Billyh27 Loc: CA

Any reports

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

PM OldBassGuy.

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Fished there Tuesday morning, there were three other boats. That should answer your question Billy.
Very, very SLOW! Did see one guy catch about a 5-7 lb cat down by the buoys. Good luck

Portabote Loc: CA

OBG
Sorry to hear the fishing at Skinner is slow. I have been reading your posts for some time now. Your CATCHING prowess inspired me to get my Porta-Bote out of storage and upgrade my motor and battery, etc. When I used it in British Columbia I was younger and stronger and could carry it on the top of my Jeep, no problem. Now I am no longer younger (84) and stronger so I had to rig an electric winch in my pickup to help load it. Got it all done and did a test run at Convict Lake. All worked well except a couple of load / unload procedures. Fixed those and was ready to come down to Skinner. (I live in Oranger County). I called to make a boat inspection appointment expecting a Quagga mussel inspection. That was one inspection, but the other was the boat dimensions. DWP specifies the boat be 12' length, 42" beam and 12" freeboard. My Porta-Bote is 10' 8" with 60" beam AND 20" freeboard. I came 16" short so I can not use my Porta-Bote in any DWP waters!!??

I am not familiar with the lakes in SoCal, but would like to know if there are any non-DWP waters worth fishing that I can do day trips from my home in OC. I will appreciate any recommendations reader will share with me.
Thanks, Gary

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Hi Gary
Welcome to the stage. Sorry for the delay in responding to you, was on a mini-vacation to Arizona for a few days.
To the best of my knowledge, there is no restriction on your Porta-Bote at Skinner. I see numerous kayakers and pontoon boats and a few canoes on the lake. Just to be sure you can give them a call at 951-926-1541. They have two launch ramp areas, one for kayaks and the other for all types of other boats. Fishing there and most of the other lakes starts getting good in mid April and May. Don't think DVL allows your boat there. Lake Perris is a good option, but they are going through some issues at this time. Another option could be Lake Hodges in Escondido.
I travel down to San Vincente Reservoir near Poway and that is a good fishing lake. It would be a bit more of a drive for you, probably an hour and a half from O.C. Most of the lakes in SoCal are slow this time of year, other than catching a lot of baby bass from the spawn earlier in the year. What type of fish would you be targeting?

Where are you in O.C.? I lived there for 40 years prior to moving to Temecula. Feel free to PM me anytime, and I will help as much as I can. Good luck

Garey

Portabote Loc: CA

OBG
Thanks for your response. I live in the county in an area known as Cowan Heights, East Orange/North Tustin off Newport Blvd.
Since my initial post, I have been searching the internet for SoCal lakes, then using Google maps to determine distance and driving time from my house. I set my range at the 1.5 hour limit. Perris and Hodges fall into that range. San Vicente is about 2 hours. I haven't finished researching all of the lakes that meet the driving test, but some in S. B. Mtns. look promising; Gregory and Silverwood. Elsinore is closest where boats are allowed but I don't like to fish where waterskiing is allowed.
The MWD boating regs have specific requirements for each type of boat. Since my Porta-Bote is only 16" short, I may come to Skinner some day and see if they reject me. If they do not physically measure, they may let me pass??
I have fished mostly for trout, but I am willing to try new species.
Again, thanks for getting me fired up to wet a line.

Gary

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Never seen them measure a boat and I see boats as small as 12' out there all the time. Plus the kayaks and canoes. Don't think you will have any problems at Skinner. There is no water contact there. I never go to Elsinore for those reasons and the water is usually pretty dirty. They do allow water skiing at Perris, and they start showing up around nine o'clock mostly in the summer. Usually not a problem. Good luck and tight lines.