The desert lakes are unique fisheries with beautiful scenery and some excellent fishing. They can be brutally hot during the summer, but fall is a perfect time to enjoy the great fishing, according to professional angler and 2022 WON Bass U.S. Open Champion, Josh Bertrand.
In addition to competing in events each fall when he’s back home from traveling to professional events across the country, Bertrand also stays busy guiding clients in Arizona. One thing he’s learned about fishing these lakes is that anything goes, and there are many ways to catch bass.
Shallow and Deep
Because of the warmer climate, Bertrand says that the desert lakes are an anomaly for fall fishing compared to the rest of the country. As a result, he says many things are happening at once.
“We don’t get a hardcore fall turnover like you do in many places that can make the fishing tough,” he said. “It’s a milder climate, so the fishing stays consistent and solid in the fall, whereas the rest of the country can be miserable fishing this time of year. Our fish use all parts of the water column in the fall.”
Because of this, Bertand keeps his options open with shallow and deep fish being a factor every autumn. “We have fish that will push very shallow and then you’ve got fish that stay deep,” he said. “This is the case every October and November, and if we have a warmer fall, you can stay with this strategy into early December.”
Bertrand’s Topwater Approach
The first thing Bertrand mentioned as a must for fall fishing in the desert is a topwater. He uses several on his home lakes with walking baits like the Berkley Cane Walker, plopping-style baits like the Berkley Choppo, and a buzzbait, all being players.
“It’s one of the best times to throw a topwater, and it can be an all-day topwater bite,” he said. “I catch some fish on slower baits like a popper, but generally go with those other baits that allow me to cover a little more water. Those three are my go-to lures and I’ll use them until the cold sets in.”
He likes a fast reel for all three baits, and his choice is the 10.1:1 Abu Garcia Revo Rocket. “The Rocket is great for any type of topwater because it’s super fast and helps you take up slack line,” he said. “A lot of times, with topwater baits, you aren’t finishing your cast all the way to the boat, so that faster reel helps you get it back quicker to make another cast.”
For all three baits, he prefers a 30- or 40-pound Berkley X9 braid, and for a rod, he says it’s hard to beat a 7-feet, 3-inch medium-heavy. “I use everything from the Veritas to the Fantasista from Abu Garcia, and that length and action is perfect for handling topwater baits,” he said. “It’s a great all-around size for medium to larger topwater baits.”
Grass Fishing in the Desert and a Finesse Backup
The desert lakes are not widely known for their aquatic vegetation, but many throughout Arizona and Nevada have some, and Bertrand says it’s always a good place to fish in the fall.
“It’s prime time to fish grass in the desert lakes because it’s grown all summer and it’s good and healthy by this point,” he said. “During the summer, it can be too hot for them to live comfortably, but now that it’s cool, it will be home to shad, bluegill, and bass. The other thing about these lakes is that desert fish aren’t very picky about what kind of grass it is or how much there is, and since it’s not everywhere, it becomes a magnet to fish, and wherever you find some, the bass will be there.”
Bertrand likes a vibrating jig like the Berkley Slobberknocker for fishing these grassy areas, or will pick up the big weight and punch.
“Believe it or not, we get a good punching bite at times here with your standard punch rigs,” he said. “I like to fish it with a 7-foot, 11-inch Abu Garcia Fantasista X rod and Revo STX 8.2:1 reel with 65-pound Berkley X9 braid. I’ll fish my vibrating jigs on the rod I use for topwaters, but like a slower reel like a 6.7:1 Revo STX and 15-pound Trilene 100-percent fluorocarbon.”
Lastly, Bertrand never leaves the dock without a drop-shot rigged up, no matter the time of the year. “That lives on my deck every day I’m out there and can be good for the deep stuff. It’s also good when I’m guiding and we get on big groups of fish,” he said. “I look for classic structure like deep channel drops, points, and humps, and throw it on a 6-feet, 10-inch medium light Abu Garcia Fantasista X rod and size 30 Revo SX reel. It’s a great reel for the money and super smooth with a great drag.”
Fishing the desert lakes is always a unique experience with the potential to catch bass in a unique setting. It can be good any time of the year, but fall fishing can be great with many techniques in play.
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