AZOD Recommended Guides: J.T.’s Guide Service

                Lake Pleasant is a lake that can give an angler fits at times.  There has long been great numbers of quality fish in this lake, but catching them seems to be becoming more and more of a challenge.  It is definitely your typical Western fishery, deep, crystal clear, and tough at times.  If you are one of the many frustrated anglers trying to get a grip on Pleasant, let me introduce you to Jerry Tate.

                Jerry has been fishing Arizona lakes since 1961.  He has spent countless hours on the water fishing for fun, guiding, and competing.  At the club level, he was one of the charter members of the popular family club, the Arizona Anglers, where he received numerous trophies, prizes, and winnings in the 60’s.  He left the club scene in the 70’s, but had similar success with the Arizona Bass Club in the 80’s.   His accomplishments in the “open” tournaments are very impressive as well.  In fact, at Pleasant alone, they include winning boats at the Wild West Tournament in 1997, and the USTFC Tournament in 2001, along with numerous other top finishes.

                Jerry made the decision to work as a full-time guide in 1996, when he developed J.T.’s Arizona Hunting and Fishing Guide Service.  This was a perfect way to share his vault of knowledge with his fellow anglers.  He is currently guiding on a daily basis at Pleasant.  No one has the hours on this lake that he does, nor the enormous collection of data he possesses.  Jerry has over 1000 photos, in his collection, of Pleasant at its lowest levels, which has become a great tool in locating fish.  He incorporates these photos in a system he calls “photo fishing”.  He initiated this system before the modern GPS systems were on the market and uses it still today.  With great note-taking and memory, Jerry can tell you where he was standing when taking each photo, along with what he was lining up.  These pictures allow him to promptly locate structure that bass are using as the water level rises.

                Jerry currently guides out of a twenty-foot Skeeter bass boat capable of taking three people at a time.  He offers full and half-day outings and is knowledgeable in most species.  He provides fishing equipment, if necessary, along with life jackets, snacks, water, and soft drinks.  You will need to bring your fishing license, your lunch, and your gear if you choose.  Confirmation of your outing is required three days in advance.

                Jerry puts on free fishing presentations at the Pleasant Harbor RV Recreational Center on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm.  These presentations are held in the fall, winter, and spring months.  They are free group presentations, but each car will have to pay the Harbor gate fee of $6.00.  Jerry also offers private teaching lessons by request, with appropriate fees.  Topics for the classes include: fishing electronics, techniques, seasonal patterns, line, rods, bait, and more.

                If a guide for Lake Pleasant is in your plans, Arizona Outdoorsman gives J.T.’s Guide Service our stamp of approval.  For more information call (928) 501-4879.      Kip Pollay (AZOD)