TAM Report post Posted January 26, 2007 Forgive me for discussing this topic here, but I figured some of you hunters may also be anglers....... I hope??? I don't know much about fishing, but every year I go on a atv trip in the whitemountains during the month of May. We usually camp along the Black River just south of where the east and west forks merge into the black. Every year I kick myself for not bringing any fishing tackle. This year I'm going to be prepared but I don't have a clue what type of rod, reel, bait, lures, hooks, etc that I should bring for that time of the year? I don't want to use a fly rod either. I'd just like to catch a fish or two? Any help out there? Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Report post Posted January 26, 2007 TAM, Get yourself a telescoping spinning rod and reel combo from Walmart or Sportsman's ($15-20). They are about 12" long when collapsed and work great for backpacking or atv's. Salmon eggs are a good bet just about any time. Use them on a "salmon egg" hook, just one or two 'egg's will cover the hook. Then just float the bait downstream into pools or along overhanging banks. Try not to use weight so that the bait will float. Also important on small streams is to not show yourself or your shadow. Use your stalking skills to approach likely looking spots and stay out of sight. Not much more fun than fishing small streams. If you can only use artificial baits (lures) Panter martins (1/16 oz or smaller for small streams) or Rooster tails of similar weight work well for me. Good luck! Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IHunt2live Report post Posted January 26, 2007 TAM, Get yourself a telescoping spinning rod and reel combo from Walmart or Sportsman's ($15-20). They are about 12" long when collapsed and work great for backpacking or atv's. Salmon eggs are a good bet just about any time. Use them on a "salmon egg" hook, just one or two 'egg's will cover the hook. Then just float the bait downstream into pools or along overhanging banks. Try not to use weight so that the bait will float. Also important on small streams is to not show yourself or your shadow. Use your stalking skills to approach likely looking spots and stay out of sight. Not much more fun than fishing small streams. If you can only use artificial baits (lures) Panter martins (1/16 oz or smaller for small streams) or Rooster tails of similar weight work well for me. Good luck! Kevin I agree with Kevin. I've never fishe the Black but I have fished some other white mountian streams. If you can bait works great. Lift up some rocks or go to moist medows and find some worms they work great. Worms work great under cut banks or deep holes. Like Kevin said, Use your stalking skils. Aproach the holes as lows as you can get. You might also be suprised were some fish will holed up, small little holes can hold lots of fish. Personaly I love flyfishing but I'm no purist so when it comes catching a few fish for fun or for the frying pan I don't feel bad about putting a worm on the end of the line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamaro Report post Posted January 26, 2007 I have heard that there are some good small mouth Bass in that area... You might also want to take a few top water plugs... Jason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
300 wsm Report post Posted January 26, 2007 No the Small mouth are further down on the Res. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueshunter Report post Posted January 26, 2007 I have caught alot on crickets and grasshoppers. I use a large needle, thread a small piece of cork on my line, then tie the small #8 trout hook on. The cork adds weight helping you cast and of course it floats your bait so you dont snag as easily. Also on deeper holes you can put a split shot on the line, slide the cork up higher and cover more water down deep. Anyway, hope you catch alot...........Allen........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobbyo Report post Posted January 26, 2007 Tam, What everyone has said is right on. One thing to remember when walking to a new pool you should not skyline yourself. The fish can see you. For that particular stretch of river I would suggest floating baits, since there is a huge population of crawdads and they will attack your bait before the fish will if it is on the bottom. I like to use insects that i find by or in the river. Grasshoppers, helgamites, ect., but insects can be tricky to hook. I have had good luck using spinners as mentioned above. Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
longshooter Report post Posted January 26, 2007 you can also try www.azbasszone.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZcoues_addict Report post Posted January 28, 2007 Very good tips here, so I'll add a new one. Bring the smallest size, trout colored (with spots) super-duper you can find. Bring two, you can find them at Walmart usually. Work it upstream against the current slowly, with small twiching motions while reeling it in so it bouces up and down and turns with the current. I've had some fantastic trips with this lure up higher on the Black river, catching more native Apache trout than you'd believe, and eradic movement seems to work better sometimes. Don't forget to come back and let us know how you do, and post pics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazy4COUES Report post Posted January 28, 2007 Tam, What everyone has said is right on. One thing to remember when walking to a new pool you should not skyline yourself. The fish can see you. For that particular stretch of river I would suggest floating baits, since there is a huge population of crawdads and they will attack your bait before the fish will if it is on the bottom. I like to use insects that i find by or in the river. Grasshoppers, helgamites, ect., but insects can be tricky to hook. I have had good luck using spinners as mentioned above. Bob I agree 100% the above mentioned is how I do it, use a light line and rod make it as natural presentation as possible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaffer62 Report post Posted January 28, 2007 Dont be fooled there are some small mouth bass in the area that you are going to. I have fished many years just east of the confluance of the black and white and have caught some dandy's..... I have caught them off of jigs, top water baits and spinners... and for Trout little meps spinners and a smaill cast master seem to work great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaffer62 Report post Posted January 28, 2007 Dont be fooled there are some small mouth bass in the area that you are going to. I have fished many years just east of the confluance of the black and white and have caught some dandy's..... I have caught them off of jigs, top water baits and spinners... and for Trout little meps spinners and a smaill cast master seem to work great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAM Report post Posted January 30, 2007 Thanks for all the great ideas! Now I can't wait to go........... only 3 1/2 months away! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
