A group is going March 7 to fish this lake in southern California, known for bass. But I know from experience each lake fishes differently. For example, I fished Lake Powell for a couple of days before I realized the fish were 60 feet down and not 15-20 feet like I was used to.
So I am looking for any specifics on how to fish this lake: productive fishing locations in the lake, lures/worms or other tackle, depth to fish, and even weather conditions so we bring warm enough clothes.
I have researched this on the web but didn't get much except some You Tube videos. We also can't cover much area as the group will be on a pontoon boat with only a 50 hp motor.
Any advice is welcome.
Dear Bernie:
I hope to tell you how I fish that can drastically increase you catches unlike any other technique. I'm giving you a longer version because it has a critical message on why fish strike certain lures better than others. I have fished 75 of my 81 years, as a recreational and professional sports angler and guide. Almost 40 years ago, I basically stopped fishing horizontally (trolling) and switched to vertically jigging with metal jigs that replicate the appearance and action of a crippled bait fish. The most effective action to trigger a strike is the downward flash and flutter of a vibrating lure. There is no other lure type, better at that, than a well-designed metal jig with a single tail hook! When I trolled, almost all of my strikes were on the rod located on the inside turn. That was caused by the loss of line tension on that lure, causing it to flutter downward. A good example was when trolling spinner worm harnesses, or weight-forward spinners, for walleyes. A vertically-jigged metal jig is effective 50% of the time that you are fishing after the fish are located. That's because there are two different techniques within the jigging technique. One, is the lift of the rod to lift the jig. The second, is to drop your rod tip towards the water's surface to enable the jig to flutter downward on a loose line. The lift attracts fish, the drop causes fish to strike.
Now, more to the point about your bass fishing question in California. I'm assuming you will be fishing out of a boat. If so, here's what you need to be productive...1) An electronic fishfinder to locate fish before you start fishing...a $99.00 Lowrance or Garmin will do. Key on old sunken river beds, 45-55 feet deep. The fish can be positioned anywhere from the top edge of that channel drop off all the way down to its bottom. 2) Lake Castiac produce a line record 17 lb largemouth in 1990, caught by detective Bob Crupi, while vertically jigging a 3/4 oz bright chrome Crippled Herring jig in 45-50 feet of water. That jig is now marketed by Rapala. There are also two other metal jigs that can do the job...a silver 1/2 or 3/4 oz Kandlefish (Wahoo Fishing Products / Punta Gorda, FL) or Sonic BaitFish (Mack's Lure Co. / Wenatchee, WA). 3) A 5 1/2 -6 ft medium action spinning rod is a good choice. It is better to use a stiffer-action rod than one that bends too easily. The rod bend should be confined to 1/4 to no more than 1/3 from the rod tip. The longer the rod, the less control and feel you will have while jigging. I would spool your reel with 20 lb braided main line and fluorocarbon leader (no longer than 3/4 length of your rod) for excellent sensitivity and hook sets. Suffix is a good choice. Keep your hook point sharp enough for it to stick on your finger nail (not your finger). 4) Do not jerk your rod! 1-1 1/2 ft lifts are best as you keep you rod tip pointed towards the water. Keep your eyes on the fishfinder screen. Fish move up and down that channel drop-off depending upon bait fish movement and sunlight penetrating the water. Bottom-bounce the jig if the bass are belly-down on the bottom structure. Otherwise, drop your jig down and stop it just above the suspended fish mark on your screen. A good fishfinder will show a zigzag pattern of your jig on the screen when it's falling, relative to the fish mark being targeted. Remember, most fish look up. As a result, error on the side of fishing too high for those largemouth bass. FINALLY...These tips will work for any largemouth bass lakes in California. Vertical jigging for bass, or any other species, can produced results unattainable by any other technique when you combine it with knowledgeable use of a fishfinder.
Hope this helps. Let us know how you do. Pete
capt pete wrote:
Dear Bernie:
I hope to tell you how I fish that can drastically increase you catches unlike any other technique. I'm giving you a longer version because it has a critical message on why fish strike certain lures better than others. I have fished 75 of my 81 years, as a recreational and professional sports angler and guide. Almost 40 years ago, I basically stopped fishing horizontally (trolling) and switched to vertically jigging with metal jigs that replicate the appearance and action of a crippled bait fish. The most effective action to trigger a strike is the downward flash and flutter of a vibrating lure. There is no other lure type, better at that, than a well-designed metal jig with a single tail hook! When I trolled, almost all of my strikes were on the rod located on the inside turn. That was caused by the loss of line tension on that lure, causing it to flutter downward. A good example was when trolling spinner worm harnesses, or weight-forward spinners, for walleyes. A vertically-jigged metal jig is effective 50% of the time that you are fishing after the fish are located. That's because there are two different techniques within the jigging technique. One, is the lift of the rod to lift the jig. The second, is to drop your rod tip towards the water's surface to enable the jig to flutter downward on a loose line. The lift attracts fish, the drop causes fish to strike.
Now, more to the point about your bass fishing question in California. I'm assuming you will be fishing out of a boat. If so, here's what you need to be productive...1) An electronic fishfinder to locate fish before you start fishing...a $99.00 Lowrance or Garmin will do. Key on old sunken river beds, 45-55 feet deep. The fish can be positioned anywhere from the top edge of that channel drop off all the way down to its bottom. 2) Lake Castiac produce a line record 17 lb largemouth in 1990, caught by detective Bob Crupi, while vertically jigging a 3/4 oz bright chrome Crippled Herring jig in 45-50 feet of water. That jig is now marketed by Rapala. There are also two other metal jigs that can do the job...a silver 1/2 or 3/4 oz Kandlefish (Wahoo Fishing Products / Punta Gorda, FL) or Sonic BaitFish (Mack's Lure Co. / Wenatchee, WA). 3) A 5 1/2 -6 ft medium action spinning rod is a good choice. It is better to use a stiffer-action rod than one that bends too easily. The rod bend should be confined to 1/4 to no more than 1/3 from the rod tip. The longer the rod, the less control and feel you will have while jigging. I would spool your reel with 20 lb braided main line and fluorocarbon leader (no longer than 3/4 length of your rod) for excellent sensitivity and hook sets. Suffix is a good choice. Keep your hook point sharp enough for it to stick on your finger nail (not your finger). 4) Do not jerk your rod! 1-1 1/2 ft lifts are best as you keep you rod tip pointed towards the water. Keep your eyes on the fishfinder screen. Fish move up and down that channel drop-off depending upon bait fish movement and sunlight penetrating the water. Bottom-bounce the jig if the bass are belly-down on the bottom structure. Otherwise, drop your jig down and stop it just above the suspended fish mark on your screen. A good fishfinder will show a zigzag pattern of your jig on the screen when it's falling, relative to the fish mark being targeted. Remember, most fish look up. As a result, error on the side of fishing too high for those largemouth bass. FINALLY...These tips will work for any largemouth bass lakes in California. Vertical jigging for bass, or any other species, can produced results unattainable by any other technique when you combine it with knowledgeable use of a fishfinder.
Hope this helps. Let us know how you do. Pete
Dear Bernie: br br I hope to tell you how I fish ... (
show quote)
Wow. Great information. Thanks.!
You are most welcome! Pete
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