JakeW Loc: Southern California

Hopefully things will get back to normal by June where I have my first sierras trip planned. I only have one trout rod & would like to get at least one more for the trip. I’m new to fishing (about 9 months exp) I’d like some advice on a rod reel combo for the trip. Have around $200 budget. More is possible less is easy, especially if I’m going to get more than one. I’m in so cal and normally trout fish at big bear lake.

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

The Sierras Have many different water types. Itty bitty streams [ my fav] to huge lakes. And fish measured in OZ to many LBS.
One combo will not work for all.
Tell us more.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I fish the Sierras up around Truckee, Ebbetts Pass. What is your first rod & reel? Don't want to recommend what you already have. You spinning or fly fishing? Where are you planning on going? Lakes or streams or both? I got a lot of questions don't I? How do you fish at big bear? Bank or boat? Lures or bait? The more specific you can be, the better I'll be able to advise you.

JakeW Loc: Southern California

Thank you so much for responding.
1) the trout rod I’m using now is a 5’6” Shimano spinning with a 4-6lb reel.
2) I’ve never fly fished so spinning.
3) we’re camping at June lake but plan on hitting a few places my friend knows of on the way up and will not be confined to just June lake. We’ll fish anywhere they’re biting. Planning on late June so if you have any advice on where to go that would be greatly appreciated as well
4) lakes and streams but mostly lakes
5) bank fish at big bear, wish I had a boat.
6) try lures and baits but most luck has been on power bait. Still haven’t landed anything on a lure. Have only found 1 power bait that really works.
I’m new to the game and I’m loving the community of fisherman and the learning process. I’m willing to try it all. We might try to float tube when we get up there but still not sure if that’ll happen.
Thank you again.

JakeW Loc: Southern California

Right now all I have is a 5’6” spinning rod with 6lb test.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

That 5' 6 rod is perfect for fishing streams. You might want to try respoling you r reel with some really light mono, like a 2 pound, but it's not necessary. For stream fishing I like panther martins. Don't use a swivel, just tie it right to your line. Watch some videos on YouTube, they'll show you how to do it. Last fall as the streams were closing I learned about Trout Magnets. I've never used one, but I'm looking forward to it. You use an indicator (bobber) for fishing those. Again, YouTube videos. You can buy a trout magnet kit with jig heads, lures and bobbers all in one. We'll see. Lake fishing is lake fishing. Power bait is great, so is inflating a worm and floating it off the bottom. And you can fish under a bobber with worms, power bait (weight it down with split shot so it don't float), whatever you want to throw out there. Get a casting bubble, put a little water in it for weight, and you can throw that thing a long ways. That works great. And you don't need a different rod for any of that. Unless you're going to be fishing for big lake trout, you're good to go on rainbows and browns and brookies. If I were you, I would consider getting into fly fishing. Learning to fish with wet flies (nymphs, streamers) is a lot easier than dry, and for when and where you're going, a lot more effective unless you really know what you're doing. I'd get a 7 or 8 foot 3 weight rod and a cheap reel - all the reel does is hold your line on small trout. You don't even need to spend a lot on the line for nymphing. Spend that $200 on a good fly rod. You won't be sorry. Go to troutbitten.com and read their articles on mono rigging. I have never fished that side of the mountains, but I hear it's great. June lake is supposed to be really nice. There's another lake over there in that direction that's supposed to hold some really big trophy size brook trout. Can't remember the name of it, but it sounds like a blast too. You have other questions just ask. Glad to help.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Oh. Float tube. That's where that fly rod can come in really handy. You can throw out a woolybugger (a streamer) and paddle your butt all over the lake with the fly line trailing, 50 yards or so. Trout love woolybuggers. You can use other flies, but I've found the wb's to be very effective fished like this. A two pound rainbow on a 3wt rod with a crappy reel will give you all you want. If you want to move up in the reel department look into getting and Orvis Battenkeel, the one with the click and pawl drag goes for right around 100 dollars and that type reel is exactly what you want for that type of fishing, lakes or streams. The Battenkeel is a little wonder, it will last you a lifetime and you can pass it on to the next generation.

Hallybut1969

There’s silver lake and grant lake also grant has the big ones

jamesO

if I were in your shoes, I'd keep the rod and reel but replace the line with 2 lb test. Use whatever you have as far as lures and such. As Spiritof27 mentioned,, Panther Martin's work well in the Sierra streams and lakes. The yellow with red dots is what I would use in the Mono area. You will want to hike in to Thousand Islands Lake and of course Garnet lake too. Keep in mind, snowfall is very common in June. I ALWAYS carry a contractors size plastic garbage bag to use as shelter if it starts snowing. It generally only lasts 15-20 minutes anyway. Good Luck to ya!

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Where you at HB? You should put your location into your profile.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

A couple of new kids on the block, welcome to the Forum, Jake and HB. I'm glad you are on board.

mammoth Loc: Tehachapi Ca.

Hey Jake and welcome to the world of fishing.
As for a combo in the Bishop and Mammoth areas along with Bridgeport what you have works great on the bank.
I've lived in Big Bear myself, my place was in Sugarloaf. On the lake in a boat you need to go deep with lead core line and 3 to 4 colors deep or troll by greys landing.
And over by the dam there is a tributary stream which holds some small browns. These are smart guy's who won't take dough bait but using a dry fly works.
When it comes to using flies you want to watch the insect hatch at the time to try and match the fly with the hatch.
June is a great time in the sierras for trout, it's a fisherman's paradise, two dough baits for the lakes that has always worked for us are power bait in cheese and chartreuse. The lures we use that works is kastmasters along with a sonic roostertail in white, I've even caught a bass with that one at the gorge.
Best bet when you roll into Bishop is hit up one of the tackle shops and ask where the action is.
You can get yourself another rod like you have or a ugly stick in the same length because it can take the abuse up there. I prefer a shimano reel, you'll want one with at least 4 bearings, it'll cast further and have a smooth retrieve. You can find something like that at Walmart for around $100.00
We normally head up to intake two which has always produced limits for us.
If you plan on a float tube, you'll want some flies. You'll notice at intake 2 trout will be popping at the surface, great for fly fishing.
If you float and don't have a fly rod use a clear bobber and a dry fly about 3 feet below the bobber.
I have great success with a royal wulff in red on lakes, streams and river's there.
Kayaks are great up there for fishing.
One thing to keep in mind are the campgrounds there, always busy and the shady one's go fast, so think about a pop up for shade.
If you're going to fish the loop there are streams connecting to each of the lake which holds trout.
I use a 4 foot rod with a light reel and 2 lb test. On the lakes I use a 4 lb test, I use spiderwire in both 2 and 4 lb test.
I do a lot of fly fishing on the owens also but that for another time.
Just set yourself up with another rod and reel for the lakes and a 4 foot setup for the streams.
On the streams don't stay in one spot to long, walk the stream and learn to read the water, you can YouTube how to read the waters.
Let's hope the waters are open in April because of this dad burn virus, I don't have the virus but I sure have the fishing fever 👍

CoachLarsen Loc: Gilbert AZ

I have fished the Sierras from Bishop to Bridgeport for over 50 years. I have a 7 1/2 Eagle Claw backpacking road with an ultra light tip. I use it with a Mitchell 300 Premium reel. It breaks down into four sections, about 20” long with a nice case. The handle section is reversible and can be used as a fly rod as well. Check it out. Amazon did have them recently. I’ve caught pan sized Brookies at Parker Lake to trophy Browns at Convict Lake with this combo. It’s my favorite out of my collection

Barbara Haskins Loc: SoCal

Before you get to June Lake st OP p in Big Pine. Turn left at the gas stations and go the Baker Creek Campgroud. There are nice stocked streams and a couple of ponds. We have always caught rainbows in the ponds, stocked 12". In the creeks you will get small browns and decent rainbows. Its free to fish there and a beautiful campground to stay at. We go up there at least once a year. Further north in Toms Place turn right and go to Tuff Campground. You have to walk in to just fish but a beautiful campground with a nice level stream, not like the campgrounds to the left at Toms Place.

elgeeps Loc: Hanford CA

Silver Lake is just around the corner from June lake.