POTHOLS RES

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Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on February 20, 2012 at 5:18pm

Welcome to the site Danielle,

Potholes is unique in that there are a variety of techniques you can use based on where you're at on the lake and what time of year. Basically it breaks down to fishing in the Sand Dunes, or along the dam/lind coulee. The dunes are going to be primarily largemouth where you can do just about anything you want from a technique side from topwater fishing to flipping/pitching the brush. The dam/lind coulee will be primarily smallmouth where you can throw reaction or slow down and fish plastics. I think you'll find that the majority of the bass fishermen will opt for the dunes, but in the spring, there's some great smallmouth to be had along the dam as well.

Like anything else, it's really best to just get out on the water and learn some areas/techniques. Start with what you have confidence in and go from there! Fishing seems to really pick up in April.

To answer you question on favorite techniques, I love throwing a buzzbait or other topwater during a nice summer morning for some exciting action on top. 

Permalink Reply by Danielle Irby on February 20, 2012 at 5:24pm

Thank you, We plan on bringing a few poles with what we are confident in fishing with. But also wanted to bring a few "new things" to try.. I have never used any buzzbait so this is going to be a BLAST!  I think we may go in March after I talk to the people at the resort there just to get a feel for the lake before a bunch of boats are there..
 
Jordan Doucet said:

Welcome to the site Danielle,

Potholes is unique in that there are a variety of techniques you can use based on where you're at on the lake and what time of year. Basically it breaks down to fishing in the Sand Dunes, or along the dam/lind coulee. The dunes are going to be primarily largemouth where you can do just about anything you want from a technique side from topwater fishing to flipping/pitching the brush. The dam/lind coulee will be primarily smallmouth where you can throw reaction or slow down and fish plastics. I think you'll find that the majority of the bass fishermen will opt for the dunes, but in the spring, there's some great smallmouth to be had along the dam as well.

Like anything else, it's really best to just get out on the water and learn some areas/techniques. Start with what you have confidence in and go from there! Fishing seems to really pick up in April.

To answer you question on favorite techniques, I love throwing a buzzbait or other topwater during a nice summer morning for some exciting action on top. 

Permalink Reply by William McMurry on February 20, 2012 at 6:00pm

For me, up in the dunes, a 1/2oz bllack blue jig with the biggest craw daddy trailer i can find, and pitch to the brush. I have a few pics on here from last may on potholes,every one was over 4lbs, it was a good day :)

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on February 20, 2012 at 6:24pm

If you are going in the next couple weeks a 1/2 football head jig and a blade bait are about the best bets going for a smallmouth.  I would think a dropshot rig might get a bite with some sort of do nothing worm on it.  If you want to spend time in the dunes go as far back as you can on the Crab Creek side and pitch a flipping jig as mentioned as far back into the ugly brush and bushes as you can if you choose this approach expect to pitch all day for just a couple bites if you're lucky.

Permalink Reply by Danielle Irby on February 20, 2012 at 6:39pm

My husband doesnt like bushes. so maybe not that route. Again we have NEVER been to Potholes Res. so we dont have a clue where ANYTHING is. I am sure we can ask around aat MarDon Resort...

Small Mouth are about all we have down here in Lewiston Clarkston area and they are fine with us. Of course a large mouth would be fun too!.

So best bet is along the dam/lind coulee? then?

And the dunes? that sounds like a maze to be fishin in......
 P.J. Koshi said:

If you are going in the next couple weeks a 1/2 football head jig and a blade bait are about the best bets going for a smallmouth.  I would think a dropshot rig might get a bite with some sort of do nothing worm on it.  If you want to spend time in the dunes go as far back as you can on the Crab Creek side and pitch a flipping jig as mentioned as far back into the ugly brush and bushes as you can if you choose this approach expect to pitch all day for just a couple bites if you're lucky.

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on February 20, 2012 at 7:26pm

Danielle, do a google search for Potholes Reservoir and you should find a lot of information.  Forget the idea of buzzbaits in March...July or August are better times for surface techniques. 

Fishing for largemouths here is somewhat strange compared to most places, though the techniques are basically the same.  Here the largemouth relate to sand dunes, willows, and beaver huts for cover, but always where baitfish abound regardless of the available cover.  Largemouths here spawn in May through July with the bulk in late May and early June.  Prior to then the largemouth bite can be excellent one day and difficult the next as the weather changes.

 

Prior to June you would probably have more reliable success fishing smallmouths, mostly near the dam and around Goose Island, and in Lind Coulee.  The smallmouths here can be huge, and typical smallmouth techniques will work.  Football head jigs with Yamamoto Hula Grubs are a mainstay, dragging them over rocks near the dam.  Crankbaits and jerkbaits also work well, and dropshotting is a killer also.

 

If you want to keep it simple and cover all the bases, you can catch smallmouths, largemouths, and walleye by covering the whole lake with a half-ounce spinnerbait in white and chartreuse.

Potholes is a unique fishery, and the more you fish it the better it gets, and the more you will love it.

ciao,
Marc Marcantonio

Permalink Reply by Ben Holten on February 21, 2012 at 5:33am

Unless you are willing to put a lot of time in to learn the dunes I would stick with fishing smallmouths on the dam. Most people spend the first 3 or 4 days back in the dunes not catching anything, where the dam isn't so tough. Try a tube bait in various depths.

Permalink Reply by Danielle Irby on February 21, 2012 at 5:44am

I am thinking this is the best idea for us.. Because we are new to the area. If we went and didnt catch anything the first trip out my hubby may not want to go back. So we will stick to the south side.

The north side is the dunes correct? and south side is the dam....
 
Ben Holten said:

Unless you are willing to put a lot of time in to learn the dunes I would stick with fishing smallmouths on the dam. Most people spend the first 3 or 4 days back in the dunes not catching anything, where the dam isn't so tough. Try a tube bait in various depths.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Ben Holten on February 22, 2012 at 1:16am

Yes the south side. You can see in the picture there is an island on the south side of the lake. Be carefull between there and the small islands along the dam (south east direction). There are a few rock humps. If you pay attention to your depth you will be fine.

 

Permalink Reply by Danielle Irby on February 22, 2012 at 4:52am

Thank you!  My husband is ready to go... I packed a bag and all thats left is the fishin!!

Ben Holten said:

Yes the south side. You can see in the picture there is an island on the south side of the lake. Be carefull between there and the small islands along the dam (south east direction). There are a few rock humps. If you pay attention to your depth you will be fine.

 

Permalink Reply by Russell Baker on February 22, 2012 at 8:05pm

Danielle,

 

If you go in late March there should be plenty of water in the Lind Coulee arm on the very Southeast side of the lake. Smallmouth bass can be caught in there on medium diving crankbaits and jerkbaits if the weather is in the mid to upper 40's.

Russ

Permalink Reply by Danielle Irby on February 27, 2012 at 1:19pm

so a bit off the fish topic but still on potholes. In the cheep motel rooms are there microwaves? We have a propaine skillet and camp stove. propaine skillet is to cook on the boat usually.. But just wondering if anyone knows. Also what foods would you bring for lunch or dinner if you didnt want to go to the restraunt ? (boat food for lunch)

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