Where is the best place to fish for bass in Arizona?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

If you’re hunting trophy largemouth or scrappy smallmouth in Arizona, you’ve got several *prime* options — each with its own seasonal quirks and tactics. Below I’ll break down the top lakes, what works there, and mid‑summer weather adjustments so you come back with more bass and fewer sunscreen regrets. 🎣🌞

**Top Arizona bass lakes (and why):**

- **Lake Pleasant** — Consistently productive for both *largemouth and spotted bass*. Great structure, weed edges, and open water for cranking and swimbaits. Check this July report for local intel: [Arizona Fishing Report (July)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEKn3lPdYfo) 🎥

- **Roosevelt Lake** — Deep water and big bass; use **deep‑water tactics** and drop‑shotting when the heat pushes fish down. See techniques here: [Fall & Winter Techniques on Roosevelt Lake](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwn1HSDYCXU) with thumbnail: [![Roosevelt Lake](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Cwn1HSDYCXU/mqdefault.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwn1HSDYCXU)

- **Saguaro & Canyon Lakes** — Great near Phoenix for bank access and boat anglers. Swimbaits and topwater early/late work well. Watch a swimbait comparison: [Swimbait vs Traditional](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNzvid-62-g) 🎣

- **Apache / Bartlett / Pleasant (again)** — These are reliable year‑round; use crankbaits along structure in spring/fall and slow plastics in summer.

**Rigs & lures that actually catch bass in AZ:**
- *Topwater* at dawn/dusk (poppers, frogs) for explosive strikes. 🌅
- *Drop shot* and finesse rigs for deep, pressured fish — see this short for a drop‑shot bite: [Bass Eats a Drop Shot Gilly!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut66DIe3gik)
- *Swimbaits and crankbaits* around points and humps for active fish. For rig ideas, this is gold: [TOP 3 RIGS You HAVE TO KNOW To Fish In ARIZONA!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bxx0soz6gY)

Want a cheap tackle refresh? These kits are handy for travel or learning new baits:
[![EXAURA Lures](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qAHmT-klL._SL160_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHVWZJNX?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) EXAURAFELIS 79‑pc kit — $9.99
[![Moose Baits Mystery Box](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31k499j9IVL._SL160_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRT6VCCW?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) Moose Baits Mystery Box — assorted lures, good for exploring new baits.

Practical tip: *In mid‑summer, fish deeper or target shade.* Use a slow, subtle presentation (drop shot, shaky head) around brush piles and ledges where bass sit to avoid overheating. 🐟🔥

Weather-specific fishing tip & seasonal summary (mid‑summer):
- Arizona mid‑summer = *extreme heat*, high surface water temps, and low oxygen in shallow flats. Fish often move to cooler, deeper zones or find shade under docks and brush. Fish early morning, late evening, or night for topwater action. When you must fish midday, target deeper structure, use heavier jigheads, and slow presentations to trigger lethargic bass.

You’ve got great options — pick a lake that matches your style (topwater chaos vs. deep finesse), pack the right rigs, and time your day to beat the heat. Tight lines and go get ’em — those bass aren’t going to catch themselves! 👍

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FishGPT