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Just an hour from Sky Harbor International Airport, some of Arizona's most productive bass waters are waiting for you. This isn't your typical desert fishing story – we're talking about serious Largemouth Bass action in lakes that most visitors never even know exist. Todd has been pioneering Bass on the Fly techniques in Arizona for years, and he's ready to show you why this region has become a sleeper destination for serious anglers. Whether you're flying in for business with a few hours to spare or planning a dedicated fishing getaway, this trip puts you on fish without the long drive into remote country.
This is personalized guiding at its finest – with just one guest per trip, Todd tailors everything to your skill level and interests. The Sonoran desert creates a backdrop that's unlike anywhere else you've fished, with saguaro cacti standing sentinel while you work productive structure for hungry bass. We fish these lakes from mid-March through early January, which gives you flexibility most destinations can't match. The desert climate means comfortable conditions when much of the country is locked in winter, and our start times flex around your schedule. Todd knows every piece of cover, every seasonal pattern, and exactly where these bass set up throughout the year. You're not just getting a guide – you're fishing with someone who helped establish the fly fishing scene here and continues to push techniques that work specifically for Arizona bass.
Todd specializes in Bass on the Fly, which means you'll learn techniques that many bass anglers never experience. We're talking about presenting streamers to structure, working poppers during low-light periods, and understanding how desert bass behave differently than their cousins in other regions. The gear is straightforward – we provide everything you need, from rods rigged for bass work to flies that have proven themselves on these specific waters. If you're new to fly fishing for bass, Todd breaks it down without overwhelming you. If you're experienced, he'll show you local patterns and techniques that you can take back to your home waters. The lakes we fish have varied structure – submerged timber, rocky points, and vegetation that holds baitfish. Learning to read this water and present flies effectively is what separates good days from great ones.
"Wonderful guide (Todd) who fully engaged with my grandson. Made the trip fun and interesting! Derek took great care in making arrangements and follow up. Highly recommend! Cal Gauss" - Cal
Largemouth Bass are the main event here, and Arizona's desert lakes produce fish that fight harder than you'd expect. These bass deal with temperature swings and seasonal changes that make them opportunistic and aggressive when conditions align. Spring through fall, they're actively feeding and responding well to both subsurface and topwater presentations. Todd knows where they stage during different seasons – shallow spawning areas in spring, deeper structure during summer heat, and fall feeding zones when they're bulking up. What makes Arizona Largemouth special is their willingness to hit flies. They haven't seen the fishing pressure that bass in other regions experience, so they're more likely to attack something different. We're talking about fish in the 2-5 pound range typically, with the possibility of larger specimens that call these waters home.
White Bass show up as bonus fish throughout the year, and when you find them, they're usually in schools. These guys are pure fun on fly gear – they hit hard, fight well for their size, and often feed aggressively when they're up and active. Todd knows the seasonal patterns for white bass on these lakes, and when conditions are right, you might find yourself in the middle of a feeding frenzy. They're excellent fish for practicing your fly fishing techniques because they're less finicky than largemouth and more willing to hit a variety of presentations.
Striped Bass are the wildcards on these waters. They don't show up every trip, but when they do, you'll know it. These fish bring saltwater attitude to freshwater fishing – they hit hard and make runs that will test your skills and your gear. Todd positions you in areas where stripers are known to patrol, and having flies ready that mimic the baitfish they're targeting gives you the best shot at connecting. When you hook one of Arizona's striped bass on fly gear, it's a fight you won't forget. They're built for open water and use every inch of it when they're hooked.
This is Arizona bass fishing done right – expert guiding, productive waters, and techniques that you'll use long after you leave. Todd's approach to Bass on the Fly has opened up opportunities for anglers who want something different from their desert fishing experience. With our season running from mid-March to early January and flexible start times, we can work around travel schedules and weather windows. The proximity to Sky Harbor makes this trip perfect for anyone flying into Phoenix, whether you're here for business or making this part of a larger Arizona adventure. One guest per trip means you get Todd's full attention, personalized instruction, and the kind of day on the water that larger groups can't provide. Questions about dates or conditions? Give us a call – we're here to make sure your Arizona fishing experience delivers exactly what you're looking for.
March 23, 2024
Arizona's largemouths typically run 12-24 inches and fight hard when hooked. These green-backed bass love hiding around submerged structure, thick weeds, and shallow areas with cover. They're most active during cooler parts of the day - early morning and evening are prime times. The bite really picks up from mid-March through early January when water temps are right. What makes them special is that famous mouth - it extends well past their eyes, and they'll hit everything from topwater poppers to weighted streamers. They taste great too if you want to keep a few for dinner. My go-to tip for Arizona lakes: throw bright, flashy flies near rocky drop-offs during the spring months. These fish aren't easily spooked, so don't be afraid to work the water thoroughly around structure.

Stripers are the heavyweights of our Arizona bass fishing - these silver torpedoes with dark stripes can reach 20-40 pounds and fight like freight trains. They patrol deep structure, rocky points, and follow schools of shad in open water. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. You'll find them around drop-offs, submerged humps, and near dam faces where current flows. What makes them special is the pure power - they'll strip line and test your drag like no other freshwater fish. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, sweet meat. The key here is finding the baitfish - stripers are rarely far behind. I like working deep with heavy jigs or trolling large streamers near structure. These fish prefer cooler water, so target depths of 15-30 feet during warmer months.

White bass are scrappy silver fighters that school up tight in our Arizona lakes. Most run 10-12 inches, though some push 18 inches and several pounds. They're aggressive feeders that hit small jigs, spoons, and live minnows hard. You'll find them cruising open water and moving into shallows during their spring spawning runs. They love rocky areas and creek channels where the current flows. Best fishing happens March through May when they're spawning, but they bite year-round if you find the schools. What guests love is the non-stop action - where you catch one, there's usually a dozen more. They're also excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: watch for birds diving or surface activity - that's usually white bass pushing baitfish up. Once you locate a school, work fast with small lures.

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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 50
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 115
Wonderful guide (Todd) who fully engaged with my grandson. Made the trip fun and interesting! Derek took great care in making arrangements and follow up. Highly recommend! Cal Gauss