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Burnt out on Bass fishing in Colorado

15K views 123 replies 38 participants last post by  fishyheads 
#1 ·
This is not meant as a bash thread I just wanted to see if any one else gets burnt out on the fishing here in Colorado.

The bass season is just getting ready to start and the more I think about it Im really not all that hyped,it seams like its the same old same old.I mean how many times can one fish the same water(Quincy) or the same little ponds and not get bored,there just isn't enough productive water IMO I hate to say it but I do get tired of catching dink bass and even 4-5 pounders seem weak anymore.

I guess it comes down to not having much new water to explore and not having a a good population of larger bass 7-10 pound bass.
 
#2 ·
Grolsch Man said:
This is not meant as a bash thread I just wanted to see if any one else gets burnt out on the fishing here in Colorado.

The bass season is just getting ready to start and the more I think about it Im really not all that hyped,it seams like its the same old same old.I mean how many times can one fish the same water(Quincy) or the same little ponds and not get bored,there just isn't enough productive water IMO I hate to say it but I do get tired of catching dink bass and even 4-5 pounders seem weak anymore.

I guess it comes down to not having much new water to explore and not having a a good population of larger bass 7-10 pound bass.
I never get bored..
There are NUMBER of 7+ lb bass in quincy..
just a matter of time..

Good luck man.
 
#5 ·
dude you live in Colorado! there is a limited amount of bass water. this is a trout state. that doesn't mean there isn't bass water, but there is less of it. if you have truly fished all the bass water around(and i'll bet you haven't), maybe walleye, or cats or some other specie is something you should look into! enjoy where you live, after all it's COLORADO!



Jim
 
#6 ·
Sounds like you don't know where to look for bass in CO.

there's places in the front range and southeastern CO that will quickly change your mind. I told DBM this in another thread weeks ago.

only thing I will say is that with limited habitat, they aren't as smart as their midwest/southern counterparts. but there are big ones in CO.
 
#8 ·
I'm on the exact opposite path right now. I couldn't be more excited about bass fishing, but I've only begun getting into the different waters around the state. Maybe I'll see things differently in 10 years when I have figured a lot of them out already. You can always do what I did...joing a Bass club. Get a little competition from it and fish some tourneys. Turn your experience into a little cash and meet some new friends. This could possibly get your mood headed in the other direction.
 
#9 ·
Grolsch Man said:
This is not meant as a bash thread I just wanted to see if any one else gets burnt out on the fishing here in Colorado.

The bass season is just getting ready to start and the more I think about it Im really not all that hyped,it seams like its the same old same old.I mean how many times can one fish the same water(Quincy) or the same little ponds and not get bored,there just isn't enough productive water IMO I hate to say it but I do get tired of catching dink bass and even 4-5 pounders seem weak anymore.

I guess it comes down to not having much new water to explore and not having a a good population of larger bass 7-10 pound bass.
haha, I love it when I hear folks talk like that. My suggestion to you would be to stop fishing for bass all together. 4-5 pounders seem week, ahahahahah :D
 
#10 ·
If you are really burnt out you and really care about Bass fishing, then you need to move my friend. If that is not in the cards for you then you should seriously consider competitive Bass fishing. Why not fish against the best in the state if you think you are above or past Bass fishing here? It will most likely change your mind real quick. And trust me, I know you can catch fish. I always wondered why you don't fish for cash.
 
#11 ·
I get burned out fishing colo as well for many species(walleyes,wipers,slabs,SM,LM,trout). I got spoiled in WI,MN, MO,OK, AR n NE wit size n numbers. Im at the pt of my life where im going try to set the state record or set my PB. I love Colo for a reason, its just not a fishing reason. One day, I will switch over to fly fishing n truely enjoy having the mountains in the backdrop with the sounds n smell of Nature(Once i land my wiper wit a swimbait, im switching gear).

The main reason i cant get enuff fishing in colo is the majority of the time......im watching my son fish these days.
 
#12 ·
Growing up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, we had many excellent bass spots to choose from. That's all I fished for, and caught many good sized fish on a regular basis. (5-7 lbs. Largest was a 9 lb from a VERY small pond!) And you know what? I got burned out on that! It's all relative. Nowadays, though, at 58 years of age, each bass I catch is as exciting as the first. The strike, the fight, no matter what the size, I cherish. Boring? Hell no!
 
#13 ·
Fishingkid119 said:
Grolsch Man said:
This is not meant as a bash thread I just wanted to see if any one else gets burnt out on the fishing here in Colorado.

The bass season is just getting ready to start and the more I think about it Im really not all that hyped,it seams like its the same old same old.I mean how many times can one fish the same water(Quincy) or the same little ponds and not get bored,there just isn't enough productive water IMO I hate to say it but I do get tired of catching dink bass and even 4-5 pounders seem weak anymore.

I guess it comes down to not having much new water to explore and not having a a good population of larger bass 7-10 pound bass.
I never get bored..
There are NUMBER of 7+ lb bass in quincy..
just a matter of time..

Good luck man.
I wish I was the same way dude but fishing Quincy a couple times a week does get old to me,I just wish it was bigger and had more to explore.I agree there are some CO hogs in there as I have caught a couple through out the years but it's still a small little body of water at 289 acres.Oh well maybe I should just be happy with what water we have and just fish less.
 
#14 ·
MuskieMan said:
Grolsch Man said:
This is not meant as a bash thread I just wanted to see if any one else gets burnt out on the fishing here in Colorado.

The bass season is just getting ready to start and the more I think about it Im really not all that hyped,it seams like its the same old same old.I mean how many times can one fish the same water(Quincy) or the same little ponds and not get bored,there just isn't enough productive water IMO I hate to say it but I do get tired of catching dink bass and even 4-5 pounders seem weak anymore.

I guess it comes down to not having much new water to explore and not having a a good population of larger bass 7-10 pound bass.
haha, I love it when I hear folks talk like that. My suggestion to you would be to stop fishing for bass all together. 4-5 pounders seem week, ahahahahah :D
There's no way I could stop completley but I stand by what I said with 4-5 pounders getting old after awhile.I've caught quite a few in that size range over the years here in CO and I just wish there more available in the upper single digit range 7-9 pounds that's all.

In no way do I catch catch 4's and 5's every trip out but I long for bigger ones and I like to pursue them.Your post in a way seems to be mocking me and that's cool but everyone is different and has different goals in fishing.
 
#15 ·
longdraw said:
If you are really burnt out you and really care about Bass fishing, then you need to move my friend. If that is not in the cards for you then you should seriously consider competitive Bass fishing. Why not fish against the best in the state if you think you are above or past Bass fishing here? It will most likely change your mind real quick. And trust me, I know you can catch fish. I always wondered why you don't fish for cash.

I have lived in CO for 23 years and sometimes I wish I could move out of state for a couple of years to experience some new big bass water or some new water with thick Hydrilla but I will never be able to afford to due so.In no way do I think I'm above or past bass fishing here.I know for a fact that I would get stomped out by the regular tourney guys that fish the trails here in CO.I have thought about it before but just never went through with it.Just a question,has there ever been a 20 pound bag brought in to the scales here in CO?
 
#16 ·
Grolsch Man said:
This is not meant as a bash thread I just wanted to see if any one else gets burnt out on the fishing here in Colorado.

The bass season is just getting ready to start and the more I think about it Im really not all that hyped,it seams like its the same old same old.I mean how many times can one fish the same water(Quincy) or the same little ponds and not get bored,there just isn't enough productive water IMO I hate to say it but I do get tired of catching dink bass and even 4-5 pounders seem weak anymore.

I guess it comes down to not having much new water to explore and not having a a good population of larger bass 7-10 pound bass.

WHAT?!






































dude...give me a call tonight (Monday) around 5-pm. We NEED to talk.
 
#18 ·
Catfish Goon said:
Sounds like you don't know where to look for bass in CO.
longdraw said:
Why not fish against the best in the state if you think you are above or past Bass fishing here?
I think there's a couple of wild assumptions here....at least from my perspective.

There are plenty of places to look for bass in Colorado....the problem is take a look at those places. About the nicest one is Pueblo Reservoir or in the area of Pueblo.

Where else....hmmmm.....

-A former U.S. Military toxic waste dump that has been rehabilitated...that's about 15 minutes from Denver
-A lake run by a city that has regulations so strict that you're constantly being watched by guys in white pickup trucks with binoculars
-Two lakes where you have to take a second mortgage out to get an entrance permit for your car and a second entrance permit for your boat (both of which favor local residents)
-Just about any METRO area lake that can be trashed, crowded, etc., etc.

...and none of those are anything like what I grew up around.

John, it's not a matter of being better than anyone else, it's a matter of getting out and enjoying yourself. I grew up in areas of Southern Cal with tons of EXCELLENT bass fishing. Places that had structure similar to what you see at Cedar Bluff where you could get away and enjoy yourself. Places on the Colorado River near Blythe and Yuma where you could throw a tent in your bass boat, find a lake through the toolies and and never see anyone else all weekend.

Contrast that to pike fishing where you can go up to places like Williams Fork and enjoy a weekend and have a chance at catching a 20+ lb fish with basically the same style of fishing.

I guess if I lived down near Pueblo, I'd do more of it in Pueblo or below the dam but here in Denver, it's just not as fun for me.
 
#19 ·
fishingkats said:
i never hear of any of you guys coming out my way and trying to get into any bass out at neenoshe and neegronda

they both have nice sized bass
I want to make it out that way! Hit me up on PM. Was at a fav spot of mine this weekend at Valco Ponds.. AND it was slammed. Almost 10-14 people back on #3. And those ponds arent big enough for all that.
 
#20 ·
that guy said:
Catfish Goon said:
Sounds like you don't know where to look for bass in CO.
longdraw said:
Why not fish against the best in the state if you think you are above or past Bass fishing here?
I think there's a couple of wild assumptions here....at least from my perspective.

There are plenty of places to look for bass in Colorado....the problem is take a look at those places. About the nicest one is Pueblo Reservoir or in the area of Pueblo.

Where else....hmmmm.....

-A former U.S. Military toxic waste dump that has been rehabilitated...that's about 15 minutes from Denver
-A lake run by a city that has regulations so strict that you're constantly being watched by guys in white pickup trucks with binoculars
-Two lakes where you have to take a second mortgage out to get an entrance permit for your car and a second entrance permit for your boat (both of which favor local residents)
-Just about any METRO area lake that can be trashed, crowded, etc., etc.

...and none of those are anything like what I grew up around.

John, it's not a matter of being better than anyone else, it's a matter of getting out and enjoying yourself. I grew up in areas of Southern Cal with tons of EXCELLENT bass fishing. Places that had structure similar to what you see at Cedar Bluff where you could get away and enjoy yourself. Places on the Colorado River near Blythe and Yuma where you could throw a tent in your bass boat, find a lake through the toolies and and never see anyone else all weekend.

Contrast that to pike fishing where you can go up to places like Williams Fork and enjoy a weekend and have a chance at catching a 20+ lb fish with basically the same style of fishing.

I guess if I lived down near Pueblo, I'd do more of it in Pueblo or below the dam but here in Denver, it's just not as fun for me.
As said, man..... certain people on this site will heavily disagree. This is why the bass spots, when they are found on here... aren't talked about by exact location...because they will get trashed and fished out by degenerates.

I urge you to look up mad catter's past reports, or longdraws. there's hella good fishing for free if you know where to look.
 
#21 ·
Catfish Goon said:
As said, man..... certain people on this site will heavily disagree. This is why the bass spots, when they are found on here... aren't talked about by exact location...because they will get trashed and fished out by degenerates.

I urge you to look up mad catter's past reports, or longdraws. there's hella good fishing for free if you know where to look.
...and they're all at metro area ponds....none of which where you can get away from folks and their trash and spend a weekend enjoying yourself and still have a chance at catching something 5+ lbs....as per the post above -

DisplacedFisherman said:
Was at a fav spot of mine this weekend at Valco Ponds.. AND it was slammed. Almost 10-14 people back on #3. And those ponds arent big enough for all that.
You'd change your mind after a week out on the river in Yuma, AZ.
 
#22 ·
...and don't get me wrong, there is potential....I mean if they managed North Sterling with an inkling for largemouth, that lake could produce some HOGS - especially in the lily pads in the spring. Same thing with Prewitt. The problem is the water draw downs messing with the fishing.

5 or 6 years ago Prewitt had some off the wall catfish and wiper fishing....then the lake went to dead pool and all that habitat was gone. If they could regulate stuff with any consistency over a period of 5-10 years, then yeah, bass fishing would be terrific and there would be a bigger interest.

Cherry Creek has some huge largies in it too - but I absolutely hate that lake because of the crowds out there....I fish to get away not to crowd in with other folks.
 
#23 ·
that guy said:
Catfish Goon said:
As said, man..... certain people on this site will heavily disagree. This is why the bass spots, when they are found on here... aren't talked about by exact location...because they will get trashed and fished out by degenerates.

I urge you to look up mad catter's past reports, or longdraws. there's hella good fishing for free if you know where to look.
...and they're all at metro area ponds....none of which where you can get away from folks and their trash and spend a weekend enjoying yourself and still have a chance at catching something 5+ lbs....as per the post above -

DisplacedFisherman said:
Was at a fav spot of mine this weekend at Valco Ponds.. AND it was slammed. Almost 10-14 people back on #3. And those ponds arent big enough for all that.
You'd change your mind after a week out on the river in Yuma, AZ.
hence why they never tell where they fish at. ;D

Every time I go out to one of their locations, I have the place to myself.
 
#26 ·
Here's the latest weekly report from a lake I used to fish a lot in the Spring in CA....

February 23 - March 1, 2009

Trout: Lake Morena's 10-year-old record for trout fell this week. Stan Kieniewicz of Vista soaked Power Bait to fool the monster 13 lb. 8 oz. rainbow (see photo below). Lots of other big fish showed this week, including an 11 lb. 2 oz. trout fooled by Escondido's Dave Gehrke, who also used Power Bait. Another lunker was recorded for Gordon Gardner. His 8 lb. 14 oz. (Bor-der-line-nine) was hooked and landed from shore. In all more than 12 trout exceeded 5 lbs. this week. Lots of stories from anglers about the big one that got away. Put fresh line on!

Lake Morena record trout



Bass: Fish are showing on finesse baits. Two bass over 10 lbs. weighed by fishermen who wish to remain anonymous. Swimbaits are still not producing (based on personal experience).

Bluegill: Still not many perch showing.

Crappie: Nope.

Catfish: Still cats to be had but most anglers are targeting trout.
10+ lb bass are very common at this lake. I remember guys fishing for blue gill with 7 weight fly rods because they were HUGE out there. The lake's forage base are freshwater shrimp....when I was a kid I remember having to scrape the shrimp off my waders they were so thick (similar to what you see at Antero).

This was the first lake I ever caught a fish on with a plastic worm...when I was 6 or 7 years old. I remember specifically it was from shore with a 6" purple plastic worm and it went a little over 4lbs.

How many lakes in Colorado do you know of where you could take a weekend, camp in a non-established camping area, fish from boat, not get crowded out, and have a chance to catch a 10+lb bass and a 5-13lb rainbow on the same weekend?

I can't think of any....which is why I don't target bass like I used to.

I can name a few lakes however where I can go, have a chance at catching a large pike and large trout/char on the same weekend.....namely:

Williams Fork
Elevenmile
Spinney
Stagecoach

among other lakes.

That's my whole point - why target a fish that mainly resides in city ponds (some of which I'd go as far as calling cess pools) when I can get out and enjoy my surroundings and have better chances at catching bigger fish?

That's why I don't specifically target bass here in Colorado. It's why the thrill is gone. Maybe I was spoiled but there's a lot of other better stuff out here to target that can be more fun and more enjoyable. I'm sure things would change if the opportunity was here in Colorado but it's not.

Like I said, maybe I would feel differently if I lived down by Pueblo.
 
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