Half Day Bass Fishing on Lake Havasu
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fivehour private bass fishing trip with Captain John ReddyTarget largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, and redear sunfishModern 21foot Skeeter boat with GPS and advanced electronics
Captain John Reddy knows Lake Havasu like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish. This 5-hour private charter targets multiple bass species plus redear sunfish in one of Arizona's most productive fisheries. You'll launch from a fully rigged 21' Skeeter bass boat loaded with GPS, top-shelf electronics, and everything needed to locate and land quality fish. Whether you're a weekend warrior or first-timer, Captain John tailors the trip to your skill level while sharing decades of local knowledge that only comes from guiding these waters year-round.
Your day starts early when Captain John fires up the Skeeter and heads to his current hot spots. Lake Havasu's clear water and varied structure create perfect habitat for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and striped bass. The boat's advanced fishfinder technology helps locate schools and structure, while the premium trolling motor keeps you positioned quietly over productive areas. You'll fish from a stable platform designed for casting accuracy and comfort during those long fights with trophy bass. The live bait well stays stocked, giving you options between artificial lures and live presentations depending on what the fish want that day. Captain John handles boat positioning and provides hands-on instruction, so you can focus on reading your rod tip and setting hooks.
Lake Havasu demands versatility, and Captain John teaches multiple approaches during your trip. Casting to visible structure like rocky points and submerged timber produces explosive topwater strikes, especially during morning and evening hours. Jigging deeper water columns targets suspended fish using the boat's electronics to stay over schools. Trolling covers water efficiently when bass are scattered or relating to baitfish movements. The captain adjusts techniques based on seasonal patterns, weather conditions, and fish behavior observed throughout the day. You'll learn to work different depths, from shallow spawning areas to deep channel drops where striped bass cruise. Live bait presentations become crucial during tough conditions, and the boat's aerated well keeps shiners and crawdads frisky for natural presentations that finicky fish can't refuse.
Largemouth bass dominate the shallow coves and rocky structure throughout Lake Havasu, with fish ranging from schoolies to double-digit giants. These aggressive predators hit hard and fight dirty, using underwater obstacles to break off careless anglers. Peak action occurs during pre-spawn and post-spawn periods when fish feed heavily in preparation for or recovery from spawning activities. Smallmouth bass prefer the lake's rockier areas and deeper structure, offering pound-for-pound fights that test your drag system. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when water temperatures drop. Striped bass roam open water in schools, often pushing baitfish to the surface in explosive feeding frenzies visible from hundreds of yards away. These silver rockets make blistering runs and acrobatic jumps that keep your adrenaline pumping. Redear sunfish, locally called shellcrackers, spawn in massive numbers during March through May, creating world-class panfish action. These oversized bluegill relatives fight harder than their size suggests and make excellent table fare. White bass and crappie round out the mix, with crappie holding in deeper brush piles and white bass often mixing with striper schools during active feeding periods.
Captain John Reddy's half-day bass fishing trips fill up fast, especially during prime redear season from March through May. This private charter gives you personal attention and access to spots that produce consistent action throughout the year. The fully equipped Skeeter bass boat puts you in position to succeed, while Captain John's local expertise ensures productive and educational time on the water. Remember to bring your Arizona fishing license, and get ready to check this world-class fishery off your bucket list. Lake Havasu's bass population and scenic desert backdrop create the perfect combination for a memorable day of fishing.
Hit the water in style aboard Captain John's 2021 Skeeter 21' bass boat, powered by a reliable Yamaha 250 HP engine that'll get you to the prime fishing spots fast. This well-maintained rig comes loaded with GPS navigation and advanced fishfinder electronics to help locate those trophy bass hiding in the depths. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to cast and fight fish, while the live bait well keeps your offerings fresh all day long. Whether you're working structure for largemouth bass or chasing the legendary redear sunfish Lake Havasu is famous for, this stable platform handles choppy water with ease and keeps you comfortable during those long battles. The boat's premium trolling motor lets you position quietly over productive areas without spooking wary fish. Perfect for serious anglers who want top-notch equipment and local knowledge to maximize their chances of landing that fish of a lifetime.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are schooling fish that run 7-12 inches and about a pound, perfect for filling the cooler. These silver beauties with dark speckles travel in groups, so when you find one, expect more. They hang around submerged brush, fallen trees, and deeper structure in 10-25 feet of water. Spring is peak season when they move shallow to spawn, but they bite year-round if you find the right depth. Guests love them because they're cooperative biters and some of the best eating fish in the lake - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Here's a local trick: use a small jig tipped with a minnow and work it slow. When crappie are finicky, barely moving your bait often triggers more strikes than aggressive jigging.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the heavyweights of Lake Havasu, averaging 12-24 inches and putting up serious fights with their oversized mouths. These olive-green fighters with dark horizontal stripes love hiding around structure - think fallen trees, weed beds, and rocky points in 5-15 feet of water. They hit year-round here, but spring and fall are prime when they're most active. What makes them special? That aggressive strike and bulldogging battle that'll test your drag. Plus, they're solid eating when prepared right. My go-to tip: when you're working structure, make your second cast count - they often follow the first lure without hitting, then slam it on the return pass. The bigger ones especially seem to do this.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pound-for-pound the hardest fighting fish in these waters, typically running 12-18 inches with bronze-colored bodies and red eyes. They prefer rocky bottoms, points, and clear water areas, usually hanging in 10-30 feet around structure. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active, though they bite year-round if you adjust your approach. What makes them special? That incredible fight - they jump, dive, and never give up. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild-flavored fillets. During summer, they go deeper to find cooler water, while spring finds them shallow and aggressive. Local tip: use lighter tackle and smaller baits than you would for largemouth. A 3-inch tube or small jig worked slowly around rocks often outproduces flashier lures.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the lake's heavyweights, running 20-40 pounds with distinctive black stripes down their silver sides. These powerful fish cruise open water and structure, often following baitfish schools in 20-50+ feet. They bite year-round but are most active spring through fall when water temps are moderate. What gets guests fired up? The raw power - when a big striper hits, it's game on. They're also fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat that's tough to beat. These fish love moving water and structure like points, humps, and drop-offs. Here's my local secret: focus on the thermocline during summer. Use your electronics to find that temperature break where the water layers meet - stripers often suspend right there waiting to ambush baitfish.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are scrappy silver fighters that average 10-12 inches and pack a punch for their size. These aggressive schooling fish have distinctive dark stripes along their silvery sides and love chasing baitfish in open water. You'll find them roaming deeper areas and points, often following shad schools from 15-40 feet deep. Spring through fall are your best bets when they're actively feeding. What makes them fun? They're cooperative biters that fight hard and travel in schools, so you can catch multiple fish quickly. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: watch for birds diving or baitfish activity on the surface - that usually means white bass are feeding below. Cast small spoons or jigs into the action and hang on.
Arizona