California Lakes, Anyone Help Me?

[crankbait2009]

As I stated in another thread, I am going to be doing some travelling for work.  In a couple areas that I will pass, there will be some freshwater that I'll be able to fish in (if time allows).

 

A couple of lakes that I found in the area are The San Diego River, Lake Murray, Lake Jennings, and El Capitan Reservoir.

 

Obviously, I will be travelling along Route 8.  Is there any locations at these lakes that are good bank fishing spots?  I can't stray too far off the beaten path so id like a spot where i can get in for about an hour or so, then get out, not spending a lot of time getting back to the highway.

 

I noticed that the Salton Sea is just North of El Centro, anyone know anything about this lake/sea?

 

Is there one lake that is better than another for shore fishing this time of year?  I will be out there around March 3

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[WRB]

Welcome to CA.

The San Diego city lakes have excellent bass fishing from shore or rental boats.

Forget the Salton Sea and the San Diego River.

The city lakes are small and most have walking trails with easy shoreline access.

You will need a non resident fishing license.

You should also consider fish the San Diego Bay Area or go out on a local sport fishing boat.

The bay has spotted bay bass and they can be caught using fresh water tackle with various soft plastic grubs on jigs.

Lakes Barret, Morena, El Capitan and Murry are all close to 8, Lower Otay 125, Miramar 15, etc.

I would look at San Diego fishing forums for daily reports, I live in Ventura county and don't get to the DS area very often anymore.

We are in a 4 year drought, all our lake are about 50% capacity or very low.

Good luck.

Tom

[crankbait2009]

thanks for the feedback......i'll have to purchase that license wisely.  most likely have to buy it a day at a time...........

 

I think I may try my luck at Capitan/Murray.  any lures you'd suggest fishing from shore?

[WRB]

Haven't fished there in several years.

Fishing from shore I during the spring when the bass are moving uphill ( deep to shallow ) use plastic worms or craws fished on a finesse C-rig is your best bet, but boring presentation.

You need sliding mojo style weight 1/4-3/8 oz. Carolina Keeper or pegged glass bead to hold the weight up the line about 30". You can use a bullet weight, the mojo cylinder tends to go through rocks better without hanging up. Hook, you can use a weedless wacky style Owner or Gamakstsu and node hook the worm or craw, I prefer using Owner 5133 # 1/0 down shot hook and Texas skin hook worms between 5 1/2 to 6" ot a size 3/0 straight shank worm hook for 7" worms.

Robo colors; MMII, red crawler, oxblood red flake and bait ball all work everywhere in SoCal lakes.

You need to go to 6-8 lb line, the bass are presseured and heavier line with finesse rigs doesn't work.

If you choose a jjig, go with a 3/8 oz football plian black and use Yamamoto #197, 4" twin tail Hula grub. Usec10-12 line with jigs is OK.

Tom

PS, look into a 10 day non-res license.

[crankbait2009]

thank you for breaking down my lure options that would be best right now.

 

I have never heard of this: "Robo colors; MMII, red crawler, oxblood red flake and bait ball".  what is this exactly

 

Since I am not exactly fishing in the spring, but rather winter.........what would the TOP 3 lures/baits be that I should take with me.  Obviously, space and this thing called "work" is getting int he way.  SO i need to take a limited number of lures.

[BasshunterJGH]

thank you for breaking down my lure options that would be best right now.

 

I have never heard of this: "Robo colors; MMII, red crawler, oxblood red flake and bait ball".  what is this exactly

 

Since I am not exactly fishing in the spring, but rather winter.........what would the TOP 3 lures/baits be that I should take with me.  Obviously, space and this thing called "work" is getting int he way.  SO i need to take a limited number of lures.

http://www.roboworm.com/Robo: Roboworms. Finesse worms. MMII, red crawler and oxblood are colors.

[crankbait2009]

ok, got it........you were naming brand specific, rather than "types". would you recommend a specific type of worm

[WRB]

ok, got it........you were naming brand specific, rather than "types". would you recommend a specific type of worm

6" and 7" straight and 6" curl tail are good size to start with. Roboworms work good as a finesse C-rig worm because they are soft and float, helps when fishing uphill from shore for FLMB we have.

SoCal is in pre spawn transitioning to spawn for the next month. The points leading to spawning coves is the location to start at, deeper water working back into the coves shallower water. Fish any wood/brush stick ups you see.

Good luck.

Tom

PS, what type of rod/reel and line do you have? Helps to determine presentations and lure choices.

[crankbait2009]

im not taking my baitcasters and spinning combos that are rigged for specific techniques.  just something to allow me to fish.

 

i have a 6' medium telescopic rod.  spinning reel combo.  heres actually what i have......

 

http://www.basspro.com/Zebco-33-Authentic-Telecast-Spinning-Rod-and-Reel-Combo/product/1310030631164/

[WRB]

Medium spinning outfit is perfect for finesse slip shot rig or split shot or drop shot.

From shore the slip shot rig is a good choice.

I would change the line to a premium mono 6 to 8 lb test.

PIck up up a bag of mojo wieights in 316 oz size, a bag of Carolina Keepers to use as a weight stop. Owner #5133 size 1/0 or Gamakatsu size 1/0 straight shank light wire worm hooks. Roboworms 6" straight tail worms.

You can get all this at local tackle stores like Turners Outdoors etc.

The Carolina keeper is a small plastic cylinder with a slot to run the line through when pinched open with needle nose pliers, easy to adjust the leader length, pinch and slide.

Fan cast shoreline point areas dragging the weight slooowly along the bottom, works very good this time of year.

Good luck.

Tom

[crankbait2009]

as for the line, i actually swapped out that cajun line witha Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft line (8lb test)

 

minus the roboworms, i have all the other terminal tackle already