Dec. 29th and 30th, 2005
Fresno Lakes
I Fished two lakes in Fresno area next two days, bass lake and ?
Caught four bass on senkos, pumpkin, in shallows at bass lake in the
rain.
Next day with Steve's son, no trout and no bass at other lake.
Dec. 1st and 2nd, 2005
Colorado River
About 8 bass between us.
Had a great time, acconpanied by Mike Casteneda. He caught his first
striper and first hit on worms and some on plastic crankbaits after we got
there, about 2 p.m.. Stayed at 1st hotel that Valerie and I did before for
$45 plus tax. Other hotels same price, Yuma Cabana nicer but booked.
Had two blow-ups on white 'ribbit' at dusk first night, very exciting.
He had two or three on his crankbait, smaller ones. Next day we fished
dawn to dusk and I got three and he got four or five. He used
shiners quite a bit too, but he caught, to his total surprise, more on
artificial. We drove home that night.
Nov 17th, 2005
San Vincente
With Mike Casteneda. On lake by 8:20. Fished Kimballs for an hour then
spent two trying to find rod. Took Mike back at 1:30 and I stayed until 5.
Spent another hour with video camera then chased after explosions by bass
chasing shad. Zero fish, but metered tons and saw them too.
Oct. 22nd, 2005.
San Vincente, California
1st 'Real Tournament', and it was a night one.
2 bass me, 1 Herbert.
Started 7 pm, weigh in 1:15 a.m.. Two bass on Ika, black blue-flake.
Herbert one dink on worm. Quite a few hits on Ika but no others. Winning
weight 8 point something, second 7 point something. Mine was 4.33 for the
two. One more fish may have netted my a check it was said. TUL.
I lost one rod and reel accidentally catching it on a cast of mine back
in Kimball's arm, just at the end of our time.
Was the end event of the Aim Marine Boating & Fishing Jamboree of
October 22nd and 23rd, weekend!!!
Oct. 19th, 2005.
Lake Hodges, California
Fresh back from S. Africa and still in jet lag, I hit up
San Vincente for some fall topwater action. I got there and launched and
fishing by 10 a.m.. Tried some new water for me towards the Hwy 15
overpass just past the narrows on the left side, a large cove with lots of
sunken trees and brush, for no love with a
Zoom
'Horny Toad' and a new favorite, the
Lucky
Craft 'Splash Tail', which worked later on elsewhere. Then moved
closer to the back overpass and worked the trees and shore, netting two bass,
one keeper on a Sumo frog and one dink on the Splash Tail.
Over the next
three hours not much happened, and then at about 4 pm ran into a section with
lots of holding bass and proceeded to lose about 5 in a row on the frog, with
some fairly large explosions being created by them hitting it. It did not
make sense to lose so many trying to set the hook though and I decided to pull
on my drag and found it slipping...no wonder there were no hooksets after they had taken it
down and loaded me up just right for the hookset. Lesson learned, double
check the working strength of the drag before using it.
Click to enlarge
The hog that fell to the Sumo Frog at Lake
Hodges.
I adjusted it to proper working strength and then lost another
in short order!!?. About 5 pm I was bringing it by a large bush in the water
and I took my eye off the bait when a big splash happened. I thought it
must have taken it down into the brush because I could hardly bring it in, and
then realized it was because it was so big. I managed to land him before
he got tangled in all the structure I was in and he weighed in at just over 4
pounds, one nice feeeesh!
I'm glad I got that line adjusted just in time not to loose him
too. That was the last action for the day, other than dinks trying to eat
a frog bigger than they were, God bless their little souls.
Click to enlarge
1st Basirisky
frog bass.
On my way back out of the area I tied
on a new Basirisky frog and tossed him a bit. Above picture taken of the
first bass caught with it.
Basirisky frog.
Click image for more details.
An indicator of things to come, I'm sure, as
that bait has some interesting characteristics to it, it walks back and forth
without going far, and works with a slow roll so well.
Thank U Lord for another great 'on the water' experience.
Oct. 6th to the 13th, 2005.
South Africa, Africa
While working in South Africa I scouted out some exceptional
fisheries to try my bass fishing skills on. I was blessed by getting connected
with the best bass fishermen there too and getting to find out why smallmouth
bass fishing was soooooo exciting. This is a few days of fishing with it's
own report/page....See
complete report/photos here.
Sept. 5th, 2005.
Otay Lake, San Diego, California
Labor Day.
Well, I was
hoping to go marlin fishing for the first time in my life, but the ride never
happened so my friend Barry was waiting to see if he could be plan B with me
joining him at Otay with the 'Answered Prayer', and I did. Arrived at 5:35
a.m. but the lake was not open yet. Was about 6th boat in line and Barry
arrived around 5:45. We went in about 5:50 and launched and headed to the
back of Otay arm. I tossed a variety of topwater but nothing until about 8 when
a bass plowed out of the reeds and attacked a Zoom Horny Toad frog I had on.
Photo of a Zoom 'Horny Toad', a
frog imitation.
He hit it hard
and fought just as hard. Barry thought 4 or 5 pounds and I thought the same the
way he fought. Darn, as he got close he looked awful strange and skinny.
In fact, it started to look like an eel? I got him close again, no, not an
eel, but something really different. We landed him in the net, and I'm
glad I did not try to thumb land him or I might be missing one; he had teeth
like a barracuda. Figured someone must have tossed a pet into the lake
that had grown too large. Had heard about this happening but first time
I'd caught something like this.
Click to enlarge
1st Lucky Craft 'Splash Tail' bass.
We fished the
shore until noon or one, and then decided to slow down and do some plastic worm
fishing. We anchored and tossed various plastics at the entrance to
Harvey's arm. I got one hit but that was it. About 4:30 we went back
to the shore fishing. About 6 pm I caught one on a fluke that really took
the line and I just held on, he was too big to try and bring in at first.
He swam into a bush and tossed the lure. Darn. Put on a prop bait
and tossed it next. 15 minutes later fish on, (see above photo) and this
guy really fought too. Barry took the photo and we weighed him figuring
about 4 pounds- he was just shy of it.
We released him
and went back to working the shoreline. Nothing more but lots of big bass
exploding on the surface along the reeds edges. Finally the topwater
action is heating up there. Good times coming. Back to the docks by
7:15, and it was getting fairly dark out. Some folks said they thought it
might be an Arowana, and that was true.
Click to enlarge
An Arowana caught at Otay? Yep.
August 27th, 2005.
El Capital Lake, San Diego, California
"Just for fun, sdfish message boards'
bass tourney held at El Capitan, east San Diego County
The
gun went off at 6:15 am to start (not really a gun) and I heard the roar
of the boats from the launch ramp, which I was still at launching my boat
'Answered Prayer'- oh well! I was now in my first San Diego County
fishing tournament, how exciting. I said hi to a couple of fellows I
know from the fishboards and went to work (fishing that is). I worked a
point 4/5ths of the way to the trees at the far end of the lake. It
had produced months earlier but two hours of trying my best with hula
grubs and various topwater lures produced the big zero. I decided to
move down to the trees, where after I arrived I realized I should of gone
immediately. I knew this as I pulled up because bass were busting
everywhere and two guys said they already had two in their live-well.
That was heartbreaking as
I was skunked and it was
nearing 9 a.m..
I tried flukes and other assorted topwater there, with the occasional
spinner bait and plastic, but still no action on my line. I sat back
and thought, what could I do different? The sun had burnt the clouds
away and the heat was starting to get unbearable almost instantly.
I could hear the fat lady singing and it was only 9:30, with
three hours left to fish before we had to be back at the docks for weight
in.
I
realized Barrett had hot weather and the bass loved the frog there, at
least the ones under heavy growth/trees, even at noon, so I tied on a new
one Kellen had sold me a couple of weeks earlier 'It's my favorite color'
he had said. That was good enough for me. 15 minutes later I
saw an explosion under a big tree that was half submerged as most were,
but it was on the other side of the trunk. I tossed the frog into
the thick brush still growing in it. I did not see it land as it
went into and through the brush, close to the explosion as I could get.
I kept an eye on the line though and noticed it was moving, so I cranked
down and set the hook- fish on, Thank U Lord. I beefed him out of
the brush and prayed he would not throw the hook, as he jumped pretty
high. I realized he was a nice keeper at that point and
grabbed the net that was at the ready.
I landed my first bass; it was sweet to finally get
one; it picked up my spirits quite a bit. Surprisingly, it had hit that
frog gently, slurped it down, and this was the first time of getting one
like that. In fact, all four hits were that way. Weird.
I
continued my approach of tossing the frog under the trees but it was tough
as the frog constantly got hung up, not hook wise but just the line would
tangle around the tree branches. If I did not get into the dense
stuff I got no hits. Well, it must have reached about 105 to 110
degrees by noon, but I was happy with my results. I had landed two
out of possible three fish I hooked into and had watched one really big
bass come out of the water and try to eat the frog that was stuck up in
the branches. I would lower it down and let it dip in the water,
then raise it up a few inches, trying to get some attention. I was
about 5 pounds and he slowly came up, big ol' mouth wide open and almost
getting up to the frog at the top of the pull. Believe me, I was
excited and cheering for that big guy to get up there and eat it, but he
only gave it a half try and failed, costing me the first place, as well as
one that hit the frog and I failed to reel down first before swingin'.
I
got out of there right after the drawing, I think everyone did. I was so
hot from fishing in the sun it took quite a while to cool down, even with
the air condition on in the van on the way home.
Click on image to enlarge
My two frog fish, netting me fourth place out of 11 teams.
August 19th, 2005,
Lake Jennings
Caught a 13" on a Yamamoto watermelon hula grub on 6
pound test on 'hog point' (my name) next to the same tree. Then, for the
first time, used the zoom frog 'Horny Toad' watermelon / red flake
(similar to the 'Ribbit' soft-bait lure show further down) and caught a
nice 18" after a few minutes of use, across the boat docks at 'north buoy
cove' I'll name it. Was bringing it over some stickups back in the corner.
Click on image to enlarge
1st Zoom 'Horny Toad' bass (18"),
Lake Jennings 8.19.05
Tossed it around the point some more heading east and then across
putted across that mouth of the giant cove to some reeds. I got
nailed by a 13" just as two guys catfish fishing from a boat there said
they'd like to see me catch one.
August 18th, 2005
San Vincente
Worked aqueduct arm from 7:30 all morning for no love. Overcast until
9:30 and some guy was getting them on single prop bait, Bagley brand he
said.
Moved to Kimball arm entrance and tossed watermelon hula grub for no
love, same areas the week before got a nice 4.5. Worked the 1st beach area
in back for a couple of small ones on small split shotted blue/red clear
worm of Alain's. Went across to chimney worked topwater for no love and
then that side to back of Kimball's for a couple of dinks, 3, on split
shot rig.
Click on image to enlarge
18" on Lucky Craft 'Splash Tail' prop-bait.
In evening I used that prop-bait at the narrows and got slammed by an
18" and then another one on the next cast at same spot but lost him in the
weeds. Did not remember I was going to use the new Zoom 'Horny Toad' frogs until I saw
a guy back at the docks have one hit his at dusk. Said he'd got two in the
last hour that he got good hook sets on.
August 14th, 2005, La Jolla Kelp beds.
Notes for trip:
Planning on going for albacore on Ken Williams' 36' boat the Dodie B..
Usually takes 6. Ken drives it, friend Ben will be the 'deckhand' and is
my connection to get on the boat as I don't know the owner.
Told to bring poles with 20, 25 and 30 # test. Albies are 25# to 50#,
mostly larger lately. We will troll 4 lines, when hit toss out live bait
immed., then bring in fish.
Depart 2 am, fish by 5 or so, leave noon or so, back by 3, 4, 5 or 6,
depending on many factors.
In reality, here is what happened.
Got a call from Ben the albies have been far and few between so we're
planning on fishing locally, so we will leave at 7 a.m. exactly. Met
Steve (brought lunches, looked like Woody Allen a little , Jim (computer
'online provider'; he used to have a boat near Ken's. Then there was
the diesel repairman that had worked on Kens boat previously.
We caught quite a few calicos at the L.J. kelp beds on sardines and
then went for 'reds' off Del Mar/ Torrey Pines at 300' (over rocks).
Caught one or two on each line on each pass over some rock pile out there.
Then went to Cardiff, dirty water so left. Hit boils and caught bonito and
Mackerel on way back to the L.J. beds, saw some yellowtail and then back
to L.J. for nada. Back at 3 p.m.. Lots of good eating.
August 11th,
San Vincente
Click on image to enlarge.
The bass was barely hooked, see image.
Click on image to enlarge.
Official Rapala scale weight.
Click on image to enlarge.
Here is the dude, brought back to my face so we
could both get into the photo. Release him unharmed to grow another 10
pounds.
Fished San V from 1 pm til 8. Most using Hula grub and
topwater. Caught this nice 4.6# largemouth at 4:30 on the watermelon hula
grub not far from shore.
August 10th, Lake Wohlford
Went with Jerry S. I got two dink bass on blue brown mini worm
Carolina rigged at rocks west of docks. One catfish too. 7:30 am till noon
thirty. Hot and humid.. Rental boat at $14- Jerry no luck, skunked.
July 7th - 16th.
Mammoth, Bishop, Convict Lake and Hot Creek
We went trout fishing on our vacation up to the
Eastern Sierras.
Click on image to enlarge.
Here is Valerie trying her skills at
picturesque Convict Lake.
Click on image to enlarge.
Me with my first brown trout on a fly, Hot Creek.
June 8th, Barrett Lake
Took Mike Wade, the gentleman who traded me his bass boat for art last year.
Me -2 in boat, 5 in or at boat, 11 hits on topwater.
Partner- 1 in boat (dink), and lost a couple.
Left home at 4:20 a.m. with Mike and his truck. Bill took us in right at
5:35 from the gate and we were on the lake by 6:15 headed for the end of Pines
Cove. Took us 20 minutes to get there on their small motor boat.
Tried topwater for the first hour and a half for no love. Went to spinners
and plastics.
Got my first bass on topwater ZZ Boze walker but
he tossed the lure when he jumped, at the 'trees'. I hooked the same one
last week, same bush. At 8:50 I caught a very healthy one between the
trees and the shore on a pumpkin senko.
Click on image to enlarge.
Senko bass, early morning.
Worked the narrow cove after some of the points
around there and topwater some more. Had at lease 8 hits on the solid frog
or the ZZ with only a couple of hook-ups that were lost. Mike had a tough
time with little plastic action, but report of most of the boast getting skunked
showed how tough the bite is still.
As the shadows started to appear in the deep
canyon we were working I started to use the buzzbait and got a nice 18" at 5
p.m..
Click on image to enlarge.
Buzzbait bass, late afternoon.
Went back the the 'trees' for not even a hit, we
both worked the frog. Mike continued with the frog and I used the buzz
working our way into the major arm and I had another three or four hits, one of
which was hooked up but I lost him after he jumped. Was a very nice day on
the water, not a cloud and light to moderate winds, for Barrett. Was only
a few minutes late back to dock as the 'off the lake time' was 7:55, but we got
in about 8:05. About 7 cars left n the 'train out' at 8:15.
June 4th, Ocean Fishing on the Joy
Herbert, nephew Thomas and I aboard Hebert's
Joy, a 24' Maxium.
Click on image to enlarge.
Pole out with balloons above the whole dead mackerel that we put
out for bait. Two poles are set up and ready to go as we drift from 2 to 3
miles outside the Mission Bay entrance.
Caught a mako shark. I was given a chance to
bring in the first shark, and it ended up being the only one. A week
previously we caught the first of the season.
Click on image to enlarge.
The fight was only for about 10 or 15 minutes
as he was only about 4 1/2 foot and 70 to 80 pounds.
Click on image to enlarge.
Herbert and Thomas help in landing the shark.
Herbert is shown with the gold gaff and Thomas is set to hook a rope around the
sharks tail so we can attach it to the back of the boat. There is no room
for him with us in the back of the boat, thank God.
Click on image to enlarge.
Here is the mako shark on the gaff.
Click on image to enlarge.
Here is the mako shark on the boats back deck.
June 1st, Barrett
Lake
Took Mike the fireman, first time fishing there, most a salt water fisherman.
Me -1 in boat, 2 in or at boat, 6 on line. Partner- 1 in boat, no
others hooked up.
Ran into 'SOCB Prez' Brian and he was nice enough to give me two new baits he
just told me about- Ribbitt's- to try. Also ran into Mike Wade, the gentleman
that traded me art for his bass boat.
Click on image to enlarge.
Clear skies and a little foggy and cool on the
lake. Plan A was to work the flats at far end of Pines topwater first but
remembered last week I was going to hit Becky's first for the same type of
reasons, so we went there. The terrain is not set up as it was last year, with
that long gentle slope, as I had hoped it might be. But the shore looked so darn
good we worked it anyway for an hour and a half. Neither topwater, nor plastics,
worked. Decided to revert back to the Plan A.
That did not work either. The topwater bite seemed doomed this year, but I just
could not believe this, so I decided to try it different ways. I tossed a solid
body frog to a tree in deeper water and let it set. Two seconds later I twitched
it and a bass exploded on it. I showed off to my friend how I was letting him
run with the lure. I never caught up to him to set the hook, he had spit it out.
Click on image to enlarge.
Trees in the water, far end of Pines Cove. Waterfall in
background.
Most of my bass action happened here.
My partner caught his first Barrett bass on one of my favorite lures there now,
a watermelon colored Hula Grub an hour later. I continued to try and catch another bass on that frog. I finally realized it was that
'tree in
deep water' that was the one detail missing in my pattern. I went back to that idea,
finding similar trees and tossed that frog all around them. Nada. Finally I
started to bounce it up and under the overhangs. Fish started to nail it, one or
more under each tree, but
the solidness of the bait worked against me, and I lost at least 5 or 6 in a
couple of hours, one right at the boat.
After finally getting one into the boat we took a break under a tree and had
lunch -an actual break, instead of trying to cast and eat the sandwich at the
same time, a novel idea. (I felt like it was a waste of time, now that I had a
pattern down that worked and did not want to stop to eat, but my partner thought
it would be couth, so what the heck).
Click on image to enlarge.
A nice fighting 17" on a topwater frog.
I thought that Hauser might have a lot of trees too that would work, so we
headed way over there. The darn lake is so big now it took us 45 minutes to get
there, not counting stopping and working another usual prime spot that produced
nada. Well, as nice as those trees looked we got zippo there too, not for lack
of trying. Hit Barro's secret cove on the way back, the little one with the
small waterfall on the right, and just like his lack of productivity there last
time, same with us.
The long arm next to the entrance/exit road was my ace up the sleeve, and I
could not wait to get there, but it was 6:10 when we motored up to it, watching
the last two cars take the 6 p.m. train out following Laurie, leaving the whole
lake to us.
The buzzbaits we tossed did not even produce a strike. Now my partner constantly
missed the strike zone with his cast, making his effort null and void to start
with (not that I did not constantly remind him he needed to hit the shore first)
but my 'perfect' casts went unanswered.
Again, the lake looked so good and I'm glad to have given it the old college
try. My partner enjoyed the day, and what a trooper, first time out and never
gave up. I go again next Wednesday, with some new ideas to up my fish
count. We will see.
May 25th, Barrett Lake
Took Herbert and his German nephew Thomas, first time fishing.
Me -3 in boat, 4 in or at boat, 6 on line, partners 0- none on line.
Past few weeks we have been going in at 5:40, after 5:45 on opening week, so
I figured we had till 5:30 at least to get there. WRONG. Missed first train by
10 min. as Bill went in at 5.20 due too, he said, only having to check-in 11
cars. DARN DARN DARN! I didn't blame him though because it's getting a lot
lighter nowadays earlier. I noticed this at 5:15 on the way there knowing
'the masses' would be saying "let's get going Bill, it's so light out already!"
And I was all excited to hit a couple of spots I
figured would work topwater finally. It's the pits sitting there waiting for so
long, knowing just around the corner bass heaven is 'possibly' going off. Next
Wednesday I'll be there earlier.
Click on image to enlarge.
First bass of the day, nice 16" fighter.
Anyway, first fish came at dam, shad getting
blasted so I tossed that small storm shad bait Mick was nice enough to turn me
onto two weeks ago, hit in middle of exploding shad ball and fish on- nice
fighting 16". Fished area for 1.5 hours or so with no more 'skill/luck'.
Herbert's nephew was a newbie and I spent a little time teaching casting
methods, tying on lures etc.. He was a fast learner and was impressed with our
southern California landscapes as he's from So. Germany.
Next fished the island just before Pines, plastics for all of us, nada. Usually
I get three in this spot. It's only 3 to 7 foot deep too.
Next came a tap and run for me on hula grub- watermelon green, first island area
inside Pines but lost him due to poor hook-set method. We worked that area for
an hour and that usually produces 2 - 3.
Next came working cove just before Campo ending for nada. Spinnerbaits. I got
and lost a real fighter- minimum 3 lbs, at the boat due to showing off/ fooling
around with him on red/black spinnerbait. We worked that area for an hour. Move
to waterfall cove for a break and then fished it on way out- nada. Got a nice
16" on that same spinnerbait on entrance to the waterfall coves, and he fought
like crazy taking line a couple of times on 6 lb test. Worked the 'flats' to
long river arm but surprising nada on flukes and frogs- usually get 1 to 2 and 3
- 4 hits there. Was 4 to 5 pm.. Worked river arm further back and got one on
black buzzbait that really hit hard, getting my partners all excited again,
another 16". 1/2 hour later lost a small one way back by ending of the area.
Went to work a shoreline halfway back to docks and Thomas got a hit on his
fluke- his first 'almost bass' and he was excited about that.
Herbert - no hits for the day, at least he is putting time on the water, that will always help
you get better. He missed casting into the 'strike zones' most of the
time, and that will hurt on the total numbers caught for the day.
Can't wait till next Wednesday when I'll go back.
Going with a friend who is a semi-serious fisherman but it will be his first
time there. The weather was perfect, light winds in most places and temp. only
low 90's, I'd guess. So many great looking spots and only 14 hours at the most
to try.
Click on image to enlarge.
Barrett Lake, bass fishing paradise (most of the time)
at dusk.
May 14th, 15th and 16th,
Colorado River Fishing Report
My first tournament.
Took 2nd place 'team', day two, with a limit of 5, fishing solo. Took
smallest 'keeper bass' award too.
May 14th, 15th and 16th, Colorado River Fishing Report from the first annual
Bob La Londe 'Just for Fun Yumabassman.com' tournament.
Friday the 14th left San Diego at noon with the Answered Prayer after dropping
off the loaner fishing tube from a previous Barrett outing to Dave M and
stopping to pick up donated lures from CJ Siebler in Santee.
Click on image to enlarge.
Was a little concerned as the mountains are over
4,000 foot and the van is not a real strong 'tow vehicle', but slow was the
operative word and all worked fine. Rolled into Squaw Lake, the closest lake
from Yuma on the river with a launch ramp (21.5 miles), at around 5:30 p.m., to
do some 'pre-fishing' (fishing before a tournament to find out good spots to
fish during it). I netted myself some heavy duty topwater on buzzbaits. I lost
about a 5 pounder on just the second cast, in the canal from Squaw Lake to
Little Senators. I realized it's not good to catch them anyway and rigged up
plastic covers over the hooks. Other action came on the frog.
Looking in side view mirror in desert.
The Answered Prayer ready for 'pre-fishing'.
That night I went to Bob La Londe's home, the gentleman holding the tournament,
where everyone was invited to a B-B-Q, and a poker game till 11 p.m.. I was not
interested in the poker game but was real excited to talk river bass fishing
with some new acquaintances I was to meet. But when I got there a little after 9
Bob said that only two guys showed up and had left already and he wanted to hit
the sack. But we still shot the bull for awhile and then it was off to find a
motel. The Yuma Cabana, for $35 a night, seemed to fit the bill. Plugged in the
boats battery chargers with an extension to the ice machine near the office and
hit the sack just after changing some fishing line and getting ready for the
next day, about midnight.
Got the 3:45 a.m. wake up call and headed to the river in short order. Got there
just before 5 but the restaurant I heard was to be open was only serving coffee,
so nothing to eat for me.
That morning I drew Jeff (JAD on Bob's La Londe's website yumabassman.com) who
had not fished for bass for over 10 years, and was mostly a catfish fisherman.
My heart sunk at this fact, then realized if the Good Lord wanted us to win,
then by George nobody would beat us.
We sat with three other teams/boats, floating just off the launch ramp, and
synchronized our watches with Bob- 5:34 a.m.- 'safe light' time (seemed pretty
light out to me though) and then listened to him explain the tourney rules.
Disqualifications for those getting tickets on the water or for driving without
life vests on or without lanyards attached to the body (a cord attached to a
kill switch from the driver that turns off the motor if you were thrown from the
boat), no bass allowed under 13 inches, points lost if they were not brought in
alive (we release all fish after the event), weigh-in at 2 p.m. sharp, etc..
Then off Jeff and I went speeding to the Squaw Lake canal. I did not know how
far that might be, as it had been months since going there once from Fishers
Landing, but it ended up being about 3-4 miles or so downriver. The area I'd
planned to fish already had two boats on it (bummer- other guys pre-fishing for
a Sunday tourney), so we went further down and went to work. I got five or six
bass over the first four or so hours on Pumpkin Hula and one on a watermelon
senko. Jeff threw many lures but borrowed a senko after I got one on it. All
were on the bottom of the canal in about 6 feet of water where the canal bends,
just outside the main flow of the water. We got a few 'short fish', under 13",
and some small striper bass that were hitting the surface for some fun action,
but I ended up getting the only keepers, three just 13" to 14". Jeff got quite a
few too, but none large enough to help our cause, all were undersized. And what
he lacked in knowledge I found out he more that made up for with enthusiasm, and
even though he is now 5 years out of work for a construction injury, he hung in
there, pain and all.
Click on image to enlarge.
Jeff trying his best.
As we were going into my first 'weight in' it was with mixed emotions. I was
excited in that it was my first, but also disappointed in that we only had three
of the five allowed fish limit. But consolation was not far away as Bob (a
really good fishermen, especially in his element there) and his partner only had
three too! The other two boats had limits (5 each) and Dave Willhide (another
really good fisherman who guides there and runs a fishing supply store) and his
partner had a real nice limit with 3 and 4 pounders, and the big fish for the
day at just under 5 pounds to boot.
Click on image to enlarge.
After talking and getting much needed info with the 'back seat participants' on
what worked for them that day over a $5 quarter pound cheeseburger from the
marina restaurant I drove the 45 minutes back to Yuma and took a MUCH NEEDED two
hour nap. I was so hot from being in the direct sun for so long it must have
taken an hour to cool down after a cold shower and laying on the bed with the
air-conditioner going full blast. Later that night I noticed some other
fishermen from Nevada just pulling into a motel across from mine. I hung around
as they prepped the boat and poles as they stated they would be fishing the
river tomorrow in a big money tourney, with the Angler's Choice circuit. I
gathered lots of advice from a myriad of questions and went back and prepped for
my next days attack too. On following there system I cut 10' of line from all 5
of my poles, re-tying the lures or putting different ones on. My plan -use the
hula grub again which already worked, along with a 'Sweet Beaver' plastic in the
tulles for lunkers like Dave W. does there. Buzzbaits in the morning too.
Hit the sack just after midnight again and had the hotel give me a 4:15 wake-up
call; planned to not wait around in the morning for 'safe light' to come and get
a little extra sleep instead, but sinus problems and a sense of prevailing
excitement kept me restless. I had allowed 15 minutes to get packed and out of
the hotel and figured after the 45 minute drive I would arrive at 5:15, a good
20 minutes ahead of the 'safe light' starting time. Of course this was assuming
they started out at 5:35 a.m. again, like the day before.
But I wanted to make sure I ate that morning and had heard of a Jack in the Box
that was open 24 hours, so I pulled in at 4:40, a little behind schedule, to
order. To make a long story short, the normal 5 minute cooking time took 20
minutes and now I was panicky as it was 4:55 a.m.! I high tailed it at 70 mph
all the way to the lake. The 45 minute drive took 30 minutes exactly and I
pulled onto the launch ramp at 5:25, giving me what I thought was still a 10
minute window - but nobody was there. I had a sinking feeling they had left a
lot earlier today, and that was the case.
I launched and started to fish solo as they left with my partner for the day
also. I was not a happy camper as I felt Bob may say I was disqualified from
fishing too; I fished in low spirits. But I ran into Dave and his partner a few
minutes later, just across from the ramp working the tulles. He said they had
left 'way after safe light' and that weigh-in was at 2 p.m. again. That was a
load off my mind, as he did not say I was disqualified for 'showing up late'.
Anyway, I prayed that I'd be blessed with five fish, even though I'd be fishing
solo. I fished the Fisher Landing tulles for naught for the first 1/2 hour using
buzzbaits, then went to work the tulles between the private docks and the shore
using the Pumpkin Hula. Hit on first cast, but I lost him trying to set the hook
before I had caught up to the running fish, a rookie mistake; yeah I'm still a
rookie, but trying not to be. I then kept getting bit working around the private
docks, either just next to them or between them and shore. The shadowed side
(getting light out quick, and hot) worked the best and I had a limit by 9 a.m..
The last fish was just 13" exactly, and he seemed so much smaller than the ones
in my live well I almost just tossed him back without measuring him, glad I
didn't. T.U.L.
Click on image to enlarge.
Now the professionals will start to 'cull' the fish, keeping the bigger ones
caught later on and tossing the small ones back, and I was excited I was going
to get into the culling bass routing. NOT. I got no hits after that, except one
that I lost in the tulles on the Sweet Beaver.
It was over 100 degrees by 10 a.m. and I did not want to cook like the day
before. I figured maybe I could fish the shadowed sides of the private docks, as
many of them had roofs, but I'd be real limited. I remembered I had a golf
umbrella and that I could fasten it to the seat and fish under it. I did that
but I was so cramped by lack of space that I fastened it instead to the top of
the oar after fastening the oar to the seat pedestal. So I fished in the shade
(standing up) in front of the Answered Prayer from eleven till 2, weigh in time.
Many people said they were going to use my idea next time out and were quite
jealous I was fishing in the shade while they sweat bullets.
On this day I felt good going into the weigh in, having a limit on the boat. And
low and behold, it netted me second place 'team' for the day, as Dave's five
were smaller and Bob came in with only three again. Boy, I'd have been more
excited if I wasn't so hot and tired again, and having only about 6 hours sleep
in two days of 'hard work'. Won $30 for the smallest 'keeper bass' of 13" too
from the day before, getting my entry fees back. T.U.L..
Drove back, tired as heck, that afternoon. Crawled over the mountains with the
heater on as the van wanted to overheat with that 104 degree desert heat. The
air-condition worked on the straight-aways to the mountains, but once I started
climbing so did the temp. Got back to Del Mar and it was 69 at 7 p.m.. Was nice
to get home, but it was sure fun fishing that river. Next time, first place.
A couple of pictures forthcoming.
May 11th, Barrett Lake Bass Fishing Report
Me, solo. First time tubing it. 8
bass.
Pulled in right behind 'Sgtmaj' around 5:15 and shot the bull
with him and Mick till Bill (the lake keeper) came up at 5:45. Then we
drove the 15 minute dirt road in.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Here we are, all going into the lake, single file, with
dust coming up as usual.
Click on photo to enlarge.
First view of the lake. The arm on left is the one I
got the buzz bait fish from.
From 7 to 1:30 I tubed from the dock to the dam, across the dam and back, then
got a boat from partners who left early for the balance of the day. Three bass
on watermelon Yam. hula grub, first at 7:05, five minutes after launching. (It
took a while to get it 'all together' as it was the first time in one; you know,
like why do the suspenders go under the crotch, oh it doesn’t- take 'em off
again, etc. Note to self, have them on next time like all the other guys waiting
at the gate).
Click on photo to enlarge.
Just launched, first time in a tube.
Second one was at 8 off point between dock and dam (I know,
didn’t get far, but it takes a while to get those things going in the direction,
or semi-direction even, of where you'd like to go).
Click on photo to enlarge.
Trying to get the hang of using the fins to turn
the tube, line up the light,
and snap the shutter on my new digital (and waterproof to 5 feet) camera.
Of course,
one must remember to try and not cut off the head of the fish, or the fisherman
for that matter.
Click on photo to enlarge.
First tube bass, 7:05 a.m..
The third at 10:30, across the dam on other shore (had it
mastered by then- was weird having the bass hit you in the butt and legs trying
to get off the hook, glad he did not stick me with it!). Blow up on topwater, in
corner where the log jam sits, on Sluggo but missed him. Shad all across dam on
surface getting picked off by the bass, lost one on white single tailed grub.
Wished I'd had jig head so I'd retrieve quicker but regular boxes of gear would
not fit in all the pockets my loaner 'Trout Unlimited' tube had. Tubes are great
but I would take a while to prep another trip, as in getting lots of little bags
to put mucho selections of gear in. Did handle four of the poles I took out
there quite well.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Third bass on a watermelon Yamamoto Hula Grub (half
showing behind bass), dam in background.
Watched guys catch shad and use them for bait cause they had not caught
anything the 'regular way', kinda sad. They left second train out- good riddance
sirs.
Mick joined me there and got one right away on a shad looking soft bait he said
Crease turned him onto. Wished I had one and asked if had extras, and he did;
but no skill with it and they seemed to shut down at that very moment too.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Mick with his dam bass, caught on a small plastic shad.
Took 2-3 off in van to rest and then took boat and went topwater early. Thought
the 5 o’clock topwater bite might happen early, as had not tried it early last
two times out there, but did not hook up until 5:20 on the frog - third cove,
the real long narrow one, from dock on left headed to PC. Then switched to buzz
baits white, and three slam and inhale it from 6 to 7; very aggressive hits and
fought well. White skirt eventually got ate off and the white/chart louder one
(literally, not just figuratively) was not as effective, but maybe because
shoreline then fished was facing different direction- east, instead of
north/south like first bay that worked did.
Last 10 minutes tried the frog again. Time was 7:40, had to go but one last cast
(you know) and it got hit so hard by something so big between two stick up
plants that it landed stuck up in it them. Tried the follow up Senko toss but no
love. I felt I just needed 1/2 hour more to get my numbers up to 30 (always the
positive thinker, and they were getting much more active), but have to be happy
with the eight I finished with.
Click on photo to enlarge.
The one that did not get away. Frog action, Barrett
style.
May 4th, Barrett Lake Bass Fishing Report
18 Bass, falling barometer, 62 degree water.
Started out great. While waiting in line for Bill
to check us in someone said the barometric pressure was dropping. That meant
fish on a feeding frenzy! For me, and some friends, it turned out just that way.
I had fish on by 6:30. Figured I'd stay with the Yamamoto hula grub, as it
worked best last time. Caught them on all three colors I tried; shad, cinnamon
and watermelon. Shad was more popular. They hit the half part two, even
more readily, after the back tail had been bitten off.
Later, around 10, I motored out to the end of Pines Cove where a friend with his
buddies were. They were doing well on white spinner baits. Well, I'm not too
great with those, but with some practice I caught four in an hours work (I mean
fun). Found some low lying grassy areas and caught one on a flukes- topwater,
dragging them over the tops. Switched to a hula white/silver flake and
caught two on that method. (Note, I should have used this for the frog fishing I
did later).
From 2 to 5 was tough, and I hit a down spell with zippo, working spinner baits
and reapers. The wind in the afternoon was to be reckoned with.
At dusk I had a good frog bite, and when I missed them I followed up with a
white/gray Tiki worm, which worked a couple of times. (I got so excited when
they thrashed the bait that I forgot to change to this follow-up method and
usually just tossed the frog right back at them- out of practice). They never
once came back for it, they seldom do. Ending up missing over 10; I figured the
frog was gone they had it and reeled in really hard to set the hook. This always
ended up pulling it out of their mouths. I should have reeled in more slowly I
guess, then set the hook when I felt them. One somersaulted over three
feet in the air hitting it from straight below- totally awesome and would have
been worth the whole day just for that. They were not more than 1 foot from
shore, usually in the grassy edges on semi-deep drop off banks over in 'dock
cove', hiding to ambush stray shad swimming by. I tossed parallel to the shore
to cover more strike zone.
Even though I tripled my catch rate over the seven from two weeks ago, I met
many who could not put it together, reporting catch rates of only 2 or 3 per
person. Ben and his partner couple caught more than me, but still, 18 was
not bad, figuring with all the goof-ups/missed hooksets would have put me over
30. I am out of practice with that frog technique, which I just learned out
there last year. I'll do better next time out, next Wednesday the 11th.
Each trip out there can improve an anglers skill level by leaps and bounds. We
are blessed to have this great lake in our county. And even more blessed to have
this site to share methods and technology. Those beginners that don't frequent
these type of sites (and even the more experienced) are doomed to much smaller
fish counts, don't you think?
I fished solo. Was last one out on last train out. Too bad Alain had to work
after all, he would have had a good first trip out. We'll get 'um next time
Alain.
May 1st, Lake Hodges
Me 1, Ben 1.
Ben met me at the house at 6 a.m.. Then we met at shop. On lake a little
after 7 and fished till 6:40, a few minutes after they wanted us back _6.30.
Only two bass, one each. Me at 6 and him at 6:15 on shores edge near 'tree
corner'. Mine on shad hula grub, his on white/gray wave worm on the sink. Was
mostly a cloudy day. Hit whole lake, more or less. Worked dock shoreline towards
narrows point entrance, me flukes, he white spinner baits and small swimming
grubs- nada. Then to Martinez Hideaway area, working towards dam. Got to place
where I got hit topwater and saw Ben's was on but instantly outran him to go
under the boat and toss the lure; white jig that he had been slow rolling. It
was 2pm by then and we went across to deep area. Worked white jigs and spinner
baits for nada starting in 'big cove' and working back to docks direction. Was
coughing bad so went back to van and got cough syrup and then headed to hwy 15
bridge. First time back there, lots of water. We worked it till 5 or so then
went to 'tree corner' were we finished the day. Other reports from three guys
with pro bass boats were 0-1-0 for the day. Wow, that's tough. Very stained
water with heavy amounts of small green algae made visibility about 12 inches.
Click on image to enlarge.
My first Hodges bass. After two days I'm now averaging .5 per day. Photo
by Ben.
April 27th, Lake Hodges
Me 0, Alain 1. Note: Big storm coming in tonight. See note below
report.
First time with A.P. there, second trip this year. New friend Alain joined me
at 4. I started at 10, worked dock area 1 hour topwater, flukes, frogs for no
hits. Went to left side of arm towards dam and tried drop-shot for a while.
Nada. Went across to Hernandez Hideaway area and worked tulles towards dam. One
blowup on fluke around 1 p.m.. Last one. Called by Alain for P/U. First time
fishing together. We targeted the narrows with finesse baits, senko, Ikas,
topwater working bank to old dock point by 6. Then to Hern. shoreline for
topwater till 7:40. One hit on frog for me and one tube guy had got three on
Ikas there.
Alain got one on small worm worked Carolina 1/2 way to old dock point. Was very
nice out there but I worked my bottom baits too fast. Alain gave me two rods and
some plastics I have not looked at yet.
From barometer article:
When a weather front is approaching (falling barometer) , it's more than likely
the fish aren't going to bite. The same thing is true when a weather front is
clearing, but it's not as drastic. But immediately following the passing of the front, as
the barometer rises, the fish feed very aggressively and will continue to feed
until the barometer begins to fall.
April 24th, Barrett Lake
Me 7, Barry 6. (NOTE: this lake had doubled
in surface area due to rains since I last fished it in Sept. of '04, when it
closed).
Lake keeper Bill took us in at 5.45 and on water fishing by 6.25 working
shore just across, and north, of dock. Tried jigs in a.m., white at first, no
love and lots of Excalibur and large fluke topwater tries for no hits.
Blue/black jig got first bass in the boat at 7:30 for me. Then I got one on
white/gray senko type bait 20 minutes later four feet off shore, although kept
tossing all bait to shores edge to start retrieves; heard that's where most hits
occurred.
Then to end of point further north on same side at Hauser's entrance with
mostly blue/black jig for naught. Then past Becky's cove along deep cliffs for
nada for an hour. Lots of birds and shad along some shorelines with mostly
brown/black pork jig and later a deep runner jerk bait for naught. Then big cove
2/3rds towards end of Hauser on left for nada with topwater small fluke. Two
gents there had caught three there on Texas dark worm and eight in coves
elsewhere. Barry using spoons and worms and creature baits. Then 'waterfall
cove' towards end of Hauser's on left for some good action. Mine on
pumpkin red/blk flake senko with red electrical tape band. Barry starts getting
hits and bass. First one on large 'Beaver' of mine (he forgot his tackle box in
his car where we teamed up back in Spring Valley) and then two on the light
green twin tail hula grub. (It was weightless and skimmed across all that grass
covered bottom) I switched to that as he was three to my one and then got one
but farmed him due to poor hook configuration.
Worked another 'newly formed cove' on way back out on left side for nada,
then to Pine arm at about 4:00 p.m. for our first look-see. Worked the waterfall
cove at very end on right, beautiful but nada. Some guys were parked and working
the jetsam for a few they said.
Back to the nice rocky point with a saddle design I saw 2/3rds of way in on
left hand side and we caught a couple of more each, but farmed even more of 'em
there on hula grubs. Two guys came by nailing them on white spinner baits, then
two more came by using frogs, claiming they had got 15 in last two hours on
them!!? (I now realize that topwater not working in the a.m. does not mean it
won't in the p.m.) They caught one where we had just fished and moved on further
and landed one more. I switched to frogs and started working shoreline and got
one hit instantly but it was almost 7:30, time to go. We left at 7:40 after
tossing and twitching a rapala on the surface for one more. Got back to docks
just in time to watch everyone leave on last train out at 7:50. Had to wait for
the escort to come back then got escorted out by one of the guys at 8:30.
Made for a long (13 hours) day and my arm is a bit sore but we did complain
together that the day had ended too soon, believe it or not. Overcast 95% of the
time, water still a bit cold but the look of the lake is nothing short of
spectacular.
Really a bit of paradise and as an artist, if I had brought my camera, I
would have taken quite a few to possibly paint at a later date. Yellow and
purple flowers grace the shorelines interspersed by tall green grasses and
boulders to break up the patterns. Cottonwood trees block the ends of the coves
in perfect arrangement and varying birds flutter and chatter non-stop, reminding
you that only they (and a few illegal) roam the area- houses and cars are
non-existent.
April 18th. Miramar Lake.
Zippo
Left frame shop at 10:15. Started fishing about 11. Zippo along tulles with
flukes first two hours. Then zippo with senko and bed fishing next two. Worked
more beds and then senko on way back. Started getting hits about 6 p.m. and lost
one on the hook set, forgetting 4 lb. test leader was being used. Jerry, new to
bass fishing. Back to docks at 7:15.
April 8th. Lake Jennings
Zippo
Valerie and I hit Lake Jennings around noon. It was a bit windy
but warm most of the time with variable clouds. Trout did not take the
usual offerings of Kastmasters too well. Valerie had two hits but I
worked bass mostly and had no hits. Worked some beds towards dusk but
could not get any interest.
April 6th. Ocean
Zippo 1p.m till 7 p.m..
Herbert and I went out on his boat to the La Jolla kelp beds for his first
time. We did not get all the way to the point but worked the outside of
the beds then drifted back to the jetty over a two hour period. Went to
fish haven outside the amusement park and found the sunken ship, but poor
current configuration left us anchored to the side of it and not over it. Herbert believes
close is good enough and we did not re-anchor over it as I'd hoped we would.
I lost two on anchovies and squid strips that I tried to toss towards the wreck.
April 2nd. Otay
From 6 am till 11 am. Zippo. Sunny.
Went with friend Barry and tried methods which worked a week ago for no love.
His first time there. Boat overheated battery trying to start it and
melted the contact. Thought big problems might stop our day but realized
my jumper cables, attached to the trolling batteries should work, and it did.
T.U.L.. Fished Senko's on topwater and sometimes dropped into likely
looking places but not even a nibble. Also tried spinner baits for nada.
He stayed and I don't know how he fared.
March 30th. Otay
1 bass, nice weather, 62 degree water. 7 a.m. till 6 p.m..
Fished the dock's north side where I'd got some topwater action the week
earlier. Lotioned up the arms around 10 as was getting real hot and sunny
out. Picked up the rod and cast it right out of my hand, hitting the back motor
and then it plunked just outside my reach. Thought of jumping in and
decided not to as I did not have time to think if I'd damage something (wallet,
watch, etc.). Heart sunk with it. Tossed a marker buoy overboard
after rummaging through boat to mark the area. Decided I'd toss treble
hooks all day if I had to and snag it back up. After an hour and lots of
lost treble hooks decided to go fish and come back at 1, when it was too hot and
sunny for most fish to bite.
Went to Wal-Mart and got a large diamond salt-water fishing lure and a nylon
rope. Went back and spent two more hours working the area. Almost
jumped in, naked, but decided not to at last moment when I saw a boat headed my
way. Good thing too, it was a lady warden checking things out. Man, that
was close too. A friend called and we prayed. Five minutes later I
pulled it up. Thank U Lord. Went back to topwater fishing for no love.
March 25th. San Vincente
Val and I. 1pm till 6:15 pm.
1 bass on senko, two lost topwater back of Kimball's arm on med white fluke.
We fished back of Kimball's arm- Had some topwater action back there but could
not land any. Was using too large of a fluke but it's nice to see that working
now. Did real well at Otay topwater Wednesday so my type of fishing is 'back'.
Due to the last minute action I did not head back till almost dark. Found out
back at the dock the wife could not find her backpack. Had her fishing license,
glasses, clothes, etc.. She kept listing all of the items that would need
replacing and I told her it must have flew off the back of the boat (did not
know she had put it back there) somewhere on the way back. Told her it's in
Davey Jones Locker now as I'm sure it would not have floated.
Feeling so sorry for her and her loss I decided to ask the ranger if he wouldn’t
mind backtracking all of the way back to Kimball’s to try and find it with
me...he agreed. (Could not take ours as it was closing time and getting dark).
Basically black out by the time he got the boat re-fired up and going. Would
take a miracle but prayed anyway- God loves answering prayers, right? We looked
all the way to the back cover, a couple of miles away and his headlight only lit
up a five foot wide path straight down in front of the boat. I
didn't know how we'd see it and if it was not directly run over we would have
never seen it. On taking a large sweep at the back of Kimball’s Arm around
to come back we actually almost ran over it! It had sunk just under the surface.
We were doing about 10 mph and I grabbed it as we ran it over! The two motors
would have chopped it up had I missed it. Thank U Lord.
March 23rd. Otay
7 a.m. till 6 p.m. 4 on pumpkin
topwater Senko's, Ben two on white spinner baits and one on sinking Senko.
It was very windy and the rain was still hitting the county that day, on and off
at the lake, but not too bad. Was another great day there. Caught a four, two
around 2.5 and a 2. Was a blast as topwater had not really worked much
previously the week earlier.
The first was by luck, a 19", 3.5 to 4 lb'er, back on 'end right cove at
Harvey's. Hit it after I'd fished top water flukes for no love for an
hour, along with white spiller baits and Senko's the 'normal' way. Realized
after trying the fluke again for two more hours that maybe they wanted that
watermelon Senko and switched. Caught one on second cast not far from the
docks going back to pick up Ben.
Ben joined me at noon and we worked north of docks and up into Otay arm. His
first time to the lake.. Caught his on white spinner bait and one on a senko
floating down. Forgot camera phone could have got a shot as reg. Camera still
broken. Later Ben got shot on his phone of a smaller one (all 14" or larger) and
I got one of his on mine. Got one of two more on the top, one after Senko sunk
by a submerged bush, which there are hundreds now.
Funny thing is, the first one was by mistake. I'd missed my target and burned
the 6” Senko back to the boat. The four nailed it as I brought it over deep
tulles that just reached the surface in 11 foot of water. I thought, heck, I
just fished 45 minutes and nothing on white flukes, but maybe I quit too early.
I switched poles and started throwing the white fluke again. After two more
hours with the fluke and nada darn thing, I started to wonder if the first catch
was really the fluke!? Then a brilliant idea hit my thick skull, maybe throw the
senko again topwater. Second cast, BAMO, fish on but farmed just as fast. But
hey, I was onto something- they wanted it dark. Caught and released another
three on it. Ended up with about 11 lbs from four fish.
March 16th. Otay
12:30 p.m. till 6 p.m. Zippo
water 65. l
Lots of closed mouth fish. Used old boat with trolling motor only, south side of
docks, as bass boat in shop still.
Water up to concession stand. Senko's, sweet beaver, lizards, not one hit.
Saw a couple small ones taken on small straight worm setups.
Met Patrick, AKA 'master caster' who knew me from fishing boards!
Next day had a pulled back. Was trying to solve a water problem, due to lack
of drain plug installation at launch, by trying to pull the boat out of water
not realizing how heavy it was.
March 11th. Southerland Lake.
5 bass, one me, one Arthur.
Santa Ysabel Arm, Southerland.
Mesa Grande Arm, Southerland.
Click on images to enlarge.
Took a newbie (Arthur) to the lake. Met him on the
sdfish.com message boards, he was in need of some fishing equipment so I'd
loaned him some until he could get on his feet. It was, for both our us,
the first time there. Got to lake about 11 a.m.. Took the 'old boat'
with trolling motor only as the Answered Prayer is still in the shop. Went
across to the 'east bank' for about three hours of working the bank- nada.
Worked plastics along the shore. Long shadow started to appear on west
bank so motored across and instantly started to catch bass.
Click on image to enlarge.
I lost my first fish setting the hook too hard, snapping 6#
test. Bummer after three hours of nada, but the worst part was losing the Senko.
I really wanted to get it back and kept working the same spot. Landed one
finally after farming four straight and noticed something barely sticking out of
his throat while un-hooking the senko. Sure enough, I pulled on it and out came
my original Senko, with the hook still attached. I pulled it out no problem,
hook not catching on anything and Arthur got a shot.
Click on image to enlarge.
Yeah, the newbie out fished me in 'the big fish department'. I
was a farmer, farming about 6 and landing 4. A couple at 16 inch, and a couple
of 12's. Here is Arthur's pregnant hog, and at about 17" figure a least 5 lbs.
Click on image to enlarge.
Watermelon with red or black flakes seemed to work best over
regular watermelon. No love on other colors. Another of my four. Great day
overall.
March 2nd. Lake Hodges.
0 bass.
Hodges is overflowing, first time in about seven years. Went in
my old boat as the Answered Prayer is waiting to get fixed. Got there
around 1 p.m. and fished till dark. Nada. The lake is so full of floating
garbage it's pathetic. Had an idea to suggest that the lake offers free
boats to families that would go pick it up. Still have to contact them
about it.
Lake Hodges boat dock.
Lake Hodges, freshly filled from the rains, now has so much
garbage floating on it.
March 2nd. Ocean
One rock cod, one mackerel, one Bocaccio and 1 giant squid.
Went out with Herbert. Storms have hindered ocean fishing
for small craft for past couple of weeks. Was an ok day.
Report from a friend getting 12 to 15 pound bonitos last Saturday
- south 9 miles bank. (Straight out from Point Loma.)
We did not know the 9 mile bank was not straight out of Mission Bay so when we
got close to the area we noticed it was too deep to bottom fish. But we
did see hundreds of dolphins speeding by, headed north, at 8 miles out.
Pretty cool site. The at 4 to 5 miles out I caught a Bocaccio on the bottom
jigging a spoon at 325'. We then metered what we thought to be a
small island and then hooked into them all... giant squid. I actually
thought I was caught on the bottom (at the same time Herbert did too). I caught
my first giant squid after quite a long 'fight'! Was actually dead weight
until he got to the top, and then he had no plan on getting caught, heading down
into the ocean a few more times. My partner lost his one possible catch for the
day to a seal. Also caught one mackerel.
Click on image to enlarge.
We have quite a bit of calamari for awhile.
February 25th. San Vincente.
0 anything.
The engine did not start right so I just trolled around the boat
dock areas. Water way us. Here is a peninsula that became an island,
and is now disappearing. Water level just 8 foot from spilling over the
dam. Went out from noon till 6 p.m.. Worked plastics and jerk baits.
Everyone said the bite got tough. Water very stained.
Click on image to enlarge.
February 20th. San Vincente.
1 bass, 1 trout.
Water temp: 58
Boat and Van slipped backwards on way up 'San V. overpass'. Jack-knifed just
right and did not go down the mountain instead. T.U.L. (thank u Lord).
Click on image to enlarge.
Click on image to enlarge.
The mountain drops off along the left side of the highway here, not shown.
You can see how steep it is, and with the rain making the road slippery, it was
just too much for the van
to handle. After slowing and stopping I just got spinning tires instead of
traction. That was bad enough, but then the car and boat started to slip
downhill backwards!!!? There was nothing I could do but try and figure out
how to steer an out of control group of vehicles backwards while crying out to
the Lord for help. The van came to a standstill in about the same location
as the truck in this photo, jack-knifed. the nice rangers took the boat
over the hill for me and said that FOUR vehicles had the same experience the day
before!! Wow.
Fishing wise, I ended up with 1 bass farmed, 1 landed, to the right side of
the 'chimney'. I met up with Ben and his buddy fishing his boat there. They left
about three while I wasted two hours fishing brown/chart. lizard when I realized
it was not stained like previous weeks and the extra brightness was not needed.
Rained intermittently, sometimes very hard.
Motor still ran very slow.
