Episodes

  • "Lake Mead Fishing Report: Tackle the Heat for Active Bass, Stripers, and Crappie"

    "Lake Mead Fishing Report: Tackle the Heat for Active Bass, Stripers, and Crappie"
    May 14 2025
    Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Mead fishing report for Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

    We continue to see classic May desert heat out here, with daytime highs soaring over 100 degrees. Expect clear skies and steady sunshine. Sunrise is right around 5:33 AM and sunset at 7:39 PM, so your best windows are early mornings and late evenings when the fish are most active and the heat is less punishing[1][4].

    Water temps are warming quickly, pushing many species deeper during the day. Black bass fishing has been described as good, but the bite is tougher now that they have moved off the beds and into deeper water. Anglers are having the best luck with drop-shot rigs and small creature baits, as well as deep-diving crankbaits. Focus your casts along the weedy shorelines near Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor for largemouths, especially just after sunrise[1][4]. Smallmouth bass are also hitting plastics and jigs in coves with vegetation[4].

    Striped bass action is strongest using live shad and cut anchovies. Shore anglers are doing well near Boxcar Cove and outside Hemenway Harbor. If you prefer artificials, three-inch silver swimbaits, Kastmasters, and Jumpin Minnows are drawing attention from subsurface stripers. Boaters are picking up numbers at cove entrances in the Vegas Wash area. Catfish are also starting to stir with the warmer water, and cut anchovies are your best bet for a big surprise after dark[1][4].

    Crappie fishing is peaking now in the Overton Arm. Chartreuse jigs and tubes are working great around submerged brush and structure[1][4]. Some nice slabs have been reported recently, especially in the evenings as the sun starts to dip.

    The fish counts overall have been solid this past week, with stripers leading the way in numbers and a decent showing of black bass and crappie. Hot spots to check out include the Overton Arm for crappie, Boxcar Cove and Hemenway Harbor for stripers and bass, and Calville Bay for consistent action early or late[1][4].

    Tidal influences are negligible here, so focus on water temps, light, and wind—calm, stable mornings are best.

    In summary, get out early or stick it out late for your best shot at active fish. Drop-shot rigs and crankbaits for bass, cut anchovies or shad for stripers and cats, and chartreuse jigs for crappie will keep your rod bent. Stay hydrated, fish smart around the heat, and good luck out there on Lake Mead[1][3][4].
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    3 mins
  • Lake Mead Fishing Report May 12 2025 - Battling the Heat for Bass Stripers and Crappie

    Lake Mead Fishing Report May 12 2025 - Battling the Heat for Bass Stripers and Crappie
    May 12 2025
    Good morning from Lake Mead, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh fishing report for Monday, May 12, 2025. We're deep into our early summer pattern now, with temperatures already climbing well into the triple digits by mid-morning. If you're heading out today, you'll want to be on the water early – sunrise was at about 5:38 am and sunset will be around 7:36 pm, giving you those prime cooler hours to work with.

    Weather-wise, we're looking at another hot and dry day with clear skies and just a light breeze – typical desert conditions for this time of year. No tides to worry about here on our inland lake, but water levels have stabilized somewhat after the spring runoff.

    Bass fishing continues to be challenging as they've moved deeper with the increasing heat. Most anglers are finding that the largemouth and smallmouth are holding in 15-25 feet of water near structure. Your best bet is to work soft plastics slowly along drop-offs or try deep-diving crankbaits near submerged structure. The morning bite has been best before the sun gets too high.

    Stripers remain the hot ticket at Lake Mead right now. They're hitting cut anchovies consistently, especially in the early morning and evening hours. Live shad is working well too if you can net some. For those who prefer artificial lures, three-inch silver swimbaits, Kastmasters, and Jumpin Minnows are producing when targeting subsurface fish. The striper schools are moving around, but the cove entrances in the Vegas Wash area have been particularly productive.

    We're also seeing some decent crappie action, particularly in the Overton Arm. Small jigs in white or chartreuse fished around submerged brush are the ticket. Some nice catfish are being taken on cut anchovies as well, especially for night anglers willing to brave the darkness.

    For hot spots, I'd recommend trying Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor for bass – focus on the weedy shorelines during the first and last light. For stripers, the Vegas Wash area continues to produce consistently, particularly at the entrances to coves. Boulder Basin has also been giving up some nice stripers for those working deeper water with vertical presentations.

    One final tip for today's heat – make sure you're staying hydrated out there. The desert will suck the moisture right out of you before you know it, especially with the excitement of a good bite.

    This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines to you all, and I'll see you on the water!
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    3 mins
  • Lake Mead Fishing Report: Dial in on Stripers, Bass, and Crappie During Early/Late Hours

    Lake Mead Fishing Report: Dial in on Stripers, Bass, and Crappie During Early/Late Hours
    May 11 2025
    This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Lake Mead fishing report for Sunday, May 11, 2025.

    It is heating up quick here in southern Nevada, with daytime highs well past the 100-degree mark and classic cloudless desert skies. We are seeing those real summer patterns kick in, so plan on hitting the water early or late in the evening. Sunrise is around 5:44 am and sunset is 7:32 pm, giving you good windows to fish during those cooler hours. No tides to worry about—just keep an eye out for the breeze, which has been light and steady lately, making for comfortable conditions on the main lake if you get out before the heat cranks up[3].

    Bass fishing has gotten a little tougher this week as both largemouth and smallmouth move deeper looking for cooler water. Your best shot for bass will be fishing slow and deep—drop shot soft plastics or drag a jig along steeper drop-offs near structure. A few nice black bass are still being caught along the weedy shorelines at Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor, but you’ll want to finesse through those areas with patience[1][3].

    Striped bass continue to be the main attraction and anglers are finding success with live shad and cut anchovies, especially in the mornings and evenings. Anchovy chunks on the bottom are always a winner for stripers around here. If you prefer casting, try a three-inch silver swimbait, Kastmaster, or Jumpin Minnow for active striper schools. Boaters are turning up consistent numbers at cove entrances near the Vegas Wash area, so that’s a solid spot to try. There’s also some solid striper action near Boulder Beach and Government Wash[1][3].

    Crappie are showing up in the Overton Arm for those fishing with jigs, so if you want to mix it up, bring a few small plastics or marabou jigs and work them near submerged brush or docks[1].

    Catfish are cruising and biting well on cut anchovies in the evenings, especially from shore or docks once the sun gets low[1].

    As for hot spots today, my picks are:
    Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor for black bass
    Vegas Wash cove entrances for stripers
    Overton Arm for crappie action

    Best baits and lures right now:
    Cut anchovies and live shad for stripers and catfish
    Three-inch silver swimbaits, Kastmasters, and Jumpin Minnows for stripers
    Soft plastics and jigs for bass and crappie

    That’s it for this week. Remember to hydrate, pack sun protection, and fish those golden hours at sunrise and sunset for your best shot at a big one. Good luck and tight lines from Artificial Lure at Lake Mead[1][3]!
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    3 mins
  • Stripers Surge at Lake Mead as Anglers Navigate Desert Heat for Productive Bites

    Stripers Surge at Lake Mead as Anglers Navigate Desert Heat for Productive Bites
    May 10 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Saturday, May 10, 2025 fishing report for Lake Mead and the surrounding southern Nevada waters.

    Sunrise this morning came at 5:45 AM with sunset expected around 7:35 PM, giving you a broad window despite the desert heat cranking up fast. We’re seeing mostly sunny skies, calm winds, and daytime temps already clearing 100 degrees by midday. Plan to fish early or late to beat the heat and catch the most active fish. There is no significant tidal swing on Lake Mead since it’s a reservoir, so water level changes are mostly due to releases and inflow, but no rapid changes expected today.

    Striped bass are the headline this week. The bite is strong in the Vegas Wash and at the entrances to the main coves, especially early in the morning. Best action comes on live shad and cut anchovies, but if you prefer artificials, three-inch silver swimbaits, Kastmasters, and Jumpin Minnows are all catching fish just below the surface. Anglers have been hauling in stripers mostly in the 3 to 7 pound class, particularly right after sunrise and just before dusk[3][1].

    Bass fishing has been trickier since the warm weather has pushed largemouth and smallmouth deeper during the hottest parts of the day. Target the weedy shorelines near Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor at sunup and sundown. That’s when bass move shallow to feed. Natural-colored plastics like worms and finesse jigs are your best bet for coaxing bites along the weed beds and rocky points[1][3].

    Crappie are making an appearance up in the Overton Arm, with jigs doing the most damage around submerged brush. Catfish and more stripers are coming on cut anchovy baits, especially at night or in the cooler hours[1].

    This week’s hot spots are Vegas Wash for stripers and Calville Bay along with Hemenway Harbor for bass. If you’re chasing crappie, give the Overton Arm a try.

    In summary: Start early, bring plenty of water, and focus on live or cut bait for the big stripers. If you are going with lures, silver swimbaits and Kastmasters are the go-to. For bass, stick with natural plastics and jigs near weedy edges as the light comes up or goes down. Good luck and tight lines out there[3][1].
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    3 mins
  • Lake Mead Fishing Report May 9th 2025: Early Heat, Stripers, Bass, and Crappie in Focus

    Lake Mead Fishing Report May 9th 2025: Early Heat, Stripers, Bass, and Crappie in Focus
    May 9 2025
    Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your fresh Lake Mead fishing report for May 9th, 2025.

    Folks, we're seeing some real desert heat kicking in early this year. Temperatures continue to climb above 100 degrees, so adjust your fishing schedule accordingly. Your best chances are coming during the early morning hours or late evening when the water's a bit cooler.

    Striped bass action remains solid this week. They're still hitting live shad and cut anchovies consistently, with three-inch silver swimbaits proving to be an effective alternative if you can't get bait. Kastmasters and Jumpin Minnows are also producing results, especially when targeting subsurface fish. The Vegas Wash area cove entrances are particularly productive for boaters targeting stripers.

    Bass fishing has gotten trickier as the fish have moved deeper with the warming water. They're still being caught along the weedy shorelines near Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor. Patience is key right now as the bite has been somewhat slower compared to last week.

    Crappie action is picking up, particularly in the Overton Arm. Jigs have been the ticket for these tasty panfish, so make sure you've got a variety of colors in your tackle box.

    Catfish are responding well to cut anchovies in the evenings as the water warms. They're starting their summer pattern and should become more active in the coming weeks.

    Hot spots to check out this weekend: The coves around Vegas Wash are firing for stripers, while Calville Bay continues to produce decent black bass. For crappie enthusiasts, you'll want to hit the Overton Arm early in the morning before the sun gets high.

    Water levels have stabilized somewhat compared to recent years, giving us decent launch conditions at most ramps. Boulder Harbor and Hemenway remain your best bets for hassle-free launching.

    Remember, with these temperatures rising, bring plenty of water and sun protection. Nothing ruins a good fishing day faster than heat exhaustion. And as always, keep your eyes on those changing conditions – the fish are transitioning to their summer patterns, so flexibility is key.

    This is Artificial Lure signing off from Lake Mead. Tight lines, everyone, and I'll catch you on the water!
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    3 mins
  • Lake Mead Fishing Update: Beating the Desert Heat for Bass and Stripers

    Lake Mead Fishing Update: Beating the Desert Heat for Bass and Stripers
    May 7 2025
    Good morning from Lake Mead, folks, this is Artificial Lure bringing you the latest fishing update for May 7, 2025.

    The desert heat is really kicking in early this week, with temperatures climbing well above 100 degrees by midday. Because of the heat, the best fishing action is happening during the cooler early mornings and late evenings. Sunrise today was just before 6:15 AM, and sunset will be around 7:20 PM, so you’ve got plenty of time to get out there during those prime cooler periods.

    Water levels in Lake Mead remain a bit lower than usual, pushing some species deeper, so plan your strategies accordingly. The bass bite has been a bit tougher lately because the black bass are moving into deeper water to stay cool. However, if you target the weedy shorelines near Callville Bay and Hemenway Harbor, you can still find largemouth and smallmouth bass active in the early morning. Using green pumpkin and watermelon soft plastics, spinnerbaits, or square-bill crankbaits seems to get the best results for bass around these areas.

    Striped bass are continuing to provide solid action, especially around the cove entrances near Vegas Wash and Boulder Basin. The stripers have been feeding heavily on live shad and cut anchovies, which remain the top choice for bait. If you prefer artificial lures, three-inch silver swimbaits, Kastmasters, and Jumpin Minnows are catching plenty of subsurface fish. Early morning and dusk are the key times for hitting striper hard. Casting or trolling these lures in those fringes where baitfish congregate tends to be productive.

    Crappie anglers should check out the Overton Arm, where jigs are still bringing decent action, especially near submerged structures. Catfish are taking cut anchovies well in the evening hours too, so if you like nighttime fishing, that’s a good option.

    Two hot spots I recommend today would be the weed lines along Callville Bay for bass and the cove entrances around Vegas Wash for stripers. Both locations have been producing steadily despite the warmer conditions.

    In summary, the key to success now is to fish the cooler parts of the day, use live or fresh cut bait where possible for stripers and catfish, and target structure with soft plastics or crankbaits for bass. The water clarity is good, and a gentle breeze will help keep fish active near shorelines and deeper drop-offs.

    Get out there early or come back at dusk, and you should see some solid catches today. Good luck and tight lines!
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    3 mins
  • Lake Mead Fishing Report: Bass Retreat, Stripers Shine on Anchovies, Best Bets for Early & Late Bites

    Lake Mead Fishing Report: Bass Retreat, Stripers Shine on Anchovies, Best Bets for Early & Late Bites
    May 5 2025
    Good morning, Lake Mead anglers! Artificial Lure here with your fishing report for Monday, May 5, 2025.

    Another hot desert day is upon us with temperatures expected to hit triple digits by midday. It's currently clear skies with just a light breeze – perfect early morning conditions before the heat kicks in. No tides to worry about on our freshwater paradise, but you'll want to time your fishing with the cooler hours. Sunrise was at 5:43 am and sunset will be around 7:33 pm tonight.

    The heat pattern continues to push our fish deeper, folks. Over the weekend, both largemouth and smallmouth bass have been retreating to cooler, deeper waters. If you're targeting bass today, you'll need to slow your presentation down and focus on structure in deeper zones. Soft plastics worked slowly near drop-offs have been producing decent results, especially around Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor, but you'll need some patience and finesse.

    Striped bass remain the hot ticket at Lake Mead right now. They're hitting consistently on live shad and cut anchovies – those anchovies are absolute money at Mead, as always. For quantity fishing, chunk those anchovies and fish them off the bottom during mornings and evenings. If you're casting, silver swimbaits around 3 inches, Kastmasters, and Jumpin Minnows have all been effective when the stripers are actively feeding subsurface.

    For you striper hunters, the cove entrances around Vegas Wash area have been particularly productive for boaters. I'm also hearing good reports from Boulder Basin if you're looking to fill a cooler.

    Catfish action has been hit or miss lately, but worth a try if you've got some extra anchovies. With these warming temperatures, I expect the catfish bite to improve in the coming days.

    As for hot spots, I'd recommend giving Government Wash a try early this morning – several anglers reported good striper action there yesterday. Echo Bay has also been producing some quality fish for those willing to make the trip.

    Remember, with these temperatures climbing, it's critical to hit the water either at first light or in those golden hours before sunset. Stay hydrated out there, keep your catch cool, and treat our beautiful Lake Mead with respect.

    This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines and see you on the water!
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    3 mins
  • Lake Mead Fishing Report May 4, 2025: Desert Heat Cranks Up Early, Striper and Bass Bites Strong

    Lake Mead Fishing Report May 4, 2025: Desert Heat Cranks Up Early, Striper and Bass Bites Strong
    May 4 2025
    Good morning from Lake Mead, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh fishing report for May 4, 2025.

    Folks, we're continuing to see that desert heat cranking up early this year. Today's looking to hit around 89 degrees by mid-afternoon, with a gentle breeze from the southeast at about 5-8 mph. Sunrise was at 5:43 AM, and we'll see sunset tonight at 7:32 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours on the water.

    Lake Mead's water temperature has climbed to 72 degrees in the shallows, pushing a lot of the bass action deeper as we move into this early summer pattern. The water level is rising very slowly, which is good news after the past few years.

    The striped bass bite has been steady this past week, especially in the early mornings. Anglers working the deep points near Boulder Basin with anchovies and cut bait are pulling in decent numbers, with some reports of 3-5 pounders being common. If you're a lure guy like me, try white swim baits or silver spoons at depths between 25-40 feet once the sun gets high.

    Largemouth and smallmouth bass are transitioning to their summer patterns. They've moved off their spawning beds, and the most productive fishing has been happening in the 15-25 foot range near structure. Texas-rigged worms in watermelon or pumpkin colors have been productive, as have deep-diving crankbaits in shad patterns.

    Crappie fishing has been hit or miss, but if you locate a school, you can fill a cooler pretty quick. Small jigs tipped with minnows around submerged brush piles in Overton Arm have been the ticket.

    For those looking for hot spots, I'd recommend the backs of coves in the Temple Bar area where you'll find some decent shade and structure for bass, or try Hemenway Harbor for striper action. The Government Wash area has also been producing some quality fish, especially if you're willing to get out there before the sun comes up.

    Catfish action is picking up nicely in the evenings, particularly around Las Vegas Bay. Chicken liver or cut shad have been working well when fished along the bottom.

    Remember to stay hydrated out there as we're getting into that time of year when the desert heat can sneak up on you. Bring plenty of water, wear your sun protection, and don't forget your fishing license.

    This is Artificial Lure signing off for today. Tight lines, everyone, and I'll catch you tomorrow with another Lake Mead fishing report.
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    3 mins