New to Ft Collins area

[TXSkeeter]

  New to the Ft Collins area. Am on a project thru the middle of this year so looking for any info regarding bass fishing. I am from the central Texas area so this ice issue is new to me. Not to crazy about ice fishing (don't get me wrong) as I know you guys do great but I am not about freezing just yet. My hats off to those that do that type of fishing though. I know I will need to wait until spring but just looking for some info I can research until it's time to go. No, I did not bring my boat so that puts me at a disadvantage. Just need to be fishing.
Thanks in advance  for the help.

[longdraw]

Hey bud, a ton of great small water Bass fishing up that way.  The fact you didn't bring your boat may work as an advantage because instead of trailering and launching bigger water you will be forced to explore our somewhat hidden gems. Go to Sportsmans Warehouse in Loveland and pick up the DOW publication "Fishing close to home".  Look at Boulder and Larimer counties.  GL

[TXSkeeter]

Thanks for the response about local waters and small places. As a matter of fact I brought along a couple of float type fishing boats that I purchased while on a project in Oregon. They work great for small areas and easy to tag along. I know it's a little cold now but soon things will warm up enough to put the floats to a test. Ever in central Texas give me a shout as we have a lot of lakes that are usable year round.
Thanks again,

[Farmer Ted]

I am in Fort Collins and most any of the public ponds has largemouth in it. I have caught them up to 21inches. Average size is probably 15-16 inches. Use any of the standard bass techniques. The ponds see a lot of pressure but most of the pressure isn't from serious fishermen. You can be successful from shore but waders or a float tube are critical to get to the local lunkers. Horsetooth reservior and Watson lake are very good for smallmouth, I have caught smallies up to 19 inches with average size being around 14 inches. Both can be fished from shore but a boat is best for Horsetooth and a float tube for Watson. I stay the hell away from Horsetooth after early May because the boat and idiot traffic goes through the roof.

If you do catch largemouth out of the smaller ponds, please put them back. These ponds are small, artificial ecosystems and are really sensitive to having large bass removed.

Try places like McMurry ponds, Riverbend ponds, North Shields pond, Prospect ponds, Dixon Reservior, Arapahoe Bend, and I've even caught largemouth out of Sheldon lake at City Park.  Much of the water in Fort Collins is private so make sure you're on public ponds or you may get in trouble. if you do a search for Fort Collins Natural Areas it will tell you where you can fish.

Many of these ponds suffered from winter kill about 4 years ago and we may be headed for another round of winter kill this year since the snow has been sitting on the ice for so long. When the ice comes off (usually mid February) go around and look at the ponds...if you see dead fish floating everywhere, then the pond has winterkilled and it's proably a write-off for several years. The DOW is supposed to stock warm water species in the ponds but since Colorado is known as a trout state, I don't think it's high on their priority list.

While you're here, you could also learn to stream fish for trout. I forgo the fly fishing and just use ultralite spinning gear and #1 inline spinners, small Rapalas and spoons. It's a nice change of pace for when the bass fishing is slow.

Nobody here really ice fishes for bass that I know of...bass aren't known for being that catchable through the ice anyway. In fact, ice fishing on most local water isn't allowed anyway because the ice thickness is so inconsistent. By the way, I'm not an ice fisherman either..I just take the winter off. I start bass fishing right around the 1st of March when water temps hit 45 degrees.

Good Luck

[HogMaster]

I am in Fort Collins and most any of the public ponds has largemouth in it. I have caught them up to 21inches. Average size is probably 15-16 inches. Use any of the standard bass techniques. The ponds see a lot of pressure but most of the pressure isn't from serious fishermen. You can be successful from shore but waders or a float tube are critical to get to the local lunkers. Horsetooth reservior and Watson lake are very good for smallmouth, I have caught smallies up to 19 inches with average size being around 14 inches. Both can be fished from shore but a boat is best for Horsetooth and a float tube for Watson. I stay the hell away from Horsetooth after early May because the boat and idiot traffic goes through the roof.

If you do catch largemouth out of the smaller ponds, please put them back. These ponds are small, artificial ecosystems and are really sensitive to having large bass removed.

Try places like McMurry ponds, Riverbend ponds, North Shields pond, Prospect ponds, Dixon Reservior, Arapahoe Bend, and I've even caught largemouth out of Sheldon lake at City Park.  Much of the water in Fort Collins is private so make sure you're on public ponds or you may get in trouble. if you do a search for Fort Collins Natural Areas it will tell you where you can fish.

Many of these ponds suffered from winter kill about 4 years ago and we may be headed for another round of winter kill this year since the snow has been sitting on the ice for so long. When the ice comes off (usually mid February) go around and look at the ponds...if you see dead fish floating everywhere, then the pond has winterkilled and it's proably a write-off for several years. The DOW is supposed to stock warm water species in the ponds but since Colorado is known as a trout state, I don't think it's high on their priority list.

While you're here, you could also learn to stream fish for trout. I forgo the fly fishing and just use ultralite spinning gear and #1 inline spinners, small Rapalas and spoons. It's a nice change of pace for when the bass fishing is slow.

Nobody here really ice fishes for bass that I know of...bass aren't known for being that catchable through the ice anyway. In fact, ice fishing on most local water isn't allowed anyway because the ice thickness is so inconsistent. By the way, I'm not an ice fisherman either..I just take the winter off. I start bass fishing right around the 1st of March when water temps hit 45 degrees.

Good Luck

Sup Ted!! Hows the Family!

[TXSkeeter]

Thanks a lot for the information about the local areas. Just for the record I am located on Lake LBJ back home in central Texas and I do a lot of tournament fishing and I am a big supporter of catch and release. I run trot lines at home for my fish eating needs so don't worry about my keeping or killing bass as it does not happen. As a matter, I go to great depths to insure the fish are as healthy when released as when caught as there are to many good products on the market to insure a healthy fish.

My questions about local fishing stems from my passion to fish in general. I just prefer bass fishing but love any type of fishing regardless of the type.
Because I travel a lot around the country I try and make the most of where ever I might be located at the time.

I also extend the invitation to anyone that might be in my home area to make an attempt to spend time on my home waters as we have some of the best in the country for bass fishing or what ever you may wish, fresh or salt. Just PM me anytime and I bet I can make arrangements to put you in the back of my Skeeter and put you on some great fish. Now the catching is up to you.

Again, thanks for all the help received. I will use it to my advantage as much as possible. 

[Farmer Ted]

Sup Ted!! Hows the Family!

Hey,

Things are going good. My little girl is one year old and getting into everything. I didn't get to do as much local fishing last summer because I was a stay at home dad but this year it may be a little different since the kiddo is a little more mobile. Either way, it's all good and I should get back home to Minnesota once or twice this summer and may get up to Canada once or twice too.

Hope everyone on the board is well.

[HogMaster]

Thanks a lot for the information about the local areas. Just for the record I am located on Lake LBJ back home in central Texas and I do a lot of tournament fishing and I am a big supporter of catch and release. I run trot lines at home for my fish eating needs so don't worry about my keeping or killing bass as it does not happen. As a matter, I go to great depths to insure the fish are as healthy when released as when caught as there are to many good products on the market to insure a healthy fish.

My questions about local fishing stems from my passion to fish in general. I just prefer bass fishing but love any type of fishing regardless of the type.
Because I travel a lot around the country I try and make the most of where ever I might be located at the time.

I also extend the invitation to anyone that might be in my home area to make an attempt to spend time on my home waters as we have some of the best in the country for bass fishing or what ever you may wish, fresh or salt. Just PM me anytime and I bet I can make arrangements to put you in the back of my Skeeter and put you on some great fish. Now the catching is up to you.

Again, thanks for all the help received. I will use it to my advantage as much as possible. 

I will heading down south to fish Choke in March!

[TXSkeeter]

Not sure if you have ever fished Choke before so might be some help and maybe not. Don't go light as the place has a lot of old hardwood trees along with a lot of black brush under the water and it will give you a fit if not rigged correctly. I know the time will be spawn or latter part (they seem to spawn earlier there due to the climate) but don't forget your off shore items like ledges, bends in the river and so on. I have caught several over 10 and 11 there so be prepared with tackle that is not to light. I use nothing short of 20lb for plastics and braid for the grass (it did at one time have a lot of grass) I prefer the off shore deep cranking (my favorite is a 3/4 oz Hot Lips in shad or Talipa color) You will need a long rod, something like 7-1/2 med-heavy Bass Pro Shop cranking stick with a 5-to 1 ratio reel for the hot lips or it will work your arms to much. Ten inch worms are a must. If you have already been there then you know what to do but regardless, GOOD LUCK

[HogMaster]

Thanks!  My buddy lives on Canyon and guides here and there!! But he loves his flukes!  Being from here using 10-14lb line is fine but I better size up to 17-20 for the trip!  Have you ever thrown and Swimbaits down there?  Bluegill's, Crappie or Shad in the 5-7" range?

[TXSkeeter]

The swimbait works great as the water on the lower end should be clear and it will be a good time to through that bait. Sometimes the upper gets a little stained (depending on the amount of rain) for swimbaits. Your OK with 17 to 20 lb. Just needed to mention it as some folks show up with way under sized equipment as they under estimate the power of a big fish and those fish are extra strong for some reason.
What is your friends name, reason for asking as I have several friends that guide that lake all the time.
Anything I can add please ask.
Good Luck

[HogMaster]

The swimbait works great as the water on the lower end should be clear and it will be a good time to through that bait. Sometimes the upper gets a little stained (depending on the amount of rain) for swimbaits. Your OK with 17 to 20 lb. Just needed to mention it as some folks show up with way under sized equipment as they under estimate the power of a big fish and those fish are extra strong for some reason.
What is your friends name, reason for asking as I have several friends that guide that lake all the time.
Anything I can add please ask.
Good Luck

Floyd Pace- He guides out of Fishermans Corner.

[TXSkeeter]

HogMaster,
Or you talking about the bait and tackle store at Canyon lake just off highway 32. That shop belongs to Sylvan (Thank that's how you spell his name) Charles Whited and Kelley Mauldin (They also have others too) both guide out of there along with a few others. As a matter of fact that store is also one of the biggest on-line tackle dealers in the country. If it is to be had, he has it or can get it.
If anyone knows whats going on at Choke it will be those guys and your buddy.
Again, good luck

[HogMaster]

HogMaster,
Or you talking about the bait and tackle store at Canyon lake just off highway 32. That shop belongs to Sylvan (Thank that's how you spell his name) Charles Whited and Kelley Mauldin (They also have others too) both guide out of there along with a few others. As a matter of fact that store is also one of the biggest on-line tackle dealers in the country. If it is to be had, he has it or can get it.
If anyone knows whats going on at Choke it will be those guys and your buddy.
Again, good luck

THanks!  I cant wait to get out of this cold to go catch some HOGS!!  I hope I hit a DD!  Would be my 1st!  I only have a 9lber to date!!  But if I dont I wont mind catching 5-8lbers all day long!!

[TXSkeeter]

HogMaster,
Know your on your way to Choke so read the latest Share a Lunker coming from there. If this does not get you pumped nothing will. Read below

Choke Canyon Sends 15 Pounder to Toyota ShareLunker Program
February 8, 2010

(Feb 8, 2010 TPWD News Release) Another South Texas reservoir that has benefited from rains several years ago is kicking out big bass. On February 6 Richard Flores of Seguin pulled a 15.09-pound largemouth from Choke Canyon Reservoir while flipping a 10-inch plastic worm in 12 feet of 57-degree water. That fish is now Toyota ShareLunker 478.

Flores' fish continues a string of big bass that is significant. Of the seven fish entered into the Toyota ShareLunker program so far this year, three have weighed 14 pounds or more and one more than 15 pounds. Average weight of the entries thus far this season is 13.9 pounds.

Last season the average weight of five fish entered through mid-February was 14.19 pounds. That average was swelled by a 15.45-pound lake record from Choke Canyon and a 15.93-pound lake record from Lake Conroe.

In the 2007-2008 season only one fish had been entered by mid-February, a 13.06-pounder from Lake Conroe. In the 2006-2007 season the five fish entered by mid-February averaged 13.34 pounds.

Flores took his fish to the Calliham Store, an official ShareLunker weigh and holding station, to await pickup. The fish was 26.5 inches long and 21.75 inches in girth.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at (903) 681-0550 or paging him at (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year's season, visit the Toyota ShareLunker Program. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

[HogMaster]

Yes I am always on the texasfishingfourm.com!  I found that Beast on Sunday!! 

[TXSkeeter]

HogMaster,
Try the austinbassfishing.com-forum because it covers Choke and our local lakes a little better. Texas Fishing Forum gets way to cloudy with too much stuff.

[HogMaster]

Cool thanks!!

[k0diak]

     Welcome to Colorado man! I lived in Mesquite & Garland TX for a few years when my pops was with Home Depot. While i was down that way we fished a bunch of great bass lakes...Ray Roberts-Ray Hubbard...Fork...Lavon and many others including my favorite Texoma. Damn i miss the fishing down that way...I'm planning a trip with a TX local friend in April (Birthday Trip) to Choke Canyon for a day or two...then a ways down south to Falcon for a couple days for that famous   "jig bite" that everyone down there knows about...From there we will head north to Amistad is next for a couple days...Swimbait bait time!!!   Should be a fun time!

Hey bud, a ton of great small water Bass fishing up that way.  The fact you didn't bring your boat may work as an advantage because instead of trailering and launching bigger water you will be forced to explore our somewhat hidden gems. Go to Sportsmans Warehouse in Loveland and pick up the DOW publication "Fishing close to home".  Look at Boulder and Larimer counties.  GL

Now back to the on-topic discussion...

Good call Longdraw...TXSkeeter Get that book! It's a Gem!!!

Again welcome to Colorado...keep us updated on how you do! If you have any other questions just holler!  


-k0d-