options in Stock Right Now!
Tons of New Trout Spinners in Stock! Blue Fox, Meps and Panther Martin
Lunker City Hellgie in Stock Now!
Lunker City Karate Craw in Stock Now! Tungsten Finesse Jig? Hint Hint 😉
Catch Spotlight
Submit your own entry to be featured in Hook Points to: [email protected], Subject: Catch Spotlight
Love you and miss you brother. Rest in Peace John.
Guess who it is…COLBY!! With his 4th species in 4 weeks…
Sam and Chuck had a great day!
One of my favorite pictures this week! This is the good stuff!
Mike with a really good Lowell bass!
Carson with a couple good tournament bass!
One of my fishing buddies Kelvin with a great catch!
What a stud! Great catch Connor!!
My good friend Terry with a really good largie!!
Jeremy and his good buddy Chris (this is Chris’ new smallmouth PB!!!!) with a couple good ones!! This guy has one heck of a Newsletter streak going as well!! Check his catches out on instagram at @germ.catches
JJ getting in on the action as well!!
Lisa and friends with AWESOME catches!! Check out that almost 50# flatty!!
Randy gave some Idaho Rod and Reel Customs tackle some credit on this one!! Thanks and great catch my man!
Scott is on ‘em as per usual!!
Kyle caught this one - and it came with a story!
“I dropped my rod in the lake when I set the hook on this fish. Used another rod to lift it out and the reeled it in.
Not the biggest of the day but everyone else on the boat got to laugh at me for a minute.”
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity.”