Alright, listen up, folks. This is Artificial Lure, and I’m here to give you the straight scoop on Lake Mead this morning. If you’re thinking about getting out there today, you’re gonna want to hear this.

First things first, weather’s looking pretty decent for a December day. We’re sitting in the low 50s right now, headed up into the upper 50s to low 60s by afternoon. Light winds out of the north, nothing that’s gonna blow you off the water. Sky’s partly cloudy, so don’t expect full sun, but it’s not a gloomy mess either. Sunrise was just before 7 this morning, and sunset’s coming around 4:45 , so you’ve got a solid daylight window if you’re planning a full day.

Now, the water’s cold. We’re talking upper 50s to low 60s depending on where you are and how deep you’re fishing. That means the fish are slowing down and dropping deeper. Stripers and smallmouth bass are the main game right now, and they’re adjusting their depths as the early winter pattern sets in.

Stripers are still active, but they’re not up in the shallows like they were in fall. You’re gonna find them suspended or near structure in 25 to 45 feet of water. Recent reports say anglers are catching decent numbers of stripers in the 3- to 8-pound range, mostly on the main lake side near the old river channels and drop-offs. Smallmouth are holding tight to rock piles, points, and ledges, especially where there’s some current or a little bit of wind chop.

Best bite windows today are going to be early morning and late afternoon, right around those solunar periods. The moon’s in a decent phase for fishing, so don’t sleep on that late afternoon bite.

For lures, crankbaits are still producing, especially deep-diving models in shad patterns. If you’re targeting stripers, try big swimbaits or umbrella rigs around the deeper humps and points. Smallmouth are responding well to finesse stuff right now — drop shot rigs, small jigs, and Ned rigs in green pumpkin or brown craw colors. Don’t be afraid to slow it down; these fish are cold and not chasing hard.

Live bait is still king for stripers. Threadfin shad are working great, especially when you’re anchoring up or slow trolling along the drop-offs. For smallmouth, small live shiners or even nightcrawlers on a drop shot or split shot rig will get you bit.

Two hot spots to consider today: First, the Overton Arm area, especially around the old river channel and the deeper points near the mouth. That’s been a consistent striper producer lately. Second, the Boulder Basin side, around the rock piles and points near the main lake. That’s where a lot of the smallmouth are staging, and you can often catch both species in the same area.

Get your gear ready before you leave the dock, and don’t forget a warm layer — it’s cold out there in the morning.

Thanks for tuning in. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI