Shewillbemine Posted October 12, 2012 Posted October 12, 2012 I started bass fishing when I was approximately 15 years old, hampered by the Southern California reality that I could not drive and had scarce lakes to fish at. Most of my days were spent with dough baits catching catfish and carp since I felt limited fishing from docks and banks (now I know better). So my passion for bass fishing hibernated although I kept up with information via tons of books followed by the emergence of the internet. At 20 years old, I pursued it again but only catching bass via nightcrawlers. This was unsatisfying because it still didn't feel like "real" bass fishing. I caught a tiny one on a crankbait as well but that seemed like an accident to me since I wasn't even really trying/paying attention. Fast forward to 14 years later and I finally pick up the sport again. I'm wiser, more well-read, have the financial means for better equipment, fishing permits and boat rentals. And of course, I have this forum to thank for a deluge of information and motivation even in such a short amount of time after discovering it. Road Warrior's article regarding Senkos is amazing. I caught my first 2 bass on the tube bait which made me feel like I was doing something right. I went out again and caught 1 bass, again on the Senkos. Today, it was rainy and overcast in CA so I applied what I learned. Mostly, I knew that I should be out on the water because rainy, overcast days encourage bass to feed. I tried the Senko again but only had 1 bait that didn't set properly. But this time I was prepared. From my studying, I concluded that a fast moving crankbait would be appropriate for more active bass fishing (due to the weather), mimicking the minnows/shad I'd seen in shallow waters AND hit the deeper bass my fish finder identified (yes, I'm that guy who bought a fish finder). I purchased the Rapala Deep Runner Shad Rap that ranges from 5 - 11 feet. I also knew my technique should be to keep my rod tip down AND I remembered an old trick of using a permanent marker to enlarge the eyeball of this lure. So long story long, I CAUGHT SIX (6) BASS TODAY! I apologize for the long post. If you can't tell, I'm really amped about my really successful fishing day. I feel like I've "leveled up" after being baptised in the harsh bass waters of CA. Looking forward to learning a lot more from all of you. Thank you. I didn't take pics of the 3 dinks I caught. They were quite small and it amazed me that they even hit the crankbait. These bass are aggressive! A Senko Caught Bass on One Day First Bass on Shad Rap The Biggest Bass I've Caught In My Life So Far Same Bass - Another Pic Last Bass of the Day Quote
North Ga Hillbilly Posted October 12, 2012 Posted October 12, 2012 That next to last bass is built right. Great job man! NGaHB Quote
Super User Tuckahoe Joe Posted October 12, 2012 Super User Posted October 12, 2012 This forum is definitly great. No question. Great fish man! Quote
nathansmithusa Posted October 12, 2012 Posted October 12, 2012 Great story, and nice looking fish. Congrats on a great day of fishing. I lived in SouCal for years. Whereabouts are you located? If SouCal, try Lake Casitas or Castaic. Both have monster bass, but the fishing can be tough with smart fish and lots of competition. Quote
Super User South FLA Posted October 12, 2012 Super User Posted October 12, 2012 Senko bass looks biggest! Nice outing! Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted October 12, 2012 Super User Posted October 12, 2012 Nice catching! Congrats! Jeff Quote
BASSHUNTER1961 Posted October 12, 2012 Posted October 12, 2012 Nice read.... Congratulations on your final success. You stuck with it, and it has paid off. Quote
Super User LgMouthGambler Posted October 12, 2012 Super User Posted October 12, 2012 Good fish. Keep it up! Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted October 12, 2012 Super User Posted October 12, 2012 Congrats ~ ! Here's to many more bass filled days for you on the water. A-Jay Quote
Super User Darren. Posted October 12, 2012 Super User Posted October 12, 2012 Good stuff, man! Nice fishing trip. Quote
Super User scaleface Posted October 12, 2012 Super User Posted October 12, 2012 Congratulations! Im a big believer in eyeballs on lures. I even add three eyeballs to bullet weights with white and black nail polish{That way one is always visible}. I never heard of using a permanent marker to enlarge the eyes on a crankbait. You taught me something. 1 Quote
hookset on 3 Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 Shewillbemine, on October 11 2012, they WERE yours! 1 Quote
Shewillbemine Posted October 13, 2012 Author Posted October 13, 2012 Great story, and nice looking fish. Congrats on a great day of fishing. I lived in SouCal for years. Whereabouts are you located? If SouCal, try Lake Casitas or Castaic. Both have monster bass, but the fishing can be tough with smart fish and lots of competition. I'm around LA, OC and San Diego. I do plan to check out many more lakes including those two, but I want to test my mettle and earn experience points with the smaller lakes first. The large, popular lakes in SoCal are way overfished and I'm taking baby steps as I learn more. Quote
NEjitterbugger Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 Great idea... Nice catches also, congrats... Quote
SGT Rico Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 You had a great day!! All quality fish. Quote
Mrs. Matstone Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 Great post and pics. Congrats to you! Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted October 13, 2012 Super User Posted October 13, 2012 Good outing. Quote
Will Wetline Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 I've got a vicarious buzz going from your enthusiastic post! Quote
Super User bowhunter63 Posted October 13, 2012 Super User Posted October 13, 2012 Great trip,Congrats. Quote
Jake P Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 Awesome fish man! here's to many more cali bass in the future!! Quote
Super User Bankbeater Posted October 16, 2012 Super User Posted October 16, 2012 Way to go! You had a great trip! Quote
Shewillbemine Posted October 20, 2012 Author Posted October 20, 2012 I recently stumbled on Surf/Beach Fishing (fishing the ocean but from the beach, not a boat or pier) and decided to give it a try. I used the recommended bloodworms and caught a Yellowfin Croaker on the first cast! However, one thing they don't tell you about wading into the waves is how tired you'll be afterwards. Passed out for a few hours in the car! Quote
Shewillbemine Posted October 23, 2012 Author Posted October 23, 2012 Well, I think I'm just going to use this thread as sort of my digital diary since I've read that it helps to chronicle your successes (and failures). The details I provide in my post are mostly for me to check back on and remember my tactics and conditions. I fished back to back days and here's what I got. In San Diego/Poway Lake, I ventured out at the 7am opening time when we had light/medium rain. Most of the fish were hanging out at REALLY deep levels probably because of the warmer temperatures down there. My HumminBird Fishin' Buddy registered medium/large fish but all the way down at 50 - 90 ft. depth. I caught two bass for the day, both on the Rapala Shad Rap (my new favorite lure). I gotta admit that crankbaits make me feel more involved versus plastics, although I know plastics have a better chance of landing larger fish. LURE: Rapala Shad Rap LOCATION: Casting towards shoreline in eastern alcove RETRIEVE: Quick with 2-3 short jerks ("tap-tap" reel) LURE: Rapala Shad Rap LOCATION: Casting towards shoreline in southeastern main shoreline CONDITIONS: Light to Medium Wind; 74 degrees; less current at location; cast right into front of weeds RETRIEVE: Quick with 2-3 short jerks ("tap-tap" reel) This one's from a local lake. LURE: Rapala Shad Rap LOCATION: Casting towards northern side of Bass Island into the weedline. RETRIEVE: Quick with "dying shad" 3-4 continuous jerks ("taptaptap" reel) Quote
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