Suggestions For Finding The Bass

[hmongkidBee]

Hey guys, I wanted to get some help from you guys on here regarding finding the bass at this time.  We are in the winter season and I believe the bass are going deep and everytime I go fishing or at least everytime I've went out, I haven't been able to catch anything.  This is one of my most disappointing winters so far.  Anyways I wanted to see what people would suggest.  I fish from shore 98% of the time with the other 2% on a kayak but I rarely do that.  I looked on the weather forecast.  Here's the weather forecast for where I live:

 

 

Judging from this, what would be your suggestions as to where I can find the fish such as the likely spots they can be or anything relating to finding them.  Also, lure suggestions or techniques would be helpful.

 

I almost forgot, but I fish clear lakes where you can see down 2 or 3 feet and sometimes even more.

 

I'm looking forward to getting some great advice from you guys.

[WRB]

Bass Fishing SoCal's deep structured lakes from shore during the winter cold water period is difficult. There are very few public waters available near your location that have a good LMB population. So where do you fish?

Tom

[hmongkidBee]

I fish some local lakes and ponds such as this one:

 

http://www.longbeach.gov/park/parks_and_open_spaces/parks/el_dorado_regional_park.asp

 

As you can see there are 3 different smaller lakes that can be fished.  I fish the lake in Area II which is where the BIG FISH live and it has the clearest water available. 

[WRB]

I would select a swimbait; rainbow trout, Huddleston 68 ROF 5, 7'10" medium hvy swimbait rod like Okums and round reel like Shimano Cardiff 400A with 20 lb big Game mono and fish that. Second choice would be a big soft plastic worm like 9" Uptom's Custom dragon tail, cinnamon/blue neon and slip shot rig it on 10 to 12 lb FC hybrid like Fluoro Clear, 4/0 Owner 5100 or equal hook, Top Brass Pro-Jo 1/4 oz weight, pegged 7mm glass bead about 10" above the hook. You can fish this with a standard med/hvy bass outfit. Fish these until you see spawner's.

Target the inlet and outlet areas and any deep water zones. Check the trout planting schedule and fish those days and the next day after.

Tom

[hmongkidBee]

I would select a swimbait; rainbow trout, Huddleston 68 ROF 5, 7'10" medium hvy swimbait rod like Okums and round reel like Shimano Cardiff 400A with 20 lb big Game mono and fish that. Second choice would be a big soft plastic worm like 9" Uptom's Custom dragon tail, cinnamon/blue neon and slip shot rig it on 10 to 12 lb FC hybrid like Fluoro Clear, 4/0 Owner 5100 or equal hook, Top Brass Pro-Jo 1/4 oz weight, pegged 7mm glass bead about 10" above the hook. You can fish this with a standard med/hvy bass outfit. Fish these until you see spawner's.

Target the inlet and outlet areas and any deep water zones. Check the trout planting schedule and fish those days and the next day after.

Tom

Thanks for the advice.  I've been tossing swimbaits, mostly the huddleston 8" ROF5 with no takers yet.  I will definitely try some of these tips you gave me.  Thanks.

[CoBass]

I would select a swimbait; rainbow trout, Huddleston 68 ROF 5, 7'10" medium hvy swimbait rod like Okums and round reel like Shimano Cardiff 400A with 20 lb big Game mono and fish that. Second choice would be a big soft plastic worm like 9" Uptom's Custom dragon tail, cinnamon/blue neon and slip shot rig it on 10 to 12 lb FC hybrid like Fluoro Clear, 4/0 Owner 5100 or equal hook, Top Brass Pro-Jo 1/4 oz weight, pegged 7mm glass bead about 10" above the hook. You can fish this with a standard med/hvy bass outfit. Fish these until you see spawner's.

Target the inlet and outlet areas and any deep water zones. Check the trout planting schedule and fish those days and the next day after.

Tom

Good advice on finding out about the trout stocking schedule. There is a lake around here that has big hybrids in it. Throwing anything rainbow trout colored after a trout stocking is deadly. 

 

As far as your weather report goes hmongkidBee, I'd kill for those temps right now. The highest temp I've seen in the past 3 days is 12 degrees. Right now it's zero. Man I hate Winter. Good luck on the bass, keep after them and you'll eventually hook up. 

[Crestliner2008]

For kicks, try a soft paddletail type swimbait, such as the 5" SK Shadalicious. Rig it on a 1/2 oz. weighted swimbait hook (the kind with the screw keeper on the eye). You can rig it flat (sideways) or regular style, either way is O.K.. Make a long cast out. Let it sink to the bottom. Then start a slow, throbbing retrieve along that bottom. Rig it "texposed" and you should not have a problem with snags.

 

If there is a decent bass in the area, it will strike this easy meal. Good Luck!

[hmongkidBee]

For kicks, try a soft paddletail type swimbait, such as the 5" SK Shadalicious. Rig it on a 1/2 oz. weighted swimbait hook (the kind with the screw keeper on the eye). You can rig it flat (sideways) or regular style, either way is O.K.. Make a long cast out. Let it sink to the bottom. Then start a slow, throbbing retrieve along that bottom. Rig it "texposed" and you should not have a problem with snags.

 

If there is a decent bass in the area, it will strike this easy meal. Good Luck!

 

Thanks crestliner2008.  That's exactly the technique I use when the bass go into pre-spawn.  However, I use a basstrix paddletail and it absolutely KILLS them.  I'll be trying to get a hog today.