Half Day Bass and Sunfish Fishing on Lake Havasu
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fivehour private fishing trip targeting multiple bass speciesProfessional guide provides instruction on worldclass Lake HavasuModern 21' Skeeter boat with GPS and advanced electronics
Get ready for some serious action on one of Arizona's most productive fisheries. Captain John Reddy knows every inch of Lake Havasu's 19,300 acres, and he's ready to put you on fish that'll make your day. This isn't your typical charter — it's a personal, hands-on fishing experience where you'll learn the lake while chasing trophy bass and world-class redear sunfish. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to up your game or a seasoned angler wanting to tackle new water, this 5-hour trip delivers the goods.
You'll be fishing from Captain John's fully rigged 21' Skeeter bass boat — and let me tell you, this setup is dialed in for success. We're talking modern GPS navigation, top-shelf fishfinder electronics that'll show you every piece of structure below, and a premium trolling motor that lets us position perfectly over those honey holes. The live bait well keeps your presentation fresh all day, which makes a huge difference when the fish are being picky. Since this is a private trip for just one angler, you get Captain John's undivided attention and all the coaching you can handle. He'll adapt the techniques and locations based on your skill level and what's biting that day. The beauty of Lake Havasu is its diversity — we might start working rocky points for smallmouth, then move to deeper structure for stripers, or hit the shallows where those giant redear are bedding.
Captain John rotates between casting, jigging, and trolling depending on conditions and target species. For largemouth bass, expect to throw everything from Texas-rigged plastics around submerged timber to crankbaits over rocky ledges. The smallmouth fishing here is phenomenal — these bronze backs love the clear water and rocky structure that Lake Havasu provides in spades. We'll work drop shots, tube baits, and small swimbaits to trigger strikes from these scrappy fighters. When targeting striped bass, trolling becomes the name of the game. These open-water predators roam in schools, and Captain John uses his electronics to locate baitfish concentrations where stripers are likely feeding. For the redear sunfish — the real stars of this show — we'll focus on finesse presentations around spawning areas during peak season. These aren't your typical bluegill; Lake Havasu's redear grow to impressive sizes that'll surprise you.
Lake Havasu consistently produces fish that keep anglers coming back year after year. The largemouth bass population is healthy and growing, with fish regularly hitting the 3-5 pound range and occasional trophies pushing double digits. What really sets this lake apart is the smallmouth bass fishing — these aggressive fighters thrive in Havasu's clear, rocky environment and provide some of the most exciting action you'll find anywhere in the Southwest. The striped bass add another dimension entirely, offering the chance at fish over 20 pounds that'll test your tackle and technique. But here's what really gets Captain John excited: Lake Havasu holds the world record for redear sunfish, and these aren't your typical panfish. We're talking about chunky, plate-sized sunfish that fight way above their weight class and provide fantastic table fare.
Largemouth Bass are the bread and butter of Lake Havasu, with consistent action throughout most of the year. These green giants love the lake's abundant cover — from submerged trees to rocky points and weed beds. Spring and fall offer the most predictable bite, but don't sleep on summer evenings when they move shallow to feed. The best part about Havasu's largemouth is their attitude; they'll crush topwater baits at dawn and dusk, giving you that heart-stopping surface explosion every angler lives for.
Smallmouth Bass in Lake Havasu are special fish that deserve their own recognition. These bronze beauties prefer the lake's clearer, rockier areas and provide pound-for-pound the best fight you'll get from any bass species. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when water temperatures drop and these fish become super aggressive. A 3-pound smallmouth from Havasu will give you a fight you won't forget, with aerial acrobatics and bulldogging runs that'll have you questioning your drag settings.
Striped Bass bring the power game to Lake Havasu, with fish regularly exceeding 15 pounds and the occasional monster pushing 30. These open-water predators follow baitfish schools and can provide non-stop action when you find them. The beauty of striper fishing is the variety — you might catch them on the surface during a feeding frenzy or down deep on structure during the heat of summer. Captain John's electronics give you a huge advantage in locating these roaming schools.
Redear Sunfish are what make Lake Havasu truly special in the fishing world. This lake produced the world record redear at 5 pounds 7 ounces, and fish over 2 pounds are caught regularly. Peak season runs from March through May when these colorful fighters move into shallow water to spawn. Don't let their classification as "panfish" fool you — a big redear will bend your rod and provide some of the most fun you can have on light tackle. They're also excellent eating, making them a perfect target species for anglers who like to keep a few fish for dinner.
Lake Havasu offers world-class fishing for multiple species, and Captain John's local knowledge gives you the best shot at a memorable day on the water. His updated Skeeter bass boat and professional approach mean you'll fish efficiently and learn techniques you can apply long after your trip ends. Remember to grab your Arizona fishing license before you hit the water — it's required for all anglers. Whether you're chasing that bucket list redear sunfish
Hit the waters of Lake Havasu aboard a meticulously maintained 2021 Skeeter 21' bass boat that's built for serious fishing. This tournament-grade vessel runs on a powerful Yamaha 250 HP engine, delivering the speed and reliability you need to reach prime fishing spots quickly. The boat comes loaded with essential fishing electronics including GPS navigation and an advanced fishfinder to locate those holding areas where bass and sunfish congregate. A built-in live bait well keeps your bait fresh and lively throughout the day. The spacious deck layout provides plenty of casting room, while the stable hull design ensures smooth rides even when Lake Havasu gets choppy. Captain John keeps this fishing machine in top condition, so you can focus on what matters most – landing those trophy largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, and the legendary redear sunfish that Lake Havasu is famous for. This boat is perfectly suited for the lake's diverse fishing conditions.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the classic Lake Havasu target - typically running 12-24 inches and putting up a solid fight with that famous wide mouth. You'll find them around submerged structure, rocky points, and weed beds, especially in 10-25 feet of water during warmer months. Spring and fall are prime times when they're more active in shallower water. What makes them fun is they're aggressive feeders and will hit a variety of lures - from swimbaits to jigs. They're also great eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: focus on the north end near the channel where cooler water brings them up to feed. Use red-colored lures when the water's murky - these fish are surprisingly attracted to that color.
Lepomis MicrolophusRedear sunfish, or "shellcrackers," are Lake Havasu's hidden gems - most run 6-10 inches but we get some giants pushing 2-3 pounds that'll surprise you. They're bottom feeders that love deep structure like submerged trees and rocky drop-offs, usually in 15-30 feet of water. Late spring to early summer is prime time during their spawn when they're shallow and aggressive. What makes them fun is they're not bait-shy and provide steady action, plus they taste great - sweet, firm meat that's hard to beat. The trick with redear is finding them first since they school up tight. My local secret: look for those distinct spawning beds on the electronics during spring, then drop straight down with nightcrawlers and light sinkers.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are the scrappy fighters of Lake Havasu - usually 12-18 inches but pound-for-pound the toughest fish you'll hook. They love rocky bottoms and clear water, hanging around boulder fields and drop-offs in 15-40 feet. Spring and fall are your best bets when they're shallow and aggressive, though summer fishing works if you go deep. What makes them special is that famous fight - they'll jump and run like nothing else their size. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild fillets. The females run bigger than males, especially in our deeper lake areas. Here's my go-to technique: use light jigs bounced right along the rocky bottom. They can't resist that presentation, and you'll feel every tap.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are Lake Havasu's power fish - those distinctive black stripes make them easy to ID, and they'll average 20-40 pounds with some real giants mixed in. These structure-loving fish hang around drop-offs, rocky points, and near the dam where current moves through. They're catchable year-round, but cooler months bring the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love is the serious fight they put up - not the fastest swimmers, but strong and stubborn. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My local trick: find the baitfish schools on the electronics first, then work just below them. Stripers will be right underneath, and live bait like anchovies or shad works best here.
Arizona