What is a Zoom Worm?

A zoom worm is a straight worm about 7 inches long and they come in several colors like chartreuse, yellow, white and in natural colors as well.

Rigging your zoom worm

You rig your zoom worm with no weight and you fish it almost like a topwater lure. You can tie the hook directly to the line or put it on a swivel about 6 inches above the hook. The swivel will help keep your line from twisting as you retrieve.

Tricking your zoom worm

As you retrieve your zoom worm, you want to twitch them. This will cause the worm to jump back and forth.

One technique that I’ve found most effective is to twitch them just under the surface. Then pause and let the worm sink.

Best Bass Lakes in Arizona for 2009

1. Alamo Lake – This is the HOME of largemouth bass in Arizona and recent surveys show a large population of largemouth bass for the 2009 season.
2. Bartlett Lake – A great lake for bass fishing, Bartlett Lake is a 2,800 acre lake just north of Phoenix.
3. Lake Mead – An excellent bass fishing lake located near the border for Arizona and Nevada. Lake Mead boasts a whopping 160,000 acres of fishing waters.
4. Martinez Lake – more for the shore angler, Martinez Lake is only 600 acres but is worth the trip near Yuma, Arizona.
5. Lake Pleasant- a 10,000 acre lake also close to metropolitan Phoenix, great bass lake.

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Trick Your Zoom Worm and Catch Big Bass This Season

A reader of Arizona Lake Fishing, Johnny, from Mesa, emailed in with a question:

“Where can I go to fly fish carp in the Phoenix area?”

Well, Johnny, thanks for writing in to Arizona Lake Fishing and if any of you have questions on fishing in Arizona’s freshwater lakes, ponds and other bodies of water gives us a shout at arizonalakefishing {at} gmail dot com we’ll be happy to answer.

So, Johnny, to get to your question, we put our guys out into the local fishing community and have come up with a few top fishing holes for fishing carp around the Phoenix area.

Carp in the Valley

• Salt River Canal – The lower stretch is the most popular fly fishing hole in the valley. But the canals, owned and maintained by the Salt River Project, SRP has introduced a few hybrid carp called White Amur or Grass Carp into their system to help with vegetation over growth. SRP maintains a strict catch-and-release policy for all fish caught in the their canals. Rumors abound of 50 pound carp swimming in these canals but the biggest carp caught has only been in the 20 to 30 pound range with the norm around 4 to 12 pounds. A “bread fly” seems to be working the best.
• Tempe Town Lake – Your best option is on the south side of the lake. Try a “bread fly” here as well.
• Canyon Lake – If a trip to the Superstition Wilderness isn’t too far for you, Canyon Lake is a great lake for fly fishing. Most fly fishing at Canyon Lake is during the winter when fly anglers are going for the nice sized winter trout. But in the spring and summer months it’s great for carp as well as small mouth bass.

Carp in Arizona

If taking a little trip to fly fish for carp is on your list, here are a few popular lakes for catching carp.

• Alamo Lake – The carp population is growing in numbers at Alamo Lake and are expected to be good fishing this season.
• Apache Lake – This is a good lake for carp. Look for them in the murky waters in the coves around the marina.
• Roosevelt Lake – An annual Carp Camp is held at Roosevelt Lake every May and is one of the best lakes in Arizona for fishing carp.
• Silverbell Lake – There are nice sized carp in this Arizona Lake some in the range of over 20 pounds.

Post from: Arizona Lake Fishing

Fly Fishing for Carp in Phoenix, Arizona

Mark Your Calendars for February 28, 2009

AZ game & fish is organizing the annual Alamo Lake clean up from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 28.

Photo: Alamo lake, Arizona campground

Fees are Waived for Participants

AZ State Parks will waive camping and boat launch fees for those who registrar to help in the annual Alamo Lake clean up. Participants will be staying in the Cholla Campground and using the Cholla Launch Ramp.

For more information:

For more information, contact Wildlife Manager Stewart Kohnke at (928- 684-3763 or (928) 342-0091.

Post from: Arizona Lake Fishing

Volunteers Needed for Annual Alamo Lake Clean Up

Arizona lakes hold a unique opportunity for the avid bass angler and that’s the sheer number of bass that inhabit Arizona lakes. Whether it’s shore fishing or in a boat, Arizona has a lake to offer up to everyone.

Top 5 Arizona Lakes for Catching Largemouth Bass

1. Alamo Lake – This is the HOME of largemouth bass in Arizona and recent surveys show a large population of largemouth bass for the 2009 season.
2. Bartlett Lake – A great lake for bass fishing, Bartlett Lake is a 2,800 acre lake just north of Phoenix.
3. Lake Mead – An excellent bass fishing lake located near the border for Arizona and Nevada. Lake Mead boasts a whopping 160,000 acres of fishing waters.
4. Martinez Lake – more for the shore angler, Martinez Lake is only 600 acres but is worth the trip near Yuma, Arizona.
5. Lake Pleasant- a 10,000 acre lake also close to metropolitan Phoenix, great bass lake.

Post from: Arizona Lake Fishing

Top 5 Arizona Lakes for Fishing Largemouth Bass

The best fishing time is during the day, sun up to sun down between 7am and 5pm. Let the sun get up over the mountains and begin warming the air.

Channel cats are in high numbers this season, especially in the upper portion of the lake. Most tend to be on the small side around 2-3 pounds but there are some that can get up to 7 and 8 pounds.

Carp are also growing in numbers this season and are quickly becoming a favorite angling fish, requiring finesse and accuracy. There are several Arizona lakes for carp fishing and Alamo is one of the most popular.

Post from: Arizona Lake Fishing

Alamo Lake Winter Fishing Report

1. Roosevelt Lake – Is one of the best lakes for fishing carp in Arizona. In fact they hold their annual Camp Carp at the end of May which has been running now for 18 years.
2. Apache Lake – This is a good lake for fishing carp. Dough bait and corn on treble hooks work best here. Look for carp in the murky coves around the marina.
3. Alamo Lake – You can expect to fin carp around 4-6 pounds in this Arizona lake. The traditional worm-on-a-hook works best here.
4. Silverbell Lake – You’ll find the big ones at Silverbell lake with some in the range of over 20 pounds. Chicken liver and a slip sinker work well here.

Post from: Arizona Lake Fishing

Carp Fishing in Arizona

Top Picks for Fall Fishing in Arizona

1. Alamo Lake – largemouth bass and channel catfish
2. Lake Havasu – striped bass and smallmouth bass
3. Martinez Lake – largemouth bass
4. Imperial Division – largemouth bass
5. Walter’s Camp – largemouth bass
6. Colorado river – largemouth bass – Palo Verde Diversion Dam

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Arizona Lake Fishing Top Picks

AZ game and fish did their fall fish survey and have found near record populations of largemouth bass in Alamo Lake. The majority of the bass are slot size or larger.

There is a new species in Alamo Lake that is becoming more popular to fish, redear sunfish. These fish can get up to 2 pounds and 1 pounders are in Alamo Lake now.

Another species anglers are eager to learn about are the channel catfish that inhabit Alamo Lake. if you’re interested in catching a channel cat try the upper end of the lake where some of them are hitting the 7-8 pound weight.

Catfish are a great way to introduce young anglers to the sport as the cats in Alamo Lake are ready biters. Try hot dogs and stink baits for these fish.

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Alamo Lake Fishing Update

Topwater lures seem to be working both in the mornings and evenings for largemouth bass. Try the jitter bug topwater.

For best results: Plastics, particularly, plastic lizards are what the largemouth bass want to bite. They seem to be most active in the evenings but the bite does end right at dark. Get out around 5pm.

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Alamo Lake Summer Fishing Report

In the valley, summers can get into the 100s before 10am making fishing quite uncomfortable during the day. A fun alternative is night fishing. Not only will you catch fish but also the remarkable Arizona nighttime sky.

Top picks:

At 9,000 feet, Big Lake in the White Mountains is a great opportunity for night fishing and star gazing. At that elevation the sky seems to be right in front of you and larger than life. The cool mountain air sure beats the heat of the valley.

Lake Powell is a beautiful red sandstone canyon. Because of Powell’s limited shore fishing opportunities, fishing at Lake Powell is best done with a boat.

Alamo Lake is closer to home for the valley people and sits in a bowl preventing any light pollution from the sprawling city lights. The bite is pretty good around here especially by the dam.

If you intend to stay in the valley, Tempe Town Lake is a decent opportunity for night fishing. Stroll over near the Mill Avenue Bridge and witness planes take off from Sky Harbor.

Don’t forget your submersible lights for catching striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and trout.

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Time for Night Fishing – Top Picks