Gatorb8 Loc: Escondido, CA

Hi all!

Military transplant to the San Diego area, been here since 1991. Love the outdoors, anything related to hunting, fishing or off-roading and I am in. Grew up fishing the creeks, lakes and rivers of Central Florida on a daily basis. Tried my hand at fishing in So. Cal many years back but the cost was crazy and the action was slow compared to what I was used too so I started limiting my trips to Venice, LA or the Colorado River. The itch is always there to be scratched and with COVID travel policies I find myself wanting to fish locally more often to scratch that itch.

My user name is Gatorb8. Feel free to reach out or connect! Would love to learn more about the local tricks, trades and locations. Thanks all!

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

We've got members down in that direction. I imagine some of them will show up. Welcome to the Stage. I got out of the military (Navy) in 89 - lived in the San Diego area for over 20 years, moved up to Lincoln in 98. So I've not fished down there in a while. I gave up on fresh water and moved to the salt. But it's been a long time since I was down there.

Gatorb8 Loc: Escondido, CA

Nice to meet you bro! Thanks for the note and thanks for your service!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Welcome to the Stage Gatorb8, from New England.

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

Welcome Gatorb, from coast to coast .

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Welcome Gator and thank you for your service. I am an old Nam vet and live not too far from you in Temecula. Are you looking at fresh or saltwater fishing? I am pretty familiar with both in this area.

Gatorb8 Loc: Escondido, CA

Thanks brother!

Gatorb8 Loc: Escondido, CA

Thank you!

David Davey Loc: San Diego

Except for local Ocean boat charter,fishing and hunting in this area sucks big time. The county and state gave up on what was a promising future and investment in city lakes, then they just gave it up, and it has degenerated ever since. Some lakes don't even have a concession to buy bait at. That's the unvarnished truth. Also, drought and wildfires have decimated the deer and small game habitat.

Andy cacciatori Loc: Modesto cal.

Well come to the stage l'm
Also a vet. Lived in So Cal
All my life moved to North Central California 8yrs ago.
Bout you have some great lakes by you to fish for Bass they have the Florida bass in the lakes by you the where put in 20 yrs ago or so.
If you like to to bird hunting you have El Central, for Dove , Quail and some of the lakes by you allow ducking ..
And you also have Wister duck Refuge for ducking and dove and Pheasant hunting.
If any ?? Text me
Andy Bassman

Gatorb8 Loc: Escondido, CA

Wow! That is very sad. You would think the State would be vested in driving folks to outdoor activities. Do they still charge to fish the lakes, launch a boat and park? Been a few years since I fished local.

Gatorb8 Loc: Escondido, CA

Thanks for the info Andy! Is it pretty easy to find dove hunting fields where we are allowed to hunt?

johnklang Loc: Oakhurst, CA

[quote=Gatorb8]Hi all!

Military transplant to the San Diego area, been here since 1991. Love the outdoors, anything related to hunting, fishing or off-roading and I am in. Grew up fishing the creeks, lakes and rivers of Central Florida on a daily basis. Tried my hand at fishing in So. Cal many years back but the cost was crazy and

Welcome Gator, There's many more here that can help you more than I can and I don't hunt but the one thing I can add is your biggest challenge here in freshwater fishing is to adapt to reservoir fishing with highly fluctuational water levels and pretty much not a single lily pad in sight. It threw me for years and thanks to YouTube and a guy from New York that learned along with me, we had some success. Bass here tend to cling to rocks, ledges, channels, and structure like downed trees. They move as the water fluctuates. Some places on lakes you had success at previously are now on dry land 50 feet or more above water level. At least you can see what they were attracted to. Reservoirs, particularly with this drought, are not consistent so much with "spots" as it is with "structure". That's been my experience. Good luck and let us know how you do.

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Yes, we have issues here is So. Cal, but we also have some really nice fish in our lakes. I have been on this site for a couple of years now and have read post from all over the country. You can complain about the issues or you can go fishing. I have caught many, many fish in the 5-8lb+ category, and posted pictures to back it up. A majority of people across the country have said they would love to catch fish that big. We may not catch the quantity that we use to, but we can certainly catch some quality fish. This is the slow time of year for us, but when the time is right go get some big ones!

David Davey Loc: San Diego

Oh yeah, the fees haven’t gone away!