The Next MWBA Tournament

It’s on August 19 at Canyon Lake, Tonto National Forest (TNF). Canyon Lake separates anglers from fishermen (or is it vice versa?). With Saguaro, Canyon is known for Arizona’s largest largemouths. It produced the current and previous three AZ State Record largemouths, but many anglers say it isn’t as easy to fish as Saguaro.

If you’re not throwing 6 to 8-inch paddletails, big glidebaits (double or even triple-jointed in August), wakebaits, slow-rolling spinnerbaits, 12 to 20-inch plastic worms, deep-diving crankbaits, ¾-oz jigs, 1-oz Dirty Jigs Swimjigs with Keitech trailers and T-rigged Zoom Super [Brush] Hogs (in PB&J), you’re not really fishing Canyon Lake. It’s time to “go big or go home.”

If there’s current (thx, SRP), hit the River, at least as far as the Fish Creek sandbar (be careful there!). Elsewhere, if you can squeeze in without poaching someone’s water, don’t pass up patches of tules anywhere, points and humps outside the Marina and on the lake side of the First Bridge coming in from Apache Junction, or upriver from Beer Can Point the jigging ledges on river-right heading upstream!! Summer upriver can also be great for ripbaits.

Details for the Facts Sheet, “Tmx HQ,” Pre-Launch Meeting, Launch Ramp and Weigh-In Station locations, Flight and Start Times, Pairings Lists, Bass Bites, etc. are yet TBD by Tournament Director Floyd Vaughan.

PLEASE POSE ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS regarding Tournaments, Facts Sheet and Pairings Lists to Floyd via phone call, text or email.

TNF charges for admittance to Canyon Lake Recreation Area. Automated Pay Stations (credit cards only) are available in paved parking lots. Daily Vehicle and Boat permits are also available from off-lake vendors (e.g. Apache Junction), including some Circle Ks. Annual permits must be purchased at a TNF office (Phx, Globe, Payson, etc.).

The nearest motels are in Tortilla Flat (usually—phone first!) and Apache Junction. Powered RV and tent camping spaces are available for $$$ at the Marina. Camping in a TNF parking lot will be ticketed if authorities are patrolling. Boat fuel is available on the water in the Marina from 0800 to1600. In summer, the Canyon Lake Cantina (under new management, again) is closed Monday thru Wednesday.