Fishing the Central Coast: For those in the Tri-County areas from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles, you all know these areas contain some of the better bass fishing in the area. Santa...

CoastalBob Loc: Santa Maria, CA

For those in the Tri-County areas from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles, you all know these areas contain some of the better bass fishing in the area.

Santa Margarita: This lake and one other is one of my favorite fishing grounds. It is well known for its big bass with some going past that 12-pound mark including what most say, the next California record will come out of this lake even possibly, a world record. Since the depletion of the Striped Bass in this lake, the bass population has tripled over the years. The lake is smaller than some, but it provides ample camping, and a KOA has some cool cabins one can rent. Atascadero is close by to offer a multitude of shopping. There is a Lake store available to offer tackle and drinks.

Lopez Lake: A jewel of a lake, this and Margarita are my favorites. Being my home lake, I have visited Lopez for the past 30 years or more, chasing bass, trout and an occasional crappie. Several well-known Pro Anglers have used this lake, including a former local angler running out of Tackle Warehouse, Jared Lintner. I have fished with Jared and against him over the years and being a former VP of Gold Coast Bass, he was in our club for a while.

Nacimiento Lake: In the high up hill above Paso Robles and in the heat of summer, and
it gets crowded fast. I have fished Naci several time in tournaments over the years, but bag limits are small and getting close to 8-pound bag is hard. I haven't fished this lake at all in the past 7 years because of the fact that you can catch a ton of 1 pounder if you like fighting the jet ski and power boat crowd. But if you're a heat person, this is your lake when the water is up.

Cachuma Lake: Was once my backyard lake until the Quagga mussel issue hit. I have had some very great bags out of this water shed over many years but the issues with Quagga forced many clubs to avoid the lake like the plague! Not too many tournament anglers go here because you have a 30-day quarantine period to fight. Bass fishing is good here as are the trout and it is not uncommon to put a good trout in your live well for later in the days for a great meal. Unfortunately, the Bass clubs bypass this lake for Quagga inspection issue.

Jeremy Loc: America

CoastalBob wrote:

For those in the Tri-County areas from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles, you all know these areas contain some of the better bass fishing in the area.

Santa Margarita: This lake and one other is one of my favorite fishing grounds. It is well known for its big bass with some going past that 12-pound mark including what most say, the next California record will come out of this lake even possibly, a world record. Since the depletion of the Striped Bass in this lake, the bass population has tripled over the years. The lake is smaller than some, but it provides ample camping, and a KOA has some cool cabins one can rent. Atascadero is close by to offer a multitude of shopping. There is a Lake store available to offer tackle and drinks.

Lopez Lake: A jewel of a lake, this and Margarita are my favorites. Being my home lake, I have visited Lopez for the past 30 years or more, chasing bass, trout and an occasional crappie. Several well-known Pro Anglers have used this lake, including a former local angler running out of Tackle Warehouse, Jared Lintner. I have fished with Jared and against him over the years and being a former VP of Gold Coast Bass, he was in our club for a while.

Nacimiento Lake: In the high up hill above Paso Robles and in the heat of summer, and
it gets crowded fast. I have fished Naci several time in tournaments over the years, but bag limits are small and getting close to 8-pound bag is hard. I haven't fished this lake at all in the past 7 years because of the fact that you can catch a ton of 1 pounder if you like fighting the jet ski and power boat crowd. But if you're a heat person, this is your lake when the water is up.

Cachuma Lake: Was once my backyard lake until the Quagga mussel issue hit. I have had some very great bags out of this water shed over many years but the issues with Quagga forced many clubs to avoid the lake like the plague! Not too many tournament anglers go here because you have a 30-day quarantine period to fight. Bass fishing is good here as are the trout and it is not uncommon to put a good trout in your live well for later in the days for a great meal. Unfortunately, the Bass clubs bypass this lake for Quagga inspection issue.

For those in the Tri-County areas from Santa Barba... (show quote)

Nothing wrong with all the fancy pants Bassers to avoid it. Seems to me that would make it a whole bunch easier to launch and go home and have some fish left that do NOT have sore mouths. I will do everything to reduce the spread of invasive species and critters but maybe now you have a nice quiet paradise.

Jeremy Loc: America

Cachuma has a bunch of great Family Memories for my family. The ladies can go to Solvang and get some wooden shoes if they wanted. Guys get to hook fish and have a BBQ. One time Uncle Paul switched Grandpa George’s green Olive in his Gin Martini for a rock. It was a mean thing to do but ol Paul thought it was pretty funny when George wanted to chew on the olive.

I think we had the toddlers pee in Uncle Paul’s Beer later just for spite. A little salt and Uriah

CoastalBob Loc: Santa Maria, CA

Jeremy wrote:

Nothing wrong with all the fancy pants Bassers to avoid it. Seems to me that would make it a whole bunch easier to launch and go home and have some fish left that do NOT have sore mouths. I will do everything to reduce the spread of invasive species and critters but maybe now you have a nice quiet paradise.

Ya Quagga is a real pain but the wait at Cachuma is ridiculous. I know several guys that want to fish there but if you get inspected... Thats it for 30 days. If you come with a broken tag --- 30 more day wait. Guys won't do it for a reason. If you get another good lake that's offering good pay out, i'm sure you wouldn't wait 30 days and miss it!

If you're a local and that's the only lake you fish. Then your good. I won't give up a trip to Clear Lake.

PaulFish Loc: Southern California

Cachuma problems! Thanks for the update, it used to be my favorite lake when I was a kid.
My Pop and I would travel up from So cal.and spend the weekend by ourselves. It was always good for a bag of blue gills and a few nice bass. Do you know if they still rent boats as I don't really want to take my boat re the mussels?
Thanks again

CoastalBob Loc: Santa Maria, CA

Yes they have rentals. Hear it’s pricy but you always can call the main office at the lake to find out prior to making a long trip

CoastalBob Loc: Santa Maria, CA

One good thing about the really low water. The main ramp is wide enough for three rigs to back in. Very nice update!!

PaulFish Loc: Southern California

Thanks Coastal

CoastalBob Loc: Santa Maria, CA

Glad to help out

Bob