Reels
Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcasting Reel
A reliable baitcaster for jigs, Texas rigs, and moving baits.
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Arizona's largest lake inside the state, a desert reservoir with excellent largemouth bass and crappie fishing.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Roosevelt Lake for largemouth bass, crappie and channel catfish. The best months overall are Jan to Mar, Nov. In October, largemouth bass is in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Bass Jig and Spinnerbait are a good place to start. There are 3 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Liar's Korner Bait and Tackle in Mesa, 33 mi away.
Best Months
Jan to Mar, Nov
In October
Largemouth Bass
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
What You'll Catch
Roosevelt Lake Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
12 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureBass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz
LureJig · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureSpinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.
Shop This LureBladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.
Shop This LureSquarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureLipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.
Shop This LureCrappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz
LureJig · Crappie
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Crappie, Largemouth Bass · Under a slip float.
Nightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Channel Catfish
Chicken Liver Chunk
BaitNatural Bait · Channel Catfish
Cut Shad Chunk or fillet
BaitNatural Bait · Channel Catfish
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Largemouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.
Crappie
Fly 8.5 ft 4 wt rod, floating line, small jig flies and minnow patterns.
Spin / Cast 10 to 12 ft jigging pole or 6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 4 to 6 lb hi-vis line.
Channel Catfish
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning or casting rod, 3000 to 4000 reel, 15 to 20 lb line, slip-sinker rig with a circle hook.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Roosevelt Lake
Panfish Lures
Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jigs
A go-to crappie plastic on a light jighead, under a float or vertical.
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Ugly Stik Catfish Special Combo
A stout, long rod with a large reel for heavy sinkers and big cats.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament
Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.
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St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
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Within 45 Miles