Utah Lake 4/16/05 The Westside Story

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]It had been too long since my last trip (2 weeks). I hadda get out. TubeBabe was stuck house-sitting and pet-minding for family. I was on my own. Didn't want any company anyway. Burned out. That ruled out "full contact" fishing at Willard or Lincoln Beach.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I just needed to get away, and to test some of my new "modifications" on my tube. I figured that the water conditions and fish might still be a bit affected by the big blow and low temps of recent days, so I might do some "exploricating". Decided to dunk my tube on the west side of Utah Lake.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Started at Saratoga Springs "marina". The launch ramp is still closed (rest rooms too), because of low water. I launched my tube from the ramp without any "help" from other craft. Hit the water about 6 AM. Air temp 35 and water temp 50. A cool early breeze made me wish I had worn my hooded sweatshirt.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The water was 2.5 to 3 feet deep inside the marina. I made casts with plastics and spinners as I moved around the edge on the way out. Nothing on sonar and no bumps. The 50 degree water did not raise my confidence level.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The depth changed fairly quickly to a steady 3 feet and gradually out to 4 feet, a couple of hundred yards from the mouth of the harbor. Took a picture of the sunrise across the lake, coming up in Provo Canyon. Also snapped a pic of Saratoga Springs in the morning light. Sure looks different than it did 40 years ago, when I used to row an old wooden boat across the lake from Provo Harbor, to fish the plentiful fishies then in the area...in higher water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Since I have a two pole permit, I rigged one rod on my new "outrigger" rod holder with a chunk of carp meat, while I casted a variety of different plastics, marabous and spinners on another rod. Had a couple of whacks on crawler-sweetened marabou jigs, but didn't hook anything. Had one brief "pickup" on the bait, but the fish dropped it before I could set the hook.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The cool morning breeze died down and the lake turned to glass. Couldn't have asked for a prettier morning. I heard boats coming from the other side, and two bass-chasers went inside the harbor to try to molest some largies. I didn't hear any excitement and they came back out pretty quick. LMB probably were huddled under the docks with lockjaw and their winter coats back on. Only saw one other boat, later in the morning. I had my solitude.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Problem was, I wasn't getting any fish action. I hit the ramp and got out a little before 10. I did have a small white bass on a spinner just before getting out, while casting inside the marina. I saw some fish on sonar on the way in too. A couple of guys casting worms from the end of the rocks said they had a couple of light bites, but no fish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As I was getting ready to load up, a lady fisheries biologist came up and recorded my answers to some questions on a survey they were doing...regarding June suckers. Mainly they were trying to get angler responses to questions like "Are you in favor of trying to restore the June sucker population?" and "Would you approve of such measures...IF THEY DID NOT INTERFERE WITH GAME FISH?". My answers were basically that I hated to see the loss of any species, but that I had a hard time seeing so much money being spent to restore a species that had no real value to anyone and which already seemed doomed because of virtually irreversible changes in their former habitat. I questioned whether it was possible to make their lives easier without having any kind of impact on the predatory fishes...the ones I care about most. She agreed that it was an uphill challenge, with the current low population and virtually zero reproduction in Utah Lake.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]She did pass on some good news. They have increased flows in the Provo River. Anyone hitting the area around the mouth of the river might wanna check that out. She said they were optimistic that Utah Lake would get a lot more water during the runoff.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Since I was in an "R & D" mode, I drove down as far as mile marker 19 on the highway, checking lake access road conditions and potential launch sites for "flotation craft". Most of the dirt roads down to the lake are passable only by vehicles with high clearance, although some are doable with anything other than really small cars. I found several spots I want to try as the water comes up higher.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Late in the morning, I decided to make a second launch, to check out the "offshore" conditions. I backed up to waters edge, loaded up my craft and hit the water. At least I hit the mud. I had to slog my way out (and back in, later) through about a hundred and fifty yards of shallow water before finding enough depth to sit down and use the fins. Actually, the mud was fairly firm, for the most part. I hit a couple of spots where evidently holes in the bottom had silted in, and I almost "bogged down". [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It was warm and I had gone back out with only a short sleeve sweatshirt. Of course, I also laid on the sunscreen. My mama din't raise no fools. The water temp was coming up fast in the overhead sun. By noon, it was 55, and the kitties came out to play. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I did not find water deeper than 2 feet for several hundred yards out from my launch point. That would have been dry ground before the water started coming up in December. I started soaking bait and casting lures after I found 2.5 feet of water, but did not get my first bite until I was past the 3 foot mark. That had to be about a half mile out (see pic). [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I lost a couple of brief tussles on spinners. I suspect "inexperienced" white bass. They did not know how to hang on. I had several "hit and run" suspects. They would pull the line loose from the line holder clip on my rod and run a couple of feet of line off and then drop the bait. Usually, when cats are active, they will peel line off and keep going.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Finally, one wanted it more than the others. The line was moving off slowly, as I reeled in my spinner and hung that rod up out of the way. I picked up the bait rod, flipped the bail, pointed the rod toward the fish and let the line come tight. Then I hauled back to set the hook. The tip of the rod stayed where it was. That was a biggun. He ran off a few yards of line and then started moving off sideways. Then, the hook just pulled free and I practiced some words from my fishing vocabulary. Those big fish have hard mouths. I should have given a couple more good hook sets.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Had a couple more "near misses" before finally hanging about a two pound channel. I invited him home for dinner, happy that I had at least something to show for the getaway. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I got off the water about 2:30. The water temp had risen to 57, but started dropping as a light breeze came up and riffled the water. The breeze died off again, and the water was glass all the way across the lake as I drove back around the west side on the way home.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]OBSERVATIONS: This is gonna be a killer year for all species to spawn. Plenty of newly flooded vegetation and rocks for both spawning and a protective nursery for the young fish. Also some great habitat for basses. Should be some interesting structure fishing, if there are enough bass left. They will now be spread out a lot more, instead of having to hang around inside harbors and the skimpy structure therein.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also, get ready for some major carp killing. They are gonna start rolling in the reeds pretty soon now, and will be easy targets for arrows and such. There are some great flooded reed patches near Lindon and also all along the west shoreline. I suspect that a serious carp sticker could have much fun in a lot of spots this spring.[/#0000ff]
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[Theekillerbee]

As always TubeDude, thanks for the great report. I've always wondered about that west side, as I only hear about the more common fishing spots. Glad you could make it out, and at least have a nice morning to yourself. I drove past Willard yesterday, and the Marina, and the north dike looked like a battle zone.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Yeah, the west side is a "secret" to a lot of longtime Utah anglers. When conditions are right, it is a good place to catch lots of fish without the "fun" interaction with a lot of other people. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is a shallower slope out to deeper water, from most access points, so you either have to wade a long ways or kick a long ways out in your tube. Quite a few guys use rubber boats over there...or toons these days. You can also reach it from a boat, launched at any of the other area boat ramps. But, you need good sonar and slow speed when approaching that shoreline. There are some nasty rockpiles in spots that you can't see in murky water. If you know where the "structure" is, you can take walleyes and cats in solitude, when they are in and active. Many savvy walleye fans have their own private preserves over there instead of having to bring their own rock to stand on if they went to Lincoln Beach.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Because the water is shallower there, you might think the fishing would not be as good. Actually, there are a lot of big kitty fish that come into really skinny water. A piece of bait only a foot or so below a bobber can do some real damage in close. Night fishing is especially good in those shallows. Both cats and walleyes sometimes forage in water barely deep enough to cover their backs, especially during the warmer summer nights when they don't feed as much during the day. That can be a good time to fish a floating jointed Rapala at night, twitching it like a popper. I have taken largies, kitties and wallies all on the same lure in the same area after dark, while wading in water less than knee deep. They will also hit weightless black plastics, rigged Texas style.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I know my "slow" day was more a matter of cool water and changing weather than through any lack of fish in the area. I will definitely be making some more trips over there this year. The rising water is going to make it a fun playground.[/#0000ff]
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[Kent]

Another way to fish the west side is to haul a step ladder out into the water and then sit on top of it and fish. Personally, I prefer to fish it from my boat. I have a place where I like to anchor in about 2 1/2 to 3' of water and cast up onto a point that is between a foot and 6 inches of water to catch some nice channel cats.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]That stepladder technique has been used in Japan for many years, to fish for a small fish on incoming tides. The anglers take the ladders out as far as they can, and when the tide moves in, with the fish, they catch as many as they can before the tide goes back out. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Some guys also use that at Pyramid Lake, in Nevada, to fling flies for the big Lahontan cutts. Getting up on the ladders helps give them more control and distance while waving the fairy wands. Much laughter up and down the line when somebody falls off the ladder. Also fun to watch when someone hooks up a big fish and has to get down while fighting it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are also quite a few dedicated Utah Lake cat hunters that back a pickup way out into the shallow spots and then get back up and fish out of the bed of the truck. That works on hard bottoms, but can be a big "WHOOPS" if you don't pay attention and drive over the lip of the rock ledge at Lincoln Beach. Heck, if someone had a monster truck, they could just about drive across the whole lake when the water level is down.[/#0000ff]
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[cat_man]

Great report TD! Question about Saratoga...how much is the entrance fee there? Or did you not have to pay since it's not officially open yet?
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[hookemup]

Nice report TD. The photo looks like the (kinda) new boat launch at pelican bay/point??
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[fish4fish]

Man saratoga has changed alot in the last 11 years, i grew up in AF and all i remember saratoga being was farm fields, the marina, a swimming pool with a big slide and the stink from the lake, it is amazing to see it like it is now.
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]Excellent report, tubemeister! Sounds like a nice quiet and peaceful day on the west side. Too bad that Mr. Big got away, but I'm sure you'll bring in many more just like him this summer. Can't wait to get back out there (complete with proper bait this time-forgot minnows last time, and didn't catch any carp) and get another shot at the cats and eye's. I think I'll go out to Linden next Saturday.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]There is a "gatehouse" at the entrance of the parking and launching area, but there is no gate. And nobody has been in it for awhile and there is no posted fee anywhere. I have heard that they will be charging something when the water rises enough to open the ramps again. Actually, the ramp is not gated, and the water is deep enough to launch most boats, and there was no 'THOU SHALT NOT" sign. I suppose it is an implied "LAUNCH AT YOUR OWN RISK" situation.[/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Right you are. It is about 7 miles past the last light on Redwood Road, where the Smiths Market is. I had referred to it as Pelican Point too, but the development around it is called Saratoga Springs, and that is the name on the little sign pointing down to it. Pelican Point is another mile or so to the south. All of the roads going out to Pelican point are private and gated. But, there is some good shallow fishing for cats around the point if you can boat your way there.[/#0000ff]
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[Coldfooter]

Good report Pat.
Hey theres far more to fishin' than catchin'. After all, if you'd hooked up more you'd risked possibly having to unhooked em and messing up your peace and quiet, right?

LOL, yeah it dont drop off to fast on the west side and why the dinker is called for. Great photo of your vehicle tho! []
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[houscatch]

Great report tubedude. I took my five year old daughter and three year old son out there the same day. I usually fair pretty good out there from shore but it was just not quite deep enough. so I loaded the kids back in the pickup and took them four wheeling around all those dirt roads, they had a blast bouncing around in the old truck. Next time Ill have to keep a better look out for bfters!
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Hey Don, you're right. It sure does mess up your relax when you gotta mess with some stupid fish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I used to have a cartoon poster that showed two old boys sittin' under a tree, on the bank of a pond, with cane poles and bobbers floatin' on the water. One of the bobbers was jigglin' and the guy with that pole is sayin' "What danged fool went and planted fish in here?"[/#0000ff]
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[PrinceFisher]

What a great report with pictures, TD.

I've never caught a bucketmouth out of Utah Lake, but I'm hoping to throw a lot of lures into submerged vegetation this year and hopefully hook up with a few.

I appreciate all the information you pass along on conditions, water levels, specific areas, etc.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Some of the highest percentage chances for finding largies are within the perimeters of the various harbors and marinas around the lake. This time of year you can catch them on smaller spinners and jigs, while fishing for white bass, but big plastics and pork...fished low and S-L-O-W are probably best. As the water warms, and the fish get more active, then spinnerbaits and shallow cranks and jerkbaits will get them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Always look for structure. Docks and posts are primo. But, even small rocks and a single twig sticking up is sometimes enough to hold a fish. It is also amazing how shallow those largies can be. A lot of good bass have been taken in Utah lake in pretty skinny water...like less than a foot deep. It can be exciting to pitch a light bit of plastic into shallow water and see the wake of an interested resident streak in and smack it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You should see if you can get some of the resident "experts" to show you some of the better non-harbor spots. There are some points and rockpiles around the lake that can be very productive, if you know where they are and how to fish them at different water levels.[/#0000ff]
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[fishinfool]

alota years back we use to go back in the catails where the warm springs come out of the ground at saratoga just south of the saratoga marina,we would use worm with no weight and throw it right in the reeds.if you know someone that lives in the new delopment you can get access,which I dont[unsure] so I dont fish it anymore.but there are some hog bass and bluegill in there.
ahhh,memories
later,FNF
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[FlyFishingMoose]

I planning on pulling out the toon possibly this saturday. Good report Pat, as always you make me laugh. Great writing!
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