calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

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Jobless Recovery

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Lake Mead, we've camped there at LM RV village but since we pull a fifth wheel we couldn't bring the pontoon. We really want to make it out there this year but we need to find a place to stay. I hope the water level improve too because we've hear they're very low. If you can make a suggestion on where to launch and deep places to cruise, I'd really love to know as I surely don't want to bottom out. We typically boat at Mohave/Cottonwood cove and plan to also hit up Parker. We try to avoid Havasu as it's just too congested. Hopefully we will see you there and can also get some fishing in.
 

QC

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Remember Lake Mead is 590 ft. deep at the dam to begin with. The majority of the old river channel is 300 ft. deep even today. From an old post of mine on the depth topic:

I saw a post in the Channel Marker thread from rjlipscomb about concern for underwater obstacles at Lake Mead. Some of you may have seen various posts of mine on this topic. In general I think people are way too worried at Mead due to significantly lower water levels in the last 5 or 6 years. With that said . . . during my 35+ years of boating on the Colorado River and her various Lakes I have hit everything you can imagine, but of course I have learned something each and every time. Most of my issues have been on the actual River itself, between the Lakes, where water levels rise and fall every hour. On Lake Mead, however, water levels rarely change more than 6 inches a day, and recently have been running only about one or two inches up and down from day to day. The point being that a typical weekender at Lake Mead should not have to consider a change of level during any specific trip at all. The exception would be anyone beaching a cruiser or houseboat for an extended time. In those cases it is possible to get seriously stuck over the course of a few days. With this exception understood, along with the variable conditions at the six paved launch ramps, I honestly believe it doesn?t matter what the water level is at all. Same issues, same safety method, annnnnd . . . lower water levels means more beaches So here is my daily-lake-depth-confirmation-method that has kept me from hitting anything at Mead for over 20 years. This method works probably anywhere, even offshore, but I hear the concern more with Mead simply because we are down 115 ft.

Looking around any part of Mead you can see the whitish stripe indicating the part of the shore that was previously underwater:

Lake%20Mead.jpg


It also shows the basic color of everything underwater there . . . white. If you have a depth sounder you can confirm my method, but you can also do this by jumping in and swimming . . . While traveling along you will see the same basic color of water: a dark, greenish blue. Find any lighter shade of green and carefully float over it. Check the depth sounder. Now try the same with even lighter color shades. I do this the first day of every trip. This gives me a reconfirmation of what my eyes tell me about depth and is specific to that area?s water clarity and the sky that day. What I have found is that I can easily see "color" (lighter shade of green than the surrounding water) at 20 feet, and often 30. I can also tell the difference between 20, 10 and 5 feet if I pay attention.

There are very few spots on the entire Lake that contradict this method. Basically any weed clumps that might darken the underwater obstacle, but these are most common right near the shore and are not a legitimate concern in open water. Also, wherever the Colorado is currently dumping her beautiful, namesake mud, you can chuck any method out the window because the difference between 20 feet and 2 inches is not discernible at all This happens to be right at Sandy Point now, but most never even see this area as it is roughly 50 miles from Echo and Callville.

Also, another tip I have learned about all of the Colorado River lakes is to follow the contour of the shoreline that you are near. If it is a cliff wall above water (the Narrows as an example), it is probably a cliff wall below water, if it is a gradual downward slope above water (Boulder Beach as an example) it is probably the same underwater. The issue that most should be concerned with, is the trickiest . . . an ?underwater mountain?.

DSCN1457.jpg


If you look at any of the rocky points that jut out into the lake, the dry portion goes out a ways and then they often rise up to a kind of pinnacle and then drop down, extend out and then rise up again and often result in an Island at the end. These are what you need to practice my color depth method on.

images


You can kind of see the color differences in the pic above. Some of the worst ones have been marked, but again, I can see them very plainly well before I would hit them; especially with a clear sky. On a cloudy and windy day, this can be a real problem, and of course at night. On a clear day, if you hit something you have to really screw up bad . . .

Check here for the best map I have found for Lake Mead. You can trust the contours, and if you stay in the original river channels, then. . . uh . . . well 100, 200 or 300 ft. is pretty durn safe . . .

Oh, uh, anybody that sends me a bill for skeg, gelcoat or fibergalss repairs will be outed in these here forums
 

Jobless Recovery

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Very good info - lotta common sense. You know I have been watching and noticing the color differences as well as the contours but I didn't know if I could rely upon them. I know it's not written in stone but one thing's for sure, the one time I did hit rocks was in Laughlin right in front of the casinos (the river, not the lakes, just like you said). A chewed up prop can sure ruin a day on the water. I'll continue with what I've been doing as your suggestion seems sound and I'll also monitor the color changes with the depth sounder.

Your lesson has given me the confidence to navigate Lake Mead this Spring and not be too worried about water levels. It's just that most folks I talk with here in the I.E. kinda scare me about the low levels. But 100' - 300' I think I'm safe. Thanks QC
 

jjacobs007

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Lake Mead, we've camped there at LM RV village but since we pull a fifth wheel we couldn't bring the pontoon. We really want to make it out there this year but we need to find a place to stay. I hope the water level improve too because we've hear they're very low. If you can make a suggestion on where to launch and deep places to cruise, I'd really love to know as I surely don't want to bottom out. We typically boat at Mohave/Cottonwood cove and plan to also hit up Parker. We try to avoid Havasu as it's just too congested. Hopefully we will see you there and can also get some fishing in.

I would launch at calville or old las vegas bay marina near dam.There the waters are deep for cruising but stay in the middle of channels as most of underwater dangers are not marked.A good fish finder that will read true at high speeds is a must,setting the depth alarm at 15ft works for me.the campgrounds near bouler beach are nice because of all the diffrent things around that you can do if you choose like going to casino on top of hill that has cheap food and movies,marinas with bars and restraunts,fish hatchery and many new bike trails near.If you take the boat north from boulder beach and turn left just before battleship rock theres some nice sandy coves there that also have a floating bathroom.hope this helps.
 

12vMan

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

:cool:Lake elevation closing in on 1090!:cool:

I know it's sad that's exciting. It's kinda like, wow I just got gas for 3.16!:rolleyes:
 

fishrdan

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Yup... That's only 139' down from full pool :eek: :D
 

12vMan

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Yup... That's only 139' down from full pool :eek: :D

:)

I think the level I like best (outside of levels high enough to be able to head up the Grand Canyon because that's an incredible experience that was so easily taken for granted) is right around 1130-1140. I miss the nice protected beaches we had around Mushroom Reef. Even though the different levels have given us whole new perspectives and new beaches every year, all this senseless talk of the lake drying up by 2021, the lake is too low to boat on, etc. as well as marinas closing and all gets real old. It's nice to have a little buffer zone. I hate always having to worry about T-Bar closing like Overton, and Echo hotel & bar. Maybe all of this water will bring back the people and help the economic picture at Mead.:cool:
 

12vMan

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

166350_10150159182680828_59929675827_8422799_3487258_n.jpg


For all that launch in Boulder Basin, this is a pic of Boulder Harbor excavation in progress to build the launch ramp to an elevation of 1069'. The harbor should be ready by Memorial Day weekend. :cool:
 

jjacobs007

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

166350_10150159182680828_59929675827_8422799_3487258_n.jpg


For all that launch in Boulder Basin, this is a pic of Boulder Harbor excavation in progress to build the launch ramp to an elevation of 1069'. The harbor should be ready by Memorial Day weekend. :cool:

thats some serious excavation! cant wait to see the new launch ramp.
 

12vMan

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

thats some serious excavation! cant wait to see the new launch ramp.

That's for sure. I don't know where they're putting it all, but it has to be costing some real $$. Guess that's where part of the new fees are going..

Good news is we've already hit 1090 Ft ele. and it's filling fast!

DAILY RIVER REPORT FOR 1-23-2011

(All values are averages over the hour)

TIME (MST) MEAD ELEV. (FT)

0000-0100 1090.19
0100-0200 1090.25
0200-0300 1090.24
0300-0400 1090.25
0400-0500 1090.24
0500-0600 1090.26
0600-0700 1090.29
0700-0800 1090.27
0800-0900 1090.29
0900-1000 1090.33
1000-1100 1090.32
1200-1300 1090.36
 

SgtPiper

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

I just found this site and this is my first time posting (be gentle with me). I've been looking for a forum to learn more about Lake Mead and, in particular, fishing on Mead. We live in Idaho but keep a boat in a slip at Lake Mead Marina (Hemenway) during the winter. We spend a week or 2 a month on the boat. We have been there the last 2 winters and I fish a couple of times while we're there and I get skunked almost every time I go out. We spent time at Swallow Bay and Las Vegas Bay last week and not a bite. Thanks for posting info on this site about good places to beach the boat and enjoy the lake. We love it down there and your posts will help us enjoy it more. Let me know if anyone needs a fishing partner. Thanks again.
 

fishrdan

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Hey Sgt, welcome aboard.

Fishing at Mead can be slow during the winter, but stripers are still catchable. I haven't fished Mead during the winter in a long time, but bait-n-wait works, jigging, trolling. Big stripers are up this time of year and hang around the trout plant area's, big lures imitating trout will catch them, but they can be few and far between. The one 12V posted up was caught up in the Overton arm, guy was using a lure colored like a "gizzard shad", no trout up in that area of the lake....

As for forum's that have good info on fishing Mead, I haven't found any with good up to date info. The AC Plug website is a good "local" site to look at, but this site is focused on big stripers. The Nevada striper club website might have some current info.

Go into the freshwater fishing forum and run through the old posts looking for "striper" as I've posted up a couple times what works for me on Mead,,, while fishing for dink stripers. If I were fishing Mead for stripers this time of year, I'd be thinking deep, 80'+ and looking for schooled up fish, then drop down to them, bait or jigging.

(I tried running a search, but it didn't come up with anything, new forum format isn't searching well...)
 

VegasNordie

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Jan 24, 2011
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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Newbie here...although im not a fisherman. I can surely appreciate the up to date updates on lake mead. Mostly theres a small group of us that go out on the lake 3 times a month, just to grab a beach for the day and hang out with friends...most of the time we stay in boulder basin avoiding sandy beach! Plus were just jet boaters so fuel consumption is always an issue for us...well mostly me, but did some searching on here, and seen some stuff about echo and ill be spending some time up at echo...glad to hear there is still some water up there! If anyone hangs around the boulder basin "usually near swallow bay"stop by and say hi! Cant miss us look for the loud boats with rooster tails although were not going fast...
 

QC

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Cool, welcome aboard!. Never hung out in Swallow Bay, I'll have to check it out soon. I almost never stop between Boulder and Callville, except I like Castle Rock a lot. I have friends that like Sandy Cove, but I flippin' hate it . . . Hamblin is a little better, but I prefer throwing a hook in James Bay or even outside of Wishing Well.

Personally I don't hang much up near Echo. Best thing up there is the sand at Glory and Kline Holes. They're a little North and across the lake from Echo. Tough for you, but with the bypass open you need to try the Temple Basin. Just amazing over there if you want solitude . . .
 

VegasNordie

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

I love the temple area! I used to have an annual gathering up there in march every year. Well last year the morale at the marina was terrible! I told them for months i had a group of 20 coming up, and no prob. Then the room rates were raised and they told me they wouldnt open the bar! After i spoke with bob he got things rolling and opened the bar! 2 hours in the bador they made over $700...but i have since moved the gathering elsewhere! Dont get me wrong i absolutely love that part of the lake and i will return, but i was somewhat turned off...i dont believe it is the people in the marina at all...i think it is the new ownership...kind of like the echo dilema! I guess i will step off of my soap box on that! Swallow bay is always worth checking out...the cove is nice and protected as well! And i couldnt agree with you more on sandy even though i will end up there several times "everyone else wants to go!"
 

12vMan

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

I love the temple area! I used to have an annual gathering up there in march every year. Well last year the morale at the marina was terrible! I told them for months i had a group of 20 coming up, and no prob. Then the room rates were raised and they told me they wouldnt open the bar! After i spoke with bob he got things rolling and opened the bar! 2 hours in the bador they made over $700...but i have since moved the gathering elsewhere! Dont get me wrong i absolutely love that part of the lake and i will return, but i was somewhat turned off...i dont believe it is the people in the marina at all...i think it is the new ownership...kind of like the echo dilema! I guess i will step off of my soap box on that! Swallow bay is always worth checking out...the cove is nice and protected as well! And i couldnt agree with you more on sandy even though i will end up there several times "everyone else wants to go!"

Welcome VegasNordie

I hate to hear about your moving the March event elsewhere because of some red tape that can sometimes tie things up at T-Bar. Sometimes they gotta say guidelines are just that. They tend to treat the general rules like commandments carved in stone sometimes. The bottom line is customer service and make money while providing it. Bob isn't there anymore, but Mark is the GM. He's a great guy and gets things done. I've known him since he came on as bartender in '04 and moved up the food chain from there, and whatever his position he was always the go-to guy.

I seen a couple of other incidents where they had the bar closed when people wanted to spend some real money and they ended up losing out. The off-season hours for the restaurant & bar are strange as it is because of the location and time of year, and good bartenders are a rare breed there because of the isolation and off season hours. Even during the summer the rest closed @ 8pm. Hell I'm still on the lake or just getting cleaned up by then so that makes it hard to fit it in to your program for dinner if you don't feel like bbq-ing. I've had to go in the bar and have them let me into the store to grab something before.

So, in the end I'm glad to hear you haven't given up on little 'ol T-Bar. It's really a great place in an awesome location of a fantastic lake.:cool:
 

SgtPiper

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Re: calling all lake mead boaters! nevada

Fishrdan: Thanks for the info and the insight. I'm looking forward to getting back to the lake in Feb and working the jigs. I can't seem to slow my boat down enough to troll but we really enjoy just drifting and jigging. Thanks again. SgtPiper

Hey Sgt, welcome aboard.

Fishing at Mead can be slow during the winter, but stripers are still catchable. I haven't fished Mead during the winter in a long time, but bait-n-wait works, jigging, trolling. Big stripers are up this time of year and hang around the trout plant area's, big lures imitating trout will catch them, but they can be few and far between. The one 12V posted up was caught up in the Overton arm, guy was using a lure colored like a "gizzard shad", no trout up in that area of the lake....

As for forum's that have good info on fishing Mead, I haven't found any with good up to date info. The AC Plug website is a good "local" site to look at, but this site is focused on big stripers. The Nevada striper club website might have some current info.

Go into the freshwater fishing forum and run through the old posts looking for "striper" as I've posted up a couple times what works for me on Mead,,, while fishing for dink stripers. If I were fishing Mead for stripers this time of year, I'd be thinking deep, 80'+ and looking for schooled up fish, then drop down to them, bait or jigging.

(I tried running a search, but it didn't come up with anything, new forum format isn't searching well...)
 
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