Bass Tackle for Utah
Largemouth, smallmouth, and the reservoirs they own.
Utah isn't the first state that comes to mind for bass fishing — and that's exactly what makes it good. Less pressure, eager fish, and diverse water from the warm shallows of Utah Lake to the clear depths of Deer Creek and Lake Powell.
The Setup
A 7-foot medium-heavy baitcasting rod is the do-it-all Utah bass stick. Pair it with a 7:1 gear ratio baitcaster spooled with 15-17 lb fluorocarbon. For spinning: a 7-foot medium rod with 8-10 lb fluoro covers finesse situations.
Lures
- Texas-rigged creature bait — the confidence rig. Pitch it into reeds at Utah Lake, drag it over points at Deer Creek. 3/0 wide-gap hook, 1/4 oz bullet weight. Green pumpkin or black/blue.
- Spinnerbait (3/8 oz, white/chartreuse) — slow-roll it along weed edges. The thump triggers reaction strikes.
- Drop shot — for suspended smallmouth at Deer Creek and Powell. 4-inch worm, 12-18 inches above the weight. Finesse at its deadliest.
- Topwater frog — hollow body, fished over matted vegetation at Utah Lake. Walk it, pause, repeat. The explosion is worth ten cast-and-retrieves.
Where to Go
Utah Lake: Shallow and stained — power fishing with spinnerbaits, frogs, and Texas rigs. Deer Creek: Clear and deep — smallmouth on drop shots and ned rigs. Lake Powell: Canyons and rock — both species, both techniques, and the trip of a lifetime.