Slappin’ the bass at Owyhee Reservoir: Get ready to rock ‘n’ roll with monster fish
In the three years since I befriended Strike King bass pro Nick Young, he’s taught me several valuable lessons. But one stands out above the rest: When you go fishing with Nick, be ready to rock and roll!
That was definitely the case on our most recent trip, a July evening jaunt on Owyhee Reservoir in eastern Oregon. With a shorter window to fish, Nick was antsy as we peeled out of the boat launch.
“No time to waste — it’s a big fish day,” Nick smiled. “I can feel it.”
Per Nick’s protocol, we made several quick stops until we found a good bite. Nick’s fishing partner, Kevin Tucker, boated our first fish at one stop. Nick picked one up at the next. The third stop was more productive. I started it by doubling up with Kevin and finished by catching a largemouth just shy of four pounds — my biggest bass of the season and the nicest fish of the day.
“We’re heating up, boys!” I predicted.
It was all just a prelude to the main event. With two hours left until sunset, we pulled up to Nick’s favorite spot — one he was sure would hold a few of Owyhee’s famed giant bass. As we arrived, a nearby boat was blasting ‘90s rock music.
“How long, how looooong will I slide?” The unmistakable sound of the Red Hot Chili Peppers echoed through Owyhee Canyon. Nick and I dragged Carolina-rigged soft plastics across the lake bottom, feeling for any hint of a bite.
“These big fish are recovering from spawning,” Nick explained. “They’re not going to chase down a meal, but if you present something easy, they’ll eat it.”
I felt the faintest thump and hooked into a nice bass. I quickly landed it, but before RHCP could finish “Otherside,” Nick was hooked up on the front of the boat, singing his favorite word: GIANT!
A huge bass leaped from the water, shaking her head and landing with a violent splash. But Nick’s hook held firm, and we soon had our hands on a six-pound Owyhee lunker.
“They’re here!” Nick announced. “Right where they should be.”
Nick and I switched to Strike King jigs — perfect lures for targeting big fish on bottom structure. Just then, the familiar sound of Chili Peppers bassist Flea thumped across the lake. The twangy guitar riff of “Around the World” had scarcely finished when Nick hammered another giant.
“There’s big, and there’s huge,” he said as his rod doubled over. “I think this one’s huge.”
A tail-thrashing jump confirmed his suspicion. I grabbed the net and scooped up one of the biggest bass I’ve seen in person — a seven-pound giant that would take the big fish prize at almost any tournament.
“Play another Chili Peppers song!” we yelled to our neighbors, only half-joking.
With the sunlight waning, we decided to make one last drift through our honey hole. I could feel every rock as my jig bounced along — until, suddenly, it moved sideways. Fish on!
It was another big bass. Not a giant like Nick’s, but a solid almost-four-pounder that pushed our boat’s five-fish limit to an obscene 25 pounds.
I hadn’t noticed it while I fought my fish, but as we admired the last bass of the night, another familiar verse floated across the water.
“Standing in line to see the show tonight and there’s a light on…”
Nick, Kevin and I could only laugh at how much these fish were digging RHCP. She swam off with a splash — a fitting end to an epic evening slapping the bass with Flea and the best bass guide around.
Catch giant bass with Nick Young
Whether you’re a novice or a diehard angler looking for a trophy bass, I highly recommend a guided trip with Nick Young. You’ll learn a lot, have fun and catch lots of fish — with a good shot at hooking the bass of a lifetime. To reserve a trip, call (541) 709-1542 or check out Nick Young Outdoors on Facebook.
Tight lines!
Jordan Rodriguez has been fishing Idaho waters since he was a teen. Share your fish stories, adventures, tips and tricks with him at tightlinesboise@gmail.com or visit www.tightlines208.com.
This story was originally published July 13, 2020 at 6:00 AM.