Fishing in SoCal

Best Fishing Time...

2009-08-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Best fishing will be found in the 3-4 days surrounding the New Moon

Best Fishin In Orange County

2009-07-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

WOW !!! PRICES HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS LOW !!

Starting this FRIDAY and continuing EACH FRIDAY through September

2009, the regular adult admission fee of $22.00 for Day or Night

fishing FRIDAY will be ONLY $9.95 with the "FISH DAY FRIDAY"

coupon and the limit is still 5 fish !!

PLUS, the 24-Hour regular adult admission fee of $60.00 will be

ONLY $29.95 ON FRIDAY EVENING and the limit will still be 15 fish

per paid admission. The Family Special will also be available with

the "FISH DAY FRIDAY" coupon.

You must print and present the "FISH DAY FRIDAY" coupons to

receive this special price and only one admission discount will

apply per person. No combined admission discounts.

UPDATE - Catfish Spawning Season is over so our catfish suppliers are beginning to stock larger catfish in the lakes !!

NOW HERE'S THE BIG NEWS
--------------As you all know times are a bit tough right now and we are going to do our part to help out with tight finances. So, here's the deal, from now until the Sunday of August 2nd, for every 24 hour paid admission, we have an either/or deal; either you can take $10.00 off the $60.00 gate admission or receive a free South Bend rod and reel combination absolutely FREE.

But that's not all, we are offering $10.00 off any boat or pontoon rental, for day fishing, night fishing or our 24 hour week end Family Special. That's $10.00 off the boat or pontoon rental. But here's the important point-----you must go to our website, fishinglakes.com and print the coupon-----to receive the discounts.

REMEMBER----------We have day fishing 6am to 4pm, night fishing, cool summer nights, 5pm to 11pm and 24 hour Family Special every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Santa Ana River Lakes and Friday and Saturday nights only at Corona Lake. Dad pays $60.00, he gets a 15 fish limit and Mom and up to 3 kids, 12 and under get in free. Mom and the kids can fish free and help Dad get his 15 fish limit. Remember, there is no charge for camping, that's free too. With the coupon from our website, fishinglakes.com, you can get a $10.00 discount or a free rod and reel on a 24 hour fishing session and $10.00 off any boat or pontoon rental.

DON'T MISS OUT ON ANY OF THESE DEALS----------------

BE THERE!

Santa Ana River Lakes

2008-06-06T23:12:00.000-07:00

"BIG NEWS"

FREE ICE CREAM FOR THE KIDS
DURING 24-HOUR FISHING FRI. & SAT. 6/13 & 14

24-Hour Fishing Every Weekend All Summer Long

PLUS
Family Special* Mom & 3 Kids up to 12 FISH FREE !!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The Big News"

Now here's the deal: We will be stocking thousands and thousands of pounds of beautiful silver colored channel catfish every week, THAT'S EVERY WEEK THROUGH OUT THE ENTIRE SUMMER SEASON.

Now here some hot tips about Summer Catfish Season: If it gets too hot for you during the day, remember, we have night fishing every day, starting at 5 pm until 11 pm, 7 days a week. Get off work, come on out and enjoy a cool summer evening fishing. Don't forget to bring the Wife and Kids and cook a hotdog or hamburger on an open fire or BAR B Q.

Now here's another hot tip: We have 24 hour fishing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, at Santa Ana River Lakes and every Friday and Saturday nights at Corona Lake. Dad pays $60.00, he gets a 15 fish limit and Mon and 3 Kids, 12 and under get in free. Mom and the Kids can fish free and help Dad get his 15 fish limit. Here's the best part, there is no charge for camping, and that's free too.

24 hour fishing begins at 5 pm, on weekends, and goes all night and ends the next day at 4 pm. Don't miss out on great fishing, fabulous summer camping and loads and loads of fun. BE THERE!!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Catfish season kicks off with a bang at Santa Ana River Lakes

Catfish action has really turned on after a big plant for the summer season opener at Santa Ana River Lakes this past week. Lots of limits for both catfish and trout were reported with a few trophy catches mixed in as well.

The lake will continue to receive catfish plants all summer long, so the catfish bite should stay very good. The last trout plant until this fall went in two weeks ago, and while the trout action will most likely remain good for another week or two, after that it will begin to taper off.

The catfish bite picked up immediately this week after the plants. Many limits have been reported and the best action has been on shrimp or chicken liver with Nitro Gravy.

Steve Nguyen, Anaheim, caught the top catfish of the week at 10-4 on shrimp while fishing near the boat dock. Tony Azlin, La Habra, caught two nice catfish at nine pounds and seven pounds on shrimp fishing the bubble hole. Ricky and Bonnie Henderson, Long Beach, teamed up to catch a stringer of catfish totaling 25 1/2 pounds while fishing Levitz' Corner using chicken liver with garlic gravy.

The trout action is still very good. Many limits are still showing a few big fish were reported as well. Orange or chartreuse Nitro Bait has been the hot ticket for trout. Anglers fishing deep water have been having the best success for the rainbows, and boat anglers are having a much easier time fishing the deep water and have been having the best success.

Anglers fishing from shore need to fish long leaders (four-foot range) with floating baits and make long casts into the deeper water for best results.
Top trout this week was an 11-pound rainbow caught by John Nguyen, Fullerton, on a jig in Levitz' Corner. Mario Ranuso, Atwood, caught a 10-pound trout on green Nitro Bait at La Palma Point. Man Tran, Anaheim, caught a 9-10 trout on shrimp at the sandy beach. Jaime Delariva, La Puente, caught an eight-pound rainbow on chartreuse Nitro Bait at the pump house.

Catfish plants will be weekly all summer, and trophy fish from eight to 15 pounds will a component of each week's plant. The average cat will be in the two-pound range.

Santa Ana River Lakes is open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on an evening pass. Each of these $20 passes has a five-fish limit. Starting this week, the lake will be open to 24-hour fishing each Thursday through Saturday. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $60. A spouse and up to three kids 12 and under can help dad catch his 15-fish limit on these passes. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call (714) 632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.

Heavy stringers of trout and catfish showing at Corona Lake

The catfish opener at Corona Lake kicked off with very good fishing. Not only was the catfish bite very good as expected after a big plant for the opener, but the trout bite stayed good, and some bass were reported as well. Add to this the fact that quite a few quality fish were caught, and you are looking at some of the best fish of the year.

The catfish bite is very good. Anglers have been using a variety of baits with good success. Mackerel, shrimp, and the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo have all been producing well for catfish.

Ryan Mitchell, Fontana, had the top fish and top stringer of the week. Mitchell's mixed stringer of both trout and catfish totaled 34 pounds and his top fish was an 8-8 catfish. He was fishing with mackerel and chartreuse Nitro Bait from boat. Chuck Yason and Ernie Tunson, both of Lake Elsinore, teamed up to catch a stringer of catfish totaling 19 pounds on shrimp. Yason's top fish was a four-pounder and Tunson's was a 6-8.

The trout bite remained good for anglers fishing deep water. Chartreuse and corn Nitro Baits with Nitro Grease have been the hot baits for the rainbows.
Howard Miyamota, Montebello, landed the top trout this week at 7-8 and was the best fish on his 12-pound stringer. Miyamoto was fishing with green and rainbow Nitro Bait from boat.

Some bass are showing for anglers targeting them. Skylor Danzy, Corona, caught a 6-0 bass while fishing near the boat dock.

Catfish will be planted weekly all summer long. This season each plant will have trophy cats from eight to 15 pounds, with an eight to nine pound average on the trophy fish. The average cat will be in the two to 2 1/2-pound range. In addition, carp and tilapia will be part of the loads at least every other week, and the lake has already been seeded with 1/2- to pound-sized tilapia that grew into the 2 1/2-pound range by late summer last year.

Corona Lake is open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on an evening pass. Each of these $20 passes has a five-fish limit. The popular 24-hour fishing passes are now offered every Friday and Saturday night. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $60. The family special, where mom and up to three kids 12 or under can help dad catch his limit, will apply on these all-night passes. For more Corona Lake fishing information, call (951) 277-4489 or log on at http://www.fishinglakes.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Summer 24-Hour Fishing Season (every weekend) begins at Santa Ana River Lakes on Thursday, May 22nd, and on Friday May 23rd at Corona Lake. And that weekend, you can fish Thursday, Friday, Saturday and or Sunday evening at SARL and Friday, Saturday and or Sunday at Corona Lake (because of the holiday) beginning at 5pm and ending at 4pm the following day.

Then every weekend thereafter during the summer catfish season, you will be able to fish 24-Hours on Thursday, Friday and or Saturday evening at Santa Ana River Lakes and Friday and or Saturday evening at Corona Lake.

The adult admission is $60 and the limit is increased from 5 fish up to 15 fish!! But even better, is that we have extended this special for the families. It works like this, dad pays the admission fee of $60 and mom and up to 3 kids 12 and under get in free and can help dad catch his 15 fish limit. (15 fish per paid admission)

Camping is FREE there is no extra charge so bring the RV, the tent and the sleeping bags. Bring a BBQ, crack a cold one, light a campfire next to the lake cookout under the stars and catch catfish all night long. What could be better? This is a great deal for $60. Where can you take the family for less and to top it off, catch and take home $180 dollars worth of catfish.

Live catfish is $4 per pound or more in the food markets. Figure you catch 15 catfish, averaging 3 pounds each and you have 45 pounds of fish. 45 lbs. x $4 per pound = $180.00 !! This is like fishing and camping for FREE and being paid an extra $120.00 worth of fish on top of it all.

Like we said, THIS IS A GREAT DEAL !! And it is a lot of fun for so little money. So make plans this summer to bring the family do some FREE fishing and camping and get paid for doing it by catching you 15 fish limit.

Also, make sure you are subscribed to our "BIG NEWS" e-mail list because not only will you get insider information on special tournaments, special stockings and bonus plants, but we will be sending you big discount coupons this summer and giving away great free items and more.

Click here to subscribe. And make sure your friends are signed up too. It's free and you can un-subscribe anytime.

For More Info: http://www.fishinglakes.com

Fishing In SoCal: http://www.fishinginsocal.com

Catching Trout In Spring

2008-03-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Catching Trout In Spring

By Trevor Kugler

Catching trout in the spring can be a fairly difficult thing to do, especially in river and streams. Catching trout in lakes is pretty much the same at all times of year, but in rivers and streams it can be a bit more difficult. The high water that spring and early summer bring can make catching trout difficult. There are a few things to keep in mind that will make your trout fishing more successful during the spring and early summer.

1) Use A Longer Rod -

When the water is running higher than normal, using a longer fishing rod can make a ton of difference. Using a longer rod enables you to control your bait better and makes it easier to keep you bait near the bottom. When river and stream fishing, I like to bounce my live bait (usually a worm) off the bottom as is flows naturally with the current.

In high water keeping my offering on or near the bottom becomes very difficult. With the help of a longer rod, it's much easier to keep my offering where it needs to be. I personally use a five foot ultra light rod normally, but in high water situations I use a six foot six ultra light rod. Using a longer rod in high water situations makes all the difference in the world.

2) Present Your Bait Naturally -

It is very important to present you bait naturally. For example, a worm should look like a worm, not like a "worm ball". The best way to accomplish this is through the use of gang hooks. A set of gang hooks is simply a pair of small hooks tired in tandem. This enables you to present a worm (and other live bait) in a completely natural manner. This will result in more trout, especially in the spring.

3) Eggs Work Best In Spring -

If you plan on using or like to use salmon eggs for bait, the spring is a great time. Many fish spawn in the spring, and this means that trout eat other fishes eggs and thus it's the best time to use eggs as bait. A set of pre-tied gang hooks is also a great way to present eggs. By using gang hooks you're able to present double the bait! Presentation is the key.

4) In Muddy Water Use Brighter Colors -

When the waters muddy, brighter colored lures will normally perform better. This is the time of year to use your whites, fluorescents, and chartreuse colors when it comes to your lures. Muddy water makes it more difficult for the trout to see the offering, so since brighter colors stand out more, they are generally more effective.

These Tips & Techniques will help you catch more trout in the spring, especially while river and stream fishing. As far as lakes go, the techniques you normally use should still work. Spring is the best time to use salmon eggs as bait in lakes as well, and don't forget about the gang hooks. Gang hooks work great on bottom rigs for salmon eggs and Powerbait as well.

Trevor Kugler
Co-founder of JRWfishing.com
Trevor has more than 20 years of fishing experience and currently raises his 3-year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country......Montana.

http://www.jrwfishing.com - Get Everything You Need For Trout Fishing!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler
http://EzineArticles.com/?Catching-Trout-In-Spring&id=549456

Fishing In SoCal

Gotta See Fishing Videos

2008-01-19T23:12:00.000-08:00

If you are tryin to figure out where the heck to go fishing...
check out these videos. Lots of places to fish. Salt and fresh.
You see the fish these guys caught and they tell ya right where they caught em.

Have fun. Be safe. They're bitin HERE

Pat

Hot Fishin In SoCal

2007-11-10T13:37:00.000-08:00

Hot Fishin In SoCal

San Luis Obispo, Kern, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties

Big Rock Creek
Big Tijunga Creek
Boquet Cyn. Creek
Little Rock Creek
Kern River
Ventura River
Piru Creek - Frenchman's Flat
San Gabriel River

San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange Counties

Cleghorn Creek
Colorado River-Needles
Fuller-Mill Creek
Lytle Creek
Mill Creek
Santa Ana River
San Jacinto Creek, North Fork
Santa Margarita River
Trabuco Creek

San Diego and Imperial Counties

All American Canal
San Luis Rey Creek

Fishin In SoCal

Santa Ana River Lakes

2007-11-09T18:52:00.000-08:00

Mike's bait was a white Nitro Trout Crawler, covered with Chartreuse Nitro Grease, a truly winning combination.

The best action has been on Nitro and Lip Ripperz plastic trout worms smeared with Nitro Grease. Top colors are nightcrawler, orange, white, and chartreuse. Power Bait and Nitro Bait have been the top floating dough baits, especially when Nitro Grease or Gravy is added to add scent. Top dough bait colors have been chartreuse, rainbows, bumble bee, lemon lime, and white.

Trout have been showing all around Chris' Pond, especially at the inlet and outlet. The big lake has been best at Levitz' Corner, the bubble hole, near the boat dock, the sandy beach, and La Palma Point.

A catfish plant this past week and warm weather has also improved the catfish action, and some hefty stringers were reported. Jim Barnett, Palos Verdes, landed nine cats that weighed 17 pounds total off the sandy beach fishing mackerel. His biggest cat was a 3.2-pounder. Zac Cargill, Anaheim, had a 4.5-pounder, while Nate Holt, Los Angeles, landed a 6 1/2-pound cat. There were also a few bass and crappie caught in the Catfish Lake this week.

Fishing In SoCal

Another Top Place For Trophy Bass

2007-09-12T21:57:00.000-07:00

Big Bass In SoCal

2007-06-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

One of the more popular types of bass fishing enjoyed by anglers is that of largemouth bass fishing. Although it can be fished all year round, the best crops are caught during spring, when the largemouth bass is at its largest. Indeed, at certain areas such as Silverwood Lake in Southern California, this is the average size for catches.

Due to this, if you are fishing largemouth bass at Silverwood Lake using a powerboat, it is a good idea to keep the motor running at a very low level, if running it at all. Also, by keeping the rig at a distance while casting your line, you will be able to cast amongst a far better shoal of largemouth than if you were directly above them. Some of the best bait to use is prop bait, surface lures and crank bait, especially on calmer waters. If you are fishing for male largemouth bass, the crank bait and the prop bait is the better option, while for females, it would be better to use night crawlers, live bait or slip sinker rigs.

Article conclusion HERE

Fishing in SoCal

Huge Squids visit SoCal Waters

2007-06-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

Giant squid over five feet in length have been washing up on SoCals San Pedro beach.
Fishermen proceed hooking the giant cephalopods in the waters off Santa Catalina Island.

See a slideshow HERE.

Fishing in SoCal

LAKE SABRINA: (Bishop, Calif.).

2007-05-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

The lake received 74 Alpers ranging in size from 4-8 pounds, courtesy of Southern California Edison last week and a Department of Fish and Game stocking.

Fishing has been most productive in the back part of the lake. Trolling the shoreline with lures with a bit of red on them brought in quite a few limits. Try the Red and Gold Thomas Buoyant, SuperDupers, Mepps and the Panther Martin. And the inlet is doing well with worms, salmon eggs and orange Powerbait.

A few big fish were caught last week, most were caught on Powerbait.

The lake is ice-free and is rising slowly. The temperatures have been in the high 60s to low 70s in the daytime and in high 40s for the low.

Remember your sunscreen, bug repellent, chains, warm clothes and gloves.

Feeling unlucky? Remember to wash your hands after putting on your sunscreen or bug repellent. The fish can smell and taste it, and it doesn't taste any better to them than it does to you.

Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, (760) 873-7425

Fishing In SoCal

Need Readers?

2007-05-25T00:16:00.000-07:00

Get more eyeballs on your blog.

Technorati Profile

Golden Trout

2007-05-25T00:04:00.000-07:00

Very Interesting...I wanna go

2007-05-24T23:32:00.000-07:00

Roberts finds gold... golden trout, that is

By: ERNIE COWAN - For the North County Times

Don Roberts was looking for gold.

As we crawled over refrigerator-sized boulders at the edge of Pine Creek, you could see the gleam in his eyes. Roberts is a High Sierra hunting and fly fishing guide, and the gold he was seeking was not shiny nuggets but colorful golden trout prized by many anglers.

Native goldens are typically found only at elevations above 10,000 feet in the icy lakes and streams tucked into granite canyons reached only by foot or horseback. But Roberts knows the waters of the High Sierra like a prospector knows the rocks that hold the riches he seeks.

As part of an Outdoor Writers Conference, I had a chance to spend a day fishing with him and learning his interesting story. I knew we didn't have a lot of time to fish, and was surprised when he said we were going for gold in Pine Creek, north of Bishop.

"Yes, I realize that most golden trout are found up high, but there are some at the 8,000-foot level of Pine Creek," he said.

A call to the California Department of Fish and Game in Bishop confirmed that golden trout do wash down creek from the upper Pine Lakes in the John Muir Wilderness.

Roberts said the fly fishing in Pine Creek is challenging because the water is swift, the banks are steep and dotted with boulders and the brush is thick and hungry for fishing line. But he knows these waters well and has an almost intimate relationship with the fish.

"There's a nice golden right in that pool that I've caught at least a dozen times," he said.

His teaching was right on and his skill as a guide really demonstrated the importance of knowing the terrain. In the few hours we shared, our group all landed golden trout. The first one I caught surprised me. I thought I had snagged in the rocks until he continued to fight. I could hear my wife yelling with glee as she landed another one from a small pool on the far side of the creek. With the help of our guide, the short fishing trip introduced us to some new fishing country, some great fishing and a new friend.

Roberts was raised in Southern California, but headed to the Sierra in the early 1980s at age 19 to work on the ski slopes of Mammoth Mountain.

"After three years of shoveling snow, I woke up one morning and decided I didn't want to do that anymore, so I moved to Bishop," he said.

His love of the High Sierra was spawned by frequent camping trips with his dad. He still has vivid memories of catching trout at age 5. That introduction to the high country was reinforced when he was old enough and began backpacking, skiing, hunting and fishing on his own, which led him into guiding.

Roberts earns his living as a roofer, but his guiding business is growing.

In addition to fly fishing, he guides for big game and wildlife photography. While his sons were growing up, he served as a scoutmaster in Bishop and hoped to pass on his love of the Sierra by requiring that all Eagle Scout applicants complete a six-day, 50-mile hike in the wilderness.

"Some hated it while they were doing it, but I've had them come back later and thank me for the things they learned," Roberts said.

Trout fishing is his passion, and he especially loves the scrappy brook trout, which he has adopted for his company logo. He is also passionate about sharing his love of the Sierra with others, and despite his rugged and fit physique, quick smile and eager way of attacking the outdoors, his spirit is deeply affected by the massive mountains.

As we walked the edges of Pine Creek, deep in a canyon shadowed by granite walls more than 2,000 feet high, he paused to comment.

"I'm humbled by this place, and it's nice to be humbled once in awhile," he said softly.

You could see why. The new spring green leaves danced on the aspens as a gentle breeze drifted up the canyon, and on the vertical cliff above us a herd of bighorn sheep provided a spectacular show as they climbed, jumped, grazed and basked in the warm spring sunshine.

Roberts guides in both Inyo and Mono Counties and can be reached at (760) 873-7678.

-- Ernie Cowan is the outdoor writer for the North County Times. If you have an outdoor story of interest, call (760) 518-8050, or e-mail to ernie@packtrain.com.

Fishing in SoCal

Bass fishing made easy

2007-05-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

Catching shad and using it for bait at Lake Casitas usually results in a successful day.

By DAVE STREGE

The big bass swam out of some murky water, eyeing a threadfin shad
like an hors d'oeuvre on a tray. After a moment of stalking, it finally
decided to devour the tasty tidbit, opening its largemouth wide and sucking it in.
Marc Mitrany, a local fishing guide known as the Ojai Angler, set the hook.

"This is a big one," he said, as he started maneuvering the bass boat with his
foot on the pedal of the electric trolling motor. "I'm trying to guide it into deep water now."
Successfully steering the bass away from any obstructions, Mitrany grabbed the net while holding on to the fishing rod with his other hand.

The bass made a couple of strong runs, but eventually Mitrany got it into the net.
"That's the fish we wanted," he said, lifting the beast into the boat.
It seemed so easy. Then again, it usually is this time of year.

This is when the threadfin shad come out of the depths at Lake Casitas and can be
caught using dip nets near the surface.

This is the time some anglers live for, catching shad and using them to catch bass —
lots of bass and big bass, too, like the estimated 8-pounder Mitrany landed.
Bass-fishing purists who adhere to using only artificial lures and baits might turn up
a nose at the technique, but nobody can deny its success.

"When the shad are up, it's a gimme on the bass and crappie," Lake Casitas marina manager Randy King said. Mitrany is one of the few guides at Casitas that specializes in the use of live shad. He said they come up to spawn every April and are around for about three months before disappearing.

"It's exciting," he said. "It's a different and unique way of fishing in Southern California.
The most important thing is, it's effective. It gets results. If it doesn't actually get you a fish,
you have a chance. By golly the chance is there."
Last Thursday afternoon, Mitrany demonstrated the ease of catching bass with shad in just a few hours. Besides the 8-pounder, he also caught a 3 1/2-pounder along with several smaller ones.

Some days are better than others, like the day a few weeks ago when Mitrany found non-stop action on bass all day long for his clients. Odds are, you'll always catch fish.
What makes this type of fishing so exciting is actually watching the bass devour the bait.
If you're lucky, you'll find a "wolf pack," a group of 10-pound-plus bass ambushing bait.
"That's what I try to find," Mitrany said. "It's hard to find, but they're find-able."
Of course, you must first find bait.

"You got to go hunt for it," Mitrany said. "They're fish and they move…They're not always going to be in the same spot."
The key is starting as soon as the lake opens at 5:30 a.m. when the water is calm.
Mitrany looks for birds feeding on the surface or fish crashing the surface, chasing bait. Once he locates the bait, he is careful to move slowly and have his clients sit very still.

"You've got to be real stealthy and crafty to get this stuff," Mitrany said. "It takes a lot of practice."
With as little movement as possible, Mitrany dips the net below the shad and sweeps upward, hopefully with a net full of shad. He stores them in a livewell, which will keep them alive all day.
"It takes a long time to get really good at it," he said. "You got to kind of know the bait's movements and motions."

That's the hard part. The easy part is catching bass.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7809 or dstrege@ocregister.com

The Fish Are Really Bitin.

2007-05-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

Top offering for trouters continues to be the Gulp!

Trout Dough, either alone or with a half-nightcrawler. A Power Mouse constructed with a Gulp! Salmon Egg is also productive.

The rising water story at Irvine Lake was eclipsed by the best trout action of the year for both quantity and quality. The phenomenal action included the two largest trout of the year to date. Dozens of trout in the 5- to 8-lb. class were checked in, with a few specimens from 8 to more than 15 lbs.

Access to the west shore road for shore fishing is now blocked by flooding just beyond the rental boat dock, but the influx of water has spread the fish all around the lake. The Kids Lagoon is still closed.

The rising water finally covered the pipe at Sierra Cove, allowing lake management to move the restriction buoys to within 50 ft. of the water that has been rushing in for more than a month. With the fish stacked up like cordwood, the action has been fast and furious.

Catfish action is very good for smaller-grade whiskerfish in the 2- to 3-lb. range. Crappie are biting well near the fenceline back in the flats for anglers offering white mini-jigs with a mealworm trailer. Largemouth bass from 2 to 4 lbs. are biting for anglers who are keeping relatively quiet regarding specifics.

Trollers are finding that more natural-colored CD3 and CD5 Rapalas are best, with brown trout and brook trout colors earning the nod. Sierra Cove, Trout Island and the west shore are the best for trout fishing.

More fishing news:
Fishing In SoCal

Six huge sturgeon landed over past two weeks at Santa Ana River Lakes.

2007-04-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

The huge sturgeon planted in Santa Ana River Lakes two weeks ago are getting accustomed to lake and really starting to test anglers' skills. Only six of the huge fish -- estimated to weigh from 50 to 150 pounds when planted -- have been landed.

"They're starting to get acclimated, and they're really running on people," said Brad Hutchison, at the SARL tackle shop. "We're had six landed so far, but a lot more people are breaking them off now -- even on 40-pound test. The fish are staying kind of shallow -- six or seven feet -- and people can see them and they're saying they can see two or three lines where they've been hooked and lost."

The big bottom feeders are being hooked on shrimp, nightcrawlers, mackerel, and even the floating trout dough baits. While those are usually short-lived battles, trout anglers who hook the big sturgeon while casting for trout have watched the big fish peel line off the reel in long runs that span the lake. They are also apparently moving freely between the big lake and Chris' Pond, having been hooked in both places. Anglers are reminded that if they hook and land on of these bruisers, they are catch-and-release only -- but there is a reward for the catch.

The $200-value prize package includes two free gate passes ($40 value), a free pontoon boat rental ($85 value), and a top-quality Eagle Claw fishing combo that includes a graphite catfish rod, multi-ball bearing spinning reel, and spool of Lazer line ($75 value). While the sturgeon continue to get all the press and hype, it's the rainbow trout action that continues to draw the crowds to Santa Ana, and the catfish bite has been improving steadily each week.

"There have been lots of limits with some pretty impressive stringers of fish," said Jim Davis, lake manager. Davis said the best bet for trout anglers has been to troll the middle of the lake with Rapalas or Kastmasters, while shore anglers are fishing in deep water with inflated nightcrawlers or one of the floating baits fished on an 18-inch leader. The catfish have been best in the Bubble Hole with the marshmallow-meal worm combo or shrimp.

In all, at least 14 rainbows over 10 pounds were reported at the tackle shop. The big fish was a 15 1/2-pounder caught by Dennis Matsunami, Whittier, on a Nitro Worm at the pipes. There were six other trout in the 13-pound class, including a 13.7-pounder caught by Bob Marshal, Torrance, and a 13 1/2-pound trout landed by Tom Brighten, Norwalk.

Trout at 13-even were caught by Al Thomas, Cerritos, Sean Diaz, Alhambra, Ryan Fugit, Walnut, and Arturo Velazquez, West Covina. One of the top limits was reported by T.J. Young, Carson. He had five trout that weighed 54 1/2 pounds, including a 12 1/2-pounder. All were taken on yellow mini jigs off the Sandy Beach. Top catfish was a 6 1/2-pounder landed by Alex Rodriguez, Paramount, on a nightcrawler near the docks.

Santa Ana River Lakes is open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on an evening pass. Each of these $20 passes has a five-fish limit. The lake's 24-hour passes will be available one weekend a month on the Friday and Saturday night nearest the full moon. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $45. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call (714) 632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.

Corona LakeSturgeon also making a showing at Corona Lake The huge sturgeon also planted at Corona Lake are also being hooked -- and a few landed -- by anglers. Since the fish were planted two weeks ago, four of the 50 to 150-pound fish have been landed with the biggest fish estimated to weigh 90 pounds. The trout and catfish action have also been pretty good. In all, six trout over 10 pounds were landed and there were two whopped catfish caught. The big catfish was a 28-pounded landed by lake-regular Donnie Ballew, Moreno Valley, while fishing with mackerel from a boat.

Alvis Andrews, Cerritos, caught an 18-pound catfish, also while fishing mackerel from a boat. The top trout was a 16-pound rainbow landed by Randy Carrasco, Pomona, on chartreuse Nitro Bait near the dam, while Tristan Gilespe, Baldwin Park, had a 15 3/4-pounder. Bart Payton, Rialto, landed a 14-pound rainbow, and a 13-pounder was caught by Karren Williams, Hemet. Corona Lake is open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on an evening pass.

Each of these $20 passes has a five-fish limit. The lake's 24-hour passes are available one weekend a month, usually on the Friday and Saturday night nearest the full moon. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $45.

Fishin In SoCal

Huge trout on tap for Sierra opener event at the Santa Ana River Lakes

2007-04-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

The facts are simple:

There will be more trout over 10 pounds caught at Santa Ana River Lakes this coming weekend than all of the Sierra Nevada for the opening of trout season. If it's about catching fish for you, save all that gas money, the motel and camping hassles, and avoid the cold nights and come to the Sierra Trout Opener event at SARL.

The lakes' complex will be stocked with huge Mt. Lassen Trout Farm's rainbow trout over 20 pounds, lots of pan-sized rainbows, the beautiful Lightning Trout, and pink-meated Donaldson-strain steelhead. And don't forget there's also a chance to hook a sturgeon over 100 pounds. Last year, there were 21 trout over 10 pounds weighed in, including a 22 3/4-pounder.

Do you really want to make that long drive up Highway 395? The trout action is just now turning back on at Santa Ana River Lakes after a rain-caused lull this past week. With the warmer weather, the fish are congregating in deeper water. Shore anglers need to make long casts to get further out in the lake, and the hot spots have been the Bubble Hole, the Sandy Beach, and Chris' Pond. Boat anglers are having an easier time getting limits of fish with most still fishing in the deep water off the Bubble Hole or trolling with Rapalas, Roostertails or Thomas Bouyants in the same area.

Even with just fair action this past week, there were nine rainbows over the 10-pound mark caught. the biggest was a 14.4-pounder caught by Hank Brady, Anaheim, to top off a three-fish stringer that weighed in at 27 1/2 pounds landed at three pipes on nightcrawlers. James Guibault, Garden Grove, had a 14-pound rainbow on a jig at the net in Chris' Pond. Mike Lopez, Paramount, caught a 12 1/2-pound rainbow, also on a jig in Chris' Pond, and Keith Jung, Stanton, topped off his three-fish, 20-pound stringer with a 12-pounder caught on floating bait at the spillway.

The huge sturgeon planted last month have become almost uncatchable -- not unhookable, but unlandable. Anglers are seeing and hooking the fish daily at the lakes, but one hasn't been landed in over a week. The fish range from 50 to 150 pounds. The big bottom feeders are being hooked on shrimp, nightcrawlers, mackerel, and even the floating trout dough baits. The problem is that they make long runs and roll up on the line and break off.

Anglers are reminded that if they hook and land on of these bruisers, they are catch-and-release only -- but there is a reward for the catch. The $200-value prize package includes two free gate passes ($40 value), a free pontoon boat rental ($85 value), and a top-quality Eagle Claw fishing combo that includes a graphite catfish rod, multi-ball bearing spinning reel, and spool of Lazer line ($75 value).

Santa Ana River Lakes is open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on an evening pass. Each of these $20 passes has a five-fish limit. The lake's 24-hour passes will be available one weekend a month on the Friday and Saturday night nearest the full moon. -- and that also just happens to fall this Sierra Trout Opener weekend. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $45.

For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call (714) 632-7830 or log on at http://www.fishinglakes.com/Corona Lake getting huge stocking of trophy trout, steelhead, Lightning Trout Is Corona Lake a better destination than the Sierra Nevada for this weekend's trout opener? Here are some facts to help you make a decision: In the past week, there were 11 rainbow trout over the 10-pound mark caught at Corona Lake, and the Riverside County water will be planted with a huge load of regular catchable Mt. Lassen Trout Farms rainbow trout, a bonus plant of its trophy rainbows with some fish over 20 pounds, Donaldson-strain steelhead trout, and the colorful Lightning Trout, fish that rival the Golden Trout for beauty.

Your call. The big rainbow this week was a 15-pounder caught by Roger Clay, Corona, fishing chartreuse Nitro Bait at the dam. Brian Blevens, Riverside, caught a 13-pound rainbow, also on chartreuse Nitro Bait from the back side of the lake, while Bob Carpenter, Hemet, landed a 12-pound rainbow on a nightcrawler from shore. David Neder, Duarte, also caught a 12-pounder from a boat with chartreuse Nitro Bait.

While no one landed a sturgeon this past week, the 50 to 150-pound fish continue to be hooked and lost by anglers on both trout and catfish baits. The catfish bite is really starting to turn on with the warming weather. The big catfish this week was a 22 1/2-pounder caught by Bud Wolford, Norco, on mackerel in the trees. Corona Lake is open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on an evening pass.

Each of these $20 passes has a five-fish limit. The lake's 24-hour passes are available one weekend a month, usually on the Friday and Saturday night nearest the full moon. That just happens to be this weekend during the big trout opener event. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $45. For more Corona Lake fishing information, call (951) 277-4489 or log on at http://www.fishinglakes.com/bignews.htmCorona Rec.4060 E La Palma AveAnaheim, CA 92807

Fishing In SoCal

Great fishing tips.No matter where you fish.

2007-04-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

Here are more great fishing tips.No matter where you fish.

When cleaning fish, cut the stomach open and see what the fish has been eating. This will give you a good idea what type of bait to use next time.

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Before going fishing, be sure to thoroughly check all of your equipment, especially the line and drag. If the line is old or has frays or nicks, change it. If your drag is sticky, clean or change the washers. If you happen to hook something big, you'll be glad you did.

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Closely inspect the guides on your fishing rods from time to time. If there are any cracks in the silicon carbide or aluminum oxide rings, or grooves in the metal rings, have them replaced immediatley. These little rough spots can cut your line causing you to lose that world record fish you just hooked.

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If you find yourself breaking off a lot you might want to examine the rod you are using. Most of the time it is either that your line is frayed from the previous fish or that your knot if just faulty. But there is always something that most anglers overlook-----

the eyes on the rod. Many times the eyes have cracks and nicks, therefore causing cuts and frays on your line. An easy way to check for these problems is to take a Q-tip (cotton swab) and run it in the eye, twirling it around and pulling it out. If any cotton sticks on the eye that means you have a crack and the eye must be replaced. Make sure the eye is dry and clean before doing this though. Make sure to check em all.

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Keep some Super Glue and some nylon thread in your tackle box. If something should happen to your equipment while fishing, you can use these things for a "quick fix" to hold it together for the rest of the day.

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More:Fishing in SoCal

Fishing Tips

2007-04-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

Fishing In SoCal

2007-04-13T19:43:00.000-07:00

Fountain 31TE vs. Glacier Bay 26CC

I live in southern California and regularly fish 90 to 100 miles offshore may times in rough conditions. My concerns are ride, fishability, up keep and mileage. The fountain is cheaper than the Glacier Bay but cost is not my main ...

The Hull Truth - The Boating Forum - http://www.thehulltruth.com

Making Quite A Catch

2007-04-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

The year 2007 marks the 75th anniversary of fishing's most hollowed record catch - George Perry's 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass caught four hours north of Gainesville from Georgia's Lake Montgomery in 1932.

Last year, we saw the record come close to falling at a tiny lake in southern California. And we welcomed the discovery of photographic evidence that seems ...
Read more HERE

Fishing In SoCal [Home]

Trophy Bass Fishing in Southern California at Lake Casitas

2007-03-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Many anglers have a favorite type of fish to hunt for, and this is no different for bass fishing.
One of the favorite types of bass for anglers is the trophy bass. The reason for this is that both cold water and warm water trophy bass are often found in the same stretch of water, especially when it comes to reservoirs and dams.

Indeed, in the late 'seventies, this happened at the White River in Arkansas. Located near a dam, the water had a high flow rate, and resulted in the two separate water trophy bass coming together, leading to an excellent day's fishing.

Another top place for trophy bass fishing is in Southern California, at Lake Casitas. Here, you can either fish yourself if you're a seasoned angler, or a dedicated guide can also lead you to areas bursting with trophy bass, where a single catch can bring in up to twenty five fish, with an individual weight of around 20lbs each. However, be prepared for a fight - trophy bass will not give up the sanctuary of their surroundings without a struggle, and have been known to lead anglers on a merry chase for up to two hours.

For the best chance of catching these fish, seek out low water levels during the summer, during the early part of the afternoon. Although any time that the weather is pleasant and dry is just as good a time to fish for trophy bass. The months of June and July are two of the most popular months for trophy bass fishing, especially in California where the waters reach a low level.

Since trophy bass tend to gather around water holes, a good way of attracting them to your line is to throw bait onto the surface near the holes themselves. Combine this by using a dropper rig with either seven or ten bell sinkers should give you an even greater chance of success. If you're fishing in Southern California for larger trophy bass, then it's advisable to use not one but two large crawlers.

Monofilaments are also good in shallow water areas. Comprising of a single strand of organic fiber that untwists easily, it's popular and effective bait.

When fishing for trophy bass at Lake Casitas, using a compared rig with live bait is usually a good method. This is fairly straightforward to prepare: firstly,

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Fishing in SoCal

Tips For Bass Fishing Irvine Lake in Southern California

2007-03-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

Irvine Lake in Southern California is a popular private owned lake which means no fishing license is required. Irvine Lake has over 750 acres of fishing and camping area and has plenty of weedy areas and grassy fishing holes. This is an excellent large lake for bass fishing but bass are catch and release only at this lake. Below are a few tips for successful fishing in the grassy and weedy waters of Irvine Lake.

One of the more enjoyable aspects of fishing is the social friendliness it brings, and this is especially true of bass fishing. Around Irvine Lake in Southern California, anglers get together on an annual basis to fish for bass, concentrating on weedier areas and grass flats. The reason that bass fishing in weedy waters is so popular is that the weeds are a good supply of oxygen, and this an excellent breeding ground.

Should you be fishing for bass in more weedy and shallower waters, you will find that there are more productive areas than others. This is because bass like to hide their food, or prepare to hunt. Another reason is that bass are not keen on direct sunlight, so the weeds tend to shade them more from the heat of the sun. Therefore, fishing for bass in grassy areas will usually produce more productive and successful catches.

Yet it's not just surface weeds that you should be looking for when bass fishing. If you find an area that has lilies floating on the water, this is usually a good sign that there are underwater weeds too. The advantage offered for catches here cannot be underestimated - with bass disliking sunlight so much, they will tend to gather around any areas that offer shade and protection, and this is where the sprouts that underwater weeds offer become so attractive to bass.

Try dropping a line in an area near lilies to see the results for yourself.

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Bass Fishing

Striped Bass Fishing in Southern California at Lake Castaic

2007-03-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

Largemouth Bass Fishing in Southern California at Silverwood Lake

2007-03-11T17:49:00.000-07:00

One of the more popular types of bass fishing enjoyed by anglers is that of largemouth bass fishing. Although it can be fished all year round, the best crops are caught during spring, when the largemouth bass is at its largest. Indeed, at certain areas such as Silverwood Lake in Southern California, this is the average size for catches.

Due to this, if you are fishing largemouth bass at Silverwood Lake using a powerboat, it is a good idea to keep the motor running at a very low level, if running it at all. Also, by keeping the rig at a distance while casting your line, you will be able to cast amongst a far better shoal of largemouth than if you were directly above them.

Some of the best bait to use is prop bait, surface lures and crank bait, especially on calmer waters. If you are fishing for male largemouth bass, the crank bait and the prop bait is the better option, while for females, it would be better to use night crawlers, live bait or slip sinker rigs.

See article conclusion here:

Fishing in Southern California

Striped Bass Fishing in Southern California at Lake Castaic

2007-03-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

When it comes to fishing, many anglers prefer a challenge to an easy catch. For this reason, striped bass fishing is becoming more popular in the angling fraternity. This is due to the fast speeds that striped bass can reach when swimming, and they are also extremely powerful.

They are also popular due to them being located in a variety of waters, from lakes to rivers. Lake Castaic in Southern California is known as a particularly good spot for striped bass fishing. They are easily identifiable, with silver sides and patches easily visible around the mouth area.

During the spawning season of the striped bass, these fish will migrate into freshwater areas, as well as clearer waters and lakes. They are an extremely predatory fish, and will feed on anything from other fish to crustaceans and insects. Since these fish feed more during the early hours of the morning and evenings, this is the best time for striped bass fishing.

Since they swim in groups, the chances of a good catch are excellent. And with the largest of these freshwater types of striped bass weighing just under 60lbs, it can make for an impressive catch indeed. Lake Castaic in Southern California is known for producing quite large striped bass and it is a commonly fished species here.

However, it's not just restricted to freshwater areas when it comes to the impressive sizes these fish can grow to. They can also be fished for at sea, and the largest recorded weight of a striped bass is a whopping 125lbs! There doesn't seem to be a particular area for large catches, either.

Although Lake Castaic in Southern California is one of the most popular breeding grounds for the striped bass, they have also produced 3 out of 5 of the records set for largemouth bass. So it's a good lake to fish, as it does not seem to prefer any one given area to another. The fish will even swim into fairly shallow waters when there are no boats around and the sun is not too glaring.

Since the freshwater types of striped bass tend to swim around areas that have rocks, ridges and valleys as hunting and breeding grounds, the lure and baits required for striped bass fishing on clear and calm waters can vary. By using a combination of cable wire, buck tail jigs, curly tail trailers and spreader rigs, the chances of a good catch are improved.

This is especially true on the likes of Lake Castaic in Southern California, since the striped bass can swim up to depths of twelve feet. If you do partake in striped bass fishing on this particular lake, the more seasoned angler recommends using bait such as bean troll jigs, balloons and plugs. Follow these tips from the professional themselves, and you should have many an enjoyable fishing trip for striped bass.

Fishing in SoCal

California Fishing Reports Article

2007-02-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

California Fishing Reports Article
Trophy Bass Fishing in Southern California at Lake CasitasMany anglers have a favorite type of fish to hunt for, and this is no different for bass fishing. One of the favorite types of bass for anglers is the trophy bass. The reason for this is that both cold water and warm water trophy bass are often found in the same stretch of water, especially when it comes to reservoirs and dams. Indeed, in the late 'seventies, this happened at the White River in Arkansas. Located near a dam, the water had a high flow rate, and resulted in the two separate water trophy bass coming together, leading to an excellent day's fishing.
Another top place for trophy bass fishing is in Southern California, at Lake Casitas. Here, you can either fish yourself if you're a seasoned angler, or a dedicated guide can also lead you to areas bursting with trophy bass, where a single catch can bring in up to twenty five fish, with an individual weight of around 20lbs each. However, be prepared for a fight - trophy bass will not give up the sanctuary of their surroundings without a struggle, and have been known to lead anglers on a merry chase for up to two hours.
Read more HERE

Fishing

Tips For Lake Fishing In Southern California

2007-02-21T17:39:00.000-08:00

Southern California is truly a paradise for the avid fisherman, no matter what your favorite type of fishing is. You may like to fish for bass or trout or go freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing. In Southern California, all of these are right at your fingertips thanks to the abundance of lakes, reservoirs, and the Pacific Ocean.
Lake fish have long been categorized into three groups. These are the food fish, the game fish, and the bait fish. Game fish are called that because of their sporting quality and include fish such as trout and bass. The food fish include catfish, perch, and carp and are also prized for recreational fishing and as a food source.
Learning how to cast isn't really something that can be done by reading about it. It is best to hang out around fishing spots and observe the technique of others and then just give it a try yourself until you master the act.
You will need to put a snap in your cast similar to the movement of snapping a whip but with less force. A forceful snap will cause you to lose the fly. Don't worry about casting the fly but rather the line itself; then let the fly follow. Also, timing is important whether it is a forward cast or a back cast. This is something you will pick up with experience.
You should know the species you will likely encounter while you are fishing in Southern California. Prepare yourself beforehand if you will possibly encounter big fish. If you are fishing for bass for example, which can weigh 10 pounds or more, you will need a heavy, sturdy rod. The lakes and reservoirs in Southern California are filled with huge fish because the food supply is very abundant. So to be prepared for them, choose a rod that is 8 1/2 ft long and is around 4 to 5 ounces in weight.
Fish such as bass and sunfish like to hide from the sun in grassy and weedy areas where they have a little protection. So when you are lake fishing, sink your line around logs and plants.
It really doesn't take long at all to get the hang of lake fishing, especially if you are lucky enough to go on a day the fish are biting like crazy so you get lots of practice casting and reeling in. And with the bountiful opportunities for lake fishing in Southern California, you will certainly never run out of places to practice your new skills. If you are not sure where to go, you can ask for advice at a local bait shop. You might even be able to hook up with a fishing guide there.
More fishing tips here

Fishing In Southern California

So now I go fishing in Socal

2007-02-20T12:33:00.000-08:00

Hi fishin friends.

I have been fishing since I was 4 years old. Geez, that's almost 52 years. I started in Washinton state. Then moved to SoCal.
Fished all over the place.

When I was 20 I moved to Kona Hawaii.
27 years of fishing bliss. Ya don't even need a license.
How cool is that?

Then I got real sick [hemochromatosis} everybody should be tested for this genetic disorder.

Anyhoo...went back to Fishing in Socal. And for treatment.

So now I go fishing in Socal. They have actually spotted some steelhead up in the hill creeks. Sometimes I go out and do some bass fishing. The ocean is only 5 miles away.

If you want to see what's up with fishing in Socal,

Check this site out.
fishininsocal