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July 16, 2008
JIM
MATTHEWS’
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. The sand bass action from
Dana Point south to San Diego has been wide open with anglers on most ½-
and and ¾-day boats getting limits of fish showing for most. The bass
have moved up onto the sandy flats and are in a full-on spawn mode.
Twilight trips are a cool way to get away from the heat and spend a nice
evening on the water. Check with your favorite landing on availability
of berths or make calls to the San Diego, Oceanside, and Dana Point
landings in the list with the ocean report.
2. Lake Henshaw is often a neglected local fishery, but the catfish
action has been so good the past week, that it has elbowed its way into
one of our top picks. Most anglers are reporting nice stringers of fish.
While most of the cats are pan-sized, fish to eight pounds have been
reported in the past week. The best bite has been on cut baits. For an
update on this bite, call Lake Henshaw at 760-782-3501.
3. Another surprise pick this week is Cachuma Lake’s excellent trout
bite for trollers or drifters working in 50 to 80 feet of water on the
flats or Cachuma Bay. Most of the holdover rainbows are in the 1 ½ to
two-pound range, but some fish are around four pounds. Check with the
marina staff for the latest on baits and locations by calling
805-688-4040.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Generally good fishing throughout the Eastern Sierra Nevada with
Crowley Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir, and the East Walker River still
perhaps the top spots to fish, The Bishop Creek drainage, Mammoth Lakes
region, and June Lake loop are all generally pretty good throughout. In
Southern California, Cachuma Lake is very good, while Big Bear Lake and
Diamond Valley Lake are both also pretty decent. Hemet Lake continues to
crank out limits of trout. In the Western Sierra, Lake Isabella and the
upper Kern River are both very good for the rainbows.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Barrett Lake remains wide open for anglers with a
permit. Casitas remains very good, but Diamond Valley has been tougher.
Sutherland, in San Diego County, is a top bet, but Perris, Skinner,
Castaic, Cachuma, Isabella, Piru, Wohlford, San Vicente, and Lower Otay
all have fair bass bites. Poway, El Capitan, and Hodges, all have slow
to fair bites, while Silverwood and Pyramid are slow to fair. On the
Central Coast, Nacimiento still has a good spotted bass bite, and Lopez
is pretty good, too.
STRIPED BASS: Silverwood has been the top striper producer this week
with excellent action on smaller fish to four pounds and some bigger.
Most of the action here and most of the other Southern California lakes
-- including Pyramid and Skinner, both of which are fair to good -- has
been on anchovies. A few wipers are showing at Elsinore, too, but that
bite slowed. On the Colorado River, the best striper action has been an
excellent bite in Havasu and Mead where a lot of smaller fish to six
pounds showing. Even the lower river below Havasu has areas of fair to
good action all the way to Palo Verde. No monster fish at Willow or in
Mohave reported this week.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites are fair to good wherever these
panfish occur. Top bets include Perris, Lower Otay, and Casitas, but the
heat has slowed some of the bites except for early in the day. Most of
the good crappie bites have all but died, but Cachuma is still pretty
decent. Lopez on the Central Coast is still pretty good.
CATFISH: The action at all of the planted-catfish lakes is very good.
Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, and Hesperia Lake are
planted each week and have generally good action. Hesperia is cranking
out the biggest fish. All of the San Bernardino County Park lakes are
being planted each week with catfish, and all are pretty good. Diamond
Valley has a good to excellent bite, too. Henshaw, Silverwood, Skinner,
and Pyramid are all good for cats, too. The lower Colorado River and
river backwater, ditches, and canals have been consistently good with
both flatheads and channels showing in the catch.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: Excellent striper action in all the coves on anchovies and
swimbaits. Top striper was a seven-pounder brought in by Andy Camp,
Newport Beach. Terry Cheagen, Westminster, landed a six-pound striper on
anchovies and shrimp. Catfish bite excellen with anglers fish to eight
pounds on mackerel and shrimp in the coves. Kevin Kraft, Adelanto,
caught an eight-pound cat. A few trout are still biting Needlefish in
deep water. Bass bite also fair on plastic worms. Information: marina
760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store
760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Trout fishing improved this past week, as the fish
settled into their new territory after last week’s DFG plant. Anglers
had the best luck from Windy Point to the dam. A slip bobber setup is a
must. The fish are holding in 10 to 25 feet and are hitting dough baits
and nightcrawlers. Trollers working the same area with Needlefish,
Rapalas and Thomas Buoyants. Big Catfish continued to bite all along the
east end on Nitro biscuits, shrimp, and mackerel fished off the bottom.
Greg and Cody Hipwell, La Verne, landed big cats for the second week.
They brought in 18.82 and 20.62-pounders. Lake information: Big Bear
Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or
bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: Mostly slow action with a few trout on floating baits
fished close to the bottom. DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Fair to good trout bite, especially for the morning
for anglers using nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Mt. Lassen and Alpers’
trout were planted two weeks ago. The lake is scheduled to receive two
private plants per month plus DFG fish. The 2008 fishing fees are $15
per day for adults, $10 for children. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
daily and parking is free. No float tubes or private boats are allowed,
but there are row boats available for rent. Recorded information:
909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plant one month ago. Trout bite slow to fair
on nightcrawlers and Power Bait with the occasional spark of action in
the mornings and evenings.
JENKS LAKE: Improved trout action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. DFG
trout plant last week. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at
909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: The catfish and sturgeon bites have both been good, but
heat and the recent storms have slowed the bite some. The best action
has been early in the mornings when the water is coolest. The lake
received a plant of sturgeon to 25 pounds two weeks ago. The lake also
gets 3,500 pounds of catfish each week and brood stock fish to 35 pounds
will be part of those plants over the next month. Top baits have been
shrimp, mackerel dipped in Sonny’s Catfish Bait, inflated nightcrawlers,
and the M&M (marshmallow-meal worm) combo. Top cat this past week was a
23-pound blue caught by Gary Higgins, Ontario. Day session hours are 6
a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15
per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: The weekend cool down and rain didn't do much to improve the
slower than usual bite from the recent extreme hot weather. The trout
bite was still slow, with only a few anglers reeling in fish on Power
worms, lures and nightcrawlers. The best trout spots are off the eastern
shore of lake 2, near the inlets and off the eastern logged shore and
grassy point of lake 3. Bass bite slowish, too with anglers reporting
waves of fair action off the western shore of lake 3 and the
southeastern shore of lake 2 on Senkos. Bluegill bite fair on lures and
meal worms near the pump house and off the western shore of lake 2. Bite
best before 10 a.m. The Lakes' crew has increased water flow which,
along with the cooling trend, should improve action for the coming week.
The lakes' hatchery stocks trout every Friday year around. The lake is
open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake
information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Good trout bite at Horseshoe Lake. Anglers have used
Power Bait and nightcrawlers to land the trout. DFG trout plant three
weeks ago. Fair to good catfish action on various stink and blood baits
as well as nightcrawlers and meal worms. Average fish size is nine
pounds. A catfish plant went in last week, with another one scheduled
for this week. Fair bluegill, carp and bass bite. Information:
760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. County
catfish plants each week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish bite slowed to a crawl this week. A few anglers have
still managed to pull out some fish on nightcrawlers and shrimp. Bass,
bluegill and carp action remain slow. Lake information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Catfish bite is fair to good on anchovies, nightcrawlers, meal
worms, Hog Wild, or anything dipped in Sonny’s stink. Weekly county
plants go in with channels to two pounds. Very good bluegill bite with
fish up to a pound reported on wax or meal worms. Mostly quarter- to
half-pounders on stringers, however. Fair bite on carp and a few bass
also showing. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Fair catfish fishing on mackerel and shrimp. Channel catfish
plants are going in every week now. Mackerel, shrimp and Hog Wild top
baits. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every
Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information:
909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: The hot weather wreaked havoc on the fishing conditions.
The trout action still remained fair to good for anglers fishing deeper
water with nightcrawlers and Power Bait near the west dam or saddle dam.
Some catfish action reported in the third cove on nightcrawlers, shrimp
or mackerel. Bass bite fair on jigs, Senkos and plastic worms, but the
bite is early and late in the day. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE,
marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or
www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Fair to good bluegill bite on crickets and meal worms off the
island. Dan Maloney, Rialto, landed a stringer of 10 bluegill. Top fish
was 1-2. The bass bite is also good on plastics. Tommy Simpson,
Riverside, landed a two-pound bass. Catfish bite very good on
nightcrawlers and mackerel. Joe Allison, Portland, caught a three-pounder
on blood liver by the dam. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during
store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park
951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The catfish bite still leads the action with a good to
excellent bite on chicken liver and mackerel in the inlet and off Ramp
2. Top catfish this was a a 7-8 caught by Hector Gutierrez, Hemet. Brian
Stover, Temecula, landed a two-pound catfish. Bass action fair on Power
worms and nightcrawlers off the east end, deep. James Vanguard,
Temecula, caught a five-pound bass. Good striper bite on anchovies
around the inlet and marina early in the morning and late in the
evening. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Bluegill bite continues to lead the action with a good to
excellent bite. Anglers reported the best bite off Rocky Point on
nightcrawlers and meal worms. Bob Maynard, Riverside, landed a 1
3/4-pound bluegill. Crappie action fair on nightcrawlers and small jigs
off the west side marina. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action fair, but
slowing down with a few fish in the four-pound range landed off shore on
shad or for trollers using various baits. Carp fair to good off the east
end on dough balls. The cats are showing at the state park on mackerel,
shrimp and nightcrawlers. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: The catfish bite was very good this past week with a lots
of limits reported along with a number of quality fish. Also some bass,
bluegill, and tilapia showing. The best action for catfish has been in
the south end of the lake in the flooded trees or near the dam. Some
bass are showing for anglers targeting them with plastic worms,
swimbaits, or topwater baits early and late in the day. The tilapia are
starting to show in much better numbers, especially for anglers fishing
the south end of the lake, and bluegill are showing up right along with
the tilapia, mostly on nightcrawler pieces. Catfish will be planted
weekly all summer long. This season each plant will have trophy cats
from eight to 15 pounds as part of the mix. The average cat will be in
the two-pound range. In addition, carp and tilapia will be part of the
loads at least every other week. There is 24-hour fishing every Friday
and Saturday night. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Catfish anglers pulling out decent numbers of fish to four
pounds on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Still some slow to fair bass
action on plastics and crankbaits. Some small bluegill action around the
shorelines.
RANCHO JURUPA: It’s all about the catfish bite here. Anglers are
catching an abundance of fish on mackerel and shrimp. Cats are scheduled
to be planted every other week through the summer, with a plant slated
for this week week. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Improving catfish action from all three lakes on
pieces of nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel, shrimp or anchovies.
Catfish plants go in every other week. Upcoming events: fishing derby
every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Fair to good catfish bite with waves of excellent
action in the mornings and afternoons on shrimp. A catfish plant, 500
pounds going in this week. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information:
951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Exceptional catfish action on nightcrawlers,
chicken liver, dough bait and mackerel. The consistent, good action has
been the best it has been in years. Catfish are planted when the current
stock goes below 2,000 pounds. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Monday holidays, including Memorial Day.
Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Fair trout action with some limits reported for both shore
and boat anglers. Best bite early and late in the day for shore anglers
and throughout the day for trollers and drift fishermen using inflated
nightcrawlers or Needlefish. Most of the rainbows are 1/2 to 1 1/4
pounds with some bigger. DFG trout plant this week. Fair to good bass
action with the best action on plastics and crawdads. Catfish starting
to show on shrimp and nightcrawlers. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10
p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground
951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Limits of pan-sized catfish and a smattering of
trophy fish have been highlighting the catfish action here. A variety of
baits have been producing good results for catfish with nightcrawlers,
shrimp, and mackerel top contenders, but the hot ticket has been to add
Eagle Claw Nitro Gravy to the bait. Boat anglers fishing early morning
or late evening have been having the most success. Catfish plants will
be weekly all summer, and trophy fish from eight to 15 pounds will a
component of each weekly plant. The average cat will be in the two-pound
range. The 24-hour passes are available every Thursday, Friday, and
Saturday night. Information: 714-632-7830 or www.fishinglakes.com.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes
is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or
www.fishinglakes.com.
IRVINE LAKE: A bonus plant of 1,000 pounds of trophy channel catfish to
15 pounds and over went in last week. More plants with big catfish will
go in throughout July, and broodstock channel catfish will start being
planted in August. The night catfish bite has been good on mackerel,
shrimp and DuMong’s at the floats or near the dam. Top fish was a
16.12-pounder caught by Lee Dickerhoof, Chino. Crappie bite fair at
night for those who put a light out and wait for the minnows to gather
under the boat. Crappie up to two pounds have been landed on Atomic
Teasers. Bass bite fair for those fishing mid-day with dropshot-rigged
plastics. Daytime anglers have reported good bluegill and redear action
near the docks on meal worms and wax worms. The lake’s hours are 6 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Nighfishing is Thursdays until 11 p.m. and Fridays and
Saturdays until 2 a.m. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or
www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Fair or better bass bite on crankbaits, plastic
worms, spinnerbaits in the bluegill pattern. Topwater baits in the early
mornings and late evenings are best then. Good catfish action on
mackerel, nightcrawlers, shrimp and chicken liver off the launch ramp
and at the back side of the small island. Crappie and bluegill good on
assorted crappie jigs, nightcrawlers and meal worms fished below a
bobber. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information:
949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: Still a very decent trout bite down deep in 50 to 80 feet on
worms and Power Bait for bait anglers, and red Needlefish and Rapalas
for trollers. The trout are from 1 1/2 to two pounds, with some real
quality trout to four. Best trout spots include Cachuma Bay and just
outside the marina on the flats. Improved crappie action with a fair to
good bite behind the island on chartreuse crappie jigs. Bass bite on the
slow side. Catfish action good in Mohawk and Luke Trail on mackerel and
nightcrawlers. The cats are in the four to six-pound range. For quagga
mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at http://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/Cachuma.html.
Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Bass action good to excellent on plastic worms, swim baits,
nightcrawlers and crankbaits. The bite is best in the morning and
evenings. DJ Hernandez, Claremont, landed an eight-pound bass. Matt
Schofield, Rancho Cucamonga, landed a 7-8. Trout still showing in a fair
bite at the dam for trollers using Needlefish behind downriggers set at
30 feet. No crappie bite. Fair to good bluegill and redear bite on red
worms and pieces of nightcrawlers in the shallows. Curtis Brown,
Ventura, caught a pair of 1 1/2-pound redear. Catfish bite fair to good
with improving action on chunks of mackerel and anchovies. Six and
seven-pound fish were reported last week. Private boats are again being
allowed at Casitas, but boaters will face an inspection and 10-day dry
dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation.
Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Exceptional striper bite with a number of big fish landed on
cut baits. The dam and the fish arm are the hot areas for the striper.
Charles Abou Nassar, Saugus, landed a 22.1-pound striper fishing with
guide Bob Caffey, Quartz Hill, who also caught a 12.2-pounder. Ed Sher,
Saugus, pulled out an 11.8-pounder. Largemouth bass action fair on large
plastics by the dam. Anglers have reported some catfish action on cut
bait, but the bite is still slow to fair. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Trout bite fair to good on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Trollers
have been using Kastmasters, Rapalas or Needlefish in 65 to 85 feet.
Most fish are in the one to two-pound range, with an occasional
four-pounder or better. Slow to fair crappie action in 10 to 20 feet on
white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound, with a few over. Bass
action fair on nightcrawlers and plastic worms in 10 to 15 feet. Hours
are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina
805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: The bass are the name of the game with good action reported on
jigs, nightcrawlers, and plastics. Anglers have reported the most action
up shallow. Slow to fair trout action with anglers catching fish at
random on Power Bait, anchovies and nightcrawlers. Fair striper bite.
The bigger stripers are occasionally chasing the trout. Best action
reported on cut baits or shad-like swimbaits and cranks. Down below the
gatehouse is the best area for trout and stripers. Catfish action
improving with a fair to good bite on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp.
No bluegill reports. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession
661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Fair to good catfish bite in deep water on mackerel,
shrimp, chicken liver and nightcrawlers. DFG catfish plant on month ago.
Slow to fair bass bite off the east shore on drop-shot plastics, jerk
baits, and live worms. Fair bluegill action on meal and wax worms.
Crappie bite fair on small jigs. The action is best in or around
Sailboat Cove. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Catfish bite inconsistent, but fair. Anglers have landed
fish to four pounds on mackerel, shrimp or chicken liver. Slow to fair
bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk.
Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No recent plants.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No recent plants.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG catfish one month ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or
818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago. Information:
213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
LEGG LAKE: No recent plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Still a few trout showing on the deep-water drop
offs on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Some fair carp action with fish in
the 1-8 to two-pound range on dough balls. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Excellent bass bite. Fair to good bluegill cation. This week
197 anglers checked 2,539 bass, 51 bluegill, and two crappie.
Reservations for August now available through Ticketmaster. Call (619)
220-8497. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Bass action fair to good. This week 107 anglers checked reported
94 bass, 43 bluegill and 10 crappie. The lake is open for fishing and
boating Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Information: 619-465-3474 or
www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Fair to good bass action. This week 139 anglers reported 277
bass, five channel catfish, four crappie and one bluegill. The lake will
be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday for fishing. Permits on Thursday,
Friday and Monday will only be available through the Iron Ranger/Pay
Station by the concession building (exact change only). Boat rentals on
Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. On Sundays rentals stop at 10 a.m.
Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat
reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: Bluegill and bass action fair to good. This week 328 anglers
reported 432 bluegill, 338 bass, 13 channel catfish, four rainbow trout
and one crappie. Mike Broadhead, Sr. and Jr., winners of the El Cajon
Ford Night Tournament earned the championship with a 7.32-pound
largemouth bass. Angelina Clowers, 4, Chula Vista, landed a 4.15-pound
largemouth bass on plastic worms in Harvey Arm. The lake is open on a
Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or
www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: Improving bass bite with fair to good action. This week 23
anglers reported 43 bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and
Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed
to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours.
Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: Bluegill action picked back with a good bite this past
week, and the bass bite not trailing too far behind. This week 112
anglers reported 367 bluegill, 130 bass, 47 redear, 24 channel catfish
and nine crappie. The lake is open Thursday through Sunday for fishing
and boating. Rentals are available Thursdays and Fridays only. The
shoreline from the launch ramp to the buoy line is closed to all
activities. The City of San Diego has confirmed that the reservoir will
close sometime in August due to lowering water levels. Lake information:
619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations:
619-668-3274.
MURRAY: This week 62 anglers checked reported 93 bass, 13 bluegill and
three channel catfish. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven
days a week. Boat rentals are available Saturday and Sunday.
Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat
reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: Slowish, but improved bite over last week. This week 72 anglers
checked reported 13 bluegill, 10 bass, eight channel catfish and three
rainbow trout. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat
rentals are currently unavailable. The launch ramp and boat dock are
temporarily closed due to low water levels. Information: 619-465-3474 or
www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: Good bass bite. This week 92 anglers reported 285 bass, 24
bluegill, 17 channel catfish and 15 carp crappie. Greg Lukacs, Ramona,
caught a 5.65-pound largemouth on plastics. Greg Gardner, San Diego,
brought in a limit of bass totaling 20.34 pounds. Top fish was a
5.28-pounder on plastics. Michael McKnight, Ramona, landed a 5.15-pound
largemouth. Brandon Roche, San Diego, caught a five-pounder. The lake is
open for fishing and boating on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Boar
rentals available on Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474
or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: Bass action remains fair and steady with the most reported
baits being plastic worms, swimbaits or plastic womrs. Miachael
Macinowski, Mira Mesa, caught a 10-8 bass on plastic worms west of the
Senior Shoreline. The channel catfish action is also fair to good for
anglers fishing the east end area with chicken livers, mackerel and
shrimp. Crappie bite decent, although the fish are in deeper water, on
golden shiners, crappie jigs and mini-jigs. There is a temporary ban on
private boat launching, including canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling
motors, fish finders and anchors due to the threat of quagga mussels.
Rental boats are available. Information: 760-839-4346 or
www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant this week.
DIXON: The nighttime catfish bite is phenomenal. Lots of limits off the
shoreline and in Boat Dock Cove on cut mackerel, chicken with fish from
two to four pounds. The next cat plant will go in this week, 2,000
pounds. A few anglers are still finding the bass. Adam Honda, San Diego,
caught an eight-pound bass on a Rapala jig in Whisker Bay. Nightfishing
will continue every Friday and Saturday night through the end of August.
Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The catfish bite is exceptional, especially in the log boom. Last
week’s plant of 2.661 pounds of channel catfish really picked up the
daytime bite. Nightfishing also producing some action, as well, but
nothing extraordinary. The lake is open for fishing Wednesday through
Sunday from 7 a.m. to sunset. No outside boats are allowed on the lake
due to quagga mussel fears. Upcoming events: A contest taking place each
week will award the angler with the heaviest catfish a $100 prize. The
angler must record the weight of his/her fish between 7 a.m. Wednesday
and lake closing Sunday to qualify for as a winner announced the
following week. Lake Poway’s Family Campout is set for August 2. This
event is limited to 75 families. Register at www.poway.org. Midnight
Catfish Craze scheduled for August 14 from 4 p.m. to midnight. Lake
information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line
858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Catfish action fair to good on mackerel and shrimp during the
day, with plastic worms best at night. Catfish plant went in last week
with two more scheduled for July 28 and Aug. 11. Some decent trout
action at mid-lake on nightcrawlers, drifted about 50 to 80 feet down.
Bass bite fair with fish on the surface and near the bank at night, deep
the rest of the time. The lake is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 11:45
p.m., Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. and Sundays from 5:30 a.m.
to 8:30 p.m. Upcoming events: Free fishing class Sunday at 1 p.m. Lake
information: Ranger Hugh Marx, 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: A fair to good bass bite in the boat launch area and in Cabin
Cove on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. The boat launch is open. The
trout bite is still hanging on with an OK, but random bite in the late
morning, and early afternoons on Power Bait, rainbow Rapalas or
Kastmasters. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday
through Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473,
ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats
must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior
to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for
multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another
reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and
items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float
tubes and waders. Trout action slow with extreme heat, but some trout
are biting Rapalas and Thomas Buoyants. DFG trout plant last week. Bass
action fair to good on topwater lures and plastic worms. Catfish bite
very good on worms and dough balls by the dam. The lake is now taking
reservations for a new RV area located in the overflow camping area. It
is set up for eight rigs, but has a minimum of four. The rate is $200 a
night for all eight sites, but can be rented by singles if not reserved
by a group. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: The catfish bite is very hot with anglers catching their limit
on chicken liver and shrimp with fish from four to seven pounds. Jason
Green, Los Angeles, landed an eight-pound blue catfish on mackerel.
Deborah and Gary Brackett, Torrance, caught eight catfish with a top
fish at seven pounds. Vern Schweitzer, Santa Ysabel, reeled in 41
catfish in three days of fishing the lake with a top fish of 5
1/2-pounds. Good bass action on plastics near the dam and rocks. Mark
Smith, Dana Point and Tim Sotola, Oceanside, landed 34 bass. Top fish
was a five-pounder. Avatha McClure, Spring Valley, landed a five-pound
bass on nightcrawlers near the inlet. Jason Green, Los Angeles, brought
in a 4 1/2-pound bass on mackerel. Crappie action fair to good on red
and white spinner jigs near the dam and north inlet. Brian Rogers,
caught a two-pound crappie on a silver spinner. Dwayne Henderson, Moreno
Valley, landed a one-pound crappie. The lake is open from 6 a.m. to
midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Nightfishing will continue
through the summer. Rental boats can only be rented during daytime
hours, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: The Vegas Arm has been the spot for the topwater striper
bite. Anchovies and shad imitation lures are bringing in some fish,
although no large fish have been landed. Most striper have been under
four pounds. Some stripers have been landed deep, too, mainly on cut
baits. The deep bite is best between Hemenway and Pyramid Island. Few
catfish and bass have been landed. The occasional cat off shore, and the
rare largemouth bass on topwater baits.
WILLOW BEACH:. Fair trout bite on good on spinners, salmon eggs, or
floating baits just off shore. Some fish to three pounds. Also some
trout action on Jake’s, Panther Martins, and spoons. Trout continue to
be planted every Friday. Stripers spotty. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Trout bite slowed to a fair bite. Some anglers were
catching fish on Power Bait, spinners and flies. The best fishing areas
were downstream near the picnic area. Striper bite fair in Cottonwood
Cove for trollers. Anglers have been landing stripers to the north and
south of the marina. Nightfishing has been best, although anglers are
catching fish in the early morning and late afternoon hours as well.
Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Improved striper bite on anchovies or chicken livers,
especially near Harrah’s Casino. Little to no trout bite.
NEEDLES: Striper bite slow to fair with only small fish landed downriver
in the Topoc area. A few catfish showing and some crappie also biting in
the gorge. Slow largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports
760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Catfish bite fair to good on nightcrawlers and anchovies.
A few bass biting on plastics. Some bluegill around structure. The
stripers are nonexistent, and the crappie bite dwindled to almost
nothing. Water levels are up, but still take caution when launching. The
marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and
Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper bite good on shad, swimbaits, sardines, and cut
anchovies in 35 to 56 feet from Copper Canyon south to Standard Wash.
The bite perks during the afternoon. Good catfish action on anchovies in
Buzzard and Eagle Coves. Largemouth bass bite good to excellent with
fish being caught on Senkos, Gitzits and drop-shot worms. Smallmouth
bite fair on jigs off the rocky banks and points. Also some bluegill
action reported at Six Site on meal worms. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair to good catfish action with some flatheads 12 pounds
or better on shrimp and mafkerel. As the temps get higher, the action
gets better for the cats. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Flathead bite good with some fish close to 20 pounds, and a rare
one 30 or better. The bass bite has been good in the main river for
smallmouths and in the ditches and backwaters for largemouth, with some
fish to four pounds and bigger reported this week. Bluegill are fair to
good in most backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Water temperatures and levels are up, and the bass action is
fair to good in the backwaters and smallies on the river rip-rap. Also
improving action on schoolie-sized stripers in the river with fish to
four pounds reported. Very good flathead action. Information: Walter's
Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Fair to good catfish and bass action. Catfish taking
mackerel and bass are biting plastics. Few reports.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action fair on cranks, spinnerbaits
and plastics. Channel catfish bite decent, and the crappie bite is also
fair on small live minnows. A few flatheads are showing in the main
river, too. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma has the best action,
especially for the catfish. Fair to good channel catfish, redear, and
bluegill bite throughout the area. Catfish taking mackerel or shrimp,
and redear and bluegill biting worms. The flatheads have been active.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Slow bite. Check on the action with the state park staff
before you go. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger
station 760-393-3052. Weather information: 760-352-3360, Coachella
Valley Water District's weather forecast 760-398-7211. Anglers fishing
the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and tune to channel one.
ALAMO RIVER: No reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the
odd bass has been reported. Also some stripers.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
LAKE CAHUILLA: No report. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor
Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or
www.bishopvisitor.com.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: Bridgeport Reservoir still good with bait anglers
doing better than fly anglers. Warming water temps is sending more and
more fishing into the bays, especially Buckeye. The lake is full of DFG
stocker-sized trout. The East Walker River is very clear and flows are
holding at about 175 cfs. Midge patterns are best in the mornings. In
mid- to late-morning, the caddis start egg-laying flights and then
baetis mayflies start emerging. The mayflies continue through the
afternoon. The best and most consistent hatch is the evening caddis
grab. Virginia Lakes are very good. Big Virginia’s fly and bait bite is
hot. Twin Lakes fishing good for trollers fishing on top. For the East
Walker River flows, you can check this website for real time flow data:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv?10293000. Fishing information:
Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: The bite is fair at all the lakes in the loop -- June,
Gull, Silver and Grant. The midging at Silver has been exceptional off
the southwest corner where the weed beds drop off. Grant and Gull are
just behind Silver with a good bite for browns and rainbows on
streamers. Runoff flows are down and the water has cleared at Rush
Creek. Nymphing is best. Information: Ernie’s Fishing Tackle (760)
648-7756 or June Lake Marina (760) 648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: Crowley Lake rainbow trout and perch action very good for
bait anglers fishing the shallows of McGee Bay with inflated
nightcrawlers and bright-colored Power Bait. Shore fishermen have had
luck off Little Hilton Point and outside of Beaver Cove. Perch are
showing all around the lake, especially in Green Banks, Big Hilton Bay
and Leyton Springs. Lead head jigs are best. Megan Kamayatsu, Whittier,
caught a 6-8 rainbow in Hilton on nightcrawlers, and Carol Carlson, La
Canada, landed a 5-5 rainbow in Hilton on salmon peach Power Bait. The
bite at Hot Creek is fair to good, but inconsistent. Water is dirty and
high, but still fishable. Use small tricos in the early morning and PMDs
after 10 a.m. Good stocker trout action in Mammoth Creek and all the
Mammoth Lakes -- Mary, Mamie, Gull, and George -- all producing fish.
Mary and Mamie have both produced some of the best fishing in the
outlet. George had the most action for brookies. The road to the San
Joaquin is open, and while the San Joaquin River is high and still a
little tough, Sotcher and Starkweather lakes both are very good with
fish to 3 1/2 pounds reported. Convict Lake bite good for rainbow trout
at the inlet and outlet on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Thomas Buoyants
and Kastmasters. Upcoming events: Crowley Lake Stillwater Classic
scheduled for August 9. Entry fee is $75 and includes entry, T-shirt and
BBQ lunch. Proceeds will be used to stock Crowley with brown trout.
Fishing and classic information: Crowley Lake Fish Camp at 760-935-4301
or www.CrowleyLakeFishCamp.com. The Troutfitter 760-934-2517, Sierra
Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, or Performance Anglers at
760-924-2181 or www.performanceanglers.com.
BISHOP AREA: The bite at Sabrina Lake is still a bit inconsistent, but
fair to good for those who have had a piece of the action. The
Dingleberry Inlet is still the hot fishing area, and nightcrawlers,
Power Bait and mini-jigs are top baits. Trollers are catching fish using
Thomast Buoyants or Kastmasters. Alan Houston, San Diego, landed a 3-8
Alpers’. A load of Alpers’ went in last week. Pleasant Valley Reservoir
is fair to good for trout and perch. The trout are biting Power Bait and
nightcrawlers. Bishop Creek and Intake II planted last week, and the
bite is fair to good. The lower Owens River (in both the Gorge below
Crowley Lake and below Pleasant Valley Reservoir) is fishing better
every week. The trico emergence and spinnerfall has kept the morning
action good, with a decent PMD grab following. For flow information on
the whole Owens River system, you can get information here: http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/aqueduct/showAqueductMap.ladwp?contentId=LADWP_AQUERTD_SCID.
For fishing information: Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Pretty decent bite in both the lower Owens
River and Diaz Lake. Plants this week at Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek,
Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone
Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha
Creek and Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to
www.lonepinechamber.org.
WESTERN SIERRA
DERBY ALERT: Catfish derby going on through the end of July at all the
lakes in the Western Sierra. Biggest catfish of the month earns $100
cash. Entry is free, but anglers must sign up at Bob’s Bait in
Bakersfield. For more information, call 661-833-8657.
LAKE ISABELLA: Some of the best fishing in the area. The catfish bite is
still the best with excellent action on shad, anchovies and
nightcrawlers. Good bass bite, especially during the weekend’s
tournament. Steve Dent, Bakersfield, earned the grand prize with a
two-day limit totaling over 30 pounds. The crappie bite is hit and miss
with only a few pockets of fish in deeper water producing. Bluegill also
hit and miss. Very few trout reported. Fishing information: Bob's Bait
661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: The Kernville area has a fair to good trout bite on salmon
eggs and spinners. The flows have dropped drastically in the upper
river, so the bite is very good for trout on crickets and salmon eggs.
Lower river flows are still high, with flash floods and horrible
conditions. Give it another week before the area is fishable.
Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or
www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
RIVER WALK PARK: Few reports, but some of slot to fair bass and bluegill
action.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Sam Mat, Bakersfield, landed a 25-pound catfish on
liver. Mat is the derby leader, so far. The cat bite is good to
excellent on mackerel, shad, and Sonny’s dip bait. Striper bite fair on
blood worms primarily at night.
HART PARK LAKE: Bluegill action good on wax worms and crickets. Good
carp bite on dough balls.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Bluegill action good to excellent on meal worms and
crickets. Good bass bite on topwater plugs in the evenings. Good carp
bite on dough bait. Catfish bite picking up. Fair trout bite.
MING LAKE: Fair to good bluegill bite on crickets and meal worms. Fair
bass bite on Senkos, plastic worms and minnows. Good carp bite on dough
bait. A few trout biting Power Bait.
BRITE LAKE: Catfish bite fair on anchovies. Also a few bass showing.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good catfish bite on shad. Bluegill bite also good on
wax worms.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Fair bluegill bite on wax worms and crickets. Bass bite
fair on minnows and plastics. Consistent, good carp bite on dough bait.
SUCCESS LAKE: Improved action. Levels continue to drop and the bass bite
has improved drastically with anglers pulling out decent numbers of
fish, with some nearing 10 pounds. Plastic worms are the top bait
choice. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Slow to fair bass bite on Senkos. Levels are high.
Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Fair to good crappie bite reported off shore on crappie
jigs and minnows. Striper action also fair to good in Bee Rock Cove and
Harris Creek on anchovies and swimbaits. Little to no smallmouth action,
however the largemouth action is fair to good around the rocky points on
swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits and plastic worms. Fair to good, and
improving catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information:
805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Fair to good largemouth bass action on Brush Hogs,
plastics or crankbaits. Anglers have pulled out limits with largemouth
to five pounds or better on some. The early morning bite from sunrise to
8 a.m. is still the best time. Fair to good trout bite on Power Bait or
worms. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river inlet. The marina
store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: The overall action improved and the bite for most species is
fair. The spotted bass are best on plastics and spoons in the narrows
and off the rocky shorelines. Some anglers have reported catching close
to 20 fish in a day’s fishing. Largemouth and small action fair with the
largemouth action slightly better with fish reported on plastics and
nightcrawlers. Slow to fair white bass bite with more showing recently.
Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Crappie bite good on crappie jigs in the Arroyo Grande Arm. Matt
Sesto, Torrance, caught a 2.2-pound crappie on crankbait. Bass action
also very good on plastic worms in Cottonwood Cove. Joe Johnson,
Bakersfield, landed a 3 3/4-pound largemouth. The trout bite is
surprisingly decent even with the lake temps in the mid to upper 70s.
Bait anglers have pulled out a number of fish on Power Bait and
nightcrawlers. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of
trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county,
will be restocked this week with catchable-size rainbow trout from the
Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
LOS ANGELES: Jackson Lake, Piru Creek (Frenchmans Flat).
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South
Fork.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake, Doane Pond.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Intake 2), Bishop Creek
Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Diaz
Lake, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake,
Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley
Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek,
Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MADERA: San Joaquin River Middle Fork, Sotcher Lake, Starkweater Lake.
MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery
Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee
Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy
Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek,
Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2),
Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake,
Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin
Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper), West
Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).
FRESNO: Big Creek near Huntington, Dinkey Creek, Kings River below the
Pine Flat Reservoir, Mono Creek, Portal Forebay, Rancheria Creek, San
Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, South Fork of San Joaquin, Tamarack
Creek, Kern River from Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar, Kern River from
Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville, Kern River from Sandy
Flat to Democrat Beach.
MADERA: Corrine Lake, Fish Creek, Lower Chiquito Creek, Manzanita Lake,
Nelder Creek, North Fork of Willow Creek, Rock Creek, Sotcher Lake,
Starkweather Lake, Upper Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River, West Fork
of the Chiquito Creek.
MERCED: Merced River from McSwain Dam to Merced Falls.
TULARE: Balch Park eastern Lake, Balch Park western Lake, Hedrick Pond
Campground Pond, Kern River from Brush Creek to Fairview Dam, Kern River
from Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge, North Fork of Middle Fork
Tule River at Wishon Campground, Peppermint Creek (upper), South Fork of
Middle Fork Tule River at Camp Nelson, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule
River at Ceder Slopes
TUOLUMNE: Deadman Creek, Herring Creek, Lyons Canal, Middle Fork of the
Stanislaus River, Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River, Moccasin Creek,
North Fork of the Stanislaus River, North Fork of the Tuolumne River,
Pinecrest Lake, Powerhouse Stream, South Fork of the Stanislaus River,
South Fork of the Tuolumne River.
CATFISH PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of
trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county,
will be stocked this week with one-pound channel catfish by the
Department of Fish and Game.
NO PLANTS
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
By Terrence Berg and Phil Friedman
www.976-TUNA.com
SAN DIEGO TUNA UPDATE: Overnight boats out of San Diego have had a great
variety of fish this past week with yellowfin, albacore, and bluefin
tuna mixed up in some very warm water. The water temperatures range from
64 on the low end to 77 on the high end, with most off the water
offshore in the low to mid-70's. The past few days have been windy and
hard on the action, making fishing difficult. The winds, however, are
supposed to calm late this week. Some recent boat scores: The Success,
out of Point Loma Sportfishing, was on a 1 ½-day trip, and all 10
anglers on board had limits of albacore and two bluefin tuna. Anglers on
The Condor out of Fisherman's Landing, also on a 1 ½-day day trip, had
54 albacore and yellowtail. The Searcher, also out of Fisherman's,
reported back in with 53 albacore, six bluefin, and one yellowfin. The
Black Pearl out of Point Loma Sportfishing on a two-day trip this week
returned to port with four bluefin, one yellowfin, three yellowtail,
three dorado, and 118 albacore. There are reports of dorado all the way
from San Quintin up into San Diego offshore waters. With all these
warm-water tuna and pelagics mixed in with all the cold water tuna has
offshore anglers scratching their heads. NOAA called for a la Nina but
we are seeing more off an el Niño condition. "This is one of those funky
years where science doesn't have a clue as to what's happing in the
ocean. One day they say la Nina the next day they say el Niño, a hour
later they say a combination of the two," said Jon Saksa, a Torrance
fisherman.
SAND BASS AND BARRACUDA NEWS: The San Diego area sand bass bite is
excellent for anglers on ½ and ¾-day boats, and the bite stays good up
into the Oceanside and Dana Point area, but the fishing in the Santa
Monica Bay. The further north you travel up the coast, the sand bass are
not as good, but the calico bass and barracuda are making up the
difference. Earlier this week, anglers aboard the Mission Belle on a
3/4-day trip out of Point Loma had one yellowtail, 120 Sand Bass
(limits), 46 Barracuda, nine Rockfish, and two Sculpin. Anglers on the
Chubasco II out of Mission Bay Sportfishing on a ¾-day trip ripped some
lips and caught 170 Sand Bass (limits) and 87 Barracuda. Up around Dana
point we are seeing more of a mix of calico and sand bass on the
structure spots. The Fury on a ¾-day run out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing
returned to port with one Halibut, 62 calico bass, and 56 sand bass. In
the Los Angeles and Orange county areas, the sand bass are showing up on
sonar, but the fish are just not on the bite yet. Anglers on a ¾-day
trip this week on the Victory out of Long Beach Sportfishing had two
halibut, 62 calicos, four sand bass, and 103 barracuda.
ISLANDS UPDATE: Catalina Island has great bass, bonito, and barracuda
action along the front side with a shot of yellowtail mixed in for
anglers fishing the deeper water. Some big white seabass from 40 to 70
pounds are still lurking around the back side of the island. Private
boats as well as smaller 6 pack yatchs have been getting them along with
some excellent calico bass action and a shot of yellowtail. At San
Clemente Island, we see good signs of yellowtail and some ripping big
old calico bass action in the kelp line. Santa Barbara Island has some
20 to 30 pound yellows zooming around, with some white seabass at times.
The Channel Islands are starting to wake up with increased surface
activity and tonnage of bait. Some of the fun of going to San Clemente
Island and Catalina Island this time of year has to be the crossing.
Yellowfin tuna and dolphin as close as the 14 Mile Bank, and kelp have
yellowtail on them. But while these fish are showing, getting them to
bite has been another matter, especially the dorado. “So far we see the
fish and that’s it. We worked hard trying to get them to bite for
nothing" said skipper Dave Hanson. It won't be long until that dorado
down the cost makes its way to local offshore areas.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA and Shimano host
instructional charters throughout the year, offering beginning anglers
or veterans advice and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different
saltwater species. For more information on upcoming Shimano/976-TUNA
instructional charters, call 310-328-8426.
LANDING CONTACTS
Southern California: Virg's Sportfishing, Morro Bay, 805-772-1222;
Patriot Sportfishing, Avila Beach, 805-595-7200; Sea Landing, Santa
Barbara, 805-963-3564; Harbor Village Sportfishing, Ventura,
805-658-1060; Channel Islands Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-985-8511;
Captain Hook's Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-382-6233; Port Hueneme
Sportfishing, Hueneme, 805-488-2212; Malibu Pier Sportfishing,
310-328-8426; Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, Marina del Rey, 310-822-3625;
Redondo Sportfishing, Redondo Beach, 310-372-2111; Rocky Point Fuel Dock
(skiff rentals for King Harbor), Redondo Beach, 310-374-9858; 22nd
Street Landing, San Pedro, 310-832-8304; L.A. Harbor Sportfishing, San
Pedro, 310-547-9916; Long Beach Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-432-8993;
Pierpoint Landing, Long Beach, 562-983-9300; Marina Sportfishing, Long
Beach, 562-598-6649; Newport Landing, Newport Beach, 949-675-0550;
Davey's Locker, Newport Beach, 949-673-1434; Dana Wharf Sportfishing,
Dana Point, 949-496-5794; Helgren's Sportfishing, Oceanside,
760-722-2133; Fisherman's Landing, San Diego, 619-221-8500; H&M Landing,
San Diego, 619-222-1144; Seaforth Landing, San Diego, 619-224-3383;
Point Loma Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-223-1627; Islandia Sportfishing,
San Diego, 619-222-1164.
Mexico Landings: Sergio's Sportfishing, Ensenada, 011-526-178-2185; San
Quintin Sportfishing, San Quintin, 011-526-162-1455.
The fish report is copyrighted and any
use or reposting of the report, or portions of the report, is prohibited
without written permission. Posting of links to the fish report on the
Outdoor News Service web site is allowed.
The Cal TIP number, the Department of Fish and Game poacher hotline, is
1-888-DFG-CALTIP. The DFG's Internet web page is located at the following
address: www.dfg.ca.gov. |
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For comprehensive saltwater fishing reports and
information visit our companion site:
www.976-tuna.com
RECENT BIG CATCHES
Photos are listed by date of
catch, not when they are received. If you've recently submitted a photo or heard of a big catch,
you might have to scroll down to find the image.
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June 26, 2008 - Jose Garlejo of Escondido
caught this 18-6 blue catfish at Lake Wohlford.
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June 26, 2008 - Doug Bader, Orange, with
an 11 1/2-pound catfish he caught on mackerel with Nitro Gravy at
Santa Ana River Lake while fishing from a boat near Levitz' Corner.
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June 24, 2008 - Lake Perris gave up these four limits of
rainbow trout to trollers, left to right, Bob Camp, Tom Roberts,
Paul Ringdahl, and Bob Ghossain, all of Riverside. They were fishing
in 30 feet of water at the dam with Needlefish, and the fish went up
to 3 1/2 pounds.
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June 18, 2008 - Cliff McDonald, Needles,
holds a pair of stripers, both in the four-pound range, he caught at
Lake Mohave.
June 15, 2008 - Scott Lopez, Indio, landed this striped bass
weighing 4.8 pounds fishing a nightcrawler on four-pound test line
in the Coachella Canal near Indio.
June 15, 2008 - Dan Doran, Bishop, hauled in a 5-3/4 pound
rainbow from Sabrina Lake fishing a Thomas Buoyant.
June 13, 2008 - Adrian Pintor, North Hollywood, nailed this
nice 15.6-pound Irvine Lake channel cat on cut mackerel fishing on
Santiago Flats.
June 13, 2008 - Gavin Velasco of Poway with 3.5-pound,
3.4-pound, and 2.6-pound trout caught on nightcrawlers off the Lake
Poway pier.
June 13, 2008 - Vincent Hunt of Moreno Valley with a 26-8
catfish caught on J.D.'s Catfish Bait near the trees in the south
end of Corona Lake.
June 8, 2008 - Alex Benton of Long Beach
nailed this 13.06 pound channel catfish on Irvine Lake's Santiago
Flats while fishing mackerel.
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June 7, 2008 - this 42-pound flathead was
caught by Brian Cummings, Inglewood, from the Colorado River - Palo
Verde area on a bluegill.
June 7, 2008 - Lee Bell of Bishop caught
this 3-3/4 pound rainbow at Lake Sabrina on rainbow Gulp.
June 7, 2008 - Lori Carnahan, Sky Valley,
caught this 3 1/4-pound brown trout at Lake Sabrina on a Rapala.
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June 6, 2008 - Mike Mills of Poway caught
this 1-0 bluegill on a Meal Worm in Hidden Bay at Lake Poway.
May 30, 2008 - Taxidermist Jeff Soto,
Riverside, fished Evans Lake (Fairmount Park, Riverside) on Friday
morning and caught and released five bass to six pounds in two hours
of fishing.
May 24, 2008 - 976-TUNA.com's Philip
Friedman of Torrance while at Catalina Island Caught this 50-pound
class white seabass while soaking a live squid on a Seeker rods with
Avet SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound Berkley fishing line.
May 24, 2008 - Philip
Friedman, Jr. of Torrance caught this 50-pound class white seabass
while at Catalina Island. He was fishing a live squid on a Seeker
rod with sn Avet SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound Berkley fishing line.
May 24, 2008 - 976-TUNA.com's Terrence Berg
of La Mirada was at Catalina Island when he caught this 60- pound class
white seabass while soaking a live squid on a Seeker rod with an Avet
SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound test Berkley fishing line.
May 23, 2008 - Pedro Villa of Anaheim
caught this 10-0 rainbow on a nightcrawler with garlic gravy at the
sandy beach of Santa Ana River Lakes.
 
May 18, 2008 - Brian Cummings, Inglewood, (top) with a 25-pound
flathead catfish and Tony Ferguson, Riverside, (above) with a
30-pound flathead catfish. Both were landed on the Colorado River. They were
fishing live bluegill in the Palo Verde region.
May 17, 2008 - Robert Sloan of Valley
Center with a 7.62-pound bass caught on a plastic worm near
restroom No. 2 at Diamond Valley Lake.
May 15, 2008 - Kevin Deemer of Hemet with
6-0 and 5-0 bass caught on jerkbaits near restroom No. 2 at Diamond
Valley Lake.
May 15, 2008 - Rico Gutierrez (left) and
his buddy Brett Phillips, both of San Diego, show off Gutierrez' 10
1/2-pound rainbow trout caught on Power Bait off the south shore at
Lake Poway.
May 14, 2008 - Kevan Branchfield of Hemet
landed this 10.3-pound rainbow on a Power Bait-nightcrawler combo
fishing in Boulder Bay at Lake Poway.
May 10, 2008 - Jeff Soto of Riverside
caught and released this four-pound largemouth at Evans Lake
(Fairmount Park). He also landed a six-pounder earlier in the month.
May 9, 2008 - Nick White of Silver Lakes
holds up a 3 1/2 to four-pound rainbow he caught and released at
Lundy Lake on a mini jig.
May 9, 2008 - Marco Luna of Apple Valley
holds a four-pound class rainbow he caught and released from Upper
Twin Lake in the Eastern Sierra. He was fishing a mini jig at Mono
Village.
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May 9, 2008 - This is Dixon Lake's Dottie after she was found
dead. Dottie weighed 25 pounds at the peak of her life when she was
accidentally snagged, weighed, and released. That news started a
frenzy to land her legally and topple the world record of 22-4.
May 7, 2008 - Emily Kropko, Perris, holds
a four-pound class Diamond Valley Lake rainbow trout.
May 3, 2008 - Kevin and Bianca Clow, San
Diego, with an 8.7-pound trout on a Gotcha Plug caught outside Half Moon Bay
at Lake Poway.
May 3, 2008 - Mark Barlow, Phelan, hooked
this 200-pound class sturgeon at Hesperia Lake, but even with the
help of four other anglers and two nets, they couldn't land the fish
before the line broke and it swam off.
May 3, 2008 - Kathleen and Kaira Berry,
Wildomar, caught this nice batch of bluegill behind the Bait Shop at
Corona Lake with wax worms fished beneath a bobber.
May 2, 2008 - Terrence Berg of La Mirada caught this 220
thresher shark off San Diego on The “Wide Load” with a Avet PRO EXW
30/02 on 50 Pound Ande Line and a Seeker Rod. The fish ate a slow
trolled lure with a live mackerel attached.
May 1, 2008 - Devin Preston, Glendora, caught this
rainbow from Mammoth Creek. The fish was 23 inches and about 4 pounds.
April 27, 2008 - Derek Snyder of Corona
was using pink Puddle Bug jigs under a bobber in heavy cover at Lake
Elsinore to land these two crappie -- one at 1 1/2 and the other at
two pounds.
April 27, 2008 - Becky Matthews, assisted
by brother Randy Fann, both San Bernardino, holds up a 20-inch, 3
1/2-pound class rainbow caught and released on Hilton Creek just
above Crowley Lake opening weekend.
April 26, 2008 - Bryan Friedman, Walnut,
with a 4 1/2-pound Alpers Trout caught opening day of trout fishing
in the Eastern Sierra at Intake II on Bishop Creek.
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April 26, 2008 - Wilton (Big Willie) Mays of Pacoima landed this
35-pound flathead catfish just before dawn while fishing in the
Colorado River using a live redear for bait.
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April 26, 2008 - Mike Martinez, Moreno
Valley, with the largest trout reported in the Eastern Sierra for
the 2008 trout opener. The 9-pound, 15-ounce rainbow trout was
caught at Convict Lake on a small jig at 5:30 a.m.
April 26, 2008 - Andy Hall, Highland, holds a 1 1/2-pound rainbow he caught and released on
Hilton Creek opening weekend in the Eastern Sierra.
April 26, 2008 - Don McLaughlin, Thousand
Oaks, with a 2 1/2-pound brown trout from Lake Sabrina, on a gold
Kastmastr through the ice.
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April 24, 2008 - Marcos Perez, Corona,
with an 18 1/4-pound rainbow trout from Corona Lake.
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April 21, 2008 - Se Ier of Long
Beach with a couple of striped bass caught from shore at Lake
Silverwood near the dam.
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April 20, 2008 - Steve England of Mission
Viejo caught this 10-0 brown trout on a Thomas Buoyant at Woody's
Cove of Irvine Lake.
April 20, 2008 - Santiago Palacios of La
Puente with an 80-pound sturgeon caught at Corona Lake.
April 20, 2008 - Emily Kropko, Perris,
caught a pair of rainbows at 1-6 and 1-4, one on a lure and one on
Power Bait at Silverwood Lake.
April 18, 2008 - MarkOehlerking of Irvine
with a 12-pound brown trout caught at Santa Ana River Lakes.
April 17, 2008 - Corona Lake produced these five Lightning
Trout for Brian Scrivens of West Covina on chartreuse Nitro Bait at
the dam.
April 16, 2008 - Proof that crappie bites
are kicking into gear all over Southern California, Todd Johnson of
Long Beach shows off two crappie approaching two pounds each he
caught at Diamond Valley Lake's east dam.
April 14, 2008 - Rich Garcia of Beaumont
with a 9.02-pound bass from Diamond Valley Lake's south shoreline
while fishing in 15 to 20 feet of water using a jig.
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March 24, 2008 - Ray Turner, Moreno
Valley, with 268-pound sturgeon caught from Hesperia Lake. The fish
was 85-inches long with a 51-inch girth.
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