Premium Half Day Bass Fishing on Phoenix Area Lakes
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Five hours targeting largemouth, striped, and white bass across three lakesPrivate instruction aboard fully equipped 21foot Skeeter bass boatAll skill levels welcome with handson guidance from Captain John
Looking for world-class bass fishing without the long drive? Captain John Reddy's half-day bass trips are a customer favorite among Phoenix anglers who want to target three distinct bass species in some of Arizona's most productive waters. You'll spend five solid hours working Saguaro Lake, Bartlett Lake, and Lake Pleasant – three completely different fisheries that each offer their own challenges and rewards. This isn't your typical crowded weekend warrior experience. It's a private trip designed for serious anglers who want to learn the water, improve their technique, and put fish in the boat.
Your day starts early with Captain John, who's been guiding these desert lakes for years and knows every underwater structure, drop-off, and seasonal pattern worth fishing. You'll be working from his fully rigged 21-foot Skeeter bass boat – a serious fishing machine equipped with GPS, quality fishfinder, and a live bait well that keeps your offerings fresh all day. The beauty of fishing multiple lakes in one trip is the variety. Saguaro's rocky points fish completely different than Lake Pleasant's deeper structure or Bartlett's submerged timber. Each spot requires different presentations, and Captain John walks you through the why behind every move. Whether you're a weekend angler looking to step up your game or an experienced bass fisherman new to Arizona waters, you'll pick up local knowledge that'll pay dividends for years. The boat setup handles everything from finesse techniques in shallow cover to deep-water presentations where the big stripers roam.
Desert lake bass fishing demands versatility, and you'll get hands-on experience with multiple presentations during your trip. Captain John switches between casting, jigging, and trolling based on conditions, season, and what the fish are telling him on the electronics. Early morning might find you throwing topwater around rocky shorelines, then switching to deep-diving cranks or drop-shot rigs as the sun climbs higher. The live bait well comes into play when targeting striped bass – nothing beats a lively threadfin shad for drawing strikes from these aggressive predators. You'll learn to read the fishfinder, identify productive structure, and understand how desert bass relate to cover differently than their counterparts in other regions. The desert heat affects fish behavior in unique ways, and timing your presentations to match feeding windows can make the difference between a slow day and filling the livewell. All tackle and bait are provided, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one – Captain John loves talking gear and technique with fellow anglers.
Largemouth bass are the bread and butter of Arizona reservoir fishing, and these desert warriors fight with an attitude you won't find elsewhere. They average 2-4 pounds in these waters, with plenty of quality fish pushing 5-6 pounds if you know where to look. Spring and fall offer the best action when water temperatures are ideal, but skilled anglers can find them year-round by adjusting depth and presentation. What makes Arizona largemouth special is their aggressive nature – they have to be opportunistic in this desert environment, so when they decide to feed, they commit hard to the bite.
Striped bass bring a completely different energy to your day, and these Lake Pleasant natives are renowned for their bulldogging fights and unpredictable schooling behavior. These silver rockets can range from schoolie size up to 20-pound bruisers that'll test your drag system and your arms. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods, often found suspended over deep water or corralling baitfish against rocky points. When you hook into a good striper, you'll understand why so many anglers become obsessed with chasing them.
White bass round out the trio and shouldn't be underestimated – these scrappy fighters travel in schools and can provide non-stop action when you locate them. They're typically smaller than their striped cousins but make up for it with numbers and willingness to bite. Peak white bass fishing happens during their spring spawning runs when they stack up in tributary arms and provide some of the fastest action you'll find on Arizona waters. They're also excellent table fare, making them a top-rated target for anglers who enjoy bringing dinner home.
Five hours with Captain John on three of Arizona's best bass fisheries gives you everything you need for a productive day on the water – expert local knowledge, quality equipment, and access to fish that many anglers never find on their own. The private trip format means you're not dealing with crowded boats or rushed schedules. You set the pace, ask all the questions you want, and focus on the techniques that interest you most. Remember to grab your Arizona fishing license before the trip, and don't forget sun protection – the desert sun reflects hard off the water. Whether you're looking to escape the city for a morning, learn new techniques, or just put some quality bass in the boat, this trip delivers the goods. Captain John's calendar fills up fast during peak seasons, so book early to secure your preferred dates and get ready for some of the best bass fishing the Southwest has to offer.
Step aboard this pristine 2021 Skeeter 21-footer and get ready to chase bass across Arizona's top fishing waters. Powered by a reliable Yamaha 250 HP outboard, this tournament-grade boat cuts through the water with authority, getting you to prime fishing spots fast. The GPS keeps you on course while the fishfinder reveals what's lurking below – whether you're working structure on Saguaro Lake or exploring the depths of Lake Pleasant. With a built-in live bait well keeping your presentation fresh and plenty of casting room, you'll fish in comfort all day long. This well-maintained bass boat handles Arizona's reservoir conditions with ease, giving you the stable platform you need for accurate casts and confident hooksets when the big ones bite.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the crowd favorites on our lakes, running 12-24 inches and putting up a serious fight when hooked. These green-backed bruisers love hiding around structure - think submerged trees, rocky points, and weed lines in 5-15 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding aggressively in the shallows. What makes them special? That big mouth opens wide past their eyes, and they'll slam everything from swimbaits to crankbaits. They taste great on the table too. Here's a local trick: when fishing our desert lakes, focus on the shaded north-facing coves during summer mornings. The cooler water holds more oxygen and keeps the bass active longer before the heat pushes them deep.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the heavyweights of our desert lakes, with most fish running 5-15 pounds and some pushing 20+. These silver rockets with dark horizontal stripes are built for power - they'll peel drag and test your gear. Look for them around main lake points, humps, and creek channels in 20-40 feet, especially where current or wind creates moving water. Spring and fall offer the hottest action, but early mornings and evenings produce year-round. What makes stripers special is their raw strength and excellent eating quality. They fight harder than largemouth and travel in schools, so multiple hookups are common. Here's my go-to pattern: troll large swimbaits along the dam face at sunrise - stripers ambush baitfish against that vertical structure.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are scrappy silver fighters that run 10-12 inches, perfect for steady action and filling the cooler. These schooling fish cruise open water and points, usually staying 15-30 feet deep during the day. Spring spawning runs bring them shallow, but summer finds them suspended over deeper structure following baitfish. What guests love most is the consistent action - when you find one school, you'll often catch a dozen. They're also some of the best eating fish in our lakes with sweet, flaky white meat. Local tip: watch your fish finder for suspended marks over 40+ feet of water, then drop small jigs or spoons right through the school. White bass aren't picky, but they spook easy, so keep the boat quiet.
Arizona