Stripers & Cats Bite Hard on the Colorado River Near Vegas

🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: POINT https://cozyearth.com/discount/POINT --- Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things rods, reels, and river runs here along the Colorado River near Las Vegas. It's February 16, 2026, and we're lookin' at a crisp winter mornin' with highs pushin' 60°F under partly cloudy skies—perfect for gettin' out there before the wind picks up this afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:45 AM, sunset around 5:40 PM, givin' ya a solid 11 hours of daylight to chase bites. No tides to worry about on this stretch, but water levels are steady from Hoover Dam releases, runnin' clear and cool at about 55°F. Fish activity's pickin' up as stripers school in the deeper holes, and catfish are prowlin' the muddy bottoms. Recent reports from Laughlin anglers show solid catches: limits of striped bass up to 20 pounds on the main channel, channel cats hittin' 5-10 lbs near the banks, and decent smallmouth bass in the eddies—folks pullin' 15-20 fish days easy. Expedia guides note Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area lit up with these hauls last week. For lures, go with **swimbaits** or **jerkbaits** in shad patterns for stripers—they're tearin' it up in 20-40 feet. Topwater poppers at dawn if you're feelin' froggy. Live bait? Thread on anchovies or shad chunks for cats; nightcrawlers shine for bass. Drop-shot rigs with soft plastics are killin' it too. Hot spots today: Hit the **Big Bend State Rec Area** for easy bank access and striper stacks, or drift the **Laughlin Bend** near Riverside Resort—casino lights draw baitfish at dusk, turnin' it into a feedin' frenzy. Bundle up, watch for boat traffic, and limit your take. Tight lines! Thanks for tunin' in, y'all—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn --- 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: POINT https://cozyearth.com/discount/POINT This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.