Local fishing has improved according to Dustin Coates, the concessionaire at the Sahoma Bait Shop.
“Fishing has been really good. Bass are doing real good, they are in mid-span. Bass are doing real good in the shallows up around the structure,” he said. “Crappies are a little slow during the day, mostly on minnows, and jigs do pretty good on the bottom. Catfish are doing really well,” said Coates. Anglers who frequent Lakes Sahoma and Pretty Water say the current bait of choice for catfish appears to be shrimp. Fishing for catfish at night near the shallow area around the boat ramp at Pretty Water is always productive.
The west fishing dock is still not repaired and back in place, Coates said he is waiting on parts.
The Tulsa Kayak Bassathon Tournament, which rotates between six different local lakes, was held Tuesday, June 27, at Sahoma, with over 25 participants vying for first place. The tournament ended shortly after 9 p.m., with pro angler and kayak fishing guide Tyler Garner being the winner of Tuesday’s competition. Tyler told the Sapulpa Herald that his biggest fish was a bass that measured 17.5 inches and the combined length of fish caught was 47.5 inches (entries are catch-and-release, and are measured in inches, not pounds). His green finesse swimmer lure coupled with a jarhead jig was the ticket to his success.
Garner says he enjoys fishing at Sahoma and fishes there quite often. “This is probably one of my favorite lakes to come to.” Garner stated he appreciates the calm atmosphere at the lake and the population of diverse species.
Tyler was out on Sahoma the next day, participating in an online tournament. He graciously provided a few fishing tips such as using top-water lures for bass at night, and early in the morning to take advantage of mayflies sitting on the surface of the lake. He also advised anglers to use lures similar to the one that helped him win the tournament, specifically the green “swimmer” which is highly agile, has a small propeller to give extra motion, and is similar in size to small shad.
Another tip was the type of clothing for fishing in the hot summer weather. One should wear light clothing constructed of a material that wicks off perspiration and covers the arms, as well as covering one’s head. Another issue is the ultraviolet reflected onto the water can cause sunburn, and necessitate wearing UV-rated sunglasses.
Coates announced that he and another seasoned angler plan to start fishing classes, starting with teaching fly-fishing, in July. He stated that fly-fishing for crappie is an experience that everyone should try. The Sapulpa Herald will provide more details as they become available.
Coates reminds everyone that Sahoma and Pretty offer a safe, peaceful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
“Bass fishing is phenomenal around here year-round, as well as the catfish, you just have to find them. We have a lot of elderly that come out here, it is just a relaxing place to be.”
The coming week’s weather forecast is hot and humid, with a chance of a few scattered thunderstorms. Night fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors during hot weather, and remember, fishing just before storms arrive will be better due to dropping barometric pressure.
Remember, no matter what the weather, Lake Sahoma’s indoor dock affords anglers a safe place to fish. And of course, both beautiful lakes are perfect for boating or kayaking.
Camping and RV sites are available for a fee, and the bait shop concessionaire posts his phone number on the door if bait, camping permits, or licenses are needed after hours. Only cash is accepted at the present time. Fishing permits may be purchased at City Hall or at the Sapulpa or Sand Springs Walmart stores.
A state fishing license, as well as a city fishing permit, is required for Sahoma and Pretty Water lakes. However, those 65 or older can fish at Lake Sahoma without buying a permit.
Traditional camping with no electricity costs $6 per day, and RV spots are $10 per day for seniors and $12 for the younger crowd. RV camping comes with water, electricity, and sewer.
Boaters are encouraged to have the following items on board: a life jacket, a throwable flotation device, a sound device, a fire extinguisher (for gasoline-powered boats), a first aid kit, two ropes, and, optimally, a VHF radio since cell phone coverage can be spotty on the water.
And as always, one should be aware of the weather and be cognizant of approaching storms and rapidly changing conditions. Having a portable weather-alert radio and or weather apps on mobile devices is a great way to stay safe when enjoying the outdoors in Oklahoma.
